Trail Conditions: Good
Snow Cover: 9 to 15 inches of snow
Date of Report: December 16, 2019
Area Report:
Hello Riders!
As you know the Sawyer County trails are OPEN but right now until more freeze each trail varies in how rideable they are depending on where they lead. The county land (Seeley Hills Area) and forest trails as well as the Tuscobia are where you’ll find the best riding. We have approximately a 16″ base. Our lakes and swamps are not frozen enough to be safe yet so those trails leading to swamps and lakes are NOT OPEN yet with the exception of Moose Lake, that lake has been staked. We have received heavy snow fall this month and it’s a wonderful sight! However with the snow fall that hinders the freezing process a bit as it provides a layer of insulation. Last week we had several very cold days and nights so our ice is making progress with many lakes having about 4″ plus on them, so we are getting close. This next week’s forecast looks to continue with below freezing temps, with -15 on Tues night and a high of 8 on Wed and no substantial snow this week which is a good thing so we can continue to concentrate on making ice.
The trails in the Seeley Hills area and 3/5 towards Lost Land Lake and Moose Lake have been groomed several times. The Tuscobia in the Winter area has been groomed. Also the Tuscobia from Birchwood to Couderay has been groomed as well as to the Rusk, Washburn and Barron County lines has. The Wild River Trail from the Rice Lake area up is open. Trail 8 on the Sawyer County and Washburn County side will be groomed on Wed. Trail 3 gates in the Birchwood area are open. Like any other private property trails that you find the gates to be open ride at your own risk as they are not groomed yet and there may be down debris from the recent snow storms this month, if the gates are not open please absolutely do not go around them. The Chequamegon Forest is not open yet, the US Forestry will reach out when they have an open date. So to recap you will find the best riding on the county land trails.
Surrounding areas: The Clam Lake area is open, Rusk Co is closed, Bayfield Co is scheduled to open today, Ashland Co is open but not yet groomed, Washburn is partially opened and Barron is partially opened. The note from Barron Co is they are having a little set back as many of their trail cross fields and there is still standing corn as farmers are trying to get their corn cut but have had a setback due to weather so they are working on some reroutes.
It has been a long time since we have had this great snow and this much so early in December, we have a great start to the season