Bennyboy1337
Active member
I'm starting to plan my 2023 winter adventures, and being new to the Snow Cat world but not tracked vehicle world, I'm already acquainted with the touchy subject that is 4x4 tracked vehicles on snowmobile territory. I've also been an avid backcountry skier for the last five years, so I've seen all the sorts of drama that can blow up over trail use, from every side of the isle (snowmobilers, xcountry skiers, bc skiers, timber sleders, 4x4 tracked crowd).
Over the last few years I've put UTV tracks on my 88 Samurai and used it for backcountry access for skiing and hot spring adventures. I think I mostly flew under the radar because there was never a snowmobiler I didn't cross that didn't have a big smile on his face, I also stuck to less popular groomed routes where traffic was always low, I carried a sled permit obviously. However now that I own a more capable and proper over the snow vehicle (443a Tucker), I'm looking to expand some of the adventures I plan.
As far as the BLM and Forest Service is concerned over the snow vehicles like a snow cat can access any terrain that a sled can with a proper state permit, but we all know counties have their own "laws" and feelings about sharing groomed trails with larger vehicles. I am curious if anyone has had conversations with clubs around the McCall area or southern Idaho about snow cat access, and how those discussions went?
I would like to get idea of the sort of responses people have got on the topic before I start to email counties/clubs about the possibility of trail access, and perhaps avoid any pitfalls, or be prepared for any resistance I may receive.
Over the last few years I've put UTV tracks on my 88 Samurai and used it for backcountry access for skiing and hot spring adventures. I think I mostly flew under the radar because there was never a snowmobiler I didn't cross that didn't have a big smile on his face, I also stuck to less popular groomed routes where traffic was always low, I carried a sled permit obviously. However now that I own a more capable and proper over the snow vehicle (443a Tucker), I'm looking to expand some of the adventures I plan.
As far as the BLM and Forest Service is concerned over the snow vehicles like a snow cat can access any terrain that a sled can with a proper state permit, but we all know counties have their own "laws" and feelings about sharing groomed trails with larger vehicles. I am curious if anyone has had conversations with clubs around the McCall area or southern Idaho about snow cat access, and how those discussions went?
I would like to get idea of the sort of responses people have got on the topic before I start to email counties/clubs about the possibility of trail access, and perhaps avoid any pitfalls, or be prepared for any resistance I may receive.
