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If Mother Nature cooperates, snowmobile enthusiasts can hit the trails on the Allegheny National Forest soon.

Bradford District Ranger Tony Scardina said Friday, "We are pleased to announce that all trail access issues have been resolved and the entire length of the ASL (Allegheny Snowmobile Loop) will be open when the season officially begins on (Sunday) December 20."

According to Operations Staff Officer Jim Seyler, the ASL encompasses 381 miles of snowmobile trails.

"Approximately 160 miles are groomed by the (Forest Service) and another are groomed by snowmobile clubs," he said, adding that a contract has been drawn up for Fox & Sons to groom the trail using a groomer owned by the Forest Service.

"In addition to the Forest Service grooming approximately 160 miles of trail, the Forest County Snowmobile Club and the Marienville Trail riders groom approximately 65 miles of trail," Seyler said. "These clubs also help maintain signing and trail conditions."

Trail conditions can be found online at www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny/recreation/snowmobile_trails.

According to ANF spokesperson Kathy Mohney, the trail conditions are updated twice weekly during the season.

In anticipation of the season, Forest Service personnel and volunteers have been preparing the trail.

"The Forest Service has been spending the last several weeks making sure the trails are clear and signed for the start of the season," Seyler said. "We have worked with several snowmobile clubs making necessary repairs to the trails."

Unlike the ATV trails on the ANF, use of the snowmobile is free.

"There is no charge for the snowmobile trail because there are no passes or anything," said Mohney.

As of Dec. 17, the Marienville District Ranger's office was reporting two to four inches of snow on the section of trail in McKean County and one to three inches in Warren, Elk and Forest counties. The trail conditions in all four counties was rates as "not favorable."