MISSOULA – Recent snowfall has allowed the Missoula Snowgoers and Seeley Lake Driftriders to begin grooming the snowmobile trail system in the Lolo Pass area and on the Seeley Lake, Missoula and Powell Ranger Districts. The West Central Montana Avalanche Center has also begun issuing advisories.
The grooming of the trail system by the Snowgoers is permitted by the Lolo and Nez Perce Clearwater National Forests and supported by the Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP).
Under the Special Use permit administered by the Forest Service, the Missoula Snowgoers may begin grooming any time after Dec. 1 each year. Typically the Lolo Pass and Elk Meadows areas are groomed first and the remainder of the system groomed as snow accumulates at the lower elevations.
Although some trails will not yet be groomed due to lack of snow at lower elevations, all gates providing access to the snowmobile trail system are closed to prevent vehicle access and ensure the roads/trails are available for snowmobiling. If trail restrictions are necessary for administrative use, maps with the trail restrictions will be posted at affected trailheads, the Lolo Pass Visitor Center and the Lolo Hot Springs Resort. The maps will be updated as restrictions change.
For more information about where the Driftriders have groomed in the Seeley Lake area, the current snow report, avalanche reports and the weather visit http://www.driftriders.org/
One change this year for use of groomed snowmobile trails has been put in place by FWP. Those using the groomed snowmobile trails must purchase a Groomed Snowmobile Trail Pass. The pass is required for Montana residents to recreate on groomed snowmobile trail systems in Montana. Passes can be purchased from local vendors or on-line.
For more information, a list of vendors and steps for online purchase can be found at: http://stateparks.mt.gov/recreation/snowmobileProgram.html
The West Central Montana Avalanche Center has also started operations, with three advisories a week planned --Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The advisories are posted at missoulaavalanche.org.
The Avalanche Center, in cooperation with the West Central Montana Avalanche Foundation and the Lochsa Powell Ranger District, will also once again have a beacon park in place near the Lolo Pass Visitors Center for those wanting to test and practice using their avalanche beacons http://www.missoulaavalanche.org/beacon-training. The beacon park will be available for use weeklong.
Winter recreation passes will be required to park at the Lolo Pass Visitors Center. Day and season passes will be available at the Visitor Center during normal hours of operation: Thursday through Monday from 7:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. Pacific Time. After regular hours, only day passes will be available at the Visitor Center. Season and day passes will be available at Lolo Hot Springs, The Trailhead, Outdoor Supply and Rental in Trempers shopping center, as well as the Lolo National Forest Supervisors Office at Fort Missoula.
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