The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service on Thursday announced that snowmobile trails in the Allegheny National Forest will open for the season at 8 a.m. on December 18.
Forest Road 262 (Longhouse Scenic Byway) will be closed to snowmobiles this winter. In addition, Forest Road 141 will be closed at Forest Road 262 to snowmobile use as a result of road construction.
The Allegheny National Forest has 365 miles of interconnected snowmobile trails and loops, and another 52 miles of trails used for both snowmobiles and ATV/OHMs. Various groups use the trails, including vehicles, groomers, snowshoers, dog sled teams and cross-country skiers.
Maintained snowmobile trails will not be groomed until there is a significant amount of snow on the ground.
Snowmobile trail conditions are available through the U.S. Forest Service website.