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Trail Report – : Hayward / Sawyer County, Wisconsin – December 26, 2021

Reporter:haywardlakes

Trail Conditions: Early Season

Snow Cover: 0-5

Date of Report: December 26, 2021

Area Report:

12/26/2021:

Tiger Cat and Spider Lake are staked, some of those stakes may tip but the crews will double check this weekend and next week and make sure to reset any. Moose Lake is staked. Monday crews will be out on the Chippewa Flowage, Callahan, Round Lake (big and little, Osprey) will be Tues and Wed, Lost Land Lake, LCO, Grindstone, Whitefish and Sand also Monday. No report on Lake Hayward yet, we will get a report from that club next week as they will stake Round. As you know Lake Hayward can be tricky with the current. The trail was shortened on Lake Hayward last year for our safety, it no longer goes by the bridge. We’ll update Lake Hayward next week. Last report of ice on Chetek and Connors Lake was about 4-5”, by the end of next week they should have some good ice 🤞🏻, we will update the status of that area of staking when crews report back.

Trail Report – : Phelps, Wisconsin – December 26, 2021

Reporter:Phelps Snowmobile Club

Trail Conditions: Closed

Snow Cover: 3″-6″

Date of Report: December 26, 2021

Area Report:

The Vilas County Trail System will open for the season at 8 a.m. on Monday December 27, 2021.  Trails are in early season form with some areas not groomed due to low swamp areas that have yet to freeze enough to hold the weight of the grooming equipment.  As of now, snow conditions are less then ideal.  The good news is that snow is in the forecast tonight -Tuesday with possible accumalations between 6″-10″ of snow.  Just what the trail are in need of.  All Lakes are not safe to ride on untill they have been marked by our local businesses.  Please watch your speed and Don’t drink and sled.  Watch the corners for they are icy and stay to the right side of the trail.  Enjoy your time in the Phelps area.  If you are not a member of a snowmobile, please concider joining.  We can alwys use more members to help with our trails.

Snowmobile Information:

http://phelpssnowmobileclub.com

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Trail Report – : Iron County, Michigan – December 24, 2021

Reporter:Colleen

Trail Conditions: Not Ridable

Snow Cover: 4 to 6 inches

Date of Report: December 24, 2021

Area Report:

We still have not received enough snow to have much of a trail condition report today.  We have very little snow on the trails and groomers will not be out on the trails until we receive another 12″ of new snowfall.  The condition report for the trails are that there is very little base and what we do have is primarily an ice base… conditions are very icy and not recommended for riding at this time.  We will update this report as we receive additional snowfall… so come on everyone let’s get out there and do our Christmas snow dance and see what happens!! 

Trail Report – : Hayward / Sawyer County, Wisconsin – December 24, 2021

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

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. Tiger Cat and Spider Lake are complete.
 
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 culvert today. Trail 40 does need some clean up and crews are hoping to get out before Christmas.
 
Update: Round Lake has 5.5-8″ of ice and the crews are hoping Tues or Wed they will stake.
 
Most lakes report to start on Monday. Hoping to have a full list on Monday and Tuesday. If nothing is posted there are no updates. If you do not see the lake you’re interested in, that generally means there isn’t an update yet.
 
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!

Trail Report – : Hayward / Sawyer County, Wisconsin – December 23, 2021

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!

Trail Report – : Ely, Minnesota – December 23, 2021

Ely, MN Chamber of Commerce

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”

Trail Report – : Lake Vermilion, St. Louis County, Minnesota – December 22, 2021

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.

Trail Report – : Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin – December 23, 2021

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

Trail Report – : Tomahawk, Wisconsin – December 23, 2021

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!