Update 01/10/2010:

The Trails are currently OPEN, please ride carefully and respect the landowners property!

Check the "Trail Work" section of the website for announced work days for each week.

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Update 9/9/07:

We have already begun trail work, and have quite a bit more to do this fall. Please come to the meetings to find out about trail work, or call Mike Lanning at 673-2648 to volunteer.

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Update 3/27/07:

The trails are closed for the season. We still need to pull the signs and clean up garbage. We will discuss dates at our next meeting.

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Update 2/22/07:

The trails are open. Since we have gotten 2 feet of snow on Valentines Day, it has been next to impossible to groom the trails. This is true for most clubs in the area. So what you are now seeing are trails with huge moguls on them, not fun at all. But everyone needs to kbow that we are doing the best we can, and your calls complaining don't help the matter!

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As of January 24th, the trails are officially open. There isn't much snow on the trails, so use your best judgement as to whether you should ride or not!

The Trail to Footprints is also open. This trail can be accessed from the "Trail Between the Lakes". Look for the signs. Take it slow going down the first time, as it is steep and winding in some spots.

As a member of the Marcellus Club, if you find signs or markers down, or debris in the trail, please pull off to the side of the trail and remove it or fix it.

If you notice any problems with the trail, please take a moment to notify Mike Lanning.

As we get more snow accumulation, we are always looking for volunteers to groom. If this seems like it would interest you, see Mike Lanning.

Remember that the trails don't belong to us, but rather the landowners are kind enough to let us use their land. Treat it as such. Most trails go around a field for a reason, and that is because the farmer has winter crops planted. If you go tearing through his field, chances are you have torn up his crop, also. Treat the land with respect, as we are only "borrowing" it for a short while.

With such little snow cover, be aware of all obstacles. The snow hasn't matted down the weeds and goldenrod, making it hard to see deer. When they gey spooked by your sled, they want to run on the nice trail that you happen to be using. I have literally seen well over 100 deer in my two short rides this year. Also, watch out for other wildlife, such as turkeys and pheasents, as well as dogs and children when you ride near houses.

If the snow melts, the gates will again be closed. This is Mike Lanning and Tom McHales decision, but it is to protect your safety and protect our landowners property.

The beginning to this season has been one of the deadliest and dangerous in my memory. Even if you believe you have your vehicle under control, you have NO control of your surroundings, and other snowmobiliers. Use common sense, be aware, and take your first ride to get used to your new sled, the new mod's you did to your machine, and the somewhat changed layout of our trails. Also, SLOW DOWN!

We all want to have a good time, but alcohol and riding do not mix. For some reason, some riders still believe it is ok to ride while intoxicated, but would never drive that way. Once you start drinking, then you get your beer muscles on, and then it is throttle to the handle bar all the way home. Think before you drink and ride, and set limits for yourself. I don't want you to kill yourself, me, or anyone else. Think about it.

The police have been out doing checks in our area. A word of advice- if you pull up to a check point, turn off your machine, take off your helmet, be polite, and show the cops your registration and insurance card without them having to ask you! They don't want to be out in the cold, and they can either be our friends, or they can be our enemies. So show some politeness and respect.

Speaking of registrations, if you haven't registered your sled by now, SHAME ON YOU! NYSSA set a cutoff to count registrations as of December 31st. At that time, registrations were down approximately 45%. This means that our funding for next year will be CUT by almost 50%! o if you think procrastination doesn't hurt anything, this procrastination hurt.

Ride safe, ride smart, and use your head. We don't want to see any more fatalities this year!