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It has been a long and frustrating wait for all of us, with the Christmas thaw and long time to rebuild our snow base. Things are looking better, but we still need some more snow. Trail packing has started up again in some areas with the Argo but more snow is needed to fill the ditches and cover the fields. The fields are wind blown and bare, with the plowed fields being the in the worst conditions. All of the grooming equipment is prepped and ready to roll as soon as the snow comes, so we need everyone doing a snow dance so that we can get them out and get the trails opened!
West Carleton Trail patrol co-ordinator Scott Hamilton meets with the rescue snowmobile at Stn 63 in Constance Bay, providing them with up-to-date maps
The West Carleton Trails Association and Ottawa Fire Dispatch have worked together to have our snowmobile trail maps online with fire dispatch.
This means that in case of an accident on the snowmobile trails the rescue snowmobiles of Ottawa Fire can be dispatched with greater accuracy. For example if a snowmobiler calls in that an accident is on trail number W17 the dispatcher can reference the trail location, and send emergency services to best location.
Just before Christmas West Carleton Trail patrol co-ordinator Scott Hamilton and equipment manager Paul Asmis met with the rescue snowmobile at Stn 63 in Constance Bay and provided them with up-to-date maps. Trail patrol is looking forward to partnering with the rescue crews during snowmobile events this winter.
The first meeting of 2015 for WCSTA will be happening tomorrow evening at the W. Erskine Johnston arena in Carp. We will be upstairs in the meeting room off the Amateur Sports Club and bar starting at 7:30. All are welcome!
Trails are not open yet! Please note the last paragraph
Attached is the current state of our trails, the green are the trails that have been picketed and are signed and ready for inspection.
The major push are the trails is the area south of the 417, Thursday we hope to complete the W 10 and W 9, and Friday the W 12 either side of Pakenham (from W 10 to W 9 intersection)
The big effort required this Saturday is the new re-route for the W 12 from Blakeney towards the A Trail (coming into Almonte), a small group attacked it last weekend, but there is still aprox 1 km left of a trail that has not we used or brushed in aprox 10 years. Please show up this Saturday at 9 AM, park on the side of the road around 314 Ridge Road off the top of Panmure, and then follow the trail makers in to the work party. The work requires pruners, chain saws, work gloves, we will provide a brush saw and pole saw. Due to the distance involved best to bring your sled or ATV
We need to get all trails signed and inspected before we can start the grooming and using the trails (and of course we still need some more snow). The few of us that are doing the bulk of the work are exhausted from a 3 month effort, and we know it’s the busy Christmas season, but these are the simple facts of what is required to open trails. Please lend a hand.
The December meeting for the West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association will be taking place at 7:30pm on Tuesday December 2 at the Sports Bar in the W.E. Johnston Arena in Carp. All members of the West Carleton club, volunteers and landowners are invited to attend. If you would like to find out more about what goes on behind the scenes, or get involved, please join us!
The West Carleton driver training course is now full. For other club locations where driver training is scheduled, please visit ofsc.on.ca/get-started/driver-training.
WCSTA will be holding a driver training course on November 22, 2014 at the Kinburn Community Centre.
Ontario Law requires any person 16 years and over to hold a valid Ontario Driver’s Licence or a Motorized Snow Vehicle Operator’s Licence to operate a snowmobile on OFSC snowmobile trails. Persons 12 to 15 years old require a Motorized Snow Vehicle Operator’s Licence.
Our driver training volunteers will be holding one scheduled course this season in West Carleton, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 22. A parent must accompany each student to register and sign a permission form, and must produce a PHOTO COPY of their birth certificate upon registration at 8:30 on the day of the course. The course will cost $40.00 with the WCSTA providing a pizza lunch.
To book a spot, or questions, please contact Ted Kelly, WCSTA Driver Training Coordinator at ted-kelly@sympatico.ca
The Club has received requests for coordinated rides, including longer tours. Last year the club successfully planned the RAP tour, a 4-day ride around Algonquin Park.
As a result of the great success of the tour last year, we are in the planning stages for a group-coordinated ride in Northern Ontario – The OFSC Gold Rush Tour. It is approximately 710 km tour, over 4 days.
Background
The tour will depart from New Liskeard Ontario and travel clockwise around the tour loop ending back in New Liskeard. It is approx. a 6-hour drive from West Carleton to the start point.
The tour will follow TOP trails and connectors. The area is well known for its deep snow, and wide low traffic trails.
History of Area
Despite it’s catchy easy to brand name, the Gold Rush Tour moniker was originally chosen because the area in which the route is situated has a rich (literally and figuratively) history in gold mining. Gold was first discovered in the area in 1911. Eight years later a large forest fire exposed much of the bedrock – a blessing to prospectors who discovered more sediment in the area. In 1933 an article in the New York Times (referring to the White Rock mine at Violet Lake and mines at Three Ducks Lake and Beaver Lake) claimed that this was the biggest gold rush since the 49ers of California and the Klondike rush of 1896.
The largest gold mine in the Shining Tree area, The Ronda Mine near Michiwakenda Lake, was opened in 1939 with $6,000,000 invested in it – a huge sum for that period of time. By that time, with the discovery of gold and several lumber camps operating nearby, the population of the Shining Tree area swelled to a population of 900.
Deposit
A $75 deposit non-refundable from each rider is required prior to the cut off date. Deposit are required by the planning meeting Oct 14,2015. Please provide to Scott Hamilton, Ted Kelly or Paul Asmis. (Note costs have increased over last year.)
Length: 710 km
4 days of riding with approx. 6-8 hours per day. The first and last day ride will be shorter, with the 2nd and 3rd day having extended riding distance
Dates: Mar 1-5 2015
The trip has planned over the week to take advantage of lower hotel rates, the fact that all services are open (including repair gas etc.), and that there will less traffic on the trails.
Planning Meeting
A planning meeting is scheduled for Tuesday Oct 14, 7 pm at “Luv the Barr” in Pakenham.
Reservations
Room reservations are the responsibility of each rider, and detailed information for each booking is provided. It is not too early to make bookings!!! If riders know they are interested please start making bookings soon. The accommodations fill up very quickly for that time of the year. Cancellation dates are listed.
If you cancel your reservation you are responsible for all fees. If any fees are not paid are and must be covered by the group on tour you will be required to pay when the group returns.
Note all bookings under group – West Carleton Snowmobile Club
Schedule and Options
Riders can trailer to the start point at the Holiday Inn Express in New Liskeard.
There is plenty of parking for trailers.
There are excellent trails around New Liskeard. Riders arriving early on the Sunday can take advantage of the loops around the town. Also riders can elect to stay an extra night at the end of the tour to explore the local loops.
Schedule
Sunday
Arrive- Holiday Inn Express, New Liskeard
Riders Briefing – 1900 hrs. In bar area.
Monday
Destination is Long Point Lodge, Gowganda, Ontario
Distance approx. 156 km
Fuel / Stops –Elk Lake
Tuesday
Destination is Timmins, Ontario, Microtel Inn and Suites
Distance approx. 250 km
Fuel – Mattagami NOTE REPORTED CASH ONLY
Stops – Post 392- CASH ONLY
Wednesday
Destination is Kirkland Lake, Comfort Inn
Distance -200km
Fuel
Stops
Thursday
Destination – New Liskeard – Holiday Inn Express
Distance 100 km
Fuel
Stops TBD
Accommodation Information
1st Night Sunday Mar 1
Holiday Inn Express New Liskeard
998029 Ontario 11, New Liskeard, ON, P0J 1P0
705-647-8282
Cancelation – 6 weeks prior
Rates: $155
Parking: Truck and trailers included
Food: Husky Truck stop in Walking Distance/ breakfast included in room
Fuel: Close by
Stores: Wal-Mart within short distance
Pool and hot tub.
Meeting room booked for pre departure briefing
2nd Night Monday Mar 2
Long Point Lodge
Box 207, Elk Lake, Ontario, P0J 1G0
705-624-2419
http://www.duenorth.net/longpointlodge/winter.html
Cancellation – 4 weeks prior
Rates: $80 per person per day includes room, breakfast, and pack lunch, dinner.
Food: Onsite – part of meal plan
Fuel: Onsite
Sauna
3rd Night Tuesday Mar 3
Microtel Inn and Suites Timmins, Ont
1960 Riverside Drive, Timmins, Ont
P4R 0A2
705-264-1477
Cancelation: 24 hrs.
Rates: $130.00
Food: Order pizza in a meeting room. Meeting room part of group booking. Breakfast included
Fuel: Close by
Stores: Canadian tire and Wal-Mart close by
Pool and hot tub
4th Night Wednesday Mar 4
Kirkland Lake Inn and Suites
50 Government Road East
Kirkland Lake, ON, P2N 1A5
1 800-461-4971
Cancellation – 24 hrs.
Rates: Group booking – $125 per night
Food: Restaurant in hotel open until 10 pm/ 6-10 am breakfast at hotel
Gas: on trail close by just down the street
Stores: Tim Horton’s next door, beer store, pharmacy, KFC across street
Meeting room booked for evening briefing
No hot tub or pool
Food
Dinner and breakfast is available at each accommodation stop (each rider responsible for food). Group will stop on the trail for lunch. See details above
Fuel
The group will stop for fuel approximately halfway through each day. In some areas of the tour fuel stops are limited and are approximately 150km apart. Fuel is available prior to departure.
Chase Vehicle
Chase vehicle is being organized and a non-refundable deposit will cover the cost of the chase vehicle for each rider. The chase vehicle, which will be a pick up truck with a 20ft trailer, will follow the group. It will proceed to the next nights stop, and can be contacted in case of break down. It will also be able to carry spare fuel, oil, parts, and limited amount of luggage. The fuel for the chase vehicle will be paid for from the non-refundable deposit.
As far North as this tour is, the loop parallels / follows Highway 560, 144, and 11. This will allow for access to the chase vehicle in case of an emergency breakdown.
Safety and Group Riding
Depending on the numbers providing the deposit, riders will be put into groups of 4-6 riders. Groups will be assigned on the Sunday evening meeting based on desired speed of travel – each group will stay together. The larger tour group will meet at lunch and at the accommodations at the end of the day.
A safety contact list will be provided to each rider in the group.
Each rider is responsible for riding safely under control, and within his or her limits. Note the group will wait at all critical trail junctions.
Risk
Each rider assumes responsibility for and understands the risks inherent in snowmobiling in a remote wilderness setting such as involved in this trip. Each rider must understand that regardless of the chase vehicle, the tour will be in remote locations and emergency assistance will be a significant distance away. Each rider must be fit, and prepared with proper equipment for the extreme winter weather conditions expected.
Emergency Numbers:
- OPP emergency: 1-888-310-1122
- Temiskaming Hospital 421 Shepherdson Road, New Liskeard, P0J 1P0, 1 -705-647-8121
- Englehart and District Hospital 1-705-544-2301 – 61-5th Street Englehart, ONT
- Mattagami First Nation Medical 1-705-894-2072
- Gogama Nursing Station 1-705-894-2005
- Gogama Fire 1-88-571-3473
- Gogama Ambulance 1-877-351-2345
- Timmins Hospital 700 Ross Ave E, Timmins, Ont 1-705-2131
- Timmins Ambulance Service – 911
- Kirkland Lake Hospital 145 Govt Rd E, Kirkland Lake ON, P2N3R2, 705-567-4357
Communications
Each rider will be asked to provide a cell number. A tour text group will be created so riders can text messages, and communicate with chase vehicle.
Selection for Participation
The tour group is initially planned for 12 riders, plus chase truck driver. (Depending on demand numbers may be adjusted.) The tour will be limited to members of the West Carleton Snowmobile Club. As demand is expected to exceed capacity selection for participation will be based on order the deposits are received, club participation, and volunteer participation. The tour organizers reserve the right to select riders based on the requirements of the tour. If a deposit is not received by the planning meeting in Oct. the participants name will be removed from the confirmed group.
Sled maintenance and Insurance
The group will assist each other but everyone is expected to have the basic maintenance completed on their machines prior to departing on the tour. In addition each rider is responsible to carry all required insurance, registration, license, and valid OFSC permit.
Advertising
On club web page, and face book page
Registration
To register for the tour please complete the registration form and submit your deposit to one of the tour coordinators. Deposits may be made via mail, electronic transfer or in person.
A tour coordinator will confirm registration before Oct 14, 2015.
Please contact any of the coordinators for details.
Information
Ted Kelly
ted-kelly@sympatIco.ca
613-296-5294
Scott Hamilton
Shamilton@delta-gl.com
613-852-7271
Paul Asmis
pasmis@mac.com
Cell 613-297-9818
The October meeting for the West Carleton Snowmobile Trails club will be taking place at 7:30pm this evening at the Sports Bar in the W.E Johnson Arena in Carp. All members of the West Carleton club, volunteers and landowners are invited to attend. If you would like to find out more about what goes on behind the scenes, or get involved, please join us!
On Tuesday September 23rd at 7:30pm West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association will be giving an OFSC Signage Course, to run thru all the do’s and don’ts of installing signs, distances to install them at etc. We are being hosted by the Greystone Grill in Constance Bay.
If you’ve wondered about helping with signing our trails, and want to participate, please come and meet some of the other signage volunteers. If you’re already a signage volunteer, it’s a good chance to get updated on any signage requirements (risk management) changes, or refresh your memory!
Hope to see you then.
Thanks to our landowners, permit buyers and volunteers
Every year generous landowners allow the winter use of their property for the enjoyment of snowmobiling. This land use is a privilege that is crucial to the existence of our snowmobile trails, and provides many social, recreational and economical benefits to our entire community – not to mention memories made out on the trails and at events with family and friends. On behalf of our clubs, volunteers and businesses that benefit from OFSC trails, the West Carleton Snowmobile Trails Association wish to extend sincere “thanks” to our landowners for the use of their property again this season.
People are being warned to stay off of area OFSC Prescribed snowmobile trails as trails are now reported as “Unavailable” on the OFSC Interactive Trail Guide at www.ofsc.on.ca. The public is also reminded that an OFSC snowmobile trail on private land reported as “Unavailable” means that access to that trail is also prohibited for any other users or persons for all other seasons, without the specific prior permission of the landowner.
We also appreciate the support of the many snowmobilers who bought trail permits to help pay their share of the cost of trail operations for the past season.
A very special thanks is also extended to all of the club volunteers who donated their services to assist local clubs in providing a successful season of snowmobiling. Although the winter is over, snowmobiling has become a year round business, so many volunteers will start immediately to plan and prepare for next winter. If you are interested in helping out, please let us know.