Your Online Trail and Travel Guide for Snowmobiling the U.S. & Canada

You Are Here: Home » Articles

Reports

Trail Report – : Eagle River, Wisconsin – January 17, 2025

Reporter:Holly t

Trail Conditions: Early Season

Snow Cover: 4-5 inches – more east & north panned

Date of Report: January 17, 2025

Area Report:

January 17 – 7:05am – 27 – High 36

Sno-Eagles
EAGLE RIVER TRAILS
 Vilas County Parks & Rec announcement below
Trails open today, 1/17 at 8am



This trails open this morning with very, very early riding conditions.  Particularly in the southern half of Vilas County.  Trails have been panned and at this writing are frozen.  So if you choose to ride today, conditions will be icy so SLOW DOWN not just in the corners, everywhere. And RIDE RIGHT. Temps are going to rise today so expect conditions to change quickly today.  Best riding is in Northern Vilas County.  Consider trailering up there.

The warm up is one day. Tomorrow high will be low 20’s and below zero tomorrow night.  Then we head into the deep freeze with below zero temps both day & night until Wednesday.  Some small Lake Effect Clipper coming through.  No SNOW totals.  Next bet on SNOW is end of this month.  Stay tuned.

Here are the Sno-Eagles Trail updates for the 2024-2025 season.   Be sure to pick up a new map.

There’s a re route of Trail 3 aka Manske Swamp.   Here is a map of the re route.  Right click for a bigger image.

Trail 17 aka Hiawatha Trail has be rehab-ed. No more going in that wet mushy section just before Kick Back & Hiawatha motel. Alt Trail 13 that heads south to Three Lakes remains CLOSED. Right Click for larger image

Trail 17S that connects with the Sugar Camp trails remains the same but there is a short re route where Eagle River Sno-Eagles connect with the Sugar Camp Snowmobile Club by Ripco Rd.  Another landowner closure. 

Alt Trail 13 to Three Lakes remains closed.  A short section is open to local traffic to allow riders that live in that area to get north into Eagle River & to pick up Trail 10E.

If you haven’t already,  it’s time to renew your membership and purchase your discounted Trail Pass from the AWSC.  Sno-Eagles  AWSC Click on these links to do both/

If you decide to ride SLOW DOWN & RIDE RIGHT!   Be careful out there!

Holly Tomlanovich
Sno-Eagles Snowmobile Club
Proud Groomers of THE SNOWMOBILE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD® – Eagle River
Remember……RIDE RIGHT
Eagle River Visitors Guide or Trail Map Click or Call 715.479.6400

 

 

News and Reports:

SNO-EAGLES & EAGLE RIVER EVENT
January 16 – 19, 2025 – 62nd World Championship Snowmobile Derby @ WCDC
January 23, 2025 – General Meeting 7 pm – LP Pizza & Pasta (Buckshots Downtown)
January 31, 2025 – February 2, 2025 – Weekend Away – Mercer WI
February 7, 2025 – February 9, 2025 – USA Pond Hockey – Dollar Lake
February 13, 2025 – Legend Laps – WCDC
February 21, 2025 – February 23, 2025 – World Series of Racing WCDC
February 20, 2025 – General Meeting 7 pm Chanticleer Inn – E. Dollar Lk Rd off Hwy 70E
March 4, 2025 – BOD meeting 6 pm – World snowmobile HQ
March 14, 2025 – March 15, 2025 – AMSIOL National Sno-Cross @ WCDC
March 15, 2025 – Groom to Ride @ Trackside – Drawing at 5pm

Trail Report – : Boulder Junction, Wisconsin – January 16, 2025

Reporter:boulderwi

Trail Conditions: Closed

Snow Cover: 4-6 inches

Date of Report: January 16, 2025

Area Report:

Trails open tomorrow, Friday, January 17th at 8am!! 

Early season riding condition, be safe and have fun!

 

News and Reports:

Upcoming Events: 

December – February 6: Snowmobile Northwoods Weekend Getaway Sweepstakes

December-March: Gooch’s Pizza fundraiser starts, stop in and support him and the club by ordering a pizza!

January 18: Food sales at Wittig’s Point Resort Ice Fishing Tournament 11am-2pm

January 19: Breakfast Fundraiser from 8:30-11am at the Boulder Beer Bar

February 8: Trailside Brat Fry 11am-2pm at the Groomer Shed

February 16: Breakfast Fundraiser from 8:30-11am at The Guide’s Inn

March 1: Cabin Fever starting at 4pm at Gooch’s 2

Find all event details on our website at boulderjunctionsc.org!

Snowmobile Information:

Now is the time to renew or start a new membership! You can find all the information on our website here: https://boulderjunctionsc.org/join-our-club/ or contact the club directly at boulderjunctionsc@gmail.com.

Trail Report – : Ely, Minnesota – January 16, 2025

Ely, MN Chamber of Commerce

Reporter:Ely Chamber of Commerce/Explore MN Visitor Center

Trail Conditions: Poor

Snow Cover: 4-8 inches

Date of Report: January 16, 2025

Area Report:

Taconite State Trail, Arrowhead State Trail, Putnam/Fishing Lakes Trails, and Lake Vermilion Soudan Underground Mine State Park Trails

With the new snow we got this past weekend, we have been able to get groomer equipment out on the trail system in most places and get an initial groom in. Where the trails go through swamps and exposed areas, they are showing grass and ground after the first grooming pass. But overall trail conditions are much better than they were before grooming.

We will be grooming as much of the Arrowhead and Taconite State Trails as possible before this coming weekend. As mentioned in previous trail reports, the two segments of the Taconite from Big Aspen to Pfeiffer Lake and from the Blackbear trail to the junction with the Arrowhead are rough and have areas of shelf ice. These two segments may remain ungroomed until we get more snow, but stay tuned for further updates over the next couple days.

The Putnam-Fishing Lakes Trail and Lake Vermilion Soudan Underground Mine State Park trails remain ungroomed. Stay tuned for further updates over the next couple days.

We still need more snow throughout our trail system, especially in the swamps and beaver ponds. Use caution especially when riding through these areas as we are still finding shelf ice and even open water in places. Watch for hummocks and stumps in swamps and ponds.

There is active logging in a number of locations throughout the Grant-in-Aid and State Trail system. In those areas, slow down and give trucks and logging equipment space.

Trail conditions will be changing quite a bit over the next few days, so continue to monitor trail conditions online at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html

Snowmobiling conditions:0-3 inches. Conditions: Poor  Groomed: No

Bear Head Lake State Park:  

On Friday, January 17th, we hope to set track with the limited amount of snow we received this week. This trail provides rolling topography through birch and pine stands. You may see a variety of wildlife ranging from deer, wolves, ruffed grouse, and pine martens.

Snowmobiling conditions: Trail Base: 1-2 Inches Good. Base: 1-2 inches

News and Reports:

Join us on February 1, 2025, for our annual FunRun, which supports our local trails.  For more details on the event, please visit www.snowmobilefunrun. com.  Early registration is $25/person.  Same-day registration is $30.  Great prizes and the event happens snow or no.

Trail Report – : Land O’ Lakes, Wisconsin – January 16, 2025

Reporter:Phil

Trail Conditions: Early Season

Snow Cover: lightly snowing

Date of Report: January 16, 2025

Area Report:

The Frosty Club trails as well as the rest of the Vilas county trail system will open Friday at 8am. Trails will not be great so please slow down and be safe. At least we can get to the businesses and the Michigan trails which have a free riding weekend this weekend. Been a long time comin’

News and Reports:

Comedy Night Sunday at the Gateway Lodge. Get your tix at the Gateway in advance or at the door. Look forward to laughing with you there.

Candlelight Bowling next weekend at The Alley. Call or stop in to the Alley to reserve your space.

Trail Report – : Sayner, Wisconsin – January 16, 2025

Reporter:SaynerStar Lake Barnstormers

Trail Conditions: Early Season

Snow Cover: Minimal

Date of Report: January 16, 2025

Area Report:

Here we go!!  The Vilas county snowmobile trails OFFICIALLY OPEN at 8:00 am, Friday, January 17!!

It’s certainly been a long wait.  Please keep in mind that our snow cover is very thin and the trails are going to be icy, especially in the corners.  The Barnstormers will maintain trail conditions the best we can, but without additional snow, there won’t be much we can do.  As long as everyone is aware that we don’t have ideal conditions yet, we can get out and finally enjoy some riding!

There are ongoing logging operations on trails 15 and 11.  Remember that logging personnel have the right of way.  They also have the right to shut down trails, so please be respectful.

While you’re out there, remember to stop by the amazing businesses that keep us operating.  Check out our upcoming events:

Saturday, Jan 18:  Snowmobile Breakfast @ Stillwaters.  8:00 – 11:00 AM

Saturday, Feb 8:  Chili Dump @ Murmuring Waters.  2:00 – 5:00 PM

Sunday, Feb 16:  Pizza Fundraiser @ Hillside Tavern.  4:00 – 8:00 PM

Trail Report – : Phelps, Wisconsin – January 17, 2025

Reporter:Phelps Snowmobile Club

Trail Conditions: Early Season

Snow Cover: 5″-7″

Date of Report: January 17, 2025

Area Report:

The Vilas County Funded Trail system will open at 8:00 am on Friday January 17, 2025.  Trails are in early season riding conditions.  trails have been panned but plan on seeing some rocks sticking up.  There is an ice base with powder on top.  Corners are very slick, and your braking and acceleration is not what you are used to for this time of year.  With low snow amounts, it is imperative that you stay on the marked trails.  Not all our trails are on public lands.  Assume that all trails are on Private property.  Please help us we cannot afford to lose any landowners.

Trail Report – : Hurley, Wisconsin – January 16, 2025

Reporter:hurley@hurleywi.com

Trail Conditions: Early Season

Snow Cover: 0-4

Date of Report: January 16, 2025

Area Report:

It is currently 28 degrees. It is snowing, with light accumulation, and it will continue throughout the weekend. 

Snowmobile Information:

Here it is, January 16th, 2025, and we’re finally open to snowmobile traffic! There’s a fresh 3″ layer of heavy, wet snow overnight, and our groomers are out. Our trails are nothing better than early-season riding. We’re not going to tell you to just leave your machines on the trailers and spend your money now that you’re in town. Riding anytime, but especially now, is a choice. If you feel conditions are not what you’d like to put your snowmobiles through, then don’t. For those who want to navigate the rocks and bare spots, we thank you for safely trying, and for your understanding. We want nothing more than for you to have the chance to get out and enjoy our slice of heaven. Please ride safe, be responsible, respect our landowners, and ride right! The following trail listing is current as of today. “Open” means we have run groomers on the trail noted. “Closed” does not mean you cannot ride a trail, but we have not put our larger equipment in these areas, so use extreme caution. Only trail 11a is 100% gates locked and closed to traffic all season due to logging. Enjoy your time in Northern Iron County and thank our businesses with your patronage.
2. OPEN
2a. OPEN
3. OPEN
6. OPEN
7. OPEN (Clement Swamp not groomed)
8. OPEN
8b. OPEN
8e. OPEN
8 Palmquist. OPEN
8w. OPEN
9. OPEN
11a. CLOSED ALL SEASON (NO ACCESS!)
13. OPEN
13c. OPEN
13b CLOSED
13s. CLOSED
15. OPEN with some active logging
15a OPEN PARTIALLY
15n OPEN PARTIALLY
17. OPEN
17a. OPEN
77. OPEN

Trail Report – : Conover, Wisconsin – January 16, 2025

Reporter:snobuddies

Trail Conditions: Early Season

Snow Cover: 3-5”

Date of Report: January 16, 2025

Area Report:

Vilas County snowmobile trails are set to open at 8am Friday January 17th. 

The trails will be early season conditions. There is little snow on top of the ice base. This will make corners very slick. Please ride with caution. There won’t be enough snow to groom yet each day. Ditch crossings and rutted trails won’t have enough snow either to cover them. 

News and Reports:

Trail 12 where it runs along Cty K by Dublins has some deep ruts from ATV traffic that we can’t fill with snow yet. We are out posting signs in that area. 

Snowmobile Information:

Dec 22nd – Annual Poker Run Starts and goes till March 1st

Feb 11th – General Membership Meeting at R&R Twin Lake Pub  5:30-8pm

Mar 1st – Poker Run Draw Party at R&R Twin Lake Pub  1-4pm

Mar 11th – General Membership Meeting at Bauer’s Dam  5:30-8pm

Mar 15th – Groom-to-Ride Raffle Drawing at Track Side, Eagle River  1-5pm

Mar 17th – St Paddy’s Day Corned Beef Dinner at Club 45  4-8pm

May 25th – Log Cabin Trail Fundraiser  3-7pm

Trail Report – : Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin – January 16, 2025

Reporter:Toulish1

Trail Conditions: Closed

Snow Cover: 6-10″

Date of Report: January 16, 2025

Snowmobile Information:

OK, so Vilas County voted last night, and County Trails will open at 0700 Hours tomorrow, Friday, January 16. The operative word on Hornshoe trails is CAUTION. ICEY CORNERS. THIN AREAS. Starting North, on trail 1, starting from trail 51 where we pick up from Cruisers, down to East Boundary Road, the tribe opened that road up. ( Again, many thank yous!) I worked it with my tractor a few weeks ago, so there should not be many big rocks, and I rounded the ruts. There are a couple of bumps from soft spots I worked in the best I could, but drainage is poor in two spots. Don says the beavers blocked the culvert, but sleds should be OK. Trail1, East Boundary Road, and Stearns Lake Road, have snow on the edges, but it is puffy snow. Also, the contractors have been installing fiber optic cable so they have rooting around spots on Stearns Lake Road. Trail 15, the main grade, is thin, but flat. I have not been on “F” trail, but there should be more snow in the woods there. At highway H, club trails head out to Moss Lake, Crawling Stone, and the Fence Boat Launch. Groomer Don says stay in the middle of the trail. The new trail area by Crawling Stone is bumpy. Don cautions ice underneath. LAKES ARE NOT MARKED. Done says BIG heaves on Fence and Crawling Stone. Moving north on 15, Groomer Jay says we are firming up but thin. Raven Lake area has been blown wide open by the tribe. Only one tighter corner left. Stay in the middle, and drive casually since there are rocks and ruts left over from the work. Get some decent snow and voila-primo riding. Headed north out into Powell Marsh, there is snow on the grade. We put a real tarp on the bridge this year, and it is working at holding snow on the bridge. 8 degrees that day, and we learned that we don’t want to golf with the people that claim they are cold rated. I did not ask Jay about #5 into the Casino, but that is always just such a happy little trail except for the truck ruts in the soft spots. That’s about all for trails – a little windy, but meant well. Don’t forget our Christmas Bash at Harrisons this Saturday, January 18, starting at 3:30. Don said Carrie and some of the ladies are going over today to wrap more gifts. Don and Carrie were on speaker phone, and when I offered to help wrap today, it got real quiet, must have been a Verizon glitch. Hah! So Hey – “let’s be careful out there”.  Seargent Esterhaus