The Northern Warren Trailblazers Snowmobile Club, which will soon be holding its premier annual party this next week, has experienced remarkable growth during its 20 years of existence.
The Trailblazers club was established in 1994 as a not-for profit corporation with about 20 members. Today the club has grown to an average annual membership of 700, with snowmobilers from many other states from the northeastern U.S.. A $25 family membership in the club provides a $45 discount on the New York State snowmobile registration fee, and in many cases provides an additional discount on liability insurance.
The club is operated on a volunteer basis, maintaining continuous 68 miles of groomed trails that allow snowmobilers to go from Warrensburg to Chestertown, Brant Lake, Pottersville, Schroon Lake and Hague. The club is working on linking North Warren trails with trail systems of Southern Warren Trailblazers and Thurman Connection Snowmobile Club so that riders can travel to and from our area, through Lake George, Lake Luzerne, Washington County and as far away as Vermont and Canada.
Also, the Trailblazers also voluntarily groom the ski and sliding hills at Dynamite Hill in Chestertown, which is open at no charge to the public.
Members of the North Warren Trailblazers Snowmobile Club head down a trail in a recent year’s excursion. Every year, a veteran rider leads a trip for club members into territory they are familiar with, but the other sledders may not have yet experienced. Courtesy photo
The Trailblazer members enjoy participating in local events like they did in the 2013 Warren County Bicentennial parade and festival.
During the winter, they host events which include picnics and cookouts on the trail system as well as a club rides, which gives members of all abilities the opportunity to ride in other locations with members who have previously been over those trails. Such trips have included excursions to northern New York and Canada.
This year’s club ride is scheduled for Feb. 15 through Feb. 17. For details, see: https://northernwarrentrailblazers.snowclubs.com or their FaceBook page for details.
The Trailblazers’ clubhouse on Knapp Hill in Chestertown is open on weekends during the riding season for all snowmobilers riding the trail system to use as a warm-up stop and rest-room break. Riders stopping in are offered free coffee, cocoa and popcorn. The clubhouse is also available for local organizations to use, free of charge, for educational seminars and meetings of civic organizations.
