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Trail Report – : Ely, Minnesota – January 23, 2020

Ely, MN Chamber of Commerce

Reporter:Ely Chamber of Commerce/Explore MN Visitor Center

Trail Conditions: Excellent

Snow Cover: 15-35″

Date of Report: January 23, 2020

Area Report:

GENERAL INFORMATION: Trails are reported to be in excellent condition, groomed and holding up well.  Several area lakes are now staked, and riders are asked to please ride in staked areas to ensure best conditions.   As always, even when conditions are their best, it’s still wise to use caution when venturing onto the ice on foot or machine.  Also, there are two organized rides going on – the Northland 300 and the Fun Run- so above average traffic on some of the area trails is expected.

Area Trails:  Tomahawk trail is reported to be in great condition, and conditions on Grassy Loop, Burntside, Shagwa, Little Long, Mud Lake and White Iron Lake are also reported to be really good.  Grooming is complete to Mattila’s shelter and Birch Lake is now staked for snowmobile trails to Hidden Bay.  Cedar Lake is still not staked; snowmobilers should use Cloquet Line instead.    Everything else is staked and groomed.  As always, please stay on staked trails. 

Arrowhead State Trail: Snowmobiling: Condition-Very Good Trail – Groomed  Base – 2-6”  The Arrowhead State trail is the backbone to an extensive Grant-in-Aid trail system that travels through remote areas.         TRAIL CONDITIONS: The entire trail has been groomed from the Taconite State Trail junction north to the Blue Ox trail. 

Bearhead Lake State Park:  Snowmobiling: Condition – Very good  Trails – Groomed  Base 5-12”              TRAIL CONDITIONS: The Taconite Trail and Cub Lake Spur to the Trail Center are both in very good condition.   

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 – Very Good Trails – Groomed  Base – 2-6”                                                                                                                                       TRAIL CONDITIONS: These trails are fully groomed and in very good condition.  For all trails use caution at all times.  Please travel at appropriate speeds and stay to the right.  There are two organized trail rides this week, the Northland 300 throughout the week and weekend, and the fun Run on Saturday between Ely, Babbitt, and Tower/Fortune Bay.  No motorized vehicles other than snowmobiles are allowed on State Trails or Grant-in-Aid snowmobile trails.    

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 – Very Good Trails – Groomed  Base – 2-6”  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: Riders should be aware that there are active logging operations on multiple sections of the trails.  Please travel at appropriate speeds and stay to the right. 

Taconite State Trail:  Snowmobiling: Condition – Very Good Trails – Groomed  Base 2-6”  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 is groomed from Ely to Hwy 73.  With the recent snow in the last week, and early-season traffic, the trails are holding up well and looking great!

Taconite Spur West – Last groomed 1/22/20

Taconite Spur North – Last groomed 1/22/20 – Beware of continued logging operations underway!

Stony Spur East – Last groomed 1/20/20

News and Reports:

Upcoming snowmobile events include:

2020 Snowmobile Fun Run January 25, 2020

Northland 300 Snowmobiling for Special Olympics January 22-26

Black Wood Blizzard Tour January 29- February 1

More information on these events can be found by visiting our website at http://www.ely.org/mn/events

Trail Report – : Dickinson County, Michigan – January 23, 2020

Reporter:msertich7751

Trail Conditions: Excellent

Snow Cover: 15 to 20 Inches

Date of Report: January 23, 2020

Area Report:

Our trails are in excellent condition! The groomers are running daily and by Friday,most of our system will be done 3 to 4 times.Remember,anywhere you see a (WET AREA) Sign,Be very cautious.We have a number of areas that have water flowing across the trail.The reroute on trail 115 has and is being groomed.We are getting new snow almost daily now.THINK SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trail Report – : Walworth County, Wisconsin – January 23, 2020

Reporter:Ryan Strand

Trail Conditions: Closed

Snow Cover: 7″

Date of Report: January 23, 2020

Area Report:

Our trails are groomed, it has been snowing since last night and continues to snow today.  More is in the forecast through the remainder of the week into the weekend.   Please check back for updates as things are quickly changing.  Reminder you can check here, our Facebook page, our website listed below or the trail hotline listed below.   Please stay off until the trails are officially announced as open!   Thank you. 

262-742-2664

http://www.walworthcountysnow.com/ 

BELOW IS A LIST OF OUR UPCOMING EVENTS:

  • Jan. 25, 2020 – East Troy Snow Trojans will host their Brat Bash. It will be held at Pit Stop 67 (Formerly Not too Far Away) from 11 – 5 pm.
  • Feb. 1, 2020 – Lyons Sno-Bums Chili Days/Raffle is being held at Ye Olde Hotel in Lyons from 12Noon – 4pm
  • Feb. 8, 2020 Whitewater Meat Raffle is being held at the Real McCoy’s from 1 – 4pm. The meat is coming from Sorgs.
  • Feb. 15, 2020 – Sharon Drift Skippers is having their Annual Raffle at Kip N’ Deb’s in Sharon. The event starts at 5 pm with Meat Raffles. The money drawing will be at 7pm and there is also a Silent Auction.

Trail Report – : Bayfield County, Wisconsin – January 23, 2020

Reporter:BayfieldCounty

Trail Conditions: Excellent

Snow Cover: 12-24 inches packed

Date of Report: January 23, 2020

Area Report:

Trails in Bayfield County continue to be in excellent condition. We received a bit of fresh snow this week, quite a bit in the north, and there is more snow in the forecast for the northern part of the county for Thursday and Friday. Should be more great riding this weekend!

 

Namakagon Trail Groomers: We received about 6-8″ of new snow last week from Wed – Sat. Have about a 12″+ base. Trails are in excellent condition. They were groomed on Monday 1/20 and Wednesday 1/22. Also groomed thru Bibon Swamp on 1/22. Hoping to get back out again on Friday.

 

Barnes Barnestormers: Barnes area trails are in excellent condition, they all will have been groomed twice by Friday noon. Enjoy the ride.

 

Drummond SnoJacks: All Drummond area trails are in excellent condition. Recent snow has added to the base and is now >16″. There was heavy use of the trails last week but all will be groomed again before the weekend. Caution still advised for the rough section of trail 63 towards Grand View at Arne Carlson Road.

 

Frosty’s Vintage Riders: Mason/Delta/Iron River all in excellent condition, freshly groomed, west delta road use caution as it has turned icy underneath

 

Iron River: All trails in Iron River area have been groomed (Trail #3 from Iron River will get groomed Thursday) we are starting to get some icy spots on hills. But all is good.

 

Washburn Valhallers: Trail #13 from Washburn to Valhalla was fresh-groomed 1/20 and is in excellent condition.  We will be re-grooming Trail #13 North and South by the weekend and both trails are expected to be in excellent condition.  We still have 1-block section of trail #13 south blocked off due to deep water and ice.  There is an easy go around that is being partially groomed. 

 

All the trails in the Valhalla area are in excellent condition. With 18 inches of fresh snow this week. Currently there is utility work and logging operation on Trail 51 so use caution in that area signs will be posted.

 

South Shore (Port Wing, Herbster, Cornucopia): Trail 1 was groomed Wednesday. Trails 40 & 41 plus 19 will be done Thursday. All trails awesome.

Trail Report – : Eagle River, Wisconsin – January 23, 2020

Reporter:Holly t

Trail Conditions: Good

Snow Cover: Plenty of SNOW

Date of Report: January 23, 2020

Area Report:

January 23, 2020 – 8:07am 28 degrees

SNOWMOBILE TRAILS IN EAGLE RIVER
Good on average

SNOW moved in after lunch yesterday.  2 inches +-. Light SNOW all day today. Forecast of another 2 inches. Light SNOW for Saturday & Sunday.  No firm totals.  Temps high 20’s & low 30’s. Winters hanging around.  Time to ride!!

There is plenty of SNOW so please stay on the marked trails.  Private landowners are letting the clubs use their land.  We as riders must stay on the trails or we will lose trails.

Catfish & Eagle Lake Trails are MARKED & OPEN.  Stay by the Orange Reflective Barrels to be safe. 

Groomer Tracking System shows in the last 24 hours the following trails were groomed:

  • Trail 10/13 from groomer barn south to Alt 13/aka 3S to Three Lakes turn around
  • Trail 10E from Alt 13/10 intersection to Bloom Rd
  • City trail from Trigs Shell to Bloom Rd.
  • Trail 70W from behind the Dairy Queen to near the 70W/7/17S intersection
  • Trail 10/13 from groomer barn north to Conover connect
  • Trail 17N from 13/17 intersection north to Mankse Swamp aka 3N
  • Manske Swamp aka 3N

Caution Areas

In general found trails sections especially in swamps have rough areas due to set bumps.

It’s Thursday & the Sno-Eagles Guided Trail Ride.  Meet at 9am in town, Trail 10/13 at the historic railroad depot by the snow carved snowmobile.

KEEP THINKING COLD & DOIN’ THE SNOW DANCE! 

See you on the trails!

Holly Tomlanovich
THE SNOWMOBILE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD® – Eagle River
Phone Trail Updates 715.479.5185
Sno-Eagles Snowmobile Club

News and Reports:

Handy Snowmobile Links

Wisconsin Snowmobile Registration
Discount Trail Pass for Snowmobile Club Members – $10
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

Snowmobile Information:

Events
January 22 – Wednesday Sno-Eagles guided trail ride – meet at 9am in town on 10/13 by the historic railway depot & snow snowmobile – across from Friendship House
January 23 – Thursday Sno-Eagles guided trail ride – meet at 9am in town on 10/13 by the historic railway depot & snow snowmobile – across from Friendship House
January 24-25 – Women on Snow
January 25 – SNO(Saturday Night Out) – Kickback Grill – Hwy 45N adjacent to the Hiawatha Inn – 5:30pm Social time & 6:00pm Dinner – ALL Welcome! Contact Cheryl Storms 715.479.5599 by January 24
January 31-February 2 – Weekend Away to Tomahawk

Trail Report – : Price County – Park Falls, Phillips & Prentice, Wisconsin – January 22, 2020

Reporter:Phillips/Park Falls Chambers

Trail Conditions: Excellent

Snow Cover: 16-20

Date of Report: January 22, 2020

Area Report:

The Price County Trail system consist of over 500 miles of scenic trails, great places to stop to fill up on fuel, food and beverages. The trails are maintained by 9 clubs and reported by the two Chambers.

We invite you to take a trip and see all that Price County has to offer.

****There is a reroute on Trail 120 that will be in effect all season. The reroute is on the Northern section that eliminates the old 120 trail from FR 519 to the intersection of 120 and 121. Reroute takes you NW up FR519 to Sheep Ranch to FR522 then connects to 101. This eliminates a very bad part of the swamp.****

 

1/22/2020 Northwoods Hi-Riders

All Trails around the Solberg Lake Area are in Very Good to Excellent riding condition. We are finally on a regular grooming schedule. Logging continues on 112 north of Solberg Park and 121 north towards Hick’s Landing. All swamps have now been groomed at least once with the exception of a short swamp section on trail 141 just west of Solberg Lake. That section is very rideable however. Solberg Lake is marked, please stay on the marked trail since there may be hazards in other areas such as ice humps, snow banks, and some slush spots. Also be respectful of ice fisherman out there. Now is the time to ride! Have Fun, Stay Safe.

 

1/22/2020 Eisenstein Bushwackers
Groomed 80 south from Park Falls to 101 Fifield Then to 103-104 to Sugarbush fire lane back to Wintergreen lake are to 101 then groomed the swamp again , back to Fifield and 80 to park falls All double groomed enjoy
From the Bushwackers

1/21/2020 Eisenstein Bushwackers

We groomed 111 to 105 to 101 returned back on 105 to110 loop groomed all back to 111 grooming Round Up area then back to Park Falls all beautifully double groomed enjoy from the Bushwackers

1/21/2020 Prentice Bushbenders

After a lot of hard work from our volunteers we have made it through all the wet areas on our trails. I would like to thank all of them for their time and efforts. All trails are in awesome shape and will be groomed at least twice a week till the spring thaw we hope. Ride safe and have fun.

 

1/19/2020 PHILLIPS CHAPARRALS – All Chaparral trails are in good to excellent condition.  There is utility work being done on trail 102, corridor 12 and 21, north of the Price

County Airport.  Caution is advised.  There is a reroute of trail 161, corridor 12, at Musser Drive.  The route follows Musser Drive for about one mile.  This is due to a landowner removing his permission for the trail. The number one cause for trail closure is riders going off trail and free styling.  STAY ON MARKED TRAILS.  There will be brushing operations on some trails, watch for warning signs.  All trails are groomed at least two times per week.

1/19/2020 LK RIVER PIONEERS – Pioneer trails west of Phillips are in good condition.  There will be ruff areas in the Million Acre Swamp, caution is advised.  Ruff areas may be encountered on trail 80, and 85, corridor 12.  Logging operations can be found on trail 85. With the high snow banks, take extra caution at road crossings.  There is a reroute of trail 82, where it joins Price Lakes Road.  Follow the marked new trail.

1/19/2020 Sno Gypsies –Tuscobia trail is groomed and in great shape, Trail 80 is groomed and in great shape
Trails 89 90 91 are all groomed and in great shape. Enjoy the trails.

1/19/2020 Prentice Bushbenders We have groomed through all of our wet areas. Trails are in awesome shape and will be groomed at least twice a week till the spring thaw we hope. Ride safe and have fun.

1/17/2020 Eisenstein Bushwackers
We Groomed 80 south from Park Falls to 101Fifield. East to Martinson’s swamp which runs from Sugar Bush Fire Lane to Highway 70 parking lot.  First time this got groomed took a lot of work, but very nice now ,Then to 103-104 to Sugarbush fire lane back to Wintergreen lake are to 101 then groomed the swamp again , back to Fifield and 80 to park falls All double groomed enjoy
1/16/2020 We groomed 111 to 105 to 101 returned back on 105 to110 loop groomed all back to 111 grooming Round Up area then back to Park Falls all beautifully double groomed enjoy from the Bushwackers.

Trails are Fantastic

 

Trail Report – : Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin – January 22, 2020

Reporter:Manitowish Waters Chamber

Trail Conditions: Good

Snow Cover: 12-18

Date of Report: January 22, 2020

Area Report:

TRAIL REPORT
Date of report: January 22, 2020
Trail Conditions: Good condition

Our trails are in good condition. With some low 30’s in the forecast, beware that the trails will soften a little bit. Please remember that as you go into corners and approach other riders. We continue to hear good things about Mercer, White Thunder as well as all of Vilas County trails. Show your appreciation by attending Club events, not just ours but neighboring clubs as well. Remember “United we Trail, Divided we fail”

REMEMBER THIS: ALL OF OUR GROOMERS ARE VOLUNTEERS, THEY SQUEEZE IN VOLUNTEER HOURS BETWEEN WORKING FULL-TIME JOBS. Most of us ride far less than you do so please remember that before you complain about conditions. We, along with all other clubs, are busting butt to make your ride enjoyable.

Remember to use your hand signals, stay on marked trails, respect the deer on the trails AND STAY OFF OF THE LAKES THEY ARE NOT SAFE!

Upcoming events:

~Breakfast at Pea Patch – Sunday, February 2nd, 8:00am-Noon w/ Guns and Roses Drawing

~Winterfest Rendezvous and Snowmobile Drawing – Saturday, February 15th

**We are looking for raffle items for the Winterfest Rendezvous. If you have raffle items you care to donate, please drop off at Pea Patch**

  • Get your Arctic Cat & Guns & Roses tickets at area businesses
  • Get your Sno Skeeters Garb at Dietz’s

Trail Report – : Rhinelander, Wisconsin – January 22, 2020

Reporter:Hodag SnoTrails

Trail Conditions: Good

Snow Cover: plenty and little bit more coming

Date of Report: January 22, 2020

Area Report:

Trails continue to get better everyday.  The groomers are out nightly and there has been overall light snowmobile traffic.  The lakes have all been marked (with the exception of the river).  At this point, there are plenty of folks running the river, but the club is hesitant to mark it at this point.  Ride at own risk.

If it wasn’t for the river situation, the trails would be marked in excellent condition.  The groomers are out nightly, and in some cases early in the morning to keep the trails flat.  

All trails are being groomed and all wet spots have been taken care of or have frozen.

Enjoy the trails!

 

Trail Report – : Western UP, Michigan – January 22, 2020

Reporter:Western U.P. Snowmobile Report

Trail Conditions: Good

Snow Cover: 36-20

Date of Report: January 22, 2020

Area Report:

Western U P Snowmobile Trail Report— 1/21/2020

 

Gogebic Range Trail Authority – Snowmobile & ORV Club Trail Report

 

  • Trail Condition: Excellent
  • Last Groomed: January 21st, 2020
  • Base Snowfall: 36″
  • Reported On: January 21st, 2020 @ 10:48am

Groomer Report

Overall Story:  VERY GOOD TO EXCELLENT

Tuesday 2/21 10:00 am CST:   The storm last weekend brought significant snows, especially in the typical snow belts.  With one groomer down we continue to run NON STOP to keep up.  We had the groomer stuck Sunday midday as we were attempting to put trails back together costing us time.  As of this report ALL trails are groomed at least once with main corridors groomed twice. Trails are in fantastic shape!!  December 2018 we groomed 800 miles.  December of 2019 we groomed almost 2,500 miles, woofta!  We continue to receive an inch or so of snow every other day since last week.

WARNINGS AND NOTICES:   We are begging riders to ride off trail legally as there are 1-million acres of public land east of Wakefield to off trail ride on – please only ride legal areas!  The Ottawa National Forest is 990,000 acres and much of it open to cross-country riding (no trail/road) if there is 6″ or more of snow.  Several restricted areas, contact the forest for further information. Call 906-932-1330

Trail 2 from Hurley to Ramsay US-2 Crossing:

Overall rating:  EXCELLENT

Last groomed 1/21/2020.    Please do not ride on sidewalks near Holiday and try to keep noise down in town.

Trail 2 from Ramsay Crossing to Wakefield:

Overall rating:  GOOD TO EXCELLENT

Last groomed 1/21/2020.  The entire stretch is in excellent condition!  Featuring a brand new section to enjoy this season, the club eliminated Prospect road route and moved the trail completely into the woods eliminating 1.5 miles of road route.  PLEASE STAY ON THE TRAIL AND RESPECT THESE LANDOWNERS!

 

Trail 2 from Wakefield to Marenisco:

Overall Rating:  GOOD TO EXCELLENT

Last groomed 1/20/2020.  There is logging 4 miles east of Wakefield.  Please yield to logging traffic, they are working and you are playing!

Trail 8 from Wakefield to Tula Crossing:

Overall Rating: GOOD TO EXCELLENT

Last Groomed 1/20.  There is a new traffic pattern on the northern end due to a plowed section.  Please follow the new route for the remainder of this season.

Trail 160 from Walmart to Montreal River (WI):

Overall Rating:  EXCELLENT

Last Groomed 1/21.  There is logging about 1/2 way north on the trail, YIELD TO LOGGERS AND GIVE THEM RESPECT – IT’S THEIR LAND!  All detours now fixed and trail 100% open!  STAY ON THE TRAIL!!!!!!   This is our most scenic trail and is a treat to ride!  There are several scenic vistas on the trail such as Bald Mountain “NORTH” lookout viewing Madeline Island/ mouth of the Chequamegon Bay of Lake Superior,  the Bald Mountain “SOUTH” lookout viewing Gogebic Range (Powderhorn, Copper Peak), the Montreal River Gorge look out and finally the amazing Superior Falls Waterfall Complex.  Stay on the trail in the farm fields.  Over 25 landowners are involved to make this trail a reality, please respect them and ride responsibly.

11S (Wakefield, MI to Winchester, WI):

Overall Rating:  GOOD TO EXCELLENT

Last Groomed 1/21.  A couple icy areas remain rough due to freezing the trail in.  PLEASE YIELD TO ANY AND ALL LOGGING TRAFFIC.  There is a short section of dual use the landowner (Keweenaw Land) has graciously approved us to use along with them.  It is private land and we are guests, please act like it.  THANK YOU to all the people who have helped brush this trail!  You made our groomer operators day twice over by helping brush the trail for us.  This is what makes snowmobiling great!!

11N (Wakefield, MI to South boundary Rd/White Pine):  Closed due to off trail riding.  Seeking local community support with ideas on how to reopen it.  200 yards of private property closed this 25 mile trail.

GOGEBIC AREA GROOMERS 1/22/2020

January 21, 2020

All trails in the Lake Gogebic Area are being groomed nightly and are in GOOD to EXCELLENT condition!  Cold and snow in the forecast.    Two ice heaves were reported last weekend.   North of Root Cellar and North of Fishtales.   Use caution.

  • Trail # 1N:       from Bergland to Whitepine is being groomed nightly and it is reported to be in excellent condition.
  • Trail # 1 South:             towards Marenisco from Trail # 8 (Ethelwood Grade) is being groomed nightly and is reported to be in excellent condition.
  • Trail # 1 south from Marenisco to Wisconsin Border  is being groomed daily and it is reported to be in excellent condition.
  • Trail # 8 East from Bergland to Ewen is being groomed daily and it is reported in excellent condition, but gets moguls towards the night!
  • Trail # 8W: from Bergland to Wakefield. is being groomed nightly and it is reported to be in excellent condition.
  • Trail 102 from Bergland to Trail #11 is being groomed nightly and it is reported to be in excellent condition.
  • Trail # 13 North from Bergland to 101 is being groomed nightly and it is being reported to be in excellent condition.
  • Trail # 13 South from Bergland to Root Cellar ***Still being logged***.  This section of trail is 90% ridding on East Shore Rd.
  • Trail 13 South from Root Cellar to 100.  This trail will be hit every other day, or until the traffic picks back up when 13 from Bergland to Root Cellar opens back up.
  • Trail #13 South from 100 to Trail # 2 is reported to be groomed daily and is in excellent condition.
  • Trail # 100 South end of Lake Gogebic is reported be groomed daily and is in excellent condition.

 

U.P. Thunder Riders Trail Report 1/21/2020

 

  • Trail Condition: Good To Excellent
  • Last Groomed: January 14th, 2020
  • Base Snowfall: 20″
  • Reported On: January 14th, 2020 @ 10:10am

Groomer Report

Thunder Riders are grooming daily and the trails are in very good to excellent condition.

Trail #3 from the Wisconsin border to Watersmeet very good condition, Watersmeet to Paulding very good condition. We have 2 logging project on this trail one north of Forest Rd 5250 (trail 150) and the other is north of Bond Falls Rd so please use caution and respect the loggers.

Trail #2 west of Watersmeet to Trail #1 south, very good condition

Trail #2 east of Watersmeet to Trail #107, very good condition

Trail #13 south to Cisco Chain, very good condition