Hiway16 Magazine... about people and places in north-central British Columbia, Canada

PAGE THREE
OF THREE

Blazing Through Powder and Politics

Although the trails are well used, once you get to the open areas, you can leave others behind and literally "lose yourself" in this massive winter playground.

If caribou are present in one of the favorite areas, called the "Meat Cache", the Snow Patrollers will post signs to close that area, and riders will be directed elsewhere.

Permanent signs already warn riders about being in the Meat Cache when these animals are around. "But...," says Club President Terry Close, "...there is a lot of room up there."

Caribou warning signs at the Telkwa Range entrance to the Meat Cache

The toughest part of being a club member seems to be signing up new members. Out of the $35 single ($45 family) annual membership, the club has to renovate and maintain cabins, pay for gas and repairs on the packers and groomers, buy permits, signs, propane, trail passes to sell, etc. The list is long.

The BC Snowmobile Federation which lobbies for continued use of places like the Meat Cache, is sent $15 from each membership collected. Still, numbers show that too many non-club riders are using the cabins and trails for free. "Maybe they think the trails are naturally flat and the cabins just grew there?" says Terry with a chuckle. It does make one wonder.

Watch out for those wide tree wells!

For a one-year membership, you can send a cheque to Box 364 Houston, V0J 1Z0 and your trail pass and card will be mailed back to you. If you are still not convinced that being a member is a worthy cause, there are many places locally to buy a day Trail Pass. Paradise Sports and A&W provide day passes and information. There is also a donation box at the start of the Telkwa Ridge Trails.

If you are all paid up, you won't be as embarrassed to ask for the occasional bit of help if you need to!

(March 16, 2001)