Reporter:info@visitashland.com
Trail Conditions: Closed
Snow Cover: 2-6
Date of Report: January 7, 2021
Area Report:
The Snowmobile Trails in Ashland County are closed at this time. The groomers are not out yet. According to the Ashland County Snowmobile Alliance, before the groomers can go out the swamps have to be packed. Ride at your own risk to help pack the swamps! At this time the trails are closed to recreational snowmobiling.
Reporter:Hodag SnoTrails
Trail Conditions: Closed
Snow Cover: not much
Date of Report: January 7, 2021
Area Report:
Oneida County Trails will open this Saturday, January 9th. That being said, there is little to no snow cover and base to ride on. The decision to open the trails was an extremely difficult one, and didn’t go without thought or discussion. I can’t advise riding the trails at this point. They are “safe”, all marked, brushed, signed, no wet spots, and the lakes are marked.
If someone lived close to an establishment and wanted to give them some support, this could give them the ability to do that. Having the trails “open”, allows the clubs to react quicker once more snow arrives. There is a 48 hour period before trails can open once the decision is made to open them.
I don’t think anyone should be out trying to put on miles in these conditions. There isn’t a base on the trails, so holes, rocks and other things that are typically covered with a good base are visible in current conditions.
Grooming will not be initiated without more snow.
Trails will be open on Saturday, but conditions will be poor. Hopefully, riders use common sense and don’t go out and pound the trails. Be safe, and be smart.
Significant snow is needed to have any positive change in the status
Reporter:Ely Chamber of Commerce/Explore MN Visitor Center
Trail Conditions: Fair
Snow Cover: 4-16″
Date of Report: January 7, 2021
Area Report:
GENERAL INFORMATION: Portions of both the Taconite and Arrowhead State Trails got their first groom over the weekend. Portions of the trail remain ungroomed where ice in swamps is still too thin for grooming equipment. Other than in the Lost Lake swamp on the Arrowhead, crews will not be able to groom again until there is more snow accumulation. Crews continue to pack swamps/wetlands to help the ice freeze thick enough to support grooming equipment. Please use caution on the trails and travel at your own risk.
There is active logging happening on a number of spots throughout the Grant-in-Aid and State Trail system. Please slow down and give trucks and logging equipment space. No Motorized Vehicles other than snowmobiles are allowed on State Trails or Grant-in-Aid snowmobile trails.
Area Trails:
All the Ely Area lake trails have been staked except Mud lake between Burntside and Lake Vermilion. There is some slush on most lakes which causes rough sections with the frozen slush. Ride with caution. With low snow and warm temperatures, the Tomahawk trail has not been groomed. More snow and colder temperatures are needed.
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 to Fair Trail – Partially Groomed; Base – 0-1”
With the exception of the trail portion from the Orr South GIA trail north to the Elephant Lake Rd/Novak Rd Jct., the Arrowhead has been groomed from the Taconite up to the 3K trails in Kabetogama. The remaining trail portions are ungroomed due to thin ice or open water in swamps. Depending on weather and snow conditions over the next few days, the Lost Lake swamp from Hwy 1 north to the Wakemup GIA Trail may get another groom before the weekend.
Bearhead Lake State Park
Snowmobiling: Condition – Fair; Trails – Groomed; Base 2”
TRAIL CONDITIONS: The Taconite Trail in Bear Head Lake State Park was groomed on December 24 and is in fair condition with some areas of debris under the large pines. Ski trails may be set by Saturday, January 9.
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.
Lake Vermilion – Soudan Underground Mine State Park
Snowmobiling: Condition – Poor Trails – Not Groomed; Base – 0”
TRAIL CONDITIONS: Trails have been groomed once and will be groomed again when we get more snow. The park trails are open, but snowmobile travel is not recommended.
The park has 5 miles of snowmobile trails that connects 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.
Putnam/Fishing Lakes – Bear Island State Forest
Snowmobiling: Condition – Poor to Fair; Trails –Partially Groomed; Base 0-1”
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: Trial is ungroomed due to impassable swamps (thin ice) and insufficient snow (this trail needs more snow to initially due to rocks and topography. Snowmobile travel is not recommended. Please use extreme caution and travel at your own risk.
Taconite State Trail
Snowmobiling: Condition – Poor to Fair Trails –Partially Groomed; Base 0-1”
Taconite State Trail stretches one hundred sixty-five miles from Grand Rapids to Ely through many scenic vistas of rolling hillsides, lakes, rivers and forest.
TRAIL CONDITIONS: The entire Taconite between Ely and Side Lake has been groomed except for the trail portion between Lehtinen Creek (west of the Arrowhead/Taconite jct.) and the Wolf Track GIA trail.
Taconite Spur West – Not groomed
Taconite Spur North – Not groomed
Stony Spur East – Not groomed
News and Reports:
For more information an area trails and events, please visit https://www.ely.org/
Reporter:Phil
Trail Conditions: Early Season
Snow Cover: 4-7 inches
Date of Report: January 7, 2021
Area Report:
Trails are open and the trails on the west side of our system have more snow but everywhere needs a good dumping. Grooming has ceased until we get something to work with.
Ride Right and Ride Safe!
News and Reports:
Radar Run at Bent’s Camp Feb. 13
Reporter:SaynerStar Lake Barnstormers
Trail Conditions: Early Season
Snow Cover: Minimal
Date of Report: January 7, 2021
Area Report:
There is still no good news in terms of forecasted snow. The Barnstormers panned our entire system again this week, but until we get more snow, we really can’t improve the conditions.
For those of you that are still choosing to ride, please keep the following things in mind:
Thank you for your patience and support while we await more snow. Ride RIght and Stay Safe!
Reporter:ironsnowshoe
Trail Conditions: Closed
Snow Cover: IRON SNOW SHOE SNOWMOBILE TRAILS- Closed
Date of Report: January 7, 2021
Area Report:
IRON SNOW SHOE TRAIL REPORT: Snowmobile trails are closed at this time.
The ATV trails north of HWY C are open. ATV trails south of Hwy C are still closed.
12 miles NW of Crivitz
Reporter:BayfieldCounty
Trail Conditions: Early Season
Snow Cover: 2-12 inches
Date of Report: January 6, 2021
Area Report:
Snow base (in inches): 2-12 inches
Status (Closed, Open, Partially Open): Open, early season
Condition (Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent): Fair to Poor
Trails throughout the county are still in early season condition with spotty snow coverage in some areas. Heavy traffic over the holidays took a toll on the snowpack but groomers are doing their best with what we have. Be aware that there are still places with exposed rocks and gravel so ride carefully. Trail conditions seem to be best in the north and central parts of the county.
Just a reminder to all to please respect private landowners and stay on the trail. Stay on the trail or stay home!
The same trouble spots still remain:
Namakagon Trail Groomers: Our groomers may try to go out again on Thursday. Trails are rideable but poor condition.
Barnes Barnestormers: The base we had got pretty beat up over the New Year’s weekend, especially close to town. We have groomed trails 7-17 around the Town of Barnes, 31 south to Sealy Fire Lane and trails 17-18 will be done tonight. 31 north is in poor condition unsure if we will groom that section. Expect to see bare spots, exposed rocks and gravel. There is a 1.5 mile of plowed section on 31 south (just south of 43 Rd) logging in that section. Overall poor to fair riding conditions.
Drummond SnoJacks: Drummond groomer is down with mechanical issues and in for repair. Trails in poor condition.
Iron River: Iron River area trails are in poor shape. They will all be groomed by the weekend. The tri-County corridor is in very good condition from Brule to Forest Road 241 (Ashland County grooms from there to Ashland).
Frosty’s Vintage Riders: Trails held up decent over the weekend considering the lack of snow, groomed yesterday but there are now plenty of areas with little to no snow, overall conditions fair to poor.
Washburn Valhallers: We groomed the Moquah spur on 1/4/21 (Trail #63, 31 and 33) to Valhalla and it remains in good shape. There is more snow towards Valhalla and some exposed rocks toward Moquah so riders should use caution. We are grooming Trail #13 from Valhalla to Washburn today, 1/5/31. This trail remains in decent shape but the snow does get thinner towards Washburn. We will not groom #13 between Washburn and Ashland until we get more snow. It remains rideable as of 1/5/31 but is thin. We continue to groom Trail #31 around Valhalla and this trail remains in good riding shape.
South Shore– Port Wing, Herbster & Cornucopia: Have had some groomer issues, but will borrow the Iron River groomer and make a pass through the area today 1/6/20. Trails will still be rough but rideable, need more snow!
WAINO – Waino Riders will have trail 1 done before the weekend.
Reporter:Holly t
Trail Conditions: Early Season
Snow Cover: Thin & frozen in most areas
Date of Report: January 7, 2021
Area Report:
January 7 – 8:00am 12 degrees – High of 34 – Low tonight of 12
Trails are in on average Poor to Fair Early Riding Condition
Eagle River trails remain in Early Riding Condition with conditions at Poor to Fair. Hard frozen ground covered with an ice base in most areas. Crusty frozen snow. Lots of snirt. Choppy conditions. The ROW trails have a bit more snow but everywhere there is plenty of snirt & dirt. Especially at road crossings & on the north side of roads.
With the conditions as they are, grooming in Eagle River has been halted until there is SNOW.
Temps have popped up to the high 20’s to mid 30’s during the day. Mid to high teens at night. Weather guys have pushed out SNOW to next week.
Both lake trails, Catfish & Eagle are marked by businesses on the lake. This includes the spur to Eagle Waters. Stay by the markers to be safe. Have been out on the lakes & there is no surface slush. All are SNOW covered as of late yesterday afternoon.
Bummer of a report this morning. Sure wish it would SNOW & get colder during the day.
KEEP THINKING COLD & DOIN’ THE SNOW DANCE!
Vintage Derby starts tomorrow, Friday. Come on out! See ya at the Derby!!
Holly Tomlanovich
THE SNOWMOBILE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD® – Eagle River
Phone Trail Updates 715.479.5185 reporting conditions weekly
Eagle River area events – Sno-Eagles club events
News and Reports:
UPDATE – Sno-Eagles Wednesday & Thursday rides start has been moved forward to
January 13 & 14 SNOW conditions & totals permitting
Be sure to contact Club President, Howard Wolf at 262.442.4876 for more information as to when rides start
To volunteer or for more information on Sno-Eagles activities contact Howard Wolf at 262.442.4876
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
Newly Updated 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.
Newly Updated Groomer Tracking Systems (GTS) Gives you trails groomed in last 24, 48 & 96 hours
Reporter:forestco
Trail Conditions: Closed
Snow Cover: 2-4″
Date of Report: January 7, 2021
Area Report:
All Forest County State Funded snowmobile trails are closed.
Reporter:Toulish1
Trail Conditions: Early Season
Snow Cover: 2-7″
Date of Report: January 6, 2021
Snowmobile Information:
We had about 4″ of light fluffy snow on Monday. It did not really do anything except make everything white. We had a groomer operator meeting Monday night for the Northern Hornshoe Club and Keith let us know that groomer operations are suspended for at least 10 days. John Dees snow forecast is pretty bleak out to the 12th.