Local ATV clubs struggle with weather and water on trails

The Eastman ATV Association president says right now their trails are open and in good condition, while some are underwater.

Rolland Fillion, who took over for past president Donald Eidse at the beginning of May says, “When we originally started off, it was dry. We had no water, and trail access in certain places was very nice, but now it's become a point where there is upwards of two feet of water in certain places. Rainfalls have been enormous, and our little rodent friends have been busy holding it together.”

Fillion notes their club has been dealing with beavers this year, which is work for them, “but the beavers are having fun doing it.”

He notes as of the end of May most trails are passible, though they are wet. “There is one particular area that is really wet, and we may have to look at putting up a trail closed side and close off that section.”

Fillion adds they have club members on their trails as often as they can checking on their status. "We are just keeping them open with trees that are down and stuff like that high water areas, as well they will dissipate over time if the rains slow down. Otherwise, it could be a wet year.”

He continues, “We're out there taking care of some of the culverts. We've got some grates on them too, so that they don't get plugged up. But overnight they get blocked up again, so it's a hard battle to maintain them.”

Fillion says he likes seeing all the ATVs on their trails. “And folks enjoying the scenic routes that we have in the Eastman region. He invites riders to join their club.

"Come and join us for the monthly rides that we do that as a group. Usually, it's about 80 to 100 kilometer run once a month we bring riders to some scenic spots, check out the scenery there and enjoy nature.”

Eastman ATV Association new board of directors introduced May 2024 ride (photo credit: Eastman ATV Facebookpage)

Meanwhile Gary Hora president of the Woodridge ATV Sandhogs says their club has been fortunate this year, he explains.

“The fire rating has been kept at Low because this month, we pretty much had a fair bit of rain off and on. Seems like every other day it rains, so that's kept the fire rating low which helps the green-up kick-in for most part.”

“I would say we're 90% there, with most vegetation and trees, everything is leafed out and greened up, so that's been good.”

Hora notes that because the trails in the southeast are mostly on a sand ridge, water damage to the trails has been minimal. “There has been a bit of water damage on some of the trails where the hills are. We’ve noticed a few spots with finger washout. So, we are trying to address that.”

Hora says spring 2024 did start out on the dry side through the end of April, which made a lot of people kind of nervous. “And then as we rolled into May, it's kind of those May showers, you know, just kind of kept coming, but hopefully we get some drying weather soon. I think that's needed for everyone, and it’ll help the trails out a lot.”

Woodridge ATV Sandhogs at a safety training course in May 2024 (Photo credit: Gary Hora)

Hora adds the Woodridge ATV Sandhogs will have the opportunity to try out a brand-new ATV Trail-groomer next weekend.

"We were going to have the groomer come out on Saturday, June 8 but the Eastman ATV Association is hosting a Poker Derby in the Marchand area, and the Piney Community Club is hosting a Mud Bog Race. So, we will be doing demonstrations on Sunday, June 9 instead so we can have some attendance from our fellow club to the north of us.”

UPDATE: JUNE 8 EASTMAN ATV ASSOCIATION POKDER DERBY HAS BEEN CANCELLED (as of Friday, May 31, 2024)

Fillion from the Eastman ATV club says, right now the trails are open for the Poker Derby to take place, “However, with the conditions and the water that's out there and the water that's coming up, you know we want to hold up the event, but it's also in Conservation's hands whether they issue us the permit or not too so, we're looking forward to proceeding, however, if they feel the circumstances aren't feasible, well then that may have to be changed.”

With files from Kenton Dyck