WMC Update 2012

The area to the west, towards Van epps is one of the most popular riding areas around and will be more than a tough fight let alone getting compliance, enforced or not. As I understand it, much of the wilderness violation in that area happens out of the scotty creek access and as I understand it there's not much good riding over there anyway. A few of the people that are known to violate have been called out in the sledding 4m and their response has been that of local legacy, before the established boundaries were made. I would think that would be the place to effect enforcement.

As for equity, I see far more snowparks as non-motorized in the blewett area, yet no sledders only spots, and I'm sure everyone is aware of the crowding a the blewitt summit parking area.

The Wilderness Boundary precedes snowmobiles in the area by two decades. We were in the area skiing on many trips before snowmobiles made it in there. We recall when motorbikes were ridden in places that are now Wilderness- legacy does not trump Law.

Stated above is the intention to ride as one pleases 'enforced or not.' More of that 'sharing'?

There is one Sno Park at Blewett Pass, either side of the summit. Areas to the north where there is parking are not regulated.

The Wilderness Boundary precedes snowmobiles in the area by nearly two decades. We were in the area skiing on many trips before snowmobiles made it in there. We recall when motorbikes were ridden in places that are now Wilderness- legacy does not trump Law.

I think you are mistaken to assume that in the late 1980's snowmobiles were not getting into areas that are now wilderness. I have heard from many people of places the used to ride in the Alpine wilderness (before it was wilderness) and how some of the best snowmobiling in the state is no longer available. Though they respect the rules and laws and no longer visit those locations. You are correct, legacy does not trump law, though it is difficult to change the minds of those that think otherwise. We are trying.

Stated above is the intention to ride as one pleases 'enforced or not.' More of that 'sharing'?

You are confusing the reasoning of people riding in wilderness with a perceived acceptance for the reasoning. This is not so. Most snowmobilers don't care that they USED to ride in areas they are NOW not allowed in. The law is the law and it is expected that EVERYONE should obey it. Most snowmobilers agree with this. Though as you point out, unfortunately some do not, and some incorrectly justify it as mentioned above.

Yammadog is just trying to point out that snowmobiling areas are LEGALLY shrinking and being reduced. Continuously through many parts of the states. To my knowledge this is not so with skiers / snoshoers.

Clearly, it depends on how you define "shrinking." Legally, or practically...

Clearly, it depends on how you define "shrinking." Legally, or practically...

For MOST snowmobilers it is shrinking. For those that think they are above the laws, then it is not.

It is troubling the continued assertion that most snowmobilers don't care about staying out or wilderness and respecting the agreed upon non-motorized areas.

Is it your opinion that the practical areas for snowmobile use have not been decreased by the defining of lands as Wilderness?

Ruffryder,

The state of Washington has 2,309 miles of groomed winter trails and only 266 miles of those are closed to snowmobiles. This doesn't include all of the forest roads that are available for your use that are not groomed but are snowmobile highways in the winter.

The pedestrian users of the winter forest (skiers, snowshoers, etc.) are constantly losing ground to the motorized users. What you fail to understand is that we are being gradually displaced from our traditional areas of use by snowmobiles. There were BC skiers and snowshoers going into the forest long before there were snowmobiles; read any historical guide book. Once a non-motorized user skis or snowshoes 3-4 hours into a bowl in the BC and finds it tracked out by snowmobiles they make a mental note to never go back to that area again. Most of us don't want to hear, smell or be put in harms way from speeding snowmobiles on a daylong tour into the BC. It is the same reason that if you want to go for a walk with your family you don't go out to the interstate highway but to a nearby park. So the more that snowmobiles branch off the groomed routes and go boondocking the more area we pedestrians are losing everyday. And the large percentage of the wilderness areas are inaccessible to those traveling on foot in the winter vs all the sno-parks for snowmobiles which are right on the road.

Is it your opinion that the practical areas for snowmobile use have not been decreased by the defining of lands as Wilderness?

No, I don't know enough to say, but will trust your take that it's shrunk. My comment referred to skiers, who are losing useful terrain as well described in multiple posts above. I suspect. but can't confirm, that skiers are losing practical terrain at a faster rate than snowmobilers (who, after all, have seen increase in practical terrain over the past 15 years thanks to more powerful sled technology becoming more common, which is an obvious "practical" increase of useful terrain, as some of us skiers have seen up close and personal).