Snow Cover: 10" - 12" in indisturbed areas
Date of Report: February 7, 2017
Area Report:
Both groomers were out again last night. Temps only fell to 20 last night so trails probably didn’t firm up rock hard. Saturday’s clipper turned into another non-event storm (is a clipper really ever a storm?). Today’s “Colorado Low” system must need Mapquest because it’s been all over the map but as of now we are forecast back into the snow band & it started snowing at 7 AM. We need fresh snow to work with. That is the bottom line, I’m not going to sugar coat the message. I groomed the west side, so I can speak accurately about that & can assume about the east. If the snow actually continues after I type, everything can be upgraded.
Road crossings on Hwy 45 are poor. Crossings on K near town also poor.
Trail 8: From the Energy Mart west to trail 45 south intersection is fair at best. Snow is brown, ugly brown with lots of ice. Beyond this intersection west until 13 south intersection is better but snow is thin over an ice base that has some bumps frozen in. From this point west to Star Lake road, trail is good or better but some ice in corners. Road is bare at Burnt Bridge.
Trails 45 south and 13 south loop is good or better.
Trail 13 north/45 north of Hwy K: Trail is smooth but thin with ice in corners. Last week I reported an area about 2 miles north but south of the bridge that was brown. That area is back and worse. Sunday night I tried to drag snow onto the trail from some wide corners. There just isn’t enough to work with. Expect snirt with the emphasis on dirt. Beyond the bridge, both trails are good or better all the way.
East side trails should be good or better EXCEPT we are not grooming behind the cemetery on the way to Pioneer Lake and the short link from Muskrat Rd to the Cemetery Rd is bare ice. Hwy K at Pioneer Creek crossing is bare & I assume the road route to South Twin is also.
Twin Haven via the new trail; It has smoothened out nicely now. For those running along the power lines heading north from the North Twin boat ramp, you now have a stop sign at the grade, E/W traffic has the right of way.
The lakes are marked and had lots of snow. They are frozen again, but watch for the possibility of ruts on the lakes. More snow is needed to smoothen out the lakes.
News and Reports:
It crossed my mind that for those of you that have never snowmobiled in Vilas or surrounding, it is unlike areas further south. We really have nearly zero farm field crossings. Most riding is in the woods, some trails are on old rail grades & there are lots of lake crossings. But, be prepared to travel a distance to the next stop, especially along the northern portions of the county. Food is hard to find on Tuesdays, carry a snack.
Please stay on the trails; Trespassing is the fastest way to loose trails. Don’t forget you need a WI trail permit to ride the state’s groomed trail system. Aggressive riding causes more trail damage than slower, less aggressive riding. Ride right & be safe.
Snowmobile Information:
Conover Blizzard Blast is February 18th at the Conover Town Park on Hwy K east.