As the days get warmer and the snow begins to melt, giving way to spring, winter sport enthusiasts take their final opportunities to enjoy the activities they love.
Although it may be more difficult to find a place to go spring snowmobiling, as copious amounts of snow are necessary, that didn’t stop many from hitting the trails in late March.
There is one set back to snowmobiling with limited amounts of snow though – the mud.
The snow melting in the fields creates huge patches of mud which can be harmful to the sled.
Snowmobiles are not built to run in the mud. Not only is it more likely that the sled gets stuck, but it can wear down the tracks, and rocks and sticks can cause serious damage to the underside of a sled.
The risk of running into mud, however, may be worth the reward of beautiful views and the chance to see wildlife like deer searching for their next meal in the forests.
The trails in the pictures are maintained by the Penn Mountain Snow Riders. This organization, like many around the country, are responsible for marking the trails and general up-keep such as grooming and clearing obstacles, like branches or trees, out of the trails.
When riding a snowmobile, there is a connection to nature, even if it’s by way of a man-made machine.
The views offered, from the mountside to the towering trees of the forest or the ponds and streams that follow the trail, are unlike anywhere else.
When the snow begins to fall again and the once grassy fields are turned into trails, it may be worth considering snowmobiling for a new way to appreciate the frigid season.
APN 