Some snowmobilers not following rules
U.S. Forest Service officials have seen an early-season surge in the number of snowmobilers not following the rules.
According to Forest Service spokesman Aaron Voos, there were about 12 violations last weekend, when riders strayed from designated trails in the Buffalo Pass Winter Recreation Area. Since Christmas, Forest Service officials have seen at least 30 tracks in non-motorized areas on Rabbit Ears Pass. There were six other sets of tracks in the wilderness area, where no motorized vehicles are allowed.
“We haven’t seen it quite that bad in quite some time,” Hahn’s Peak/Bears Ears District Ranger Chad Stewart said.
Some of the violations have been blatant.
On Dec. 30, a Forest Service worker was helping rescue snowmobilers when four snowmobiles passed a sign that stated snowmobiling was prohibited and entered the wilderness area anyway.
“He was waiting on the rescue to come out and had that happen right in front of him,” Stewart said.
The four riders were each issued $525 tickets for using motorized vehicles in the Zirkel Wilderness.
Stewart said they typically see violations in mid December, when signs have not yet been posted, but the recent violations occurred in spite of posted signage.
“That’s what makes this unusual,” Stewart said. “The signs were up.”
The Forest Service has created a pamphlet to inform snowmobile users of the rules.
Permanent restrictions are in place for snowmobiles and other motorized vehicles on Rabbit Ears Pass.
Motorized vehicles are prohibited in all wilderness areas.
The west side of Buffalo Pass has a Winter Backcountry Permit Area, in which a permit is required for all use. There is also an area in which only non-motorized uses are allowed.
Rabbit Ears Pass has separate areas for non-motorized and motorized use.
There are also several areas near Steamboat where motorized travel is not allowed and non-motorized use is discouraged.
Voos said Forest Service employees are patrolling winter recreation areas on snowmobiles and contacting as many people as possible to ensure they are following the rules.
On Rabbit Ears Pass, the Dumont Lake snowmobile parking area was moved and enlarged in time for the winter season, but it is unclear if those changes have led to increased ridership.
“As far as the number of people that are up there, it’s a little early in the season to tell,” Voos said.
The Forest Service is expecting a busy snowmobile period to come with the Jan. 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend. President’s Day, on Feb. 15, is also a busy weekend.
To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247, email mstensland@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @SBTStensland
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