The Peru Gazette

Todd Clowney and one of the Trail Finder’s Utility Task Vehicles (UTV)

The groomer Clowney pulls

By John T Ryan 

Peru, NY, February 23, 2026 – Remember the days when it seemed like almost every local family owned a snowmobile. Reduced snowfall has resulted in fewer people enjoying the activity; nevertheless, many families still do. In New York State, people register up to 130,000 sleds each year to travel over the state’s over 10,000 miles of trails. Todd Clowney, president of the local Trail Finder Snowmobile Club,  explained, “The best thing about snowmobiling is the camaraderie. People stop to talk along the trails and form friendships. It’s a great family activity. Many young moms and dads bring their kids. This has been one of the best snowmobiling years in at least five or six years. We haven’t experienced a warm spell. Today,  I saw at least 25 sleds go by our house.” (Todd lives just off the Allen Hill Road). 

None of this fun would be possible without the Trail Finders. Formed in 1975, the club is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Members dedicate their evenings to grooming over 100 miles of trails between Route 374 in the north and Union Falls in the south.  Clowney explained, “If we didn’t groom, moguls would form, making for a very unpleasant and unsafe ride. We run five groomers a combined 5,000 hours weekly when snow conditions are good.” Club members also work hard during the off-season, putting up, taking down, and replacing trail signs, cutting brush that encroaches on trails, and ensuring that culverts and bridges are safe. Throughout the year, they work with private property owners who are kind enough to allow trails to cross their land. 

The 250 snowmobile clubs in the state are members of the New York State Snowmobile Association, which coordinates club activities, promotes snowmobiling, and distributes funds derived from NYS’s snowmobile registration fee. The clubs use that money to pay for equipment and fuel. All club members are unpaid volunteers.

Trail Finders’ current officers include Todd Clowney (President), Sean Bedard (Vice President), Kayla Reeves (Treasurer/Secretary), Jared McKee (Trail Coordinator), and Chris Reeves (Groomer Coordinator).

New club members are welcome. Anyone who would like to learn more about the club can attend meetings on the 1st Wednesday of the month at the Peru Rod and Gun Club. Call Todd Clowney at 518-645-2334 for more information. 

Congratulations on your 50th Anniversary Trail Finders! THANK YOU for your dedication and community service. 

Click here to view the NYS Snowmobile Association’s interactive trail map.