Snowmobiling: Local clubs warn not to be the "bad apple" that ruins the whole crop
BOONVILLE- Snowmobiling season is in full swing here in the North Country and surrounding regions and authorities are encouraging riders to keep up good behavior habits.
According to various snowmobile clubs from the four-county listening area, the trails continue to remain anywhere from good to excellent, a much welcomed bit of news after a very mild start to this year's riding season in general.
According to Lost Trail Snowmobile Club President Kevin Chambers, things have gone smoothly so far this season, but there's been an important issue that has recently been brought to attention that could very well jeopardize access into all of Boonville.
We were recently notified by the Mohawk Adirondack and Northern Railroad about snowmobilers who have been riding on the tracks in Boonville; specifically between Main and Schuyler Streets.
On some trail systems, a railroad bed actually serves as the trail; but this is certainly not the case for Lost Trail Snowmobile Club, President Kevin Chambers warns.
"The railroad is coming through soon, they are going to put cars on the tracks for storage like they have in the past," he warned.
"We need to stay on the marked trail."
As illustrated in the above photo, if this situation sees no swift improvement, President Chambers fears that the railroad company could cut ties on their contract, which allows grooming machines and sleds to cross the tracks at five different locations between Port Leyden and Boonville.
"They could cancel our contract, which then shuts our trail system down completely because there would be no access in or out of Boonville."
Chambers pleads with any and all snowmobilers who visit Boonville to please stay off from the tracks in the village.
During a time frame where families are looking to safely keep occupied amidst a virus outbreak, it seems as if more and more sleds are zipping along our regional trail systems.
In general, snowmobile club officials seem to agree that most everyone follows the rules and most importantly stays on the marked trails.
However, every year cycles through with a select few who show little regard for landowners and their property.
Image courtesy of Lost Trail Snowmobile Club.
With that being said, Turin Ridge Riders President Chris Skipper says no matter how much sled traffic there is out on the trails, all it takes is one or two "bad apples" to ruin the bunch for everyone else.
"Here in Tug Hill, we see a great amount of snowmobile traffic and for Turin in particular, we have the two main trails that connect to Tug Hill and the Adirondacks; arguably the most heaviest traveled trail systems in New York State," he told us.
"Even if one-percent of the bad apples happen to be concentrated in the area, it can exacerbate or make problems look a little bit worse than they are."
With no signs of winter easing up just yet, Skipper says it's crucial for the sake of the sport and the trail systems for everyone to simply ride on the trails.
"Our farmers and our landowners allow us to utilize the snowmobiles really just for the good of the local economy and the good of Upstate New York," Skipper said.
"A simple thank you and certainly staying on the trails I think would be most appreciated by them."
Be sure to listen to our latest on-air report with Chris Skipper and Kevin Chambers:
Images courtesy of Lost Trail Snowmobile Club.
