Trail Conditions: Open
Snow Cover: Melting
Date of Report: January 19, 2017
Area Report:
Good News: Trails are open and in the woods in pretty good shape
Bad News: Trails by roads or towns are brown and will not take much traffic. Weather is still calling for close to 40 for the next 3 days. Grin and Bear it and hope for the best.
News and Reports:
Pig Skin Poker Run Jan 27 and 28–call Bent’s Camp for more info.
Trail Conditions: Good
Snow Cover: 13″ in undisturbed areas
Date of Report: January 19, 2017
Area Report:
Both groomers were out last night. Traffic has been very light since Monday. Temps have climbed to highs above 32 and lows fall back below freezing all week. Trails should be good in the Conover network this morning; How they hold up will depend how high temps climb but it has been foggy all morning so I think today will be OK. The sun is peaking out now at noon.
Unfortunately, temps are forecast above freezing every day thru Monday with low 40’s possible. To add insult, a rain/sleet/who knows what mix is forecast for tomorrow & Saturday. It is Derby weekend and typically traffic is crazy. That mix can destroy trails in a hurry. Lets hope people use good judgment.
Twin Haven via the new trail; Trail is nice except for the last 3/4 mile where it turns off the grade. This section has now been groomed & is much better but still has new trail bumps. For those running along the power lines N from 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 have lots of snow. Watch for drifting, North Twin has lots of drifts especially as you head farther east.
Watch for the possibility of slush and/or standing water in low spots along the trails.
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. 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.
Trail Conditions: Good
Snow Cover: 6-10″ in the woods
Date of Report: January 19, 2017
Area Report:
We are in the middle of a January thaw. The trails are in good shape, but this is not a good situation currently. The good news is there is very little traffic during the week, so the base that we have has been unchanged. That said, the forecast is not good for snowmobilers. The conditions can change dramatically during this warm spell.
Grooming schedules have been slowed to help maintain the base.
You can still get out and ride, but the conditions can get significantly worse this weekend with warm temperatures and significant sled traffic.
Please continue to stay on marked trails.
Trail Conditions: Good
Snow Cover: 18
Date of Report: January 19, 2017
Area Report:
Ely Area Lakes & Trails: Area lakes have ice cover of varying depths. With warmer than normal temperatures, some lakes may developing areas of slush. Area lakes have been staked and some lakes may have areas of slush. Use caution on lakes and check ice conditions before venturing out.
Echo Trail: Fenske Lake and other short trails along the Echo Trail have been groomed and staked.
Taconite Trail: Snow – 22-26” depth Base – 3-5” Groomed – yes Condition – good The entire Taconite from Ely to Hwy 73 is groomed and in fair to good condition, save for a small section of open water between Big Aspen and Pfeiffer Lake. This section is flagged, signed and passable.
Arrowhead Trail: Snow – 24-30” depth Base – 3-5” Groomed – yes Condition – fair to good The entire Arrowhead is groomed and in fair to good condition except for a two-mile portion going north over a swamp from the Orr South Grant-in-Aid trail. Crews hope to have this section groomed by the weekend.
Putnam-Fishing Lakes Trail: Groomed – no Condition – fair
Lake Vermilion State Park and Soudan Underground Mine State Park: Groomed and in good condition
Taconite Spur Trails and Stony Spur Trails: Base – 2-4” Groomed – partially Condition – poor THE HIDDEN BAY portion the trail linking up to Stony Spur has been closed due to logging. Please avoid the Hidden Bay area for safety reasons. Taconite and Stony Spurs are groomed.
Babbitt Area Trails: All trails are groomed and in good condition.
Tomahawk Trail & Local Trails: Base – 4-6” Trail is cleared through to the North Shore from Ely. Most of the trail is groomed; however, swamps and wetlands have not yet frozen so groomers are unable to do that portion of the trails. Trails are in fair to good condition.
News and Reports:
Ely Winter Fest February 2, 2017 – February 12, 2017 | All Day Ten days of winter fun in Ely. Snow carvings in the park, art in merchant windows, food, music, winter sports and many other events. Fun for the entire family. Don’t miss out on this spectacular annual event. Fees: Most events are free – see website for details on specific events and fees.
Ely Art Walk February 2, 2017 – February 12, 2017 | All Day Tour Ely and view breath-taking artwork created by local artisans. Map of locations available at Ely Greenstone website. Free
Ely Community Resource Spaghetti Dinner February 3, 2017 | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm Join us for the kick off to the Ely Winter Festival. Serving dinner from 4 to 7 pm at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Vegetarian and gluten free options available. Buy your tickets in advance from ECR Board members, at the ECR Office (Frandsen Bank Building), or show (or buy) your pin at the door and get $1.00 off! Adults: $9.00 ($8.00 in advance) $1.00 off with Festival pin Children 4-12: $6.00 ($5.00 in advance) Children under 4: Free St. Anthony’s Church Hall Camp St., Ely, MN, 55731
WolfTrack Classic Vet Check & Meet the Dogs & Mushers February 25, 2017 | 11:00 am – 3:00 pm The vet check runs from 11 am – 3 pm at Vermilion Community College. Meet the dogs and mushers. Wilderness Club Concessions Fund Raiser during Vet Check
WolfTrack Classic Pre-Race Dinner February 25, 2017 | 4:00 pm – 7:30 pm Our pre-race lasagna dinner runs from 4 pm to 7 pm. Social hour 4-5 pm, dinner 5-6:30 pm, musher meeting from 6:30-7 pm and presentation of the bibs at 7 pm. Fee is $10.00/person at the door. Credit cards welcome. Ely Senior Center 7 S 1st Ave E., Ely, MN, 55731
WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race February 26, 2017 | All Day Join us for this premier mid-distance sled dog race spanning 65 miles through northern Minnesota’s State Trail system. The WolfTrack Classic is known for its unrelenting hills that test the stamina of mushers and dogs across the scenic north woods terrain. Race starts at 9 am. Fees: No spectator fees Softball Fields Old Airport Road and State Highway #1, Ely, MN, 55731
Snowmobile Information:
Northland 300 – Snowmobile Event January 18, 2017 – January 22, 2017 | All Day Four day event includes trail riding, banquet and prize drawings. Fees to participate. Learn more at www.northland300.org. Grand Ely Lodge 400 N Pioneer Road, Ely, MN, 55731
Fun Run – Snowmobile Event January 28, 2017 | All Day Spend a day of fun – either by snowmobile or car – traveling the northland. Money raised goes to support snowmobile trails in the Ely, Tower and Babbitt area. Fees to participate Fortune Bay 1430 Bois Forte Rd, Tower, MN, 55790
Pink Ribbon Riders 11th Annual Snow Run February 24, 2017 – February 25, 2017 | All Day The Snow Run is an event open to both men and women, including a welcome social, snowmobile ride(s), awards banquet and more! Fees to participate. Grand Ely Lodge 400 N Pioneer Road, Ely, MN, 55731
Trail Conditions: Good
Snow Cover: 3 inches average on the trail
Date of Report: January 19, 2017
Area Report:
I don’t have the best news for an update. While thanks to excellent riding in the deeper woods the system is still fair to good on average, however, thanks to warm temps & sun – trails close to town and exposed road routes have suffered. Grooming will be limited with the warm temps.
The sections where there are logging operations going on will suffer as well. Continue to watch for logging ahead signs. Heed they warning and obey the posted speed limits. Stay out of the loggers way and especially do NOT hassle them. Than have the option to shut the trails down where they are working. If they get hassled – thats exactly what they will do.
The nearby forecast does not look good. Mostly middle 30s to lower 40s for the next 6 days. There is however some snow in the forecast for next Monday. How our trails hold up over the weekend depends on traffic. If it gets too heavy – it will not be good.
Please click here for Barnstormers events!
Click here to join or renew your membership with the Barntormers
News and Reports:
We have a fund raiser coming up this Saturday 1/21/2017 at Stillwaters in Star Lake. The purchase price from any dinner purchase goes to the Sayner Star Lake Barnstormers from 4 to 8pm. There will also be raffle prizes.
A new fundraiser for this season is the Barnstormers Poker Run – 50/50 3-place Raffle to help support our trails. Tickets will be available at businesses listed below and are $5. 2000 tickets will be available for sale. Possible cash prizes of up to $2500, $1500, and $1000 if all tickets are sold. Tickets will be available starting in December at Sayner Pub, Stillwaters, Vinchi’s, Weber’s, Mar-li’s, Patti’s Murmuring Waters, and Fibbers.
Trail Conditions: Good
Snow Cover: 10-12 inches
Date of Report: January 19, 2017
Area Report:
At this time trails are rated in GOOD condition. With the warmer temps and rain forecasted, expect the trails to deteriorate into the weekend. Night time and early morning riding will prove to be best. Daytime trails will be slushy, and possibly, muddy in spots. Some clubs will not be grooming during this warm stretch so riders beware. Please check club websites, found at www.forestcountywi.com, for trail information.
Trail conditions will vary throughout the county so please ride safely and responsibly. Use caution when riding on lakes or frozen water as ice conditions can vary greatly.
The clubs that maintain the Forest County Trail System are made up of volunteers who work very hard to provide the best trails possible. Please respect them while on the trail and allow them to do their job. If you come across the groomer, please give them some extra room. It is a lot easier to move a sled off the trail than 40 feet of tractor and drag.
Remember, TRAILS ARE GROOMED DAY AND NIGHT.
Thank you for riding Forest County Trails, Snowmobiling’s best kept secret.
News and Reports:
January 21, 2017: Crandon Lions Fishoree at Community Hall, Crandon. No cost, kids games, fish registration. Fish can be from any area lakes in Forest County.
January 21, 2017: LMT Snowmobile Club Chicken Booyah Bash. 11am to 5pm at Frog Alley Inn- Pit stop 19. 7790 Jones Lane, Pickerel WI, 54465. Chicken Booyah, hotdogs, meat raffles and more!
Snowmobile Information:
Trail Conditions: Good
Snow Cover: 4-8″
Date of Report: January 19, 2017
Area Report:
Most Washburn County snowmobile trails are open at this time. Trail conditions are fair to good with a 4 to 8 inch snow base. As always, please ride with caution; Some minor trail segments may be rough, due to thin snow coverage.
Trail 140 from Spooner – west to the junction with trail 7A is currently closed. Access to Burnett County on trail 140 can be achieved via trail 7A at Trego; 7A west to 7A south to trail 140 west to Burnett County. Please refer to an official Washburn County Snowmobile trail map.
Trail Conditions: Good
Snow Cover: 4-8″
Date of Report: January 19, 2017
Area Report:
Most Washburn County snowmobile trails are open at this time. Trail conditions are fair to good with a 4 to 8 inch snow base. As always, please ride with caution; Some minor trail segments may be rough, due to thin snow coverage.
Trail 140 from Spooner – west to the junction with trail 7A is currently closed. Access to Burnett County on trail 140 can be achieved via trail 7A at Trego; 7A west to 7A south to trail 140 west to Burnett County. Please refer to an official Washburn County Snowmobile trail map.
Trail Conditions: Good
Snow Cover: 5-9
Date of Report: January 19, 2017
Area Report:
Townsend – Red Arrow Snowmobile – ATV Club – It’s 41 degrees as I type this report for you and the trails are turning to mush. The forecast is for temps in the upper 30’s into the 40’s for the next 7 days with the possibility of some rain or freezing rain later in the week. Riding on the trails now will only destroy our wonderful base that’s been established over the last couple of snow storms! Rule of thumb again is: If your yard is sloppy and mushy, the trails will be too!! We won’t be able to groom until the temps settle down once more.
Lakewood – Paul Bunyan Snowmobile Club – The Lakewood trails as well as all other area trails are very soft and slushy. We are asking riders to please stay of the trails until the temperatures drop below freezing. We will be in the upper 30’s into the 40’s for the weekend. I know this is the last thing you wanted to hear after a great weekend of riding last weekend. We will not be grooming until further notice.
Bagley and Brazeau – Joyriders Trails -We will be CLOSING the trails Wednesday 1/18/2017 7:00AM. We are trying to save the trails and get colder weather to open them back up.
Gillett Sno ATV Riders – Gillett Trails remain open with good to excellent riding conditions. We are out grooming several times a week. Just a reminder the Gillett Shell Station to the Chuck Wagon is closed. There is a marked trail along Highway 32 to get to the Wildfire Hotel and Bar that is it. Please stay on marked trails.
Chute Pond Snowmobile Club – Chute Pond trails are open, but riding is discouraged at this time. With forecasted temperatures approaching 40 with possible rain, we are asking that you use common sense- and stay off the trails until the temperatures drop back down. We believe the trails will withstand this January thaw- your cooperation will help make this happen.
Oconto Falls – Sno Jokers Trails – Trails are CLOSED.
Lena Snow Drifters – Trails are CLOSED.
Chase Sno-Chasers – Trails are CLOSED.
Trail Conditions: Good
Snow Cover: 8 inch base + – snow covered
Date of Report: January 19, 2017
Area Report:
Ice Castle along Trail 13 in town by the Historic Railroad Depot
Start of day four of the warm up & the trails are holding up. Temps dropped below freezing last night. 27 at 7:15am. Could reason 40 today. Evil sun is under the clouds which is terrific! 28 for a low tonight
Trail Conditions are GOOD to FAIR with a hard base of 8 inches+ -.
Trail Boss gave the groomers a night off last night. Here is a photo taken yesterday, 1/18/17 at 2:36pm
Catfish Lake Loop & Eagle Lake Trail are OPEN & safe by the orange reflective barrels. No reported surface slush as of yesterday.
As you ride keep the Emergency 3 Digit Numbers in mind. If you need assistance with an emergency call 911 & give them the most recent number you saw. This helps dispatch pin point your location.
Torchlight Parade – January 21, 2017. Staging at 5:30pm Leave at 6:00pm from the Trackside parking lot. Trail 13 to Ice Castle. Then south to Trail 10E to Sports Arena & dinner at Nutty Squirrel. Call Holly at 715.617.4708 for more information
World Championship Feature Week. Come On Up & Join Us!
Time to THINK COLD! And start Doin’ The Snow Dance!
See Ya On The Trails & Ride It When We Got It!
Holly Tomlanovich
Communications Chair
Sno-Eagles, Inc.
PROUD GROOMERS OF THE SNOWMOBILE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD® – Eagle River
Phone Trail Updates 715.479.5185 – Early AM with more updates should conditions changes dictate.
News and Reports:
Torchlight Parade – January 21, 2017. Staging at 5:30pm Leave at 6:00pm from the Trackside parking lot. Call Holly at 715.617.4708 for more information
SNO-EAGLES SNO HUNT – January 13-February 28, 2017 – for more information contact Dave Mrczynski at 715.891.8584.
RIDE WITH PRIDE RAFFLE TICKETS – Drawing 12 Noon, February 25, 2017 at TrackSide.
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY TRAIL RIDES
MONTHLY MEETINGS – 6:30pm Snacks – Meeting at 7pm – All Welcome!
BOARD MEETINGS – 7pm at the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame (Hwy 45N next door to the World Championship Snowmobile Derby)