The VSA Trails
The area that we use for snowmobiling consists of close to 200km of snowmobile trails. The majority of the trails that we utilize are comprised of old logging roads that were cut over 50 years ago. The Ganzeveld Trail was named after the logging company that cleared the trails and their mill was located in Vernon where Polson Mall now sits (In actual fact, Polson Mall rests on 30 feet of sawdust!). While travelling on the trails you pass through two different jurisdictions of ownership. As you leave the parking lot area, you are traveling into Provincial Park area. You will notice that some of the trails in the Park area intersect with cross-country routes. The Park area consists of approximately 50km of trails and once you cross Park Boundary you have access to another 150km of routes to choose from. This area beyond the Park is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of tourism, Culture and the Arts (B.C. Forest Services) which operates on Crown Land.
During your travels you will come upon many different scenic sites. Below are listed a few that you’ll want to visit again and again:
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During your travels you will come upon many different scenic sites. Below are listed a few that you’ll want to visit again and again:
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The Rock Bluff
This is a large slab of metamorphic rock exposed by glacial erosion millions of years ago. The altitude at this site is approximately 3000 ft. This rock outcrop is a rarity especially in these mountain locations which are more commonly characterized by dense forests.
The Stump Trail
This trail is one of the newest additions to our extensive network of trails. The cut block was actively logged within the past ten years and soon afterwards, new spruce trees were planted to replace the old. These new trees are about 10ft tall (an average spruce will grow approximately one foot per year until it matures), and the area requires a fair bit of snow to cover it before it is safe for snowmobiling.
Skyline Trail
This was the only trail within our system that posed any kind of avalanche danger until Riverside Forest Products commenced logging once again, in the spring of 1995. Since then they have controlled the slide area giving us access to one of the largest cut blocks in the vicinity. Snowmobile access however, is not recommended until mid-winter when there is enough snow to cover all the stumps that could cause potential damage to the seedlings and to your machines.
Trinity Trail
This access trail was just re-opened in the fall of 1995. The former owner of the property at the bottom of the trail forbid any snowmobiles access but the current owner has lifted the restriction. B.C. Forest Service built a bridge at the bottom so you can ride right into the Trinity Valley town. This trail offers incredible views and open fields to play in. This is a great trail to include on our 4-hour rides.
Signage
The area is well signed…..Signs INSIDE the Park are orange while those OUTSIDE the Park are yellow. From the Silver Star Chalet, heading North to the Armstrong Chalet, the trails are named ALPHABETICALLY, from ALPINE near Silver Star, to JASPER, near the Armstrong Chalet. The Park Boundary is at FROST. The area is shared with cross-country skiers, so please obey all stop signs and please stay off their trails.
Local Wildlife (and, no, not referring to the pubs at the Resort!)
Common wildlife that share the land we ride on are deer, moose, cougar, wolves, coyotes, martins, snowshoe hare, various types of weasels, field mice, pack-rats and shrews. As well, you may see various sub-alpine birds, game birds, ravens, crows and whiskey jacks in your travels.
Trees
Our forests are easily identifiable by our sub-alpine fir trees which include Douglas Fir, Larch and various types of spruce including the Engelmann, Canadian and the Black and White Spruce. As you descend to the Rock Bluff, you will find the tree zone changing to Cedar. The same type of vegetation is found over on the Putnam Creek side of the mountain.
VSA's Warm-up Shelters
There are two chalets located throughout the trail system. One is the Silver Star Chalet located within Park Boundary and the Armstrong Chalet is on Crown Land. These chalets are both owned by the Vernon Snowmobile Association and maintained by its members.
These 3 photos are from our previous Armstrong cabin, destroyed by fire, and currently being rebuilt.
