Montgomery Pass snowmobiles

[cma]

I'm not sure what the problem is.. If you are worried about sleds in RMNP there are huge wilderness areas to the north and south where sleds will never be allowed. my guess is that you are going to the same spots as everyone else in the front range. I live in Boulder and watch every weekend as the traffic backs out to the highway at Brainerd lakes because no one has any imagination to find a different place to go. I myself go just a few miles down the road where there is close in car access and a short 20 minute ski in to some of the best backcountry in Indian Peaks and for some reason in a parking lot that could handle 20-30cars if parked right I rarely see any more than 3 or 4 other people, and never a snowmobile.

[marko]

I am with CMA, and Redneck. Snough, dude, there is soooooo much BC out there.

Where will we go and not hear a motor running? How scarred and small do we wish to make the earth? Where can I sit and not see the hand of man upon the country side? Where will we find people who have a sole connected to nature?

These philosophical questions go much deeper than a snowmobile ruining your day.

Good Luck

[snough]

It is hopeless.

image is everything!

We need more home depots and starbucks.

Bush is our leader.

There is no global warming.

Lets kill people for oil and religous beliefs.

Be cool, everything is ok. The earth is so big we can not hurt it.

The assholes should be able to do what ever they want.

Let’s cater to the lowest common denominator.

[earthNRG]

Where can I sit and not see the hand of man upon the country side?

Nowhere, unless you have no hands. Everywhere you go you will see human impact. That's what happens when you're human. Your last post, snough, is a bit disturbing. You have taken a simple discussion about the relationships between motorized and non-motorized backcountry recreationalists and turned it into a discussion on American society, commerce, religion, polotics, and philosphical perspective. Of course, I see your sarchasm, but it's not very effective.

For example: "The assholes should be able to do what ever they want."

As a matter of fact, yes, they can, so long as it does not impinge on the rights of other American citizens. This is one of the founding ideas of our country. It is one of the things people most appreciate about our country; and is a motivating factor for immigration. No, snowmobiling does not impinge on your rights to peace, solitude, and quite in the backcountry since you have many options to avoid the offending snowmobilers (as was mentioned in other posts).

Now, legalities aside, lets consider the "asshole's" perspective. He feels that he did nothing wrong, and probably sees YOU as an asshole for trying to spoil his idea of fun, recreation, and vacation. Think "Why can't these asshole BC skiers just get along with us or go to some area that we aren't allowed? Why do they feel that they have exclusive rights to the backcountry? We're just trying to have a good time, just like they are."

I agree that snowmobiles are loud and polluting. I too would like to see the manufacturers solve these issues, but unfortunately they will do nothing to that end unless it becomes mandatory or they see a financial gain to do so (not likely). Would you have the same opinion about the snowmobiles if they were not loud and polluting? Maybe we'll see electric snowmobiles in the future, but I doubt it will be anytime soon. So in the meantime, we'll just have to play where we can avoid that which we do not like.

[marko]

Unfortunately, things have to get worse before they can get better. Unfortunately, people choose not to see a problem until it is directly affecting them.

There is no doubt that there is some serious problems in the world, but that doesn't mean you can't try to enjoy what you have at this moment.

The point is, there is still wilderness areas that are completely untouched by these machines that you hate so much. Go find them and maybe your whole day won't be ruined. But, hey, that is just my 2 cents.

[BastrdSonOfElvis]

Snough,

If you ever have a real emergency in the bc and for any one of a multitude of reasons a chopper can't get to you chances are you will be eternally greatful to the inventor of the snowmobile. If you survive.

If you don't like them, go to where they're not allowed. That's why there are places where they're not allowed. And if you're so desperate for real wilderness, go to Alaska, get on a bush plane and tell the pilot to drop you off anywhere.

I agree with almost all the sentiments that inspired your little temper tantrum, but when you write shit like that you make liberals look pathetic.\

And anyone who turns their nose up at the champagne of beers deserves a beating.

[bill]

i saw a news report on teletips that said they were in a wilderness area.

the bigest problem with motor heads is they don't stay where they are aloud and in the winter they through out the rules. it seems that if you can't drive some where in the summer you shouldn't be aloud to driver there in the winter.
sorry i was thinking i was reading about the avalanche with the two deaths

[cma]

Originally Posted by bill

i saw a news report on teletips that said they were in a wilderness area.

the bigest problem with motor heads is they don't stay where they are aloud and in the winter they through out the rules. it seems that if you can't drive some where in the summer you shouldn't be aloud to driver there in the winter.

I believe you may be confused with the recent avalanche which is a different incidence, and yes those people who were involved in the avalanche have been charged with entering a closed area.

http://lamar.colostate.edu/~statefor/recreation.htm

All motorized vehicles are allowed in there, Mont Pass is in Colorado State Forest, Rawah Wilderness does border this area to the east but from the sound of the forest website this whole area is set up for motorised access any time of the year.

[soylent green]

I agree with what Bill says. If you can't drive there in the summer, then why should you be able to drive there in the winter. There is a time and place for snowmobiles and Montgomery Pass is not the time and place. Whoever was up there had to pass through wilderness and/or closed areas to get up there from what I can tell. What the bubbleheads don't get is that when their uneducated brethren make poor choices the impact on the image of snowmobiles is huge on the rest of the backcountry community. My opinion about the few jerk snowmobilers who can't seem to get a grip will not change on the day I'm rescued by a snowmobiler. I usually carry a digital camera and I will be taking pictures of their license plates and highmarks when I see them in closed areas.

Maybe someone could link this thread to a local northern Colorado snowmobile website, they may be interested.

[danielle]

You should check out the Backcountry Snowsports Alliance - they are a nonprofit whose mission includes resolving conflict in the winter backcountry (mostly between skiers and snowmobilers). They have done some tremendous work on Vail Pass, Rabbit Ears Pass, and other areas. There are chapters now in Steamboat and Summit County. Kim Hedberg is the ED and she would be glad to hear your account and offer some suggestions.

BSA also has something they call a BERD - which is a report you can fill out to record these things.

There are a lot of people in this state and others working on these issues. For information on the national effort, look up the Winter Wildlands Alliance.

www.backcountryalliance.org

email: bsa@backcountryalliance.org

Danielle