Snowmobile trails in the Northern Hills are scheduled to open on schedule. The trails are different this year than they have been in years past. Fifty-eight miles of trails near O’Neill Pass and Cement Ridge are being rearranged due to logging activity in pine-beetle infested areas in the high country. Affected areas are still being cleared.
Bonnie Jones is the Recreation Specialist for the Northern Hills Ranger District. She says snowmobilers need to be aware of trail changes.
“So we actually worked hand in hand with the logging community and the State Game Fish & Parks for actually many months to try to get these trails rearranged so that they can continue logging and the recreationists can still continue to have fun snowmobile trails for the winter time,” says Jones.
Jones says trail changes are marked and updated maps are available. Jones adds that winter recreationists should exercise caution since there is significant logging traffic. Snowmobilers are asked to stay on marked trails and stay off plowed roads.