M
Here is the release of the information from State to the Public about the Olney and Upper Whitefish area.
PLEASE read and share for all those going into that area.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
UPPER WHITEFISH SNOWMOBILE USE
Stillwater State Forest is announcing the following Snowmobile Trail Operations Plan in the Upper Whitefish area, effective December 1, 2014.
1. Lower Whitefish Road - from the head of Whitefish Lake, will be closed to all general vehicle traffic and open to snowmobile use after December 1, 2014 (as in the past). Access to the Stillwater snowmobile trail system is thru the Delray Pit which is also the location of the Whitefish Trail Swift Creek Trailhead. The Delray Pit will be open and plowed for parking. DO NOT PARK TRAILERS IN PARKING AREA DESIGNATED FOR USERS OF THE WHITEFISH TRAIL.
2. Upper Whitefish Road – Starting in December and possibly thru mid-January, this road will be shared with logging traffic for the first 13.5 miles on the Upper Whitefish Road, as well as another 4.5 miles up the West Fork Road. Log hauling shall be restricted to weekdays, with incidental vehicle traffic occurring on the weekends. Snowmobiling on the plowed road is authorized on the extreme right-hand side in the direction of travel. In the interest of safety, a speed limit of 25 miles per hour will apply to ALL vehicles, including snowmobiles. It is the responsibility of the user to operate safely and prudently in restrictive areas and where shared use is allowed. Unsafe operation of snowmobiles will result in a closure of shared use on plowed roads.
Loading and unloading of snowmobiles is limited to the Olney trailhead, located approximately 1,000 feet off Highway 93 on Upper Whitefish Road (under the powerline).
3. Road #900, the Mount Marston/Stillwater River and Fitzsimmons Road – Now thru mid-January, these roads will have substantial logging traffic for the first 11.8 miles from Monday through Friday. No snowmobiles or vehicles with trailers are authorized to use these road systems during weekdays until log hauling has ceased! On weekends, loading and unloading of snowmobiles is limited to the FSA Fitzsimmons trailhead located approximately 3 miles from the Highway 93 turnoff.
Signs and closure devices will be used to notify users and enforce these authorizations and restrictions. Violators will be cited. Please report violations to 1-800-TIP-MONT.
________________________________________
DNRC Stillwater State Forest, Plum Creek Timber Company, USFS, and Flathead Snowmobile Association have developed these authorizations and restrictions to coordinate trail grooming, snowmobile use, and logging activities with public safety in mind.
Montana State Law requires the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to manage State school trust lands in a manner that produces revenue to help support our State’s public schools. Legally accessible State land that is not closed or restricted is open to anyone possessing a valid Recreational Use License. A State Lands Recreational Use License is available from any Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks’ authorized license agent. This License is required for anyone aged 12 years or older using State land for general recreational purposes, including snowmobiling. Failure to possess a valid Recreational Use License while recreating on State trust land is a violation and is subject to prosecution and fines.
PLEASE read and share for all those going into that area.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
UPPER WHITEFISH SNOWMOBILE USE
Stillwater State Forest is announcing the following Snowmobile Trail Operations Plan in the Upper Whitefish area, effective December 1, 2014.
1. Lower Whitefish Road - from the head of Whitefish Lake, will be closed to all general vehicle traffic and open to snowmobile use after December 1, 2014 (as in the past). Access to the Stillwater snowmobile trail system is thru the Delray Pit which is also the location of the Whitefish Trail Swift Creek Trailhead. The Delray Pit will be open and plowed for parking. DO NOT PARK TRAILERS IN PARKING AREA DESIGNATED FOR USERS OF THE WHITEFISH TRAIL.
2. Upper Whitefish Road – Starting in December and possibly thru mid-January, this road will be shared with logging traffic for the first 13.5 miles on the Upper Whitefish Road, as well as another 4.5 miles up the West Fork Road. Log hauling shall be restricted to weekdays, with incidental vehicle traffic occurring on the weekends. Snowmobiling on the plowed road is authorized on the extreme right-hand side in the direction of travel. In the interest of safety, a speed limit of 25 miles per hour will apply to ALL vehicles, including snowmobiles. It is the responsibility of the user to operate safely and prudently in restrictive areas and where shared use is allowed. Unsafe operation of snowmobiles will result in a closure of shared use on plowed roads.
Loading and unloading of snowmobiles is limited to the Olney trailhead, located approximately 1,000 feet off Highway 93 on Upper Whitefish Road (under the powerline).
3. Road #900, the Mount Marston/Stillwater River and Fitzsimmons Road – Now thru mid-January, these roads will have substantial logging traffic for the first 11.8 miles from Monday through Friday. No snowmobiles or vehicles with trailers are authorized to use these road systems during weekdays until log hauling has ceased! On weekends, loading and unloading of snowmobiles is limited to the FSA Fitzsimmons trailhead located approximately 3 miles from the Highway 93 turnoff.
Signs and closure devices will be used to notify users and enforce these authorizations and restrictions. Violators will be cited. Please report violations to 1-800-TIP-MONT.
________________________________________
DNRC Stillwater State Forest, Plum Creek Timber Company, USFS, and Flathead Snowmobile Association have developed these authorizations and restrictions to coordinate trail grooming, snowmobile use, and logging activities with public safety in mind.
Montana State Law requires the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to manage State school trust lands in a manner that produces revenue to help support our State’s public schools. Legally accessible State land that is not closed or restricted is open to anyone possessing a valid Recreational Use License. A State Lands Recreational Use License is available from any Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks’ authorized license agent. This License is required for anyone aged 12 years or older using State land for general recreational purposes, including snowmobiling. Failure to possess a valid Recreational Use License while recreating on State trust land is a violation and is subject to prosecution and fines.
