Trail Conditions: Early Season
Snow Cover: Four to six Inches. Some ares are one to two inches.
Date of Report: January 3, 2018
Area Report:
As is typical for this time of year, certain trail segments can be opened and others are not ready yet due to wetland crossings and/or have restrictions due to private land easements. It is critical that we respect the landowners who allow us to use their property. Please review the information below carefully before trail riding and confirm that you are using open trails.
Please note, certain trails or only segments of trails may be open at this time. We anticipate frequent updates as the clubs begin grooming and report on trails they’ve checked. In all areas where winter recreation trails are closed, our clubs are actively working to get the trails open.
Trail Report 1/3/2018
NE Quadrant
As of Tuesday, January 2, 2018 ATV traffic is not recommended on year-round trails at this time. Trails are a little short of snow in some areas. Early season caution should be used.
All Brule River Rider Trails are open except for a small section from Bennett Road to The Wild Rivers Trail (Trail 35.) A detour is available using the Bennett Road.
Logging updates: There is a logging operation in progress off Trails 27, Bayfield 24, Trail 4 north of Lake Nebagamon off Degerman Road, and along the east/north of Hawthrone. These logging operations cross our trail system several times, and signs have been upgraded in that area. There is a logging job west of Lackson Road that is causing a bit of confusion, signage has been updated. There is also a small private logging operation ongoing by the Covered Wagon in Hawthorne.
Problem areas: Trail 4 between Bennett Road and The Wild Rivers Trail (Trail 35) there is a detour using the Bennett Road. The Wild Rivers Trail (Trail 35) is open to traffic but conditions are poor going north from Trail 4. Trail 365 is recommended for local traffic only, not lake traffic.
Trail 1 is open and groomed from Trail 2 to the Brule River. Status is unknown for Bayfield County.
Tri County Corridor (Trail 2) is groomed from Superior to Brule and has been groomed.
Trail 2 (TCC) along with Trails 1 & 27/27A have many sections in good condition; however, there are a few areas with thin snow cover.
Trail 2B is groomed and somewhat clear.
Trail 4 is open except between Bennett road and The Wild Rivers Trail (Trail 35). There is a detour using Bennett Road.
Trail 6 is open and packed going into Lake Nebagamon, and is groomed going west of Lake Nebagamon. More grooming is scheduled for this week.
Trail 18 to Barnes has been groomed by Bayfield County line.
Bayfield B 24 has been groomed. Bayfield County has groomed to the County Line from Iron River.
Trail 24 is open to and from Poplar and is groomed from Middle River Road North to Poplar and a portion behind the Gravel Pit. More grooming scheduled for this week.
Trail 27/27A is open and groomed from Brule to St. Croix Lake, please note that the groomer has skipped around wet holes South of Brule.
The Wild Rivers Trail (Trail 35) is open, but the snow is very thin in a lot of places. The Clubs are investigating snow levels for grooming.
Trail 235 is open and grooming is scheduled for this week.
Trail 635 is open to local traffic. Inquire locally for ice conditions on Lakes.
Between Brule, Trail 24, Poplar and Lake Nebagamon, there has been some grooming with a few areas that have been passed over including holes that would cause trouble for the grooming machines. Grooming is scheduled for all of Trail 4 this week from Brule to the Warming Shelter.
NW Quadrant
All trails in this quadrant are open at this time. The trails are all in very early season condition. Please use caution as brushing and grooming operations are ongoing and equipment is present on the trails.
Logging operations continue on Trail 4 and Trail 41 between Bear Creek Bridge and Wanek Road. There is not a lot of snow left in this section due to the logging activity. On Trail 4 between Brietzman Lake Road and Big Balsam Road are also experiencing logging activity.
All trails have been groomed with the exception of Trail 66 from Trail 2 to the Minnesota state line, Trail 2 from Finn Road to the Minnesota state line, and Trail 4/41 from the warming shack to Erickson Creek. We anticipate grooming of these trails on Thursday, January 4. Snow is thin in and near Superior. Brushing is ongoing in the areas not accessible until this time of year. Again, please use caution and watch for equipment on the trails.
Please note – the parking lot located off Tuff Road is closed for the season and there is no trail access from the lot.
SW Quadrant
Trail 5 is open and has been packed, but is not groomed.
Trail 9 has a beaver dam at Hunter’s Trail and has been ridden over by the Trucker and a dozer is expected there this week or next. Trail 9 is in good condition from Radigan Dam to the warming shack.
Trail 935 is packed and cleared from the State Line (Gandy Dancer Trail), however, use caution.
SE Quadrant
The trails in this quadrant are all open except for Trail 41 N. Trails 5, 541, 35S, and 41B are currently being groomed. Trail 7, 27, 27B, 27C are groomed and in good early season condition. Trail 41S is currently ungroomed. Please use caution and watch out for downed or leaning trees.
Trail 3 is open and is partially groomed.
Trails 217 and Trail 17
Trail 217 is in good condition and is groomed.
Trail 17 from Cabin Lane to Fowler Circle is open, groomed, and in good condition.
Trail 17 south of Fowler Circle to Highway 27 is open and groomed. A logging operation is happening on this trail for about a mile.
Douglas County Ski Trails
The Douglas County Cross Country Ski Trails have been groomed and tracked last week. We anticipate additional grooming this week. All trails are in good early season condition.
As of 12/22, The Superior Municipal Forest Cross Country Ski Trails have been packed, however, the snow we have received has been dry and has packed down to just a few inches of height with a good amount of debris showing through. The trails have not been tracked. All trails EXCEPT BLUE are open, but all trails are reported to be in only fair condition at this time. The Blue Trail has quite a bit of debris and will need more snow in order to open.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE DOUGLAS COUNTY FORESTRY AT 715 378 2219 DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS OF 8 AM TO 4:30 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY (EXCLUDING HOLIDAYS). Or Check on Line at www.douglascountywi.org under the Forestry Department tab.
See a full map at https://www.superiorchamber.org/recreation/trail-report