Hub Staff

So far January 2018 has seen an increase in snowmobile users as snowfall amounts in parts of Bruce County have risen from 65 centimetres in December 2016 to 95 centimetres in December 2017, according to the Government of Canada’s monthly climate summary, creating a good base for the county’s trail system.

Brett Shular of the Southampton Snowmobile Club can attest that the snow came “fast and furious” last month and made for some cold days marking the trails by the end of December. “It is awesome that after two winters in which we have battled to keep trails open for any length of time that we were able to get enough snow and cold weather to open the trails up in late December,” said Shular.

The sledder said that with big snowfalls accompanied by wind makes for drifts forming over sections of the trail system. “This means that the groomer has to make a lot more trips over the trails to maintain them,” he said, adding that so far the wind has been this winter’s biggest obstacle from the grooming perspective.

“We are hoping to avoid the dreaded January thaw or at least have enough of a base built on the trails to survive it,” said Shular who wanted to thank all volunteers who make the trails possible to ride on.

The snowmobiler also wants sledders to mark February 3 on their calendars as the local club will be hosting its annual Poker Run, getting underway at the Southampton club house. The Poker Run will again be raising funds for the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation.

For regional trail and permit information, tour information, as well as interactive maps, visit the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs District 9 website at www.ofscdistrict9.ca.

Please note a section of trail from the Harry Thede Sideroad to the east end of Mill Street in Port Elgin will be closed for the season due to Mill Creek bridge reconstruction.