Reporter:haywardlakes
Trail Conditions: Early Season
Snow Cover: 6-9 inches of snow
Date of Report: December 24, 2021
Area Report:
Update from clubs on some of their trails: 12/24/202
Reporter:haywardlakes
Trail Conditions: Early Season
Snow Cover: 6-9 inches of snow
Date of Report: December 24, 2021
Area Report:
Update from clubs on some of their trails: 12/24/202
Reporter:haywardlakes
Trail Conditions: Early Season
Snow Cover: 6-9 inches of snow
Date of Report: December 23, 2021
Area Report:
Update from clubs on some of their trails: 12/23/2021
Birchwood Bobcats; currently checking trails for trees and brush to make sure all is good for riding and grooming when able. About 4-6″ on Big Chetek
Sno-Trails; Trails looking ready, waiting for more snow to groom. Trail 9 south of the Flowage to Couderay has been brushed from down trees. Snow needed on that trail as well to fill some ruts, Flowage reports 4-6″ of ice. Plan to stake both sides of Flowage and Callahan on Monday 12/27.
Sno-Mads; 7″ of ice on Nelson Lake
Loretta Trailblazers; reroute and 25 south between the river and Rusk County and Price County was approved. The trail will ride in the ditch along County Hwy M for the first 3 miles and then back to the trail. Connors Lake 4-6″ and Lake of the Pines 7-8″ of ice.
Musky Snow and ATV; trail work being done on 18S and 5 south of Louie’s Landing, some trees to clear and rocks off of the trail. Lost Land Lake staking on Monday and Spider and Tiger Cat today and tomorrow.
Winter Huskies; 5S going to Rusk County line has been brushed and they are continuing some clean up and brushing. They also will be putting in a culvery today. Trail 40 does need some clean up and crews are hoping to get out before Christmas.
Grindstone plans for Jan 4/5. We will update when we hear any other lakes that are scheduled.
Thank you amazing crews!! If you would like to join a club and volunteer its a great way to get out and enjoy the outdoors! Even if not grooming or brushing just riding trails and tossing rocks off is a huge help!
Reporter:Ely Chamber of Commerce/Explore MN Visitor Center
Trail Conditions: Poor
Snow Cover: 3.5-6 inches
Date of Report: December 23, 2021
Area Report:
GENERAL INFORMATION: We have received several inches of snow since last week’s report. Ice conditions have improved, however, we strongly recommend everyone still test the ice as they travel across it. Ice will be thinner in areas of constricted water flow, near rapids, and springs. Please use caution at all times.
Area Trails:
Local snowmobile clubs are currently clearing trails in our area and towards Isabella, MN. Lakes are not staked. The clubs are waiting for additional snow before they start grooming.
Arrowhead State Trail
The Arrowhead State trail is the backbone to an extensive Grant-in-Aid trail system that travels through remote areas.
TRAIL CONDITIONS: Snowmobiling: Condition- Poor; Trail – Not Groomed; Base – 1-3”
Bearhead Lake State Park
Bearhead State Park trails provide rolling topography through birch and pine stands. You may see a variety of wildlife ranging from deer, wolves, ruffed grouse, and pine martens. You can snowshoe anywhere in Minnesota’s state parks and recreation areas, except on trails that are specifically groomed for another activity, such as snowmobiling or skiing.
TRAIL CONDITIONS:
Snowmobiling: Condition – Poor; Trails – Groomed; Base 1-2”
Lake Vermilion – Soudan Underground Mine State Park
The park has six miles of snowmobile trails that connect from the Taconite State Trail to the Lake Vermilion ice trail. The ride takes you through old-growth pines and young aspen forests with large wetland complexes to view along the way. You can snowshoe anywhere in Minnesota’s state parks and recreation areas, except on trails that are specifically groomed for another activity, such as snowmobiling or skiing.
TRAIL CONDITIONS: Snowmobiling: Condition – Poor; Trails – Not Groomed; Base – 1-3”
Putnam/Fishing Lakes – Bear Island State Forest
The Putnam and Fishing Lakes Trails traverse forested, rolling topography through birch, ash, and pine stands. Several small lakes dot the landscape along these scenic trails.
TRAIL CONDITIONS: Snowmobiling: Condition – Poor; Trails –Not Groomed; Base 0” Snowmobile travel is not recommended at this time.
Taconite State Trail
Taconite State Trail stretches 165 miles from Grand Rapids to Ely through many scenic vistas of rolling hillsides, lakes, rivers, and forest.
TRAIL CONDITIONS: Snowmobiling: Condition – Poor; Trails –Not Groomed; Base 1-3”
Reporter:Joy
Trail Conditions: Not Ridable
Snow Cover: Anywhere from 3″ to 10″, base only 1-3″
Date of Report: December 22, 2021
Area Report:
Grooming has not taken place yet on most area snowmobile trails as the conditions still haven’t been ideal, which includes the state trails. We need more snow and ice (especially in the swamp areas) before grooming can begin. DNR and local volunteers have been working hard to clear the trails first from the branches/brush/blowdown in several areas from the recent rainstorm. DNR will be going through the State Park trails and Putnam-Fishing Lakes trail to check on the brush/clearing needs.
Our local snowmobile clubs (Vermilion Penguins and Cook Timberwolves) and many volunteers have recently completed staking Lake Vermilion on the East end. West end not completed yet. As our local club reports, “In case you’re wondering, ice depth is somewhat surprisingly only from about 5-8″. Still not suitable for regular vehicles. In fact, the Cook club does not recommend lake travel on the west end just yet. Be a bit patient please– safety first.” As the group finished up the East end, they reported no significant ice/pressure ridges.
Also, there still is some active logging happening on a number of sites throughout the State Trail system. Please slow down and give trucks and logging equipment space!
Snowmobile travel is not recommended.
Reporter:Toulish1
Trail Conditions: Early Season
Snow Cover: 4″
Date of Report: December 23, 2021
Snowmobile Information:
Vilas County trails will open Monday, December 27. That being said, I have some cautions based on our brushing yesterday. Trail 17 from Woodruff to Highway H is very thin. Warm weather and sun reduced it to dirt in spots. The 4-6″ of new fluffy dry snow won’t pack well.Trail 1 headed north on Stearns Lake Road is a carbide grinder right now. Minimal ice on it, and what is there will cut down to the pavement. Snow banks are pushed back exposing dirt in between. Trail 5 headed into the casino has snow, but we broke through the ice in one spot with Machelle’s pickup yesterday. Cold weather should freeze what we did, then we can do some first aid. 17 north on the grade is somewhat thin, and drops to very little in the open marsh area. President Keith plans to run the whole system Sunday with groomer1, and, with John Dee predicting some substantial snow Sunday, I will post a more detailed report Sunday night before the green flag on Monday. We had minimal tree damage in our area, but some of the northern teams had to a ton of work to clear their trails. Appreciate your volunteers, hug your groomers, and join a club to see and hear what it takes to make our trails work. Talk to you Sunday! WhooHoo! Mark
Reporter:Tomahawk Chamber of Commerce
Trail Conditions: Closed
Snow Cover: 2″
Date of Report: December 23, 2021
Area Report:
Lincoln and Oneida County trails in the Tomahawk area remain CLOSED while we wait for more snow.
Clubs have been out brushing and cleaning after the latest wind storms.
Think snow!
Reporter:Holly t
Trail Conditions: Closed
Snow Cover: 10 inches give or take on the trails
Date of Report: December 22, 2021
Area Report:
December 22, 2021 5:26pm 8 degrees
The 11 clubs that make up the Vilas County Snowmobile Alliance voted for a Monday, December 27, 2021 8am opening date. Here is the official PSA from the Parks & Rec Supervisor.

About 4-5 inches new SNOW. From the snow yesterday. So there’s about 10 inches of SNOW on the ground. Snow forecast for tomorrow, Saturday & Sunday. Chance of some slushy stuff on Friday. THINK COLD!
Waiting game & time to be patient. Monday we ride!!!
In the meantime KEEP DOIN’ THE SNOW DANCE!
Holly Tomlanovich
THE SNOWMOBILE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD® – Eagle River
715.479-5185 Weekly Trail Update
News and Reports:
January
Snowmobile Information:
Wisconsin Snowmobile Registration
Discount Trail Pass for Snowmobile Club Members – $10 – Time to join a club!
Standard Wisconsin Trail Pass – $30
Out of State Trail Pass – $50
Vilas County Map It Trail App GPS style app of all trails in Vilas Cty. Plus includes the brown 3 digit emergency numbering system. If an emergency happens call 911 & give them that number. Find you quicker.
Groomer Tracking Systems (GTS) Gives you trails groomed in last 24, 48 & 96 hours
Reporter:Phil
Trail Conditions: Closed
Snow Cover: 8 inches or so
Date of Report: December 22, 2021
Area Report:
Vilas County Trails will open Monday, December 27 at 8 AM. Rob took the groomer through the entire Frosty club system today and he reported an excellent base and frozen swamps. John Dee has a very promising forecast so….finally…it is TIME TO RIDE!
Many thanks to everyone who helped us clear well over 100 trees off the trail system after the last wind storm.
Reporter:SaynerStar Lake Barnstormers
Trail Conditions: Closed
Snow Cover: Minimal
Date of Report: December 22, 2021
Area Report:
The storm last week had 2 significant impacts on our trail system. 1. The unusually warm temps took our base down to almost nothing. 2. The high winds brought down trees all over the region.
The Barnstormers have been out daily since the storm clearing dozens of downed trees. As of today, our system is clear and has been re-groomed!
The Vilas county trails are scheduled to open at 8:00 am, Monday, December 27! Conditions are very icy and will require cautious riding. Most areas are going to have minimal snow cover, and there will be some exposed gravel and rocks, so be extra careful.
We need snow dances from everyone!!
Please support all of the clubs by participating in their fundraisers! Here’s a list of what’s coming up for the Barnstormers. You can also get more info at http://www.saynerbarnstormers.com.
December 18, 2021: Barnstormers Christmas Party at Mar-lis Bar. 5:30 – 8:30
January 8, 2022: Trailside Brat Fry @ trail marker #217. 11:00 – 3:00
January 15, 2022: Breakfast @ Stillwaters. 8:00 – 11:00
January 29, 2022: Jesse Roman Memorial Vintage Snowmobile Show @ Sayner Pub. 9:00 – 4:00
February 12, 2022: Chili Dump @ Murmuring Waters. 2:00 – 5:00
February 20, 2022: Pizza Fundraiser @ Hillside Tavern & Grill. 4:00 – 8:00
September 4, 2022: Star Lake Mayoral Race. 3:00 – 7:00
September 5, 2022: Meat Raffle @ Weber’s. 2:00 – 5:00
Reporter:boulderwi
Trail Conditions: Closed
Snow Cover: 6-8 inches
Date of Report: December 22, 2021
Area Report:
THE VILAS COUNTY SNOWMOBILE TRAIL SYSTEM INCLUDING ALL STATE FUNDED AND CLUB FUNDED TRAILS WILL OPEN ON Monday, DECEMBER 27, 2021 at 8am!
We’ll provide you with a trail conditions report after the holidays, until then feel free to contact us and request this year’s snowmobile map and keep an eye on our webcam to see current snowfall in Boulder Junction.
Join us for these upcoming winter events:
January 15th – Annual Wittig’s Point Tavern “Big Fish” Ice Tournament
January 16th – Boulder Junction Snowmobile Club Breakfast at Gooch’s 2
February 5th – 14th Annual Frozen Tozen Ice Fishing Tournament
February 20th – Boulder Junction Snowmobile Breakfast at Boulder Beer Bar
Help support the Boulder Junction Snowmobile Club’s Fundraising Efforts: Tractor for the Trails