2016 Okanogan Country Snowmobile Guide A special publication of The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle
Page 2
Need a snowmobile group to ride with?
INDEX
Okanogan County boasts several clubs and organizations to assist snowmobilers. • Bonaparte Snowmobile/ATV Club. Promotes safe snowmobiling and ATV use and works with the Forest Service to keep areas open for winter recreation; family oriented. Club gives a scholarship each year, holds fund-raisers and events. Meets at 10 a.m. first Sunday of the month at Bonaparte Lake Resort. Information: Mike Sterling, president, 509-486-2277. • Butte Busters Snowmobile Club. Meets third Wednesday of the month during winter. Information: Bob Henrie, 509-826-2569 or henrie@communitynet.org. • Methow Valley Snowmobile Association. Promotes family snowmobiling. Works with Forest Service to keep trails open and safe for all snowmobilers. Potluck and meetings at 6 p.m. third Tuesday of each month at the Methow Valley Senior Center, Twisp. Information: methowsnowmobilers@gmail.com; www.facebook. com/methowvalleysnow mobile; mvsnowmobile. blogspot.com. • Okanogan County Snowmobile Advisory Board. Meets 6 p.m. first Monday of the month, Okanogan County Public Service Building, Okanogan, during winter months. Advises the county’s parks and recreation division on snowmobile trail grooming needs. Information: Okanogan County Department of Public Works, 509-422-7300. • Republic Tree Benders Snowmobile Club. Meets the first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at K-Diamond-K Ranch. Dinners held at 5 p.m. for members and guests. Information: Sam Peterson, 509-775-2140. • Okanogan County Snowmobile Grooming Hotline. Information is updated once a week once trail grooming begins. Hotline: 509-422-7324. • Tri-River Snowmobile Club, Brewster. Organizes rides throughout Okanogan County and maintain trails in the area. Meeting places varies. Information: Kurt and Julie Hensley, 509-689-2843. • Washington State Snowmobile Association, District 2 North. Information: Richard Coppock, director and land-use cochairman, 509-826-2404; mailing 171 Duck Lake Road, Omak; dick.coppock @wssa.us.
The Winthrop Inn + + + + + +
' ## + #' ( ' ' ( " & % % '#%& %#* ) & % && "' %" '
+ *** * "' %#$ "" #! +
â–˛ Sno-Parks provide miles of trails - Pg. 10
â–˛ Be prepared for your outing - Pg. 11
â–˛ Non-ethanol fuel locations - Pg. 16
â–˛ Keep your sled in top shape - Pg. 18
MAPS OF GROOMED TRAILS Bonaparte Lake Sno-Park . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Highlands Sno-Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Sweat Creek Staging Area . . . . . . . . . . .5 Kerr Sno-Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 North Summit Sno-Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Crawfish Sno-Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
YOUR FIRST STOP IN SHOPPING FOR YOUR
WINTER W INTER R RIDE IDE
Yellowjacket Sno-Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Twisp River Sno-Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Black Canyon Sno-Park . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Swan Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Empire Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Okanogan Country 2016-2017 Snowmobile Guide Š2016 The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle Owned and operated by Eagle Newspapers Inc. Teresa Myers, editor and publisher Teresa Myers, advertising manager P.O. Box 553 • 618 Okoma Drive, Omak, WA 98841 509-826-1110 • 800-572-3446 • fax 509-826-5819 www.omakchronicle.com Special thanks to Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission for the trail maps and Dolly Stahl of Methow Valley Snowmobile Association for the photos.
Bonaparte Lake Sno-Park Groomed Trail System
Bonaparte Lake
Resort
L NT XCELLLE EX g ling biilin ob wmo ow no no Sn S g ng iiin kiiin sk r y sk nttry un cou osss co o Crro ng eiiin o oe ho ow owssh no Sn S
615 Bonaparte Lake Rd, Tonasket
Page 3
Highlands Sno-Park Groomed Trail System
Page 4
Sweat Creek Staging Area Groomed Trail System
Anderson’s Grocery $
$ " #
! "
!$ $
"
" ! %
Page 5
"
Page 6
Kerr Sno-Park Groomed Trail System
ing ile parkin snowmobil
FAMILIES
E WELCOM
r me Rib t - Pri a S & y a Friid ound r Aro rgers Best Burg ers l microbe Seasona Full bar Bull Sit ‘N nully n Conco
Downtow
2947 509-826-2
North Summit Sno-Park Groomed Trail System
Page 7
Page 8
Crawfish Sno-Park Groomed Trail System
Yellowjacket Sno-Park Groomed Trail System
Page 9
Page 10
Sno-Parks provide miles of trails for snowmobilers Several snowmobile Sno-Parks are available for recreational use in Okanogan and Ferry counties. State Sno-Park permits are required for almost all of the areas. They include: Black Canyon – Offers access to groomed trails to Chelan Ridge, Parrish Peak, Cooper Mountain, Oss Peak and Ski Peak. Leave state Highway 153 in the Methow Valley on Black Canyon Road 4010 and drive one mile to the sno park. Has one vault toilet. Bonaparte – Head east of Tonasket on state Highway 20 for 20 miles to Bonaparte Lake Road. Travel another six miles. The site, at 3,560 feet, has 25 spaces. It gives access to 52 miles of trails. The site has no bathrooms. Bottle Spring Trail No. 398 – The ninemile trail connects to Woodpile Ridge and Sarsapkin Creek on state Department of Natural Resources land. From Loomis, take County Road No. 9425 for two miles, turn west on County Road No. 4066, which becomes Forest Service Road 39,
for 20 miles. Drive 13 miles on Forest Road 39 to the junction with South Fork Toats Coulee Road, then go two miles more. (Not a state sno park.) Boulder Creek – Six miles north of Winthrop. Take County Road 1213 north to County Road 9137, then go northeast for a mile. The Sno Park is at 2,050 feet elevation at Forest Service Road 37. The area has 30 spaces and gives access to 134 miles of trails. There is a restroom. Crawfish – Sixteen miles east of Riverside on County Road 9320. The area, with 15 spaces, is at 4,500 feet elevation and gives access to 33 miles of trails. Eightmile – Six miles north of Winthrop. Take County Road 1213 north to County Road 9137, then north for 2.5 miles. The area is at 2,100 feet elevation and has 50 spaces. It gives access to 134 miles of trails. Offers one vault toilet. Empire Lake – The area is 12 miles from Republic. Take County Road 270, then turn left on County Road 201 and then right on County Road
517. The 20-space area, at 3,200 feet elevation, gives access to 57 miles of trails. Goat Creek – Located 16 miles north of Winthrop. Cross Weeman bridge, then take Goat Creek Road south for two miles to Forest Road 52; travel another 0.25 mile. The site, at 2,200 feet elevation, has 20 spaces and gives access to 100 miles of trails. The site has a vault toilet. Hall Creek – Head east of Republic on state Highway 20 to Forest Road 99 and travel about rhree miles. The area, at 3,600 feet elevation, has 20 spaces. It gives access to 38 miles of trails. Kerr – Four miles north of Conconully on County Road 2361 to Forest Road 38. The 25space area is at 3,050 feet elevation and gives access to 134 miles of trails. There are no bathrooms. North Summit – Travel 12.5 miles east of Twisp on state Highway 20 to Forest Road 42, then go north for a half-mile. The 50-space area is at 4,040 feet and gives access to 34 miles of trails. There is a vault toilet. Peacock Meadows – Go three miles
Stay...
Down-home riv Down-home rivverfro erfr f ont nt lluxur uxuryy iin n the hear the heartt o off tthe he M Methow ethow Valley Valle V alley ey. y.
+ * ) ( ' &% $ # " ! ' ' ' ' $ " & Enter# $ "
" ! ' ' ' ' % ' $ # " ! ' ' ' ' " " ' &* aker T% ! ' ' ' ' # ' ' ' ' &" arate, Pet $ " ( ' &% $ # " ! ' ' ' ' ' ' & *
' ' ' ' + * ! " ' # o Dining * $ " ' arking
frree ggour ou met brreakfast our eakfast in included ncludedd,, smiles guarantteed 855.784.8328 | T TwispRiv wispRiverSuites.com | 509.997.0100 | 140 40 W W.. T Twisp wisp Av Ave.
southwest of Conconully on County Road 2017, then one mile south of Forest Road 42. The area, at 2,550 feet, has 50 spaces and gives access to 134 miles of trails. Scatter Creek – Travel south of Republic on state Highway 21 to Forest Road 53/Scatter Creek Road. The five-space area, at 2,205 feet, gives access to 63 miles of trails. No Sno Park permit is required. South Fork Gold Creek – Located on South Fork Gold Creek Road in the Methow Valley. There is a vault toilet. South Summit – Off state Highway 20 at the Loup Loup summit. The site has a vault toilet. Twisp River – Head 10 miles west of Twisp on Twisp River Road to Buttermilk Creek Road, then south to Forest Road 4420. The 15-space area, at 2,350 fee, gives access to 58 miles of trails. There is a vault toilet. Yellowjacket – The area is 6.9 miles west of Mazama on Lost River Road. The site, at 2,400 feet elevation, has 50 spaces and gives access to 100 miles of trails. The site has a vault toilet.
While you play!
Be prepared on your winter outing
DOLLY STAHL/SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
It’s important for snowmobile operators to remember key tips to safety for themselves, passengers and their machines. First and foremost, good judgment is imperative. Drivers should avoid sudden starts and stops, steep terrain and side hills. According to the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association, operating a snowmobile under the influence is not only dangerous, but also illegal. “Alcohol increases fatigue, fogs your ability to make good decisions and slows your reaction time,� said the association. State law also forbids
operating such vehicles under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Travelers should always test all parts of the machine, including the throttle, brake and steering systems, to ensure proper working condition. A safety kit is helpful in the event of a sudden breakdown in the high country. Besides a first aid kit, a simple kit should include basic hand tools, a knife, flashlight, extra spark plugs and an extra drive belt. For overnight trips, officials encourage packing additional supplies, including food, water, matches, change of clothing and other
CONCONULLY COMSTOCK MOTEL # ! #
%
#
!
!!
!
$
%
!% Page 11
& $ " ! & " !" " !"
"
# %
%
"
Located at Town Trail Head next door to Ice Rink ! !
www.methowriverlodge.com
DRIVE THRU PARKING FOR YOUR TRAILERS
DEMO RIDES AVAILABLE ON THE WEEKENDS
mrawson@washingtontractor.com
" $
!
" $%
essential survival items. If passengers and children ride, the driver should check frequently to insure passenger safety. Passengers should sit with both feet on the running boards to avoid injury.
!
877-422-3030
Page 12
Gibson’s North Fork Lodge
Twisp River Sno-Park Groomed Trail System
Black Canyon Sno-Park Groomed Trail System
Page 13
Page 14
Swan Lake Groomed Trail System
$
# $
# $
$
!
$
$
"
!
ALL POWER SPORTS REPAIR & SERVICE
ALL MAKES & MODELS
Empire Lake Sno-Park Groomed Trail System
16-A Hwy. 7 (5 miles south on Hwy. 97)
Tonasket
Page 15
Page 16
Places to fill up your sled with non-ethanol fuel BREWSTER • Pacific Pride (Whitley Fuel) 313 7th St CARLTON • Carlton General Store 2256 State Route 153
• Pacific Pride (Whitley Fuel) 340 Dayton St OROVILLE • Pacific Pride (CO Energy) 615 11th St
GRAND COULEE • Pacific Pride (Whitley Fuel) 502 Midway
TONASKET • Gavins Petroleum 533 Highway 7
MAZAMA • The Mazama Store 50 Lost River Rd
TWISP • Pacific Pride (King’s Tire) 1421 Methow Valley Hwy E
OMAK • Coleman Oil 116 Omak Ave
- Requires a commercial fuel lock card to access pump.
Rich Stahl and Don Fitzpatrick survey the trail ahead. DOLLY STAHL/METHOW VALLEY SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION
2017 SUMMIT SP
We have great loan rates — call or go online to check current rates or apply!
1930 N. 2nd Ave., Okanogan 509-826-5771 www.shopxtremepowersports.net ©2016 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. Always ride safely and responsibly. 110/788
Page 17
Page 18
Keep your sled in shape Dying to get your sled out on the powder this winter? Well, doing a preseason check on that expensive snowmobile is in order to keep it running smoothly and avoid costly mistakes down the road, according to experts. Aaron Schoonover, general manager at Xtreme Power Sports in Okanogan, says a little bit of investigating can save you money and headaches down the road. Schoonover suggests checking a few things before you go out this winter.
Chain case The case should have an oil change each year and the chain should be checked to make sure it isn’t too loose or tight.
Hyfax Even though this inexpensive plastic runner that protects the rails from the tracks is easy to replace, Schoonover says at least one person each year comes into their shop after a quick fix is no longer an option. “While they are resistant to friction, they do go bad and need to be checked. It’s a wearable part,” Schoonover said. “If that plastic wears out and it runs into the rails, it’s a pretty expensive fix to get new rails.”
Brakes “Make sure you have brake fluid and they aren’t spoungy,” Schoonover said.
Skags or wear bars Under the front of the skis, wear bars steer the sled and protect the skis from damage due to rocks and other things that come in contact with the snowmobile. “Make sure they and your skis are intact and in good shape,” Schoonover said.
Fuel Ethanol fuels cause issues with fuel lines and can play havoc on a machine in less than an offseason, according to XTreme Power Sports mechanic Ethan Davis. He says your best option is avoiding fuels with ethanol. If you can’t, he suggests adding fuel stabilizers or draining your tank in the off season. “We’ve had a lot of issues with equipment not wanting to start after the season,” Schoonover said. “90 percent of the time, its fuel related.” Note: A list of stations in the area that offer non-ethanol fuel is on Page 16.
Xtreme Power Sports mechanic Ethan Davis turns a sled to check condition on the track, skis and skags.
The chain should be checked for proper tension.
An arrow shows the location of the Hyfax.
) + %* +' ' #+ .',)* %
BEYERS 212 N. Hwy. 97, Tonasket 509-486-2183
' %%. '-& & '( ) + *' -" & .', ' ,*#& ** -#+" .',0) $ (#&! .',) ,*#& ** -" ) #+ *"',% " '&
-.
-#*( /
$ ,* ',+ ''$
Gene's Harvest Foods
ACCESS TO HUNDREDS OF MILES OF TRAILS
City of Pateros
Washington
WINTER FISHING. SNOWMOBILING. SKIING. DINING. LODGING.
V Visit isit the P Pateros ateros City Hall & Museum eum
113 Lakeshore Lak Lakeshore Drive Drive 509-923-2571 509-923-2571 www.pateros.com www w.pa .pateros.com
, , ) . * * (
# #/ 0 #.+ + 1# , ,+ + / ( #0
'+ + 0 0 .,1'))#
'+ + 0 0 .#2 2/ / 0 #.
,+ .' *
- * + . * * 0 * ,,+ *
,+ .' * - * + . * * 0 * ,,+ *
+ .' * - * ,+ . * * ##( +"/ ),/ #" # #+"
',+ 2 ##+ + + $$')' 0 + #0 2# + +0 / &'+%0 +%0 ,/ -'0 ) #+0 . ) &' ,+ + #+ + 0 &## #"'! ) #+0 +0 # !&# ))#3 #.
+ .' *
- * ,+ . * * ),/ #" ##( +"/ # #+"