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As the snow begins to melt in Simcoe County, so does snowmobile season.
“I’m thinking that if you want to go hiking, you better hit the trails in the first part of this week,” said Kevin Hagen, manager of Mid-Ontario Snowmobile Trails.
The number of days until trail maps are filled with red closures is only dwindling in what many call one of the more frustrating times in memory due to the irregular cycle of freezing and thawing.
“We’ve worked really hard, and it takes a lot more work because it’s starting over, starting over. The posts fall. It just doesn’t stop,” Hagen said.
Snowmobilers know their fate is out of their control by how often they get to use their equipment each season. They just try to make it work.
“I would have liked to be out more on the trails because they are open a little later, but it has been great,” Sean Mills said before going to a track at Midhurst.
At the mercy of Mother Nature, riders are using March break to try and get what they can before the sleds are retired to be shed for another year.
“Just trying to get the most out of it. Get our money at the cost of our roads. They don’t go down from year to year. They do a great job when the snow comes, but it has a good end. the most,” said Tom Mills.
Depending on how much time has passed, some sledders are lucky that some trails in Simcoe County are still open, even if at limited capacity.
“We’ve had some extra snow like the surplus that was in March here. We were able to open a good chunk of our trails again, and there are still pockets open, and we’re trying to stretch those as you is possible,” Hagen said.
As people try to get in on their final sled trips, getting their spots right becomes even more important.
“I have been told that an ice breaker is scheduled to come into Midland Harbor today, and any ice breaker will be very dangerous after that happens. So this will be a warning for people to listen to. To stay away from snow in the Midland area”, Hagen added.
With the trails in Simcoe County barely hanging on, many snowmobilers say they are not leaving and benefit as they travel north to more snow and colder temperatures for March Break.
“If it’s cold and it’s snowing, we’re going to take care. We’re not giving up,” Hagen said.