AVALANCHE AWARENESS GUIDE MULTIPLE TRAIL FUNDING The Superior Ranger District KNOW BEFORE YOU GO DO NOT RUN OVER TREES Call to obtain updated weather and avalanche There are several sources of funds utilized for the Snowmobile Trail system straddles information. development, maintenance and upkeep of winter both Montana and Idaho. Please be recreational trails. They include: AWARENESS WHILE RIDING aware of snowmobile licensing Look for evidence of recent avalanches, shooting · Snowmobile registration - A state decal is requirements in both states. cracks in the snow or snow collapsing with a purchased by all snowmobilers: 50% is used for “whumpf” sound. These signs usually mean the development, maintenance and operations of snow is unstable. The avalanche danger is likely snowmobile facilities and 50% is used for Please watch for Bonneville Power increasing if it is snowing, blowing or raining. enforcement of snowmobile regulations and Administration traffic, especially on laws. RECOGNIZING AVALANCHE TERRAIN Routes 1 and 5. 1) Avalanches start on slopes steeper than about 30 · Snowmobile fuel tax, a state gas tax - 15/28 of degrees, but can be triggered from below on flatter 1% of the state gasoline dealers’ license tax is terrain in unstable conditions. utilized for the development and maintenance of snowmobile facilities. Tree Topping is a Serious 2) Slopes with wind-deposited snow are often For General Information: Recreational trails program - A federally Problem! unstable. Cornices indicate a wind loaded slope. · 406-329-3750 funded program that offers grants for trail development, renovation, maintenance, 3) A slope that’s recently avalanched indicates Broken tree tops cause major problems to the acquisition, safety and interpretation for both unstable conditions on other slopes of a similar health and growth of trees and may render For Weekend Snowpack and motorized and non-motorized trails. TRAIL MARKERS angle, aspect and elevation. them useless for timber harvest. Please Weather Information: respect this resource. Orange Diamond - Snowmobile Trail 406 - 549 - 4488 SAFETY TIPS Groomed snowmobile trails are managed by the 1) If you ride on or beneath potential avalanche Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks in 1 - 800 - 281 - 1030 (MT only) slopes, travel one at a time, even when highmarking. cooperation with the Lolo and Idaho Panhandle Mixed land ownership exists in this area National Forests. Trails are groomed and maintained by (State and U. S. Forest Service). Forest lands 2) Don’t stop in areas exposed to avalanches. the Montana Nightriders Snowmobile Club depending are important to us all. Let’s not jeopardize http://missoulaavalanche.org on logging activity, snow conditions and future snowmobiling opportunities. 3) If caught, try to ride out of the slide, but if this equipment operations. Lolo, Bitterroot and Clearwater fails, make swimming motions while trying to stay on the surface. National Forests 4) Have all members of the group carry avalanche HAZARD WARNING SIGNS For local information visit: beacons, shovels and probes and be sure everyone http://montananightriders.org/ knows how to use them. Yellow

THREE MAJOR CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS GENERAL SAFETY TIPS 23-2-654. Snowmobiler’s assumption of responsibility - duties. 1. Excessive Speed-slow down for the conditions, PHYSICALLY FIT? use the play areas. Remember that human efficiency declines in cold 1) A snowmobiler assumes the risk and all legal weather. Top physical condition may be required to responsibility for death or injury to himself or other walk out if equipment fails. persons or property that results from the risks inherent in 2. Alcohol Impairment-wait until the end ride or the sport of snowmobiling. The assumption of risk when you get home. GOING ALONE? includes but is not limited to death or injury caused by the Travel in a group of at least three people and two following: variations in terrain, surface or subsurface 3. Lack of familiarity with machine-participate in snowmobiles. snow or ice conditions, cornices, avalanches, poor a snowmobile safety course. visibility, bare spots, rocks, trees, other forms of forest GOOD EQUIPMENT? growth or debris and plainly marked trail maintenance Know how to make repairs; carry an emergency repair equipment. All snowmobile accidents can be prevented. kit. Have enough gas, with some to spare. Carry Please drive safely. snowshoes or skis. 2) A snowmobiler is responsible for:

TRIP PLANNED? · Knowing the range of his own ability to snowmobile any slope, trail, or area and for Know where you’re going and stick to it. Inform a snowmobiling within the limits of his ability responsible person of your planned route and when considering the conditions; The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits you’ll return. Use registration boards where provided. discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis · Maintaining control of his speed and course at of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where CHECK WEATHER FORECAST? applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental all times while snowmobiling; Don’t travel in a storm. Turn back if the weather turns status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, bad. If visibility is reduced or area is unfamiliar, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an · Heeding all posted warnings; and follow your tracks back out. individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) · Refraining from acting in a manner that may Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for STAY ON SAFE ROUTES? cause or contribute to the injury of anyone. communication of program information (Braille, large print, Avoid avalanche terrain. Avoid thin ice or unsafe river audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at crossings. 3) The provisions of this section do not affect a products 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). liability cause of action based upon the design or CARRY A SURVIVAL KIT? manufacture of snowmobile equipment or products or

To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Equip snowmobile with survival material. Review Windchill data from National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/windchill/index.shtml Safety equipment used incidental to the operation of a Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, publications on winter survival. Carry matches snowmobile. S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (waterproof), hatchet, plastic sheet (9’ x 12’), first aid (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal kit, spare food pack, snowshoes or skis. opportunity provider and employer. The warming shelter, located near intersection F, was constructed as a partnership project with the Montana Nightriders, U.S. Forest Service, and Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. There is a restroom facility located here.

SNOWMOBILE OPERATOR’S IMPORTANT ENVIRONMENTAL CODE OF ETHICS CONSIDERATIONS SUPERIOR AREA IF LOST OR EQUIPMENT FAILS 1) I will be a good sportsman. I recognize that people WILDLIFE WATCHING judge all snowmobile owners by my actions. I will use Follow these guidelines when viewing wildlife: SNOWMOBILE · Keep calm - think, decide on a plan. my influence with other snowmobile owners to · Give wildlife plenty of space, they have to preserve · Trust your compass. promote sportsmanlike conduct. precious energy to survive the winter. Even a small TRAILS · Backtrack if possible. disturbance, causing them to run, may deplete energy reserves critical for survival. Avoid any action that causes 2015 · If not possible, remain in place. 2) I will not litter trails or camping areas. I will not pollute streams or lakes. them to move or alter their activity. est · Don’t separate if with a party. · Observe animals from a safe distance. Use e or · Don’t abandon your snowshoes or skis. y Lak binoculars, spotting scopes and telephoto camera lenses.

83 3) I will not damage living trees, shrubs or other natural ( eele S · Build a fire and shelter - Stay warm. ! features. · Stay seated on your snowmobile and continue I-90 § ¨ ¦ · Mark your base camp. moving at a slow steady pace. Stopping or getting tional F 200 ( a 4) I will respect other people’s property and rights. off your sled is more likely to disturb wildlife. · Respect closures or restrictions. A DISTRESS SIGNALS: olo N L

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I-90 regulating the operation of snowmobiles in areas where § ¨ ¦ GIVE PROPER INFORMATION I use my vehicle. VEGETATION AVOID RUNNING OVER THE EXPOSED TOPS OF TREES. Stay away from areas of little or shallow snow cover. 9) I will not harass wildlife. I will avoid areas posted for SUPERIOR RANGER DISTRICT AND the protection or feeding of wildlife. Mechanical damage to the ground and vegetation can cause spring soil erosion and damage to other valuable resources. THE MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF FISH, Please be respectful of all users: WILDLIFE AND PARKS When encountering other users on the trail, please SOUND move to the right. Montana law establishes a noise limit of 78 decibels for Yield to faster snowmobilers and those coming snowmobiles. When riding on public land, please use the downhill. manufacturer’s muffler system. This not only satisfies Montana This groomer is owned and operated by the Montana Nightriders snowmobile club. law, but also results in reduced impacts to wildlife and other winter recreationalists.