By Alice Ehlinger
The Mt. Hood Snowmobile Club was formed in August, 1967. Thirteen people met and expressed the idea of
forming a club to bring together the people of this "new sport” of snowmobiling
in Oregon. Another meeting was held in
September at which time officers were elected and by-laws were drawn up. The first officers of the Club were Bill
Wagner, President; Bill Hoover, Vice-President and Alice Ehlinger,
Secretary-Treasurer. Articles of
Incorporation were filled out, presented to the State of Oregon and approved in
December, 1967. We became affiliated
with Western Snowmobile Association which included clubs from the seven western
states. Several years later, Western
Snowmobile Association was disbanded as each state formed their own
associations.
In January, 1968, the Mt. Hood Snowmobile Club
co-sponsored a dog-sled and snowmobile race at Sisters, Oregon. The dog-sled races were held on Saturday. Snowmobile races which included cross-country
and oval races sanctioned by Western Snowmobile Association were held on Sunday
in almost blizzard conditions.
Also
in January, several members met with photographers and a journalist at Trillium
Lake to photograph an advertising lay-out for West Coast Airlines publicizing
attractions in the Pacific Northwest.
The
Forest Service also requested several members of the Mt. Hood Snowmobile Club
to meet with them to have action photos taken for publicizing the sport of
snowmobiling. Some of these were printed
in the Field & Stream Snowmobile & Buyers Guide, 1972 edition. Other of these pictures were used in brochures
and maps designating the snowmobile use areas in the Mt. Hood National Forest.
In
the fall of 1972, Club members were called out by the Clackamas County
Sheriff’s department to look for wood-cutters and other people stranded in the
Ripplebrook Forest area due to an unexpected early snow storm. Although the members search for 24 hours, not
all those missing were found.Snowmobilers were thanked for their efforts and released to go
home. After this, it was decided to form
a search and rescue organization that would be prepared and ready to respond in
a short time. John Riggs was instrumental
in arranging the search and rescue teams and setting up the arrangements for
the members to receive courses in First Aid.Since there wasn’t any call upon this service during the next few years,
most of the activity was dropped until July, 1982 when it was activated again. Rescue sleds and First-Aid supplies were made
available at the Skyline Sno-Park Shelter for anyone needing attention. Members have been called upon to use their
skills and resources in various areas in Oregon since they became activated.
We have been instrumental in setting up
several shelters in the snowmobile areas of Mt. Hood. A 40 foot semi-trailer was purchased in
1972. This was stripped inside and then
insulated and new plywood was put on the walls and ceiling. Three windows and a side door were also
added. New one inch tongue and groove
flooring was laid and covered with linoleum.A small wood stove was added for heat.This was placed in an area approximately ten miles from the snowmobile
parking areas. Two other small cabins
were leased in 1973 from the Forest Service at approximately ten mile intervals
to help anyone who might be stranded because of bad weather or breakdowns. In 1980, the Forest Service granted us permission
to construct a 20 ft. by 30 ft. log cabin at Skyline Sno-Park parking
area. The trailer was sold and proceeds
were used in the construction of the log cabin shelter. In later years, we constructed a cabin in the
Warm Springs area to replace the Forest Service cabin that had burned
down. We also donated our time and
materials for this project. Both shelters
were for use by all winter recreationalists.
In
the fall of 1972, four members of our Club journeyed to Bend, Oregon to meet
with snowmobilers from other areas in Oregon to form a state snowmobile
association. In time, this became the
Oregon State Snowmobile Association with Ken Havernick, President. The State was divided into different areas
with a representative in each area to bring their ideas and problems before the
State Association. Our first
representative was Ron LaVine. In 1978,
Clinton Peterson from the Mt. Hood Snowmobile Club was elected President with
his wife, Nancy being elected secretary.
During the summer of l973, work was begun on a
bridge to cross a small creek and ravine at Lost Creek Handicap Park. Materials were supplied by the Forest Service
and labor was supplied by our members.We spent eight weekends in completing the bridge. The foundations were dug, concrete poured and
then the rest of the bridge was erected.The arches were prefabbed in the Forest Service Shops. The last weekend of putting it together was
accomplished in a pouring down rain. The
framework and arches were erected, decking was laid and handrails were added to
complete the job. The Club was given an
award during opening ceremonies for the time and effort involved in making the
bridge possible. Without the bridge,
the trail for the blind and handicapped wouldn’t have been connected to the
parking area. Several years later,
members returned to the same area to install gabions filled with rocks to try
to keep the creek from wash away part of the trail and to form a fishing
pond.
Beginning
in 1974, an all you can eat pancake and ham breakfast was cooked in the parking
lot of Frog Lake Sno-Park which lead to an annual event. This event was included in the Cancer Marathon
sponsored by Oregon State Snowmobile Association. The location was changed to the Skyline
Shelter but the same delicious food was served.Several thousands of dollars were collected from the pancake and ham
breakfast and ham sandwiches served after breakfast to late afternoon. This escalated into a talent show and auction
where all the proceeds were donated to the American Cancer Society. Since 1984, the proceeds have gone to the
Candlelighters for Children. Due to our
participation with the Candlelighters, the Oregon State Snowmobile Association
has also designated funds to the Candlelighters.
In
addition, since 1984 a fun day in the snow has been given the Candlelighters
where Mt. Hood Club snowmobilers donate their snowmobiles for rides for everyone
present. Lunch and other goodies are
furnished all day along with a visit from Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl.
The
Mt. Hood Snowmobile has also done other projects for the Forest Service
including constructing and paving a trail into Little Crater Lake. The materials were donated by Portland Road
and Paving. Some of the materials were
used for improvement at the nearby campground. A trail was constructed and paved to a
fishing dock at Timonthy Lake for the use of people with disabilities. Another project was a fishing dock at the
confluence of the Collawash and Clackamas Rivers in the Ripplebrook Forest
Area.
The
Mt. Hood Snowmobile Club has strived to maintain a good working relationship
with the Nordic Cross-Country Ski Club and the Cascade Dogsled Club to show
that we can all use, share and enjoy the snow.