| Tollgate Friends As I write this letter the ground is white at Tollgate. We’re getting closer to our snow play season as Dec 1 gets nearer. Depending on the location and elevation the snow depth varies from a skiff to a current 4 inches at the Milk Shakes Snotel site at 5580’. Get Ready!  Now seems like a good time to dust off our snow gear and toys ready to roll so we’re all set, safe and legal for the 2019-2020 season. We are blessed to have 3 maintained sno-parks within the Tollgate Trail system. Morning Creek, Woodland, Andie’s Prairie Sno-Park along with several roadside parking areas near our clubhouse and Langdon Lake. These parking areas do require ODOT Sno-Park Permits which cost $30 per season Nov .1- April 30, 3 day passes are $9 and daily parking is $4. The fine is $30 for not having them. There are several vendors nearby that sell the permits… Ranch and Home near Stateline in Milton Freewater, the DMV in Milton Freewater and the Alpine Outpost Restaurant at Tollgate has sold them in the past. It’s also a good time to make sure our sleds and toys are properly licensed, insured and checked out at our local dealerships and favorite mechanic to insure a safe and sane snow season. Don’t forget the pickup and trailer to tote the toys to and from the mountain. A few other things to have on board…. a good backpack and preferably an Avalanche backpack… It’s a good habit to get into. Don’t get caught with the Avybag at the cabin and be caught in the unimaginable. “Know before you go!” Look up current snow conditions on the net at http://wallowaavalanchecenter.org/. Have your radio, shovel, beacon and probe ready to go. We have maps at the club house…. stay warm with all the proper clothing and snow gear. With today’s modern apparel it’s easy to stay warm and have fun. Always snowmobile with a buddy and don’t be caught alone. Be Courteous to Landowners Property – Or Get Locked Out!  Please stay on trail while sledding through private lands. We have had several complaints by land holders last year with folks getting off trail and sledding on private lands where the trail is clearly marked. Particularly on the lower trails and the big meadow just east of the clubhouse. We run the risk of being locked out by not respecting private landowners that have generously allowed snowmobiles to pass through their property. We have a huge area to ride off trail after we get on top of Old Baldy and past the summer cabins. Let’s not lose our privilege of using our trail system by not following the rules and spoiling the fun for everyone. Get to a Snow Show!  There are two fun snow shows coming up… next weekend the Oct 19th and 20th at the Puyallup fairgrounds and the Spokane Snow Show November 9th. Mark your calendar, these are fun events to walk through and pick up the latest gear for the upcoming season. Let’s make this a great snowmobile season and pray for lots of the white stuff. Don’t forget the club dues of $60 are now due-:) Those funds help make this all possible. Your friends from the Tollgate Trail Finders Snowmobile Club. Brandon Christensen – TTF President Bob Smith TTF – Vice President |
