Snow Cover: 8" in undisturbed areas
Date of Report: March 1, 2017
Area Report:
Temps in the high 30’s with sun Monday, and cloudy/damp yesterday. About 1″ of new snow today with temps below freezing. About 1/2 of last Friday’s snowfall is gone. Trails are thin & ungroomed with bare sports, road crossings were bare but maybe snow covered today. No more snow in the forecast with 40’s by the weekend. Expect water/slush in low areas.
Phelps has closed all trails except for 6W towards Lando/Conover and ER has closed the 10/13 WI river crossing. Most lakes have been unmarked & are questionable. Do not cross a lake that is not marked.
I have heard today that Vilas trails will remain open thru the weekend. Trail conditions are poor or worse but should stay about the same until Saturday when traffic levels & temps will climb. I expect they will deteriorate to unrideable over the weekend.
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.