Logan Canyon boundaries draw ire

Meanwhile, this winter will be the first under the new boundaries, and the Forest Service hopes for few confrontations between skiers and snowmobilers. Both sides tell tales about misbehavior by the other side.

Snowmobilers say a skier assaulted a snowmobiler and threatened Forest Service officials at Tony Grove last year. The Forest Service confirmed there was an incident but said it was hard to determine exactly what happened.

On the other hand, skiers blame snowmobilers for vandalism at a backcountry yurt in 2006. Skiers complain snowmobilers also intentionally packed a parking lot near Franklin basin last winter in an effort to disrupt a cross country skiing race.

Skiers also contend snowmobilers harass wildlife and create avalanche hazards by driving above skiers on slopes.

But snowmobilers complain skiers, who sometimes bring their dogs, disrupt wildlife more than snowmobiles, which go through wildlife areas quickly. Besides, snowmobilers said, the best snowmobiling is at the higher elevations, and deer, elk and moose move to lower areas in the winter.

"If you cross country with your dog, they will run," said Kelly Leishman, president of the Top of Utah group. "They get used to a moving vehicle."

And snowmobilers point out that skiers are free to go virtually anywhere in Cache National Forest, including wilderness areas, while snowmobiles are boxed in by boundaries.

Despite the conflicts, most skiers and snowmobilers get along, said Ron Vance, recreation resource manager for the Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

"We haven't run into that many confrontations. We know there is a lot of unpleasantness," he said. "It's mostly a few bad apples."

Contrary to stereotypes, Vance said, many snowmobilers are concerned about the environment, and snowmobilers have reported other snowmobilers who have broken the rules.

But Dixon complained few snowmobilers are prosecuted for entering closed areas.

"There are a significant number of snowmobilers who intentionally violate those boundaries," Dixon said. "They don't have any fear whatsoever of being caught."

During the past three winters, the Forest Service has cited 13 snowmobilers, mostly for going out of bounds. Another 18 have received warning notices.

Snowmobiling in a closed area is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500.

This winter, Vance said, a Forest Service officer will patrol the Logan Ranger District on a snowmobile. In the past, there has been only one such officer for the Ogden and Logan districts, he said.

The Forest Service also hopes to reduce problems by circulating winter recreation maps and posting signs at trailheads outlining snowmobile boundaries, Vance said. In some cases, he said, Forest Service officials will be on hand at trailheads to explain the rules.

"We certainly hopeful we're moving toward an era when the groups can work together," Vance said.

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E-mail: mikewennergren@yahoo.com