A Legacy of Advocacy and Adventure

The Mt. Jefferson Snowmobile Club was born in the fall of 1970 at a meeting at Benson's Automatic Transmission Specialties. Our journey began with a fight for our right to snowmobile. In January 1971, we successfully opposed legislation aimed at banning snowmobiling in Oregon, a victory we repeated in the 1973 and 1975 legislative sessions.

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Events & Activities

• Grass-Drag Race: Our first grass-drag race took place in October 1971 at Antique Powerland in Brooks. It was a community effort with everyone contributing, and it remains a fond memory for all involved.

  

• New Year's Celebrations & Meetups: Over the years, our meeting places have varied from churches to restaurants. Our annual events, like the Christmas Party and New Year's outings, featuring fireworks at Ray Benson Snowmobile Park, are highlights of our community calendar

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Trail Improvements and Community Efforts

Our club has always prioritized improving the snowmobiling experience. The road to Big Lake, our primary riding area, saw significant enhancements in the 1970s and 1990s, thanks to collaborative efforts with the Forest Service. We also brought electricity to the Ray Benson Sno-Park in the 1994/95 season, enhancing the facility for all users. 

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Partnerships and Contributions

We have a long-standing, positive relationship with the Forest Service, Big Lake Church Lodge, HooDoo Lodge, and local law enforcement. Our contributions include search and rescue missions, spring and summer clean-ups, and improvements to snowmobiling facilities.​

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Oregon State Snowmobile Association (OSSA)

As an active participant and charter club of OSSA, we ensure our members' voices are heard at the state level. Our involvement includes having a club member on the OSSA Board of Directors, which allows us to advocate effectively for our needs and wishes.

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Celebrating Milestones

In 1995, we celebrated our 25th anniversary with a banquet at Henry Thiele's Prime Rib restaurant in Salem. It was an evening of nostalgia, appreciation, and community spirit, highlighting our journey and the people who have been instrumental in our success.

 

Warming Shelter & Re-Dedication to Roger Schmidt

Built in 1985, our warming shelter at Ray Benson Sno-Park was constructed by club members with materials provided by the Forest Service. It was rededicated in 2005 to Roger Schmidt, a long-time member and former OSSA president, following extensive improvements.

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