OUR HISTORY

The Stump Jumpers is the organization that promotes and manages the snowmobiling trail system in the Wilmington/West Dover area. It all started about 40 years ago when a group of about 20 snowmobile enthusiasts got together to develop and maintain a trail system in the Deerfield Valley. It was a very primitive trail system which was just wide enough to allow two snowmobiles to pass each other on the trail. The trails were groomed with a member's snowmobiles pulling a "drag". A drag is basically a welded metal frame which would scrape the tops off the bumps of snow in an effort to smooth out the trail surface. Things have changed drastically. We now have, on average, 1,700 club members from all over the Northeast. We currently own two commercial grooming machines with modern drags which shift the blades with hydraulics controlled by the operator in the heated cabin. We have invested a considerable portion of our assets in this equipment. Our 60 mile trail system is normally groomed four times a week by a crew of eight operators, three of which are paid by the club along with five volunteers. The paid operators are usually assigned the night shift on a regular schedule and the volunteers jump in as necessary.

Our area is ideal for the snowmobiling fraternity. We have Restaurants, Inns, Motels and rental housing units on or near the trail system. We try to be an asset to the community. We have donated a Snowmobile and a rescue sled to the fire department along with a trailer to transport the equipment to the emergency location to rescue injured snowmobile operators and skiers in the winter. It is also used during the summer. The rescue sled has wheels which can be installed for summer use. After hooking the equipment to an ATV it has been used in the forest to rescue hunters, loggers and hikers.

In closing we need to get the message through to the snowmobile fraternity that the trail system needs considerable effort by many individuals to be viable. The help is especially needed in the spring and in the fall. If you can help check this web site for the work party dates, location and time to arrive.

Of course, you're not limited to our local trail system. >From our trails you can explore the most magnificent vistas in the state along the 4200+ miles of groomed trails that make up Vermont's VAST trail network. In addition, we are one of the closest snowmobile clubs to the Green Mountain National Forest. The Green Mountain National Forest, with a high elevation of 2350 feet, typically has an abundance of snow and terrific riding.