Snowmobiles won't be allowed on the High Trestle Trail this winter.

The Boone County Conservation Board denied a local club's request to groom the trail between Slater and Madrid during a special meeting Thursday, Dec. 5.

The board considered grooming the trail for snowmobile use with the Boone County Attorney, Boone County Trails Advisory Committee and the general public but ultimately determined it would be too much of a safety and liability concern.

The High Trestle Trail is a mult-use, concrete path that extends from Ankeny to Perry, traveling through Slater, Madrid and Woodward. The trail is well-known for the trestle bridge that crosses the Des Moines River between Madrid and Woodward.

A representative from the Saylorville Dam Snowmobile Club approached the local county conservation board about grooming and marking the High Trestle Trail between Madrid and Slater for snowmobile use from Dec. 1 until March 31.

The goal was to connect to Highway 17 to reach Team Iowa Snowmobile Club trails.

This portion of the trail would have remained multi-use in the winter, open to walkers, bikers, snowshoers, and skiers. Snowmobiles would've been the only motor vehicle authorized on this section of the trail. Motor vehicles would have still been prohibited on all other sections of the High Trestle Trail.

The Boone County Conservation Board held a 20-minute public hearing on Nov. 19. People spoke both in favor and against the proposal, and a decision was postponed until its December meeting.