Nov. 13, 2006 – Snowmobile Report

Corridor link opens in Michigan
A snowmobile trail connecting the Michigan communities of Cheboygan and Charlevoix will be open this winter.
The West Mullet Lake Trail was previously off-limits to motorized recreation. The trail was under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Department of National Resources Trust Fund, which lifted the motor ban on the trail this past summer. The trail is the fulfillment of a promise the state made to the towns, the tourism industry and snowmobilers, said Michigan’s Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer and Sen. Jason Allen. “Michigan has needed efforts to boost the economy for years, and this trail project has been there the whole time,” Allen said.
Restrictions on the trail include a 35 mph speed limit and access hours between 8 a.m. to midnight. The trail will remain closed to all other motorized vehicles. The DNR will evaluate trail use in 2008.
Bomar Named Head Of NPS
Mary Bomar was sworn in as the 17th director of the National Park Service by Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne on Oct. 17.
Bomar has said she believes that snowmobiles can be used in the national parks “without unacceptable impacts to park resources.” She replaces Fran Mainella, who announced her resignation in July. Bomar was previously the director of the NPS Northeast Region.
Polaris Donates Coats
Polaris Industries Inc. donated 600 winter coats and 100 pairs of gloves to the Salvation Army’s Coats for Kids program. The value of the donation was set at $60,000. The company also plans to host its annual camp-out charity fund raiser at the company’s Medina, Minn., headquarters in November.
Boots For A Cause
Two snowmobile bootmakers are selling boots with philanthropic ties.
RU Outside, Driggs, Idaho, introduced the Bill Townsend Winter Boot, named after the snowmobile guide and grassroots snowmobile leader who died in December of 2005. An undisclosed amount of money from each sale will go to the Bill Townsend Memorial Scholarship Fund in Jackson Hole, Wyo. The boots cost $159.95.
CSC Racing & Distribution Inc., Hood River, Ore., introduced the HMK Cruiser 2 boot this fall. The company will donate
5 percent of sales to the Pink Ribbon Riders Association, organizers of the Tug Hill Snow Run benefit ride. The boots cost $109.95. psb