Page 6 - JAN2021

Page 6 Newfound Lake Life January 2021 Community
Bridgewater Mountain Snowmobile Club Members
By dOnna rhOdes
Benefit Many in the Newfound Area
BRIDGEWATER – After spending several busy weekends on trail maintenance this past fall, members of the Bridgewa- ter Mountain Snowmobile Club were rewarded with the first major snow storm of the season in mid-December and they hope the weather trend will continue for many weeks to come so snow enthusiasts can enjoy the great outdoors.
Michael Phillips is a past pres- ident and current member of the club’s Board of Directors who says joining a snowmobile club is beneficial in many ways. Mem- bership in a club brings people a $30 discount when it comes time to registering a snowmobile with the state, while 100-percent of the fees to join the organization helps in maintaining their trail system. Each club also grooms their own trails so the money also provides for fuel and maintenance on their grooming equipment.
“People should really consider joining early because the money raised by membership is benefi- cial throughout the season,” Phil- lips said.
For instance, earlier this year BMSMC reached two major milestones. First they purchased a new $190,000 snow groomer, made possible in part through club membership and fundrais- ing efforts. Then with some as- sistance from the state, the group
also rerouted a trail that went up Bridgewater Hill but had become unusable due to the muddy con- ditions that had developed there. With the consent and cooperation of local landowners and donors, the club was able to build a new 2.1-mile trail to avoid that area.
“The Torsi family was instru- mental in that reroute, along with the Golden and Seager families,” Phillips said. “Without any one of those three giving their blessings, it wouldn’t have been possible.”
Besides such great community partnerships in Bridgewater, per- haps the other factor that makes BMSMC so special is location. Situated on the eastern side of Newfound Lake and climbing to heights with spectacular views, their trails also reach places like Newfound Country Store on Rte. 3A where people can park their trailers and fuel up their machines. They can also grab a bite to eat or even an extra layer of winter clothing if they need it. Should any mechanical problems arise, there is also a snowmobile dealership located just up the road.
The Bridgewater Mountain Snowmobile Club trail system also connects with Hardy Coun- try Snowmobile Club’s trails in neighboring Hebron and Groton, along with the Alexandria Ledge Climbers and the Squam Trail Busters’ trails to the northeast in Ashland. From those locations,
A trip along the 50 miles of Bridgewater Mountain Snowmobile Club’s trails can provide fantastic scenery along with a lot of winter fun. Joining them or other snowmobile clubs is also a great way to keep trails open and safe for people to enjoy the outdoors all year round. Photo courtesy of BMSMC
disabilities.
Proper etiquette is required
when anyone heads out on those trails however. Respect for prop- erty owners is key to a successful year. Riders should stay on the designated trails, obey speed lim- its where posted, use caution at all road and trail crossings, and never leave anything behind in the woods. They should also check for trail conditions and give groom- ers a chance to get them in good shape. Even a foot or more of powdery snow that has not been packed down can easily blow off the trail or bury a machine in its depths.
For updates from their Trail Master and more information on their activities, they can be found on Facebook or through their Web site, www.bridgewater- mtnsmc.org. People can also visit the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association Web site, www.nhsa. com, to join any club in the state, download a state trail map, and get news, tips and safety informa- tion about the sport.
riders can gain access to many of New Hampshire’s 7,000 miles of trails, which are provided in part by103 snowmobile clubs around the state.
“Bridgewater leads to such a great network of other trails. That’s one of the things I love about it,” said Phillips.
Supporting clubs like theirs is not just for the benefit of snow- mobiles though. The rest of the year the trails provide well- marked locations for people to hike and enjoy the natural beauty of the area, too. And in the win-
ter months, it is not unusual for a musher to take some sled dogs out for a run or to spot someone on snowshoes or cross country skis either.
“There are a lot of people who join multiple clubs just to help out wherever they can. The trails re- ally benefit a lot of folks,” he said.
Club members form great friendships, too, as they enjoy summer “Grass Drags,” hold special events and participate in the annual statewide fundraiser, which benefits Easter Seals’ Camp Sno-Mo for children with
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