Looks may be deceiving but the snow and cold that we’ve received still has not been good enough for the nearby snowmobile trails.
Shawn Flindall, the North Bay Snowmobile Club President, says trails in Bonfield and Mattawa are in good condition but the North Bay South Shore, West Nipissing and Marten River area trails are still far from rider ready.
“They are all battling with swamps that won’t freeze, creeks that won’t freeze, and lakes that have inconsistent ice thickness,” said Flindall.
“We are in a bit of a pickle out there.”
Flindall says snowmobile enthusiasts just need to be patient.
“There’s a reason why these trails are closed, there’s a reason why the lakes aren’t staked yet, we are having real difficulties with our groomers getting through these swamps and getting stuck in wet spots that just won’t freeze,” he said.
“We checked ice thickness on Trout Lake on Saturday and Sunday and although there are some areas that have gotten seven to nine inches, there are also some areas that have two and three inches, so there’s a reason why these lakes aren’t staked. There’s a reason why trails are closed,” he said.
“It’s early season riding conditions, you’ve got to use your head and be smart. This is not the time to take chances and hope it works out in the end.”
For the risk takers too eager to wait, Flindall has this message.
“The lakes are in horribly inconsistent shape and these are the times when people make mistakes that lead to tragedies. So the message to the risk takers is just sit home and watch a movie for the next few days because it is really only going to take a few days of cold weather and the lakes will be more consistent,” he said.
“It will take another week of cold weather and the trails will be more consistent but at this point, aside from Bonfield and Mattawa, it’s not in very good shape.”
