Trail Conditions: Good
Snow Cover: Minimal
Date of Report: January 24, 2025
Area Report:
Our area got 3-4″ of fresh snow this week. It was pretty dry & fluffy, but new snow.
As of last night, the entire Barnstormer’s system has been panned. As mentioned previously, until we get some good snow, we will only be going out once a week. This is in attempt to protect the existing base. With the lack of snow cover, too much grooming will do more damage than good.
Even with the lack of snow, our trails are in good condition. As you get to the western side of our system, the snow cover gets thinner, but it’s all still very rideable. If you listen to the naysayers on Facebook, you’d think the trails were trashed! That is far from the truth. Every rider I’ve had a chance to talk with has been very happy with the riding conditions.
Remember, there are logging operations on parts of trails 11 & 15. The loggers have priority over the trails & have the authority to shut them down if you get in their way. Please be respectful of their operations.
Don’t forget about the upcoming events!
Chili Dump @ Murmuring Waters: Saturday, Feb 8, 2-5 PM
Pizza Fundraiser @ Hillside Tavern: Sunday, Feb 16, 4-8 PM
Snowmobiling Information
The Sayner Barnstormers are proud groomers of the Sayner – Star Lake Wisconsin area snowmobile trails. Our club was founded back on November 26, 1969, with 27 charter members. The Barnstormers trails stretch all the way from Hwy 70, just east of Arbor Vitae, all the way up to Old Hwy B, just west of Land O Lakes. We groom these trails with three tractors each equipped with 9-foot-6-inch grooming drags built by Sno*Boss of Eagle River and Arrowhead Groomers of St. Germain.
Snowmobiling was born here in the 1920s, when Carl Eliason, of Sayner, invented the first snowmobile in 1924 (he called it a snow machine initially). He took his first patent out on November 24, 1927. He has been featured in History Magazine, in the Modern Marvels section. You can still see some of the very first snowmobiles to ever be ridden in Sayner’s History Museum and at Eliason Lumber, both located on Hwy 155 in Sayner.
Our trails cover a variety of terrains including beautiful wooded trails, lake crossings, and some road routes. Over the years signage has improved tremendously, with the most recent addition of intersection numbers, making it easier for snowmobilers to figure out where they are. These intersection numbers were also created to assist snowmobilers and emergency crews to find each other in the unfortunate event of an accident.
Through the combined efforts of the Sayner Barnstormers and our great neighboring clubs, we feel that Vilas County has the best maintained and marked trails in the world. Our trails adjoin St Germain’s BoBoen Club, Arbor Vitae / Minocqua Cross Country Cruiser’s, Eagle River SnoEagle’s, Land O Lakes Frosty Club’s , and Boulder Junction’s trails. Other clubs in the county include the Conover Snow Buddies, Manitowish SnoSkeeters, Presque Isle SnoBunnies, Phelps, and Lac du Flambeau Northern Horseshoe.
See you on the trails and always, Please Ride Safe!!!