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Trail Report: Conover, Wisconsin – February 25, 2017

Trail Conditions: Early Season

Snow Cover: 11″ in undisturbed areas

Date of Report: February 25, 2017

Area Report:

 As of 8 AM today, I had 6 to  6 1/2″ of new snow on my desk. 11″ in the front yard. Light waves of LES are still happening.

Virtually all trails/base were gone by last weekend. Vilas trails are technically open and I’ll give conditions an EARLY SEASON rating after the “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. 

Groomers have not been out yet, not sure when they roll..

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: Sayner, Wisconsin – February 25, 2017

Trail Conditions: Early Season

Snow Cover: Varies

Date of Report: February 25, 2017

Area Report:

Yes – I checked off “Early Season” for conditions. Where the base was gone – it will be early season type conditions again!

We received anywhere from 5 1/2 to 7 inches, depending on the area. Where the trails are shaded and still had an ice base remaining; it will be spectacular. Where the base was gone – it will only be marginal. 

Be VERY careful on the lakes. Just like at the beginning of the year – if you don’t see markers – stay off.  We don’t have swamps on our system, but other areas do. BE CAREFUL!!!

To set a record straight that seems to be a matter of debate every year: Vilas County Snowmobile Trails can legally stay open until March 31st at midnight. If they close earlier; it will be because of conditions. 

We still have the areas where there is logging taking place. Those areas right now are junk. IF you ride through a logging area, stay out of the way and DO NOT hassle the loggers. They can and probably will shut the trail down if they get hassled. They have that option.

Please continue to watch for logging ahead signs, heed their warning, and obey the posted speed limits.

Logging Areas – Click Here!

PLEASE! Lets be careful out there!!!

News and Reports:

***Who couldn’t use some extra cash? A new fundraiser for this season is the Barnstormers Poker Run – 50/50 3-place Raffle to help support our trails. Tickets will be available at businesses listed below and are $5. 2000 tickets will be available for sale. Possible cash prizes of up to $2500, $1500, and $1000 if all tickets are sold. Tickets will be available starting in December at Sayner Pub, Stillwaters, Vinchi’s, Weber’s, Mar-li’s, Patti’s Murmuring Waters, and Fibbers. The Poker Run doesn’t end until March 19th so there is still time to get out and win some cash!!! Even if there is no riding, you can still do it by truck/car!!!

Click here to join or renew your membership with the Barnstormers

Trail Report: Eagle River, Wisconsin – February 25, 2017

Trail Conditions: Early Season

Snow Cover: 6 inches new snow. Soft base.

Date of Report: February 25, 2017

Area Report:

Trails OPEN
Late Ride Season Condition

Very light snow falling east of Eagle River this morning.  6 miles east there is about 6 inches of snow.

Trail Boss Brian reports that no grooming for now.  Will keep you posted on that too.

Enough snow to ride.  Adventure riding on tap today.  You will find all kinds of conditions out there.  Maybe even some slushy water under the snow. 

The barrels have been pulled from both Catfish Lake Loop & Eagle Lake Trail.  Advise not to ride.  If you do it is at your own risk.

Keep Doin’ The Snow Dance! And For Heavens Sake…THINK COLD!

Ride With Pride drawing today at 12 noon at Trackside.  You can buy tickets right up to the drawing time!!!

See Ya On The Trails!

Holly Tomlanovich
Communications Chair
Sno-Eagles, Inc.
PROUD GROOMERS OF THE SNOWMOBILE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD® – Eagle River
Phone Trail Updates 715.479.5185 – Update again later today

News and Reports:

TODAY!!
***RIDE WITH PRIDE RAFFLE TICKETS
Drawing 12 Noon, this Saturday, February 25, 2017 at TrackSide***

  • $2 each or 3/$5 available from Sno-Eagles, Eagle River Chamber office & many businesses in Eagle River
  • Prizes – 1st prize SkiDoo MXZE 600 or CanAm Outlander 570. 2nd prize 55′ Flat panel TV or $500. 3rd prize Wkend at Eagle Waters Resort + dinner. 4th prize Wkend at Wild Eagle Lodge.
  • Meet AWSC Miss Snowflake Erica Keehn!

SNO-EAGLES SNO HUNT – January 13-February 28, 2017 – for more information contact Dave Mrczynski at 715.891.8584.

  • A fun snowmobile scavenger hunt with bonus point & prizes
  • Register at local businesses

SNO (Saturday Night Out) – Cocktails 5:30pm – Dinner 6:00pm

  • February 25 – 12 Pines Restaurant on Townline Rd off of Trail 10E
  • March 25 – Catch 22 on Hwy 70E/Trail 10E about 5 miles from Eagle River.

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY TRAIL RIDES – No Trail Rides this week

  • Meet on Trail 13 (the Grade) in town between Historic Railroad Depot & Friendship House
  • 9am departure

MONTHLY MEETINGS – 6:30pm Snacks – Meeting at 7pm – All Welcome!

  • March 16 – Eagle Waters (Hwy 70E to Rangeline Rd-follow the signs)
  • April 20 – Gordo’s (Hwy 45N across from Holiday North Gas Station)

BOARD MEETINGS – 7pm at the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame (Hwy 45N next door to the World Championship Snowmobile Derby)

  • January-May the 1st Tuesday of the each month

Snowmobile Information:

DNR Registration, $30 Trail Pass information

AWSC $10 Trail Pass information

Trail Report: Eagle River, Wisconsin – February 24, 2017

Trail Conditions: Early Season

Snow Cover: 4-5 inches of wet packy snow

Date of Report: February 24, 2017

Area Report:

Trails OPEN
Late Season Riding Condition
4-5 inches with more snow falling again

SNOW has started in Eagle River! Pretty heavy at 7am. Have also reached the high of 21 today with a 12.  Took a while for the snow to start to accumulate as it is wet packy stuff. Let up mid day.  Started to snow again at 6pm and continues.

Trail Boss Brian reports that no grooming for now.  Will keep you posted on that too.

The barrels have been pulled from both Catfish Lake Loop & Eagle Lake Trail.  Advise not to ride.  If you do it is at your own risk.

Keep Doin’ The Snow Dance! And For Heavens Sake…THINK COLD!

See Ya On The Trails I’ll Be Riding Saturday!

Holly Tomlanovich
Communications Chair
Sno-Eagles, Inc.
PROUD GROOMERS OF THE SNOWMOBILE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD® – Eagle River
Phone Trail Updates 715.479.5185 – Update again later today

News and Reports:

***RIDE WITH PRIDE RAFFLE TICKETS
Drawing 12 Noon, this Saturday, February 25, 2017 at TrackSide***

  • $2 each or 3/$5 available from Sno-Eagles, Eagle River Chamber office & many businesses in Eagle River
  • Prizes – 1st prize SkiDoo MXZE 600 or CanAm Outlander 570. 2nd prize 55′ Flat panel TV or $500. 3rd prize Wkend at Eagle Waters Resort + dinner. 4th prize Wkend at Wild Eagle Lodge.
  • Meet AWSC Miss Snowflake Erica Keehn!

SNO-EAGLES SNO HUNT – January 13-February 28, 2017 – for more information contact Dave Mrczynski at 715.891.8584.

  • A fun snowmobile scavenger hunt with bonus point & prizes
  • Register at local businesses

SNO (Saturday Night Out) – Cocktails 5:30pm – Dinner 6:00pm

  • February 25 – 12 Pines Restaurant on Townline Rd off of Trail 10E
  • March 25 – Catch 22 on Hwy 70E/Trail 10E about 5 miles from Eagle River.

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY TRAIL RIDES – No Trail Rides this week

  • Meet on Trail 13 (the Grade) in town between Historic Railroad Depot & Friendship House
  • 9am departure

MONTHLY MEETINGS – 6:30pm Snacks – Meeting at 7pm – All Welcome!

  • March 16 – Eagle Waters (Hwy 70E to Rangeline Rd-follow the signs)
  • April 20 – Gordo’s (Hwy 45N across from Holiday North Gas Station)

BOARD MEETINGS – 7pm at the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame (Hwy 45N next door to the World Championship Snowmobile Derby)

  • January-May the 1st Tuesday of the each month

Snowmobile Information:

DNR Registration, $30 Trail Pass information

AWSC $10 Trail Pass information

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