Submitted photos

After years of hard work, persistence, and collaboration, the groomer shed is now a reality. 

The Malheur National Forest would like to thank the Harney County Snowmobile Club (HCSC) for their initiative and hard work to fund and build a groomer shed at the Idlewild SnoPark.

The HCSC applied for an Oregon Parks and Recreation grant in 2016. In 2017, they were awarded $160,000 to purchase materials and construct a 40 feet by 60 feet building to house their snowmobile trail groomer.

Construction began in August of 2020 and was completed on Aug. 29, 2020. However, it took years of planning and preparation before ground was broken. The project began on June 7, 2018 with a letter of support followed by a letter of intent before applications could be submitted and approved. Then another year passed before the final approval to move forward occurred.

Through the hard work of the HCSC volunteers, Tim Holly, Ryan DeLange, Oregon State Snowmobile Association (OSSA) Director District 6, and many inter-workings on logistics and other details, the groomer shed is now a reality. Having the groomer housed at the Idlewild SnoPark will allow ongoing grooming of the 150 miles of snowmobile trails accessible from the SnoPark, which provides a paved parking area and a restroom.

The groomer can cover up to 75 miles, depending on snow conditions. Storing the vehicle at the SnoPark will now provide for grooming on the west side of highway 395 on old trails that haven’t been groomed in past years, opening up to 300 miles of trails for snowmobile enthusiasts.

Thank you, Harney County Snowmobile Club for your persistence and hard work to see this project to fruition. The new groomer shed will be a welcome addition to facilitate snowmobile trail grooming and winter recreation on the Malheur National Forest.