Your Online Trail and Travel Guide for Snowmobiling the U.S. & Canada

Reports

Trail Report: Conover, Wisconsin – February 24, 2017

Trail Conditions: Poor

Snow Cover: 7″ – 8″ in undisturbed areas

Date of Report: February 24, 2017

Area Report:

Today’s big storm netted about 2 1/2 inches of snow. Add that to the 1 1/2 – 2 that fell Wednesday night (and about 1/2 of that melted Thursday) and I have 3 to 3 1/2 inches of new snow on my front deck at 6 PM. It is snowing as I type, so maybe an additional measurable snow will fall.  

Virtually all trails/base were gone by last weekend. Vilas trails are technically open and I’ll give conditions a POOR after today’s “non event” storm. Lakes were basically just ice with some water on top by Tuesday, now they have snow/slush. As I type, I am not sure if lakes are still marked or not. Do not travel lakes if not marked. Top soil was soft but has firmed up – at least to foot traffic. I did see some tracks east of town by Muskrat Creek and on trail 17 by Indian Rd (SW of Phelps).

I’m sure anyone reading this post is a fan of winter sports & snowmobiling in particular. I understand that weather forecasting is not an exact science but all the TV news has been talking about is how the world nearly ended. Also, in case you weren’t aware, road speed limits are for dry conditions, you should slow down on snow. Seems your tires don’t have as much traction. 

I also am not sure yet if groomers will roll or not.

 

News and Reports:

It crossed my mind that for those of you that have never snowmobiled in Vilas or surrounding, it is unlike areas further south. We really have nearly zero farm field crossings. Most riding is in the woods, some trails are on old rail grades & there are lots of lake crossings. But, be prepared to travel a distance to the next stop, especially along the northern portions of the county. Food is hard to find on Tuesdays, carry a snack.

Please stay on the trails; Trespassing is the fastest way to loose trails. Don’t forget you need a WI trail permit to ride the state’s groomed trail system. Aggressive riding causes more trail damage than slower, less aggressive riding. Ride right & be safe.

Trail Report: Sugar Camp, Wisconsin – February 24, 2017

Trail Conditions: Poor

Snow Cover: 4-6″

Date of Report: February 24, 2017

Area Report:

Trail’s in Sugar Camp are in fair/poor conditions.We got snow but not what was predicted anywhere from 3-4″ had fallen. Grooming will be at a minimum for now as amounts vary. As you ride you will encounter alot of water in swampy areas and rocky areas  as we have lost almost all of the base.trail’s are in early season riding conditions in February. Lakes are still marked and safe by barrels but will be very slushy so use caution while riding.

Trail Report: Rhinelander, Wisconsin – February 24, 2017

Trail Conditions: Fair

Snow Cover: 3-5″ fresh snow

Date of Report: February 24, 2017

Area Report:

The “storm” is here.  We have received 3-4″ of fresh snow.  There still is 2-4″ predicted tonight.  Current status is “fair”.  We will have to start over for the snow base.  The majority of the snow was lost over the last warm spell.  If we get everything they predict, we will have snow to work with.  If this is all we get, the groomers will need to sit before there is more to work with.

The majority of the barrels have been removed from the lakes during the last week.  As a result, the lakes are to be traveled at own risk.  

With the less than anticipated amount of snow, it is enticing to jump off trail to hit some fresh snow.  Please be aware, the majority of our trails are on private property.  Traveling off trail is not something that we can afford to do.  Keeping the landowners happy, is critical to our ability to keep our existing trail system.

The conditions will be updated as they change.

 

Trail Report: Phelps, Wisconsin – February 24, 2017

Trail Conditions: Not Ridable

Snow Cover: 6″on the ground

Date of Report: February 24, 2017

Area Report:

3:00 PM +21deg.over cast

Well so far we have rec’d about 3+ inches of new snow in the last 8 hrs.

most of that was this morning,just a few flurries since.

Need less to say that hasn’t helped our trails.The weather watch is active until

6:00AM Sat.If things change for the better I will up date.

Dick

Trail Report: Crivitz, Wisconsin – February 24, 2017

Trail Conditions: Early Season

Snow Cover: 3 – 5 inches

Date of Report: February 24, 2017

Area Report:

Gates are being reopened as you are reading this!  We received 3 to 5 inches of new heavy wet snow.  More coming tonight and into tomorrow.  The trail will be in early season riding condition.  The groomers are attempting to go out and pack this snow.  Once they get out there, we will have to see how it goes as to weather they can groom the whole trail. 

Please, proceed with CAUTION.  There is standing water on the trail due to the lengthy warm temps.  Some of these so called puddles may be quite deep!  Also, WATERWAYS ARE NOT SAFE!  Do NOT go on any lakes or flowages. 

I will be so happy to ride my snowmobile again…but do not expect anything great…

News and Reports:

Saturday, February 25 – Vintage Snowmobile Run from Thunder Lake Lodge

Trail Report: Boulder Junction, Wisconsin – February 24, 2017

Trail Conditions: Poor

Snow Cover: 6-8

Date of Report: February 24, 2017

Area Report:

Trail report for February 24 2017-Trails are poor. The winter season is not over yet. We have a winter storm warning and it’s snowing right now. There is 6-10 inches expected. We just have to wait to see how much snow we get over the weekend. With the large snow totals and colder weather we will be able to cover up all of the bare spots and the trails can become ridable again.  Do your snow dance. We can always use more snow and cold weather!!!  Please be careful out there! Remember be safe, ride right, and enjoy the ride.

Jim (Hammy) Hamilton

BJSC President

Trail Report: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan – February 24, 2017

Trail Conditions: Poor

Snow Cover: 3 inch base

Date of Report: February 24, 2017

Area Report:

Temporary Trail Diversion in Brimley

A street closure due to a collapsed building in Brimley causes a short diversion of trail #8. When turning west off M-221 in downtown Brimley, the first block of the trail is moved just south of the street across from the Bay Mills Laundry facility and includes a portion of their driveway. Follow the signs.

Trails are in poor-improving to fair shape as groomers finish them.  They still have a snow/ice base with very few dirt spots showing.

Some are out for the first time since Saturday. The temperatures finally got cold enough and we are supposed to get 3-6 inches of snow today and tonight.  We’re trying to smooth up the icy snow mixture before the wet snow falls. We had enough snow base that only a few spots of dirt are showing, which is good.  Some wet spots may have opened up.

Check our Facebook page for pictures.

There is a big reroute around Raco this year.

There is also a change in the Soo to Kinross trail.

We have a new plowed parking area at the beginning of trail #8 under the International Bridge, which now has an all-season Porta-John.

If you are staying in the Sault, please look at our list of supporters on our web page and give them your business.  Please do that in all of the towns you visit.  The grooming entities are made up of volunteers who want you to support those who support us!

We now have a marked trail that will be groomed on occasion to get to parts and service at Chippewa Motors.  It comes into the back of their lot from the east side of M-129 when you come out of the woods.

Remember, the trail base is the amount of snow between your track and the ground below, not the amount of fluff piled up in the woods;  6 inches of snow compresses to less than an inch on the trail.

Sault Ste. Marie to Brimley, Trail #8 –

Base 1 – 3 inches – Trail is in poor to fair condition.  

Brimley to Raco, Trail #8 –

Base 1 – 4 inches – Trail is in poor to fair condition.  The trail going west off M-221 is moved to the south of the street as the building’s roof next to the road has collapsed; the county closed the road.

When you’re going across the bridge in Brimley, make sure you go with the flow of traffic!  Blowing and drifting occurs when you first leave Brimley.

Raco to Naomikong Trail #8 [where Paradise meets us], Trail #8 –

Base 2 – 5 inches – Trail is in poor condition.

Sault Ste. Marie City Trail, Trails #497, #449, parts of #8 & #49 –

Base 1 – 3 inches – Trail is in poor condition.  Wet areas might be open again. 

We now have a marked and groomed trail going to Chippewa Motors.  It starts once you come out of the woods east of M-129 off #449.  It comes into their parking lot from behind if you need parts or service.

City curfew is from 1 am – 6 am. Remember, most City streets are open to traffic 20mph, stop at all intersections, and ride on the right hand side of street, not on sidewalks. Watch for closed streets that are posted, mainly around the hospital, university, and state trunk lines.

Sault Ste. Marie to Kinross, Trail #49 –

Base 1 – 4 inches – Trail is in poor condition.  Make sure you follow the reroute once you cross the bridge going south at 7 Mile Road.  Wet areas will be reopened.

When the trail is running along roads, make sure you go with the flow of traffic on the right side of the road.

Kinross Loop & South to Pickford, Parts of Trail #49, #472, and #494 –

Base 1- 4 inches – Trail is in poor condition.  Watch for trucks on the trail.

Kinross to Raco & Rudyard, Parts of trail #472 & #480 –

Base 1 – 4 inches – Trail is in poor Condition.  Watch for the reroute signs just west of Kinross.

The Downtown Trail is signed and coned up Portage Ave!  Big, frozen snow banks, left from the big warm up, are hindering grooming parts of the route, but streets adjacent are open to sleds.

Join us on Facebook, too!!!

www.sootrails.org

Courtesy of the Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – Groomer Report 

  • We now have a marked trail that will be groomed on occasion to get to parts and service at Chippewa Motors.  It comes into the back of their lot from the east side of M-129 when you come out of the woods.
  • Remember, the trail base is the amount of snow between your track and the ground below, not the amount of fluff piled up in the woods.  6 inches of snow compresses to less than an inch on the trail.
  • We have a new plowed parking area at the beginning of trail #8 under the International Bridge, which now has an all-season Porta-John.

Online Safety Course 

Local Safety Course 

Snowmobile Information:

Courtesy of the Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association

The Sledder’s Pledge

  • I will obey the rules and laws of the state or province I am visiting.
  • I will be careful when crossing roads, and always cross at a right angle to traffic.
  • I will keep my machine in top shape and follow a pre-op check before each ride.
  • I will wear appropriate clothing, including gloves, boots and a helmet with a visor.
  • I will let family or friends know my planned route, my destination and my expected arrival time.
  • I will treat the outdoors with respect. I will not litter or damage trees or other vegetation.
  • I will respect other peoples’ property and rights, and lend a hand when I see someone in need.
  • I will not snowmobile where prohibited.

Trail Report: Oconto County, Wisconsin – February 24, 2017

Trail Conditions: Poor

Snow Cover: 2-5

Date of Report: February 24, 2017

Area Report:

Townsend – Red Arrow Snowmobile – ATV Club –  As of now our trails are not rideable. Snow and cold are necessary for that and we have had neither. 


Lakewood – Paul Bunyan Snowmobile Club – 2/14/17 The trails were groomed Sunday night and finished Monday morning. The sun is taking a toll on the trails with water on the grade and lot of dirt showing even in the woods. We will resume grooming when we get snow and the temperatures drop below freezing. Winter is far from over but the sun is very high and powerful. 


Bagley and Brazeau – Joyriders Trails – CLOSED.

Chute Pond Snowmobile Club – Chute Pond trails are open, and we are not grooming at this time. With the fresh snowfall, our trails are in mostly poor to fair very early season condition. Additional snow today would help improve trail conditions. 

If the weather forecast comes true and we actually do get the 4-8″ or the 8-12″ of snow through tonight, trails may or may not get groomed, but they will still be in very early season riding condition, with some significant wet areas in the low spots. 

ALL LAKES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED UNSAFE at this time because of deteriorating ice along the shorelines. Please ride with caution if you head out onto the trails.

 

Gillett Sno ATV Riders – CLOSED.

Oconto Falls – Sno Jokers Trails – CLOSED.


Lena Snow Drifters – CLOSED.


Chase Sno-Chasers – CLOSED.