This article concerns a recent meeting of the task force overseeing winter recreation at the summit of Wolf Creek Pass. It is as much about conversations in the audience, that were reported to me, as the meeting itself; specifically about the relationship between cross-country skiers and snowmobilers. This has always been a troubled relationship. Currently, some skiers want the entire top of Wolf Creek Pass closed to snowmobile use.

I have a unique perspective, born of a unique history, enabling me to make observations about this ongoing problem. I am neither a skier nor snowmobiler; but I have maintained trails for skiers for well over a decade, using a utility-size snowmobile. This trail work began as a promotional activity for my business (publishing a recreation-oriented magazine) and for my radio broadcast on the Pagosa side of the pass. When a cancer surgery/recovery ended the publication, the trail making continued for winter exercise and for the sheer love of doing it. Over the years, and including the two machines I have used almost exclusively for trail making, I have well over $10,000 invested. So, it's not an insignificant effort.

As I understand it, the task force voted to disband itself until the Forest Service makes certain decisions about who gets to use the pass area. The intention of the most vocal skiers is to restrict snowmobile use entirely. The intention of the snowmobilers is to leave it much as it is.

My advice/plea to the Forest Service is not to listen to, or act upon, the demands of the minority radicals on either side of the argument, but to plan public use of the area that is fair and allows recreation for all. The most extreme of the snowmobilers would ask for free use of all National Forest land, while the purist skiers would end snowmobile use all together. As the skiers are the most vocal in arguing for change of policy, I will address their mentality and demands here.

I want to be very clear that I am not speaking about the average skier. I am addressing the hardcore/purist skiers, who seem to think the snow and the forest belong to them and no one else. In this case the “no one else” includes beginner and average cross-country skiers, backcountry skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers and people with dogs. I have heard purists rant directly, or by implication, about all of these.

Purists seem to forget they were beginner and average skiers at one time. As cross-country skiing grows in popularity, there are more beginning and average skiers. The path the purists leave can get beginner and average skiers into dangerous situations. They need a more relaxed, easier and safer trail. Many newer skiers are older people, who cannot follow the supremely in-shape purists.

Many purists believe there should be no maintained trails saying, “If you can’t do it naturally, don’t do it.” During my decade-plus of trail making, I have found the greatest number of skiers appreciate having a maintained trail. One of the pleasures of making trails is seeing and talking to skiers who are extremely thankful for having a trail to ski on. If a majority of skiers were swinging at me or yelling ugly words, I certainly would not be doing trail work for them!

There is a “layer” of average skiers who think that they should think like the purists – to be cool. As I approach, they stop; sometimes blocking the trail. Or when I stop for introductions, they have unkind words or expressions. When they find I am the one making the trail, they reverse their composure entirely and are much more agreeable. Many even offer money to help pay for the effort! No, I cannot accept such offers.

Some purists would ban dogs on the trail, because of the damage they do. Would that be the trail the snowmobile made? Most snowmobilers or trail maintainers are fully aware that skiers (including those with dogs and, believe it or not, the purists) migrate to snowmobile or maintained trails.

Purists despise the snowmobile’s pollution and are very vocal about it. Snowmobiles have engines, and thus, pollute. So do the Subarus, Volvos and SUV's that the most hardcore of purists use to drive themselves into the forest. Wolf Creek Pass is IN THE FOREST. If the purists want to argue with me, they had better be riding their bicycles or hiking up the pass with skies strapped on their backs. None of us are pollution free!

(Of interest, snowmobiles are currently undergoing a transformation from the old type of smoky, two-stroke engines to four-stroke designs. The new power plants don’t pollute, smoke or have to make more noise than the average car.)

The best example of all this is the Lobo Overlook Trail and the north side of the highway at the summit of the pass/divide. There is such huge joy there all winter long; experienced by all types, sizes, shapes and ages of good and deserving people. At times, the mountain develops an electric and infectious ambience. People passing down the highway are shocked by ten or fifteen feet of snow and pull in to watch the crazy people disappearing into the forest. Shrieks from happy children and families sledding are heard in the parking lot all day. Up on the trail, there are faces full of breathless smiles.

I have maintained this trail for years; specifically during the decade of drought, when more and more recreationists were driven to the top of the pass to find good snow. Except for a few curable problems, this trail works exactly like it should. Snow users of all types experience the trail and enjoy every aspect of it.

It is a meaningful and overwhelming experience for first timers to make it to the top and see that view. I have done it a hundred times and still get the same chill-bump producing, inspiring feeling. I can honestly estimate that only a small fraction of people could make it to the top without a maintained trail. It is just too steep for most to make it with unimproved conditions. As I run the trail, I stop and talk with everybody I pass to explain what I’m doing. I am constantly told how much easier it is with a flat and smooth-surfaced trail.

The purists do exactly what they should. They ski their own trail where they want and ski the maintained trail for easier access to the side trails. It would seem to be a great win-win situation, yet still they bitch. And that is the point. With several million acres of forest land and wilderness with untouched snow within easy reach, the purists still want this small patch at the summit of the pass for themselves. There will always be people like this, and they will never accept other opinions. This is grossly unfair, and our government should not bow to their demands just because they are loud. All other things being equal, we are still a democracy!

In my humble opinion:

The south side of the pass should be used by all comers (with an intense education program involving large, above-snow-level signs and Forest Service volunteers). Snowmobilers seem to require LARGE signs with LARGE words, as seen on Rabbit Ears Pass near Steamboat Springs. Excessive speeding and jumping should be illegal in this crowded area. The Pagosa Snowmobile Club should be allowed/requested to groom from the summit to Wolf Creek Trail/Road. With low-avalanche conditions, Falls Creek Trail/Road should be maintained for cross country skiing. On the east side, trails near the summit are groomed and open to all.

The north side should be limited to snowmobiles used for trail maintenance and pulling/hauling people to the top. There are snowmobile-accessible peaks on the south side just as beautiful as Lobo Overlook. There is little reason for snowmobilers to need this short trail for riding. There should be strict speed limits and enforced etiquette for snowmobile use 24/7/365.

There should be no problem finding volunteers for the busy times. This year there were volunteers standing all day in the Lobo parking lot, counting heads and doing a survey. Give them authority, a snowmobile and a full tank of gas, and they would be in heaven! I volunteer, right now!

Cross-country skiers should put their energy into forming a club in order to raise funds to improve ski conditions for all skiers, and they should help pay for trail maintenance.

During years with good snow, major education should be done to direct people to lower elevation trails; removing pressure from the pass area.

There just must be some solution without locking people out. Reducing the crowded conditions by removing one population from the mix is not the answer. The answer is safety limits, enforcement and education. We should all get along and for those who can’t; remember those millions of untouched acres out there. For the most part, it’s all yours.