Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the status of the new trail from St. John's to Brigus Jct?
ETR trails start at Goobies and runs on the rail bed up to Holyrood, then it goes across country to St. John's. From Brigus Junction to Holyrood, we still have to deal with existing rails in Avondale and bridges that need to be upgraded. From Holyrood to St. John's, it is all virgin trail. This portion still has to be cleared and constructed at $4,500.00 per mile. All approvals are now in place, but we are in need of $270,000.00 to do the work and volunteers. We currently groom the trail system from Goobies to Brigus Junction and the newest portion of trail from Witless Bay Line to Cochrane Pond Road.
• When is your AGM?
We work every year to provide the public with a general meeting that they can attend to ask their questions and get some answers. Our AGM will always be announced on our website and in the local media. You can feel free to contact us through our website and join our discussion forum.
• Why buy a trail pass for a trail that was always free?
Your purchase of a trail pass supports a growing local club committed to providing a safe, groomed trail system for our members. With your trail sticker fees, after remitting a portion to the NLSF, we use the money to repair, maintain and fuel the groomer, fix washouts, repair worn out bridges, erect signage, clear brush, etc.
• Why does it take so long to groom the trail?
Grooming a trail is a long process. Groomers work best at 8 km/hr and under specific weather conditions. We have 126 kms of trail to groom from Goobies to Brigus Junction. An additional 22kms have been added in the 2008/09 season from Witless Bay Line to Cochrane Pond Road. Under the best of conditions, running non-stop it will take 15.5 hours to groom the trail one way, or 31 hours return (from Brigus Junction to Goobies). We currently float the groomer into the newest portion of trail which takes about 5 hours to groom each way under ideal conditions. This excludes float time. If there are barespots or holes, we have to drag snow to fill them in. All of which takes additional time. Further to this, the ETR are a group of volunteers, all of which have full-time jobs and lives to live, therefore we only have so much time to donate. With more volunteers, we can groom our trails more often and without stopping.
• Does the ETR own the groomer?
The groomer used by the ETR is owned by the NLSF and maintained by the ETR. The 2007/08 season was the first year we had a groomer based on the ETR trail. We are now better able to provide a more consistent, safer groomed trail system. FYI...The fees associated with the purchase of a groomer and the operating costs are substantial. The cost of a groomer is approx. $250,000.00. In the past, we used a reserve groomer stationed in Deer Lake. The float charge alone to bring in the groomer is $2,400.00 return, and $50.00 per hour to operate.
• Can the ETR test groom some of the trails or pipe lines?
ETR is not allowed to groom on private property or crown lands without permission from the owner or government. Once it has been groomed, there is a liability consideration, therefore we can only groom on sanctioned and approved trails.
• Why is everything taking so long?
As far as NL clubs are concerned, the ETR is a new club and as such, we cannot expect everything at once. Trail development takes time and money. The trail from Holyrood to St. John's has taken 4-5 years to get approval from all levels of government. Now that everything is approved, we are awaiting funding from ACOA to come through. Everything takes time!! Further, once approval and funding is in place, we need people willing to volunteer some time to come out and help. We aren't talking a lot of time, a few evenings or a couple of weekends would be a help.
• How can I access the trail from Cochrane Pond Road to Witless Bay Line?
There are a couple of ways to access this latest portion of groomed trail. You can get to it from Northern Pond Road across from Paddy's Pond OR from the intersection of Cochrane Pond Road and the Gould's Bypass Road.
• Where can I get a trail map?
Trail maps are avaiable where you purchase trail stickers. Alternatively, you may contact the club using the address info@easterntrailriders.com to request a map.