Snow Cover: 6-12"
Date of Report: January 20, 2017
Area Report:
As of Thursday January 19th all grooming in Bayfield County has been suspended due to weather conditions. Expect varying trail conditions ranging from very good to fair. With the current warm up and extended weather forecast use caution for exposed rocks, wet areas and icy conditions as trails could deteriorate quickly in a short amount of time.
Please keep in mind that some of these trails are on private land. Private landowners give us permission to maintain portions of these trails on their property. If a segment is in poor condition or if riding could result in damage, please refrain from use. Any damage to the trail system, especially those that exist on private land, will jeopardize our future use privileges and potentially result in permanent trail closures.
Northern Bayfield County
Northern Bayfield County is still holding onto some of the snow pack. Trails out of Herbster were groomed Thursday (1/19/17) and were in good condition. Trails in the Port Wing area are in fair to good condition with some exceptions. Trail 1 just east of Port Wing will be reopened Thursday (1/19/17) P.M. Riders are cautioned to be very aware of the logging operations still going on in parts of the trail. There may be bare ground and ruts in the trail and CERTAINLY LOGGING DEBRIS! Please use extreme caution when you reach the logging operation. In the very Northwest corner of the County, Trail 1 from Brule to highway 13 is in fair condition, it was last groomed 1/16/17. The road running from there to Port Wing might be getting a little rough.
Trails in the Valhalla area are still in good shape. There is still a good base up around there and trails are holding up pretty well. With the warm temps and forecasted rain, it’s hard to know how the trails will be over the weekend.
Southern Bayfield County
Namakagon:
We have had some warm weather and sun the last few days, with warm temperatures and less sun forecasted through this coming weekend. Groomers were able to get out and did a portion of our trails earlier this week but any future operations are going to be put on hold until temperatures and our base changes. Time will tell as to our next time grooming (maybe yet this week, maybe not). We can only work with what the weather allows. Thank in advance to all the riders for taking it easy with the warm weather.
Drummond:
All trails were groomed in the Drummond area earlier this week and are okay, even made it thru the Bibon swamp to Mason. We did not go to Sanborn as those trails had questionable snow cover last week in the fields. With the warm weather trails have not set so will not last long. Trails connecting to plowed roads are in poor condition due to bare surfaces. Grooming has been suspended for all trails until conditions improve with colder temps and more snow. Riders are urged to stay on trails and not deviate on to private property.
Barnes:
Our grooming operations have also been suspended until our weather conditions change. Our trails too are deteriorating fast, if riding use caution. Always remember to stay on designated snowmobile routes and trails.