Snowmobilers caught in K&P Trail crossfire

Dec 08, 2021

The short-lived snowfall this week may have brought visions of winter snow trails into the heads of snowmobile enthusiasts across the region, but when the season does begin in earnest this year they will find that the trail system has been compromised.

A group of private landowners in the Snow Road area have revoked trail usage this year. The section of trail that will be blocked joins the now completed K&P Trail that runs north through Central Frontenac to North Frontenac, and the trails to the north of Snow Road which run north towards Renfrew and Calabogie.

The only alternatives for riders coming north along the K&P from Central and South Frontenac, will be to ride east almost to Perth before turning north, or west to Kaladar.

Scott Shepperdson, the President of the Snow Road Snowmobile Club (SRSC), which manages 460 kilometres of trail in Lanark and Frontenac Counties, said that the club has been caught in the middle of a dispute between the landowner and Frontenac County, and has no choice but to cease all grooming operations on the section of the K&P trail from Hwy 7 to a junction north of Snow Road, which they call the TOP E line. (see map)

“Private landowner along this trail have revoked trail usage for the 2021/2022 season forcing the SRSC to close the E trail from Sharbot Lake to Wilbur and #3 and #5 trails as a result of ongoing negotiation between landowners and Frontenac County,” Shepperdson said, in a Facebook post early this week that was titled, “Unfortunately We Have Some Very Upsetting News”.

“The County is continuing to work with the private landowners to resolve this issue and continue E Trail improvements from Clarendon Station through to Renfrew County. Hopefully, these issues will be resolved for the 2022/2023 season”, he added. “The SRSC asks for everyone’s patience as we work to ensure we can all have an enjoyable riding season.”

Landowners who have permitted the use of their property for snowmobilers for many years have already been pulling back, concerned about trespassing issues during the summer and the winter.

But this situation has a more direct cause.

The County of Frontenac is committed to finally completing the final section of the K&P Trail within their jurisdiction, the North Frontenac section. Similar to what was encountered in Central Frontenac between Tichborne and Sharbot Lake, sections of the former rail line, in the Mississippi and Snow Road area, were sold off to adjacent landowners, a total of 12 land parcels.

It took a couple of years for Frontenac County to negotiate the purchase of the 33 privately own pieces in the Tichborne to Sharbot Lake section, and expropriation was necessary in a couple of cases. In the Snow Road region they are hoping it won't take so long, as the Frontenac County work plan envisions completing the trail in 2022.

Letters of interest were sent to the 12 property owners in October, and the landowners reacted by collectively notifying the Ontario Snowmobile Association, the only group that had been permitted to use the land in question for recreational use, that the permission had been revoked.

“I know many of the landowners who are involved in this situation,” said Shepperdson. “I have known some of them for years and I made a point of meeting some others when I took on my role with the Snowmobile Club. I feel for their situation. I would not want to be forced to sell off my land, and they are concerned about a year round public trail near their homes. I also see what Frontenac County is trying to do. All we can do, from the club's perspective, is wait for the situation to be resolved.”

The Frontenac News has attempted to contact some of the landowners, and received the response that they do not want to comment at this time.

As part of the K&P trail, the new sections that will be constructed will be open year round for hiking, cycling, and ATV use.

The Frontenac News has approached the Frontenac County Manager for Economic Development for comment, but did not receive a response before our publication deadline for this week.