News
Bighorn National Forest officials seek input on popular sledding hill management
Published
4 years agoon
Due to accidents and close calls between children and motorized vehicles in recent years, a temporary closure to motorized use is coming this winter to the sledding hill locally known as “the Bowl” near Arrowhead Lodge.
To address this safety issue, starting in December 2020, motorized use including ATVs and over-snow vehicles such as snow bikes and snowmobiles will be prohibited from an area surrounding the popular sledding hill. The Tongue District Ranger wants to ensure the safety of all who recreate and enjoy the Bowl and is placing this closure into effect temporarily while she considers all options.
“While we strive to provide a spectrum of opportunities for our visitors, our number one priority is their safety,” Tongue District Ranger Amy Ormseth said. “We have received letters of concern and reports of accidents and are compelled to take action.”
As the BNF continues to investigate this health and safety concern, Forest managers would like to hear from the public.
Please share comments, concerns, or experiences about your use of the Bowl. Email the BNF at SM.FS.bighorninfo@usda.gov or follow them on Twitter (@BighornNF), or like them on Facebook (US Forest Service – Bighorn National Forest). Watch the BNF website for other current information at http://www.fs.usda.gov/bighorn.
Florance Davis
September 29, 2020 at 5:21 pm
The bowl is a blessing for this area. It is also a blessing that some people show up with snow machines to haul the children
and adults back up the hill. It is very sad that a few people misbehaving or not using good judgement will make it difficult
for all. Although walking back up makes the ride back down more enjoyable because they have conquered the hill.
Brad johnston
September 29, 2020 at 7:11 pm
Once again the forest service does the dumbest thing ever! How do you think the snow gets packed good enough to sled ride? Snowmobiles! Leave the bowl alone and people will police themselves. Every single !time the forest service makes a change the people who own the forest get hurt stop doing these regulatory changes without public opinion!
Jerry
September 30, 2020 at 8:41 am
Dumbest idea ever! Its tradition to sled down and get a ride back up. Has there even been an accident yet? Stop Californianing our Wyoming!
Johnnykat
September 30, 2020 at 11:18 am
Or Jackson holling it, since i believe that is where the current forest guru is from.
Dean Seever
September 30, 2020 at 1:40 pm
I think banning snow machines in the bowl is a good idea for several reasons.
1. There are parking lots specifically built and plowed and maintained for parking your trailer and launching your snow machines, yet people do this at the bowl where there is not enough space. It is becoming a traffic hazard.
2. There is plenty of mountain for snow machines to ride elsewhere.
3. If you want to haul your kid up the hill every time you can do that on one of the other hundreds of thousands of hills on the mountain.
4. Your snow machine is loud and obnoxious. Think you can have an enjoyable peaceful day at the bowl? Not happening. There are now always 2 or 3 snow machines idling or hot rodding it up and down the hill to fetch kids.
Shandra Hendricks
September 30, 2020 at 2:17 pm
I am disappointed that they would ban the snowmobiles. I know how much fun my 6 year old had last year at the bowl. I also know that being a 6 year old, she is not going to find it near as fun to have to hike the hill. I’ve never seen an accident. Most are very cautious and respectful of everyone. It’s a great recreational area that won’t be as much fun if this happens.
Mark J Steingass
September 30, 2020 at 4:08 pm
lots of weight and lots of horsepower with just about any snow machine…the father and daughter pictured above in this article who are smiling from ear to ear are riding plastic snow saucers which have no steering or maneuverability with little ability to stop or change course…they travel a path of least resistance…and very quickly at that!!… Forest service made the correct call on this….possibly during this “evaluation” the FS can figure out a way to allow usage by both motorized and non-motorized sledders through some type of “separation”.
Dan Biebel
October 14, 2020 at 9:27 am
I agree with the last sentence by Mr. Steingass. Seems like the FS response to every problem is the “nuclear option”, close roads, shutdown snowmachines, respond to a few complaints by eliminating an action of others altogether. Perhaps a more creative way of problem solving could be enacted. Maybe divide the bowl into separate sides, or develop another spot for one of the groups?
Terry Barrett
December 31, 2020 at 11:18 am
I have been to the bowl several times and have never seen anyone drive recklessly on a snowmobile. My grandkids love the rides up the mountain. However walking up is a healthier choice and the noise level is high so the serenity is challenged. Those are two reasons to close the hill perhaps. However, on the other side people so enjoy the use of these machines and kids are so ecstatic that one wonders if there could somehow be a compromise.
Terry Barrett
December 31, 2020 at 12:30 pm
We have been to the bowl sledding hill several times and have never seen anyone drive snow machines recklessly. It would be healthier to walk up the hill of course and the noise level lessened would make the area more serene. Our grand kids love to ride up on the machines and most kids and the drivers are excited to be able to do ease the trip. I would think there could somehow be a compromise.