Reporter:nikky.farmakes

Trail Conditions: Early Season

Snow Cover: 3-6 inches most places

Date of Report: January 9, 2018

Area Report:

To see the full trail report and map go to https://www.superiorchamber.org/recreation/trail-report

As is typical for this time of year, certain trail segments can be opened and others are not ready yet due to wetland crossings and/or have restrictions due to private land easements.  It is critical that we respect the landowners who allow us to use their property. Please review the information below carefully before trail riding and confirm that you are using open trails.

Please note, certain trails or only segments of trails may be open at this time.  We anticipate frequent updates as the clubs begin grooming and report on trails they’ve checked. In all areas where winter recreation trails are closed, our clubs are actively working to get the trails open.

Trail Report 1/5/2018

Snow is in the forecast for our region come mid-week.

NE Quadrant
All Brule River Rider Trails are open.

All trails have been groomed this week except:  2 west of Highway 13, Trail 35 (Wild Rivers Trail) north of 4 west, Trail 235, and Trail 635.

Early season caution should be used.

Logging updates: There is a logging operation in progress off Trails 27, Bayfield 24, Trail 4 north of Lake Nebagamon off Degerman Road, and along the east/north of Hawthrone. These logging operations cross our trail system near Hawthorne several times, and signs have been upgraded in that area.  There is also a small private logging operation ongoing by the Covered Wagon in Hawthorne.  Conditions in this area are a little thin in some places but trails are beginning to shape up.

Problem areas:
Trail 2 is very thin west of Highway 13.
Trail 35 (Wild Rivers Trail) is open to traffic, but snow cover is poor north of Trail 4 West.
Trail 635 is only recommending local traffic only, not lake traffic. Inquire locally for ice conditions.

Detailed Trail reports:

Trail 1 is open and groomed from Trail 2 to the Brule River.  Status is unknown for Bayfield County.

Tri County Corridor (Trail 2) is groomed from Superior to Brule and has been groomed, including 2B in Superior.  Trail is in good condition.

Trail 4 is open except between Bennett road and The Wild Rivers Trail (Trail 35).  There is a detour using Bennett Road.  This trail has been groomed between Brule and the Warming Shack.

Trail 6 is open and groomed east and west of Lake Nebagamon.

Trail 18 to Barnes has been groomed by Bayfield County line.

Bayfield B 24 has been groomed. Bayfield County has groomed to the County Line from Iron River.

Trail 24 is open to and from Poplar and is groomed from Middle River Road North to Poplar and a portion behind the Gravel Pit.  

Trail 27/27A is open and groomed from Brule to St. Croix Lake, please note that the groomer has skipped around wet holes South of Brule.

The Wild Rivers Trail (Trail 35) is open, but the snow is very thin in a lot of places.  The Clubs are investigating snow levels for grooming.  

Trail 235 is open and grooming is pending.  

Trail 635 is open to local traffic. Inquire locally for ice conditions on Lakes.

NW Quadrant

All trails in this quadrant are open at this time.  The trails are all in very early season condition.  Please use caution as brushing and grooming operations are ongoing and equipment is present on the trails.

Logging operations continue on Trail 4 and Trail 41 between Bear Creek Bridge and Wanek Road.  There is not a lot of snow left in this section due to the logging activity.  On Trail 4 between Brietzman Lake Road and Big Balsam Road are also experiencing logging activity.

All trails have been groomed with the exception of a short section of  Trail 4/41 from the warming shack to Erickson Creek.  We anticipate grooming of these trails after snowfall mid-week. Snow is thin in and near Superior.  Brushing is ongoing in the areas not accessible until this time of year. Again, please use caution and watch for equipment on the trails.

Please note – the parking lot located off Tuff Road is closed for the season and there is no trail access from the lot.

**A segment of the Crosstown route (Trail 2) from Bardon Avenue East to Grand Avenue will be temporarily closed from Monday 1/15 through Sunday 1/21 for pipeline testing. No through traffic will be available during this period.**

SW Quadrant

All Cozy Corner Trails are open with the exception of Trail 9 south of Radigan Dam.  There are signs instructing riders how to take the available detours. Grooming is underway, please watch for grooming and brushing equipment on trails!

SE Quadrant
The trails in this quadrant are all open and are in fair to poor condition. Trail 41N was opened Friday 1-5-2018, but caution is advised as this trail isn’t much snow. Most trails had a lot of riders last weekend, so snow cover is sparse in some areas and corners may be icy.  Snow is in the forecast!

Trail 3 is open but is not groomed due to lack of new snow.

Trails 217 and Trail 17
Trail 217 is in fair condition and was last groomed a few weeks ago.
Trail 17N from Cabin Lane to Fowler Circle is open, groomed, and in fair condition.
Trail 17 south of Fowler Circle to Highway 27 is open, groomed, and in fair condition. A logging operation is happening on this trail for about a mile.

Douglas County Ski Trails                                                      
The Douglas County Cross Country Ski Trails have been groomed and tracked two weeks ago.  We anticipate additional grooming this week.  All trails are in good early season condition.

The Superior Municipal Forest Cross Country Ski Trails have been packed, however the snow we have received has been dry and has packed down to just a few inches of height with a good amount of debris showing through.  The trails have not been tracked. All trails EXCEPT BLUE are open, but all trails are reported to be in only fair condition at this time.  The Blue Trail has quite a bit of debris and will need more snow in order to open.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE DOUGLAS COUNTY FORESTRY AT 715 378 2219 DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS OF 8 AM TO 4:30 PM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY (EXCLUDING HOLIDAYS). Or Check on Line at www.douglascountywi.org under the Forestry Department tab.