Got stoped this weekend by the DNR

FormulaZ583 · Post by **FormulaZ583** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 9:37 pm

First off, I understand why I got stoped and why they are stopping people for what I'm about to explain to you so in no way am I complaining about that.

OK so I was riding from Mountain to out place in Laona, and hopped off the grade in townsend at the valley to extend my ride a little bit. Anyway I came to intersection 15 I believe by Roberts Lake and then headed towards Ludington lake (intersection 27) on the trail that runs along Roberts Lake Rd. So that trail was rougher than rough and brown as can be which it normaly is (only one in the whole system) and on the bend of the trail were it basically runs onto Roberts lake Rd. I hopped off the trail on the road down to intersection 27 (which there were many other tracks on as well) So when I got to the intersection two guys flagged me down and at that point I saw they were DNR. There was another group coming through the intersection so I tried to pull over to the side of the trail but they officer stopped me and had to shut off my sled right in the middle of the road. Now I was not blazing down the road at all I was going maybe 30 mph and huging the right side of the road. So I was then told that snowmobiles are not allowed on this road and it was signed and I told him that where I got onto the road that there were no signs what so ever and he didnt believe me and I have pics to prove it. I completely understand that if there where signs where I got on the rd I deserve what I got but there was not. I ended up getting a $100+? not sure extactly yet because its coming in the mail for what I did. But What I dont understand is if what I did was so unsafe how isnt stopping me in the middle of the road of a busy sledding intersection and a somewhat blind corner of the road if someone was driving down the road isnt? I feel I was put into a more dangerous situtation then what I was doing in the first place and like I said I completely understand they are trying to do to prevent sledders from bypassing the trail and taking the road but make sure the trail is marked in all places where sleds would hop on the road. I also went back and then drove to roberts lake from intersection 15 and where the trail crosses roberts lake road its very heavily marked that no sleds are allowed on the road but like I said I did not come from that way and did not see any of those signs or any signs for that matter. And I'm sure it doesnt help my case when I was a single rider at the time and 21 years old.

Well I hope this makes some sense and people know where I'm talking about to watch out for that if you think about doing the same and I just had to rant about it because it kinda pissed me off a little bit and was a sour way to start the weekend. Also I hope the take my money and buy a sign(s) to mark it better so othe people dont get screwed.

But on a better note I had a great weekend of riding and got in 365 miles and thanks to you groomers who do a great job to make the trail system so great! Thanks again and hope you guys get pounded by snow this weekend will be up for sure in two weeks!

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 6:42 am

Think about it, when you cross say hwy 8 or 32 or any road, do you see signs indicating NO SNOWMOBILING on these roads??? No, roads are for cars trucks, etc, UNLESS marked with a large green snowmobile or ATV route signs. The reason there are even signs at the trail closing of this road, is to warn snowmobilers this road is heavily patrolled. I know right where you jumped off the trail and on the road. Was there an arrow directing you to the road? No, then stay on the trail. It is safe to say, all plowed roads are not legal for snowmobile use, unless marked with green route signs. As long as we are on the subject, many think it is legal to ride a plowed road from your cabin to the nearest trail. This is legal, ONLY if the local township has passed an ordinance stating such. Check with your local township.

Pat1 · Post by **Pat1** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 6:48 am

Bummer you got stopped there! I know the exact section of trail you were talking about and I do know others have done the same thing you have.

What is even funnier is my ex-wife did exactly what you did, only in her case it was unintentional. She inadvertently blew the corner where the trail touches road. Only she didn't know it. Consequently she took the road until it met up with the trail again.

I can only guess the DNR pulled you over in the middle of the road so as to be sure you stopped. Not that you would have but they may have felt you would have kept on going if they didn't stop you immediately.

Thank you for posting your "experience". I am sure there are others who also take the road (not me but I do know of some people) who would not care to donate their money to the DNR that way.

You could take your case to court and argue it (there were no signs where you went on the road) but in the end you know you were not supposed to be on the road but you did it anyway. You may have to just suck this one up to experience. :shrug:

It sounds like the rest of your weekend was a good one! :sledder:

FormulaZ583 · Post by **FormulaZ583** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 9:59 am

Like I said I understand what I did but how many other sections on the trail are there where its kinda out in the middle of no where that roads meet up with the trail and there are not signs saying no snowmobilers. Hwy 8 and 32 are completely different then a back woods road that sees maybe 5 cars in a month. And now that I looked at my pictures again of there area I went on theres not even any arrows saying that the trail goes doesnt go on the road. I like said I know I shouldnt have done what I did but in my defence that trail wasnt marked and anyone could mistakenly go off the trail and do what I did and not know what they did especaily back in the woods because there are penlty of riders who go ride the ditches along those major hwys that dont how trails remotely near them and dont get caught.

Now if my picture works that I tried to attach I think there should be and arrow right on the tree before someone could go out on the road and then maybe even a no snowmobile sign out across the road if this is such a big issue or am I wrong

FormulaZ583 · Post by **FormulaZ583** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 10:08 am

Not to keep beating a dead horse but heres another pic from further back and there are no arrows, so anyone by mistake could take the road who are not familiar with the trails because there are track going both ways ya know.

rev600 · Post by **rev600** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 10:50 am

as a law enforcement officer I see the reason for stopping you. However, a friend of mine was stopped last weekend also in the same area and given a ticket for not stopping at the stop sign. Now, these are all abviously good reasons to stop a sledder. My concern is the officer making the stops. Now although I am not sure who stopped you it kind of sounds like the same guy who stopped my friend and that I have witnessed stop others in the past. I am not usually one to judge othe officers if I am not on scene involved with what they are doing, however I have personally witnessed this officer stop many people in the middle of the trail. This is definately a safety hazzard for everyone involved including the officer. I think we can all agree despite the stops we all want to be as safe as we can.

FormulaZ583 · Post by **FormulaZ583** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 11:03 am

Dont remember if I mentioned it or not but I even asked if I could pull off to the side of the trail because at that point I didnt know what I was stoped for and I'm not one to bolt on the law ya know. Granted the officer doesnt know that I'm not going to bolt but I would of let him move my sled if it came down to it because I didnt feel safe in the middle of a road..... sorry for continuing to rant about it just makes me feel better to get it all out.

thanks for listening

snohawk · Post by **snohawk** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 12:14 pm

I think that you where in the wrong spot at the wrong time to go out on the road. The DNR needs to generate more $ seeing that they lost a lot of $ from deer hunting license sales.

I agree that there is a difference between hwy 32 and hwy 8 and the town road you got stopped on. As far as proper signing it is very hard to have a sign at every possible spot on the trail, you should be able to see the traveled trail and stay on it. Roads marked with a snowmobile route sign are not everywhere because some towns open all roads for trail access which makes it more confusing :shrug:

Its like a speeding ticket wrong spot wrong time

:(

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 12:33 pm

I shouldn't have said 8 & 32 but ANY "plowed" town or forest service road which is not marked as a snowmobile route, is NOT open to snowmobiles. In your pictures,which were taken at the right angles, I may add there are no arrows, but you know there are orange trail blazers indicating the trail, along with many, many snowmobile tracks. If you snowmobile at all in this area, you know you were in the wrong, and just got caught.

Camp Sixer · Post by **Camp Sixer** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 12:51 pm

Maybe joining and attending a club meeting would be in order. You could ask questions, help with trail signage and brushing etc. Being "new" to the sport myself there are alot of things that I have learned just by asking. (rules of the road, common courtesies that come into play etc).