Play Areas

The McCall Area Snowmobile Club has helped identify “Play Areas” that make great destinations for experienced riders to explore off-trail.

Association Cabin/Twin Lakes P.A.

Nice meadow at the cabin on the west side of the groomed trail with a small hill to practice climbing and side-hilling. With more ex-perience, wander west and south to the eastern faces of the neighboring ridge and drop into Twin Lakes that has a few chutes for the medium to expert rider. Or venture north of the cabin into Coral Lake bobbing in and out of the trees and gently climbing. This area is just north of Granite Mountain and the Seasonal Closed Cat-Ski Area. You can climb the “Boulevard” on the west side of Goose Lake and go up towards Granite Mountain Lookout and drop into Twin Lakes but be sure to abide the closure signs (Jan 15 – March 31) for the Cat-Ski Program. At the top of the Boulevard the cat-ski road splits with one going north and the other south. The trails are closed to snowmobile use beyond this point. West of this intersection is open for snowmobiles going westerly to Granite Mountain Lookout. If in doubt, stay on the main groomed Goose Lake Road trail until Association Cabin and avoid the Granite Mountain Boulevard.

Duck Lake P.A.

North of Association Cabin is Junction B that goes over to Junction C and is groomed when snow amounts warrant. When groomed, beginner and intermediate riders can follow the trail, playing along the way, and get into Duck Lake, ride over the ridge to the east, drop into Duck Meadow, and continue over to the groomed Fisher Creek Trail. Play areas and terrain to satisfy beginner to expert, depending on snow levels. If it has not been groomed, this terrain is more suitable for intermediate to expert riders.

Black Tip P.A.

Once a snowmobiler is on the Fisher Creek Trail, they can ride south and west and get onto the east face of Slab Butte. This is a great play area through the trees and challenges to get up on the east face. Option A: continue north to Fisher Creek Saddle with play areas above and below the road for the intermediate and expert riders. Option B: continue east of Fisher Creek Trail and challenge yourself to get into Ellis and Horton Lakes and beyond. North of these lakes is mountainous terrain for the advanced intermediate and expert riders. The ultimate challenge is Black Tip, which is a jagged conical mountain peak of rock and sheds the snow all winter. Hence, it looks black against the snowy background. Not the highest of peaks, but very noticeable. The terrain surrounding it is what is the challenge. Avalanches are a major concern in the area of Black Tip. At the southern end of the Black Tip P.A. is Granite Lake that can be reached by taking the right fork at Junction Wand heading north. You will pass through Sater Meadow, which is a great play area for beginners. Continue up the trail to Granite Lake and play along the shores of the lake.

Hard Lake P.A.

From Association Cabin, continue north on the main groomed trail to the Warming Hut at the Hard Creek Trail head. It is located on the east side of the trail near a USFS vaulted toilet. From here, one can boondock easterly into the Hard Creek drainage and follow it up to Hard Creek Lake. North and east of this lake are Upper Hazard Lake and a couple of challenging treed bowls to play in.

Hazards P.A.

Continue north of Upper Hazard Lake and play in the meadows and hillsides as you continue to Main Hazard and possibly on to Big Hazard or follow the main groomed trail to Main Hazard Lake and then go north or south of there. The ridge north and east of Big Hazard Lake is Lava Butte and can provide some great powder and tree riding for the advanced intermediate and expert riders.