Updated 12/13/2010

Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association, Inc.
908 N 2^nd St.,  Harrisburg, PA 17102
Phone: (717) 441-6045 Fax: (717) 236-2046
Visit us on the Web: www.pasnow.org

For Immediate Release:                                                                                                                                   Contact: Lori Elliott, Executive Director
12-09-2010                                                                                                                                                                                              (717) 441-6045
                                                                                                                                                                                   Email: pasnow@wannerassoc.com

PA STATE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION MEMBERS WORK TO PREPARE TRAILS
FOR THE OPENING OF SNOWMOBILE SEASON
Snowmobile Season Opens December 12, 2010

Snowmobile Clubs who are members of the Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association (PSSA) have been busily preparing trails for the beginning of the snowmobiling season, which begins December 12th and ends on April 1st.  Being good stewards of the trails they enjoy, PSSA members have been working all summer and fall widening trails, clearing brush, installing drainage pipes and installing safety signs, to name a few examples of the work they have done.

The PSSA's mission is: 

PSSA is a statewide membership organization committed to enhancing the Pennsylvania snowmobiling experience of family recreation, fellowship, and tourism, by striving to assure high quality trails and safe, environmentally-responsible recreational use of snowmobiles.

To fullfill this mission, following is a sampling of what PSSA and its member clubs around the state have accomplished.  For further information on joining PSSA and clubs in your region, visit PSSA's website at www.pasnow.org or the website of the PA Tourism Office, www.visitpa.com .

P.S.S.A Intersection Numbering Sign Project ~ made possible by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

After 4+ years of planning and meetings, the first Intersection Numbering Sign was put in the ground on November 22, 2010. The honor goes to the Southern Potter County Snowmobile Club. Members of the club in the photo are from left, Dave Pavelosky, VP, John Fox, President, and P.S.S.A. Intersection Sign Project Coordinator, Glen Knisely.

This season both Erie County and Potter County will have intersections marked. The signs will show the first two letters of that county. Erie has been designated " ER" and Potter County signs will display" PO" at the top with the intersection number below. 

On both the DCNR Potter map section and the Potter Blue Line on the P.S.S.A web site, you will be able to find fuel by locating, for instance, the sign PO- 161 which marks the State Trail where it intersects with the Keener store trail on private land. Staff from the state are marking state trails and the clubs are marking trails on private land. Only the Southern Potter Club was able to supply the Department with their intersection numbers before the PA Wilds maps were sent out for printing

In phase two, the lower half of the sign will include information on services like food, fuel, lodging , repairs, directional arrows and trail designations.

There were many folks assisting in this effort including Kent Kessler in Erie County and Tom Jacoby in Potter County. As we see it, this is only the start of the proposed Blue Line mapping of the state wide trail system. Plans are now in the works to move on to the remaining counties.  Glen Knisely, Project Coordinator

Other work by PSSA Member Clubs around the state include:

The Southern Potter Snowmobile Club had eight Saturday workdays for trial maintenance this summer and fall, which included the usual clearing and widening of trails and installation of drainage pipes. The biggest project was a complete rebuilding of a 22 foot long bridge on State Forest land. This wooden bridge was built according to new PA DCNR specifications for joint use bridges for recreation use. These numbered signs will also include the GPS coordinates which can help in any safety related issues. Dave Pavelosky, Vice-President

The PoeValley Snowmobile Club will be doing trail clean-up in the Rothrock S.F. on the following trails. Snowmobile only trail from Flat Road in Cooper's Gap to Barrville Road. Shingletown Road from beginning to end. So far no requests in the Bald Eagle S.F. Don Spangler Pres. PVSC

The PA Grand Canyon Snowmobile Club does most of their trail work during the last two weeks of September. They also check for downed trees and put up snow fences after the opening of snowmobile season to keep sled traffic on the trail across a landowner's yard. They worked over a week cutting a replacement trail for a trail that was washed out. Their work party day was September 25th, for which 14 workers helped with the trails and clubhouse chores. John McGarrity, Secretary

On November 20, 2010, the Hyner Mountain Snowmobile Club installed "STOP", "CAUTION", and "SNOWMOBILE CROSSING" signs and caution flagging on the trail that runs along the west side of Route 44 just north of Reeders Addition Lane. The signage and caution flagging, being installed at the request of the Sproul State Forester, is located at an entrance to a Marcellus Shale transportation staging area and is intended to ensure snowmobilers stop before they cross the access road and that heavy equipment drivers are aware of the snowmobile trail crossing. ~Harrison Langley

Over the summer, members of the Forest County Snowmobile Club ( FCSC) donated their time and equipment (tractors) to do "summer" grooming on the snowmobile trails in the Allegheny National Forest (ANF). In addition to FCSC, other clubs in the ANF partnered to make significant upgrades to many miles of trails in the ANF. This will improve grooming and snowmobilers overall riding experience. Tim Kelly of the PA Snowseekers

For the upcoming season, Forest County Snowmobile Club will be operating three club groomers to maintain approximately 70+ miles of trails in the Allegheny National Forest (ANF). They maintain the trails in the Kellettville, Whig Hill, Mayburg, and Marienville areas of the ANF. The Forestry will also be grooming the ANF with two units as in past years.

The Tionesta Valley Snowmobile Club: Trail Mowing - Brown Run / Morrison Run/ Rogertown Area; Trail 26 / Lantz Corners - Trail & Bridge Repair; Warr-Penn Lane/maintenance/fencing; Marshburg / Red 1A Trail Re-Route Project ; Signage Repair.

The club continues to provide regular maintenance and repair, include private trail sections, bridges and signage. They strive to provide legal connections to food, fuel, and lodging.~ Ed Atwood

NEP Sno-trails in Northeast PA, The Club has voted to purchase a 3rd groomer for some of the off shoot trails and "east" side of the mountain. The club is also working on a connection to New York trails that would significantly lengthen the system.

If anyone rides in that area, the club can use a lot of help with work days involving clearing brush, sign posting, and making sure the trails are ready and passable. If you can't make it for a work day, buy a raffle ticket to help with costs.
Visit their site at http://www.nepsnotrails.snowclubs.com/

# # #