Andy Close
The U.S. Forest Service has announced the opening of snowmobile season at 8 a.m. on Friday on the Allegheny National Forest.
Until there is a significant amount of snow on the ground, the maintained snowmobile trails will not be groomed.
The following changes are in order for the 2021-22 season on the ANF trails.
Forest Road (FR) 141 and FR 262 (Longhouse Scenic Drive) will be open to snowmobile use this winter. These roads were closed last season due to construction.
New Connector Trail # 38 (The Lewis Run Snowmobile Bypass Trail) is located east of Marshburg, PA on both private property and National Forest System lands. The new 5.5-mile trail segment provides an alternative route to the main 1A trail that utilizes FR 455. It begins at Pine Acres Country Club and ends at the intersection of forest roads 188 and 455. The Willow Creek Snowmobile Club secured permission for the trail from the private property owners and oil and gas interests, including the Bradford Area Golf Association (Pine Acres Country Club), Minard Run Oil Company, First America Energy, and Lyme Timber. The new trail will enhance user safety and experiences by providing an additional opportunity that complements the existing trail system and provides snowmobilers with convenient access to amenities like parking, fuel, and food.
The Allegheny National Forest has over 365 miles of groomed snowmobile trails in interconnected loops.
Trail condition reports will begin when adequate snow accumulates and will be updated weekly, or when conditions warrant. The snowmobile trail map and condition reports will be available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/allegheny/recreation/wintersports.
