Trail Report

12/29/22

Trails will be closed effective 12/30 due to deteriorating conditions caused by this thaw period. We anticipate this to be a long term closure as temperatures are forecast to be above normal for the next week or so. Hopefully winter will return with a vengeance in mid January and last into March.

Gates and fences will be closed over the next couple of days. This is a reminder that ATV/SxS’s are not allowed on any NEPSAT trail this time of year.

Bad news aside, we wish all of our members, landowners, sponsors, volunteers and partners a Happy, safe and prosperous New Year.

Trails are open, main trails A and B are thin but rideable, wooded trails may be rough in some locations. Ride with caution as turns may be icy and there may be trees and limbs down and covered with snow. Temperatures are forecast to remain in the single digits the next couple of days.

This last storm brought 4-5 inches of fresh snow before getting warm and changing to rain, then a flash freeze with a couple inches of new snow. The main railbeds looked ok before the flash freeze and snow. Conditions are not ideal, if you ride with scratchers you may need them, the snow that fell and drifted at the tail end definitely will help. The wooded trails are unknown so please take it easy first time around. With the Christmas holiday we doubt we’ll have anyone out but anyone who does get out please report trail conditions and any hazards you may come across.

Long range forecasts do not look favorable for later next week with a lengthy warmup and possible rain. We anticipate this reopening will be short lived if the forecast holds true.

Due to the unpredictability of this storm we will be closing the trails today once the rain hits. Please stay off the trails while this brief warmup occurs and things freeze back up. It’s the only way we can preserve the base. The groomers did what they can where possible in advance of this storm.

Locally this region is forecast to receive up to 2” of rainfall in a short time period this afternoon into tonight, followed by a flash freeze on Friday. Winds are forecast to gust 40-50 mph making the situation dangerous for any travel. Scour from the water runoff and fallen trees can make for dangerous trail conditions.

We’ll post an update once we have the opportunity to assess the impact of this storm on the trails. All trails will be closed until further notice. Monitor this page and our website for updates, we will not be answering emails or pm’s asking for information that is already being provided.

12/16/2022

Trails are Open (Snowmobile only!)

The region received a good amount of snow, especially in the elevations. The higher you go the more snow there is, typical elevation storm.

We will have a limited opening. Trails are open but please exercise caution as early season riding conditions are in effect. You may encounter fallen trees and limbs, water holes, closed gates and fences, and other hazards. Most gates are open but you may find a few that aren’t open yet. If you stick to the main trails then you should be ok but it is likely there are trees and branches down from the high winds from the storm. It will take our volunteers a day or two to get around to everything as we need to dig out and have real jobs too.

Please be advised of the following trail closures:

The D trail remains closed from the Red Schoolhouse to the northern C-D intersection in Pleasant Mount.

There is a closure on the C trail near Andrews Trucking. A bridge inspection deemed it unsafe and required a last minute replacement. The bridge crew made every effort to get this done before the storm. It is anticipated that they will finish tomorrow or Sunday, we will post an update as soon as it is reopened.

The X trail is closed from the A trail to the Speakeasy due to the concrete blocks placed at Creek Rd. by Herrick Twp. blocking the X trail entrance/ exit. We are working to resolve this matter but this will serve notice that this section of trail is closed and the clubs insurance and the provisions of the PA Recreational Use of Land and Water Act will not apply to this section of trail as this is a hazardous condition that was willfully created for snowmobilers. We will post updates if and when the hazard is removed or properly delineated.

Members may still access the Speakeasy and Arlo’s from the B side and the A side at the western side of Huck’s Pass.

Exercise caution on cross country trails as there was a lot of standing water. It may take some time for things to slush up and freeze solid. Forecasted temperatures are favorable.

Pay attention to the new trail alignments in the Waymart area along the C trail and the Y trail to the gas station. Please follow the new signage.

Only one club snowcam is operational at this time at the Forest City location.

The forest city parking lots may not get plowed for a few days. Check with the Speakeasy and Arlo’s to see when they may be plowed out. Same goes for any parking area at a local business.

Trail passes are available online or at the point of sale locations listed on our website.

We will post updates in this thread and on our website as time allows.

If you do get out and see something that we need to address then please message us. Also we do have some that ask a ton of questions, most answers can be found on our website with minimal effort. We ask for everyone’s patience and understanding as it is a handful of volunteers that makes this all happen. Just be happy that we have snow on opening day and enjoy what life has to offer on a snowmobile.