Lassen: Rangers Pursue And Cite Three Snowmobilers

Lassen Volcanic National Park (CA)
Rangers Pursue And Cite Three Snowmobilers In Wilderness Area

Rangers responded to a call last Saturday from a park volunteer ski patroller who observed illegal snowmobile use in the park’s wilderness. Rangers swept access points on the park’s northern boundary and located an unattended vehicle with a snowmobile trailer parked in an area directly adjacent to the boundary. Snowmobile tracks were observed leading south from the trailer. Rangers also swept the southern boundary and responded on park snowmobiles, riding approximately 20 miles north in an attempt to locate and apprehend the renegade riders. Ski patrollers radioed in descriptions of the snowmobiles several times and reported that the three riders had high-marked several peaks in the wilderness. A CHP helicopter responded to help locate and track the snowmobiles. Several hours later, three riders matching eyewitness descriptions rode out to the vehicle and trailer and were met by rangers. The riders were identified as Andrew Pratt of Fall River Mills and Andrew and Timothy Pratt from Eureka. All three men were issued mandatory appearance citations for using a snowmobile in an area not designated for use (36 CFR 2.18(c)). Possible resource damage is being assessed by rangers.

I was thinking of maybe going there this weekend. It's the last weekend of the season for guided snowshoe walks starting from their new visitor center. Last time I was there, it was still under construction. And the best part of the walks is that it's only a $1 donation for snowshoe rental. They ask for $5 per person at Badger Pass.

Aw, Pratts!