Manitouwadge, Ont., hopes to re-open snowmobile trail to Marathon
Snowmobilers in Marathon, Ont., on the North Shore of Lake Superior, say they're at the end of the line when it comes to connecting trails from the eastern part of the province.
That may soon change, as the Township of Manitouwadge will hold a public meeting Thursday to look at reconnecting that community to Marathon. The link means a trail could then also be re-opened to Caramat, which would connect a number of snowmobile trails to the north of Lake Superior.
"This would support all three communities, Marathon, Manitouwadge and Greenstone because right now, there's no link," said Craig Colbourne, the Vice-President of the Algoma Sno-Plan Affiliation.
"So that'll be huge. Right now, both Marathon and Greenstone are dead ends for tourists, and most snowmobilers like to do loops. They don't like to ride the same trail, and ride back."
"To start out, they would probably be an extension of Marathon. Hopefully once they get off the ground, and get rolling, they can become their own entity."
In 2015, Colbourne said the Marathon club took over grooming trails in the White River area, and through to Dubreuilville. It allows the Marathon trails to then be accessed from riders coming from the east.
"The OFSC has had a bit of a change of attitude. They realize that not every little club can sell 50 permits, but they can have a very crucial link to the trail."
Colbourne said clubs still struggle to get all of their required trail maintenance done through the off season. However, he said large snowfalls along the North Shore, the groomer has already been out on the trails.
That means trails may be open before Christmas, Colbourne said, which is rare.
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