Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Fall 2016 | 55 Featured Club Moon’ trail is a local favorite. It twists south from EX682 towards Gilman. Watch for birds of prey and wildlife! Your ride often includes shoulder-width growth on a groomed bed of snow as you travel towards the VAST 2F2 Gilman Loop EX681. These trails are maintained in an environment of logging operations, beaver dams and quarry blasting. Landowners have always been the backbone of the club’s success. The Vermont Division of Forestry has been a valuable partner in our efforts. How important is snowmobiling to winter tourism in the area? The Polar Bears recently established the first VAST parking area in New Hampshire near EX65. In 2019 the Lancaster Bridge is scheduled for a $10,000,000 replacement and will likely be the first of its kind. There will be two lanes for motor vehicle traffic plus a third lane for snowmobiles wide enough for Class I grooming machines. GROOMING FLEET & EQUIPMENT Trailmaster Dana Nason directs the club’s grooming team. They maintain the Class I trails with a 2010 Pisten Bully 400. It first rolled down Main Street in new condition during the 2013 Lunenburg Old Home Day Parade. It includes steel cleats and track picks for aggressive grip on the steep hills of the Pipeline and Powerline trails. Trail maintenance equipment, tools and safety supplies fill its cabinetry. It pulls a Mogul Master Drag complimented by a rear strobe pack that was added for safety by operator Todd Colby. Another recent addition to the drag was a custom hydraulic brush cutter that is operated from the Pisten Bully joystick. Adjustable steel knives slice branches and regrowth of every kind. The improvement in trail clearance and rider safety exceeded member expectations. The cutter was manufactured locally at TJ Mold & Tool in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The team uses 2003 and 2005 Ski Doo Skandics to groom the club’s Class IV trails. Custom drags are used, including one that is reduced in length to navigate tight turns. The Class IV grooming runs are not only effective, but return operators to the roots of snowmobile trail grooming. Quite often operators like Club President and groomer Gregg Williams are exposed to the extremes of weather and thick roadside plow lines. No matter the challenge, he cannot wait to do it again. Rounding out the fleet is the club’s multi-purpose Polaris Ranger. It is used as a support and trail maintenance vehicle, both in wheeled and tracked configurations. It includes a winch and plenty of storage for signing tasks.