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

Reports

Trail Report – : Hayward / Sawyer County, Wisconsin – February 15, 2023

Reporter:haywardlakes

Trail Conditions: Good

Snow Cover: 9-10 Inches

Date of Report: February 15, 2023

Area Report:

Hello Riders! We did get rain and made things wet. We still have a lot of snow but conditions are pretty wet and soft today so we advise to not ride if possible to allow the trails to set back up tonight when it freezes. Expect some icy conditions on corners and lakes when it freezes. Many groomers will be back out by tomorrow and will do what they can to flatten and pull snow into corners. We will report back upon their work and reports. These conditions can make for very flat trails which is nice but icy in areas so ride with caution. Trails most certainly are rideable and we still have lots of snow but will report with more information once temps drop tonight. Thanks for the patience.

Trail Report – : Ely, Minnesota – February 15, 2023

Ely, MN Chamber of Commerce

Reporter:Ely Chamber of Commerce/Explore MN Visitor Center

Trail Conditions: Fair

Snow Cover: 17 Inches

Date of Report: February 15, 2023

Area Report:

Ely Area Trail Conditions

February 15th, 2023

TRAIL CONDITIONS ARE CHANGING WITH TODAY’S RAIN, AND WEEKEND CONDITIONS ARE DEPENDENT ON IF WE GET SNOW BEFORE THE WEEKEND AND HOW MUCH WE GET.

Continue to monitor conditions online at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html

President’s Day Weekend is coming up. Please use extra caution on the trails this weekend and stay to the right; also, be aware of snow changing from soft during the day to hard and icy after dark.

There is active logging happening on a number of spots throughout the Grant-in-Aid and State Trail system. In those areas, slow down and give trucks and logging equipment space. No Motorized Vehicles other than snowmobiles are allowed on State Trails or Grant-in-Aid snowmobile trails.

Taconite State Trail: The Taconite is groomed and in fair condition. With the warm weather over the last week and the rain today, the trail base has thinned out, especially on hills and trail segments exposed to sunlight. Use caution and be aware of changing conditions throughout the trail system.

Snow: 12-23 inches with a base of 1-4 inches. Groomed: Yes Condition: Fair

Arrowhead State Trail:  The Arrowhead is groomed and in fair condition. There is generally a bit less as you get further north on the trail. With the warm weather over the last week and the rain today, the trail base has thinned out, especially on hills and trail segments exposed to sunlight. Use caution and be aware of changing conditions throughout the trail system

Along with the DNR trail conditions website, continue to monitor these clubs’ websites (www.ridetheborders.com/trail-report.html & www.snowmobilevacation.org/trail-updates) for the most current Arrowhead State Trail conditions.

Arrowhead Trail Snow: 10-22 inches of snow with a base of 0-4 inches. Groomed: Yes Condition: Fair

Putnam/Fishing Lakes Trails: The entire trail is groomed and in fair condition. Those sections of the Putnam that were brushed and widened last week have some sticks remaining on the trail surface.

Lake Vermilion Soudan Underground Mine State Park Tails: These trails are groomed and in poor to fair condition. The Miner’s loop has quite a bit of brush hanging into the trail. We continue to work on knocking that back

Babbitt Birch Lake Plantation: Babbitt golf course is groomed for skate and classic skiing and is in excellent condition. The Babbitt Birch Lake Plantation is groomed for classic skiing and in excellent condition. 

Bear Head Lake State Park: Cross country ski track set on Thursday, February 9th, with fair results on the Norberg Trail, campground loops, and the Beach Trail.

The strong winds may have caused snow to drift off of Bear Head Lake to the Beach Trail, so use caution. Norberg Trail winds its way through several large stands of white and Norway pines while showcasing our names sake, Bear Head Lake, and one of our designated trout lakes, Norberg. Norberg Loop is our most challenging groomed ski trail with several steep hills.

REMINDER: It is unlawful to walk, snowshoe, have pets, or destroy any part of the groomed ski trails in any manner.

Snowshoers are welcome to explore anywhere besides the groomed ski trails. Snowshoers have been enjoying Becky Lake and Blueberry Lake Loops.

Skiing Base: 10 inches. Conditions: Fair Groomed: Yes

Snowmobiling conditions: Excellent. Groomed Yes.  Base: 8 inches. 

Trail Report – : Boulder Junction, Wisconsin – February 15, 2023

Reporter:boulderwi

Trail Conditions: Fair

Snow Cover: 4-8 inches

Date of Report: February 15, 2023

Area Report:

Boulder Junction Snowmobile Club Trail Report – Wednesday, 2/15/2023

At 8:00 a.m. it’s 35 degrees out with light rain falling with cooling temps throughout the day.

We last groomed 15N/6E Monday night and 2W/8W early Tuesday morning. We did not groom since then due to the warm weather and rain. Wednesday, we had groomer maintenance done on both groomers.

We are planning to start grooming again late tonight and tomorrow morning to try to keep them rideable into the weekend.

Overall, the trails range from poor to good.  The trails near road crossings, open areas, and traveling through town are poor with most of the snow and ice melted away. The woods and  road routes are in fair to good condition.

You will encounter icy or bare corners with snow only on the outer banks, scattered bare spots that were exposed to sun, and water puddles in low spots that haven’t frozen yet. Our trails are in typical late season riding conditions and can only improve if we stay below freezing and get some much needed snow.

Check for an update on Friday, February 17.

As always for everyone’s safety, slow down and ride right!

Landy Roepke, BJSC Trail Manager


Show your support and join the Boulder Junction Snowmobile Club for these upcoming fundraiser events!

  • Thursday, 2/16: Spaghetti Dinner at Rustic Roadhouse– 4pm-7pm
  • Sunday, 2/19: Club Breakfast at Guide’s Inn– 8:30am-11am
  • Saturday, 2/25: Trailside Brat Fry at Ice Shanty Drive-In– 11am-2pm
  • Saturday, 3/4: Cabin Fever Party at Gooch’s 2 Bar & Grill– 2pm-9pm

For details please visit the Boulder Junction Snowmobile Club’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064402435582

Trail Report – : Iron County, Michigan – February 15, 2023

Reporter:Colleen

Trail Conditions: Poor

Snow Cover: 6-10

Date of Report: February 15, 2023

Area Report:

Trails are very icy with very little  snow on top of the ice.  We did receive rain again last night… groomers are not able to currently groomer until temps go down and we receive new snow fall. This trail report will be updated as conditions change.  🙁

Trail Report – : Sayner, Wisconsin – February 15, 2023

Reporter:SaynerStar Lake Barnstormers

Trail Conditions: Fair

Snow Cover: Dwindling fast

Date of Report: February 15, 2023

Area Report:

The entire Barnstormers trail system was groomed Monday night.  Based on the section I did, at that time, I could say that 70% of our system was still in pretty good condition.  The main trail coming into Sayner from the south is nearly trashed with no way of recovering except more heavy wet snow.  

Since then, we’ve had another day of 40 degree temps, plus a lot of rain.  There is only 2 out of the next five days with highs forecast below freezing and virtually no chance of snow.  These are conditions we would expect to see near the end of the season.  For now, there’s been no serious talk of trails closing in Vilas county, but another week may change that.

In the meantime, our biggest challenge is going to be off-trail riding.  People want to ride where there is still snow.  But, it is still illegal!  Don’t do it!!

Hopefully, the forecasts are wrong and I can have a better report next week.  Fingers crossed!

TRAIL CLOSURE NOTICE:  Due to ongoing logging operations, the Barnstormer’s trail #51 is CLOSED between TIN 344 and 353!  DO NOT RIDE THIS SECTION OF TRAIL!

Mark your calendars for the final Barnstormer Fundraising Event of the season!

Sunday, February 19, 2023:  Pizza Fundraiser – Join us at The Hillside Tavern and Grill from 4:00 – 8:00 for our Pizza Fundraiser!

Trail Report – : Spooner and Washburn County, Wisconsin – February 15, 2023

Reporter:Washburn County

Trail Conditions: Fair

Snow Cover: 8+

Date of Report: February 15, 2023

Area Report:

Washburn County snowmobile trails are still open. Trails are soft after warmer weather of the weekend. With the predicted rainy weather in the forecast for tomorrow, area clubs & county staff will continue to monitor the trail conditions. Please check back as the trail conditions continue to fluctuate given the weather. Remember to ride with caution and stay on designated trail surfaces. 

Trail Report – : Tomahawk, Wisconsin – February 15, 2023

Reporter:Tomahawk Chamber of Commerce

Trail Conditions: Poor

Snow Cover:

Date of Report: February 15, 2023

Area Report:


LINCOLN COUNTY: Zones 2, 3, 4, CLOSED. Zone 1 partially open. ONEIDA COUNTY: Open.

Recent warm temperatures and rain mean most trails are thin or bare in exposed and heavily trafficked areas and little to no snow cover remaining in wooded areas. Most ice has standing water. Our clubs recommend staying off trails until temperatures cool down. 

Zone 1 Trails remaining closed are as follows: Trail 86 from Intersection #25 to the Taylor County Line. Corridor 21 from Hwy M north of Homestead Road to the Taylor County Line.

ATVs are only allowed on designated trails when temperatures are below 28F. No UTVs.

As always, we remind riders to stay on marked trails. Off trail riding is trespassing and could result in closure or loss of trails and citations and fines for those who participate.

Trail Report – : Rhinelander, Wisconsin – February 14, 2023

Reporter:Hodag SnoTrails

Trail Conditions: Fair

Snow Cover: less and less

Date of Report: February 14, 2023

Area Report:

There is no good news in this report.  It is raining in February, and nothing good happens with that forecast.  We really don’t know how we are going to come out of this, but it isn’t going to be good.  

We will update when the weather settles out.  The short term doesn’t look good for significant snowfall coming.

The trails will be icy at the very least.

Pray for significant snow.

Trail Report – : Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin – February 15, 2023

Reporter:Toulish1

Trail Conditions: Poor

Snow Cover: Mushy

Date of Report: February 15, 2023

Snowmobile Information:

We have had four days of warm temps and heavy traffic, today it is raining. Trail boss George let us know that Hornshoe club suspended grooming operations after Saturday. We would do more harm than good. I see that Mercer, and Cruisers, have both posted today that they are trying to groom to get things flat before it freezes with the rain, but are asking that people stay off the trails. Mark

Trail Report – : Merrill, Wisconsin – February 14, 2023

Reporter:Cskoug

Trail Conditions: Closed

Snow Cover: 2-4 inches

Date of Report: February 14, 2023

Area Report:

Due to deteriorating trail conditions, Lincoln County’s funded snowmobile trails and winter ATV
trails (County Administered Trails) in Zones 2, 3 and 4 will close at 6:00 PM today February 14,
2023. Trails may reopen at a later date should conditions improve.
Trails in Zone 1 that are already open will remain open at this time.
Zone 1 Trails remaining closed are as follows:  Trail 86 from Intersection #25 to the Taylor County Line.  Corridor 21 from Hwy M north of Homestead Road to the Taylor County Line.
All trails are closed to winter ATV use when the temperature is above 28 degrees F.
Trails may be rough and icy in some areas.
Be aware of Trail Closed signs, stay on marked trails only and respect private land.
Local snowmobile clubs remind riders to stay off lakes and rivers unless an officially open trail has
been clearly marked by a club. If a water body is not marked, it is considered unsafe
For up to date Lincoln County trail conditions, log on to: www.co.lincoln.wi.us or call our Trail
Hotline at 715-539-1033.