Guys, serious, NO BS HERE! How are the trails holding up in Vilas and surrounding counties? How are they in the UP? I'm supposed to come up early Wed. - Sun. and I want REAL world conditions, pics, etc. Don't sugar coat it. Honestly, is it worth the 6 hour drive for a FIB like me? I know they could take a MAJOR hit tomorrow and Tues. but let me know. I'm not only debating but SERIOUSLY PISSED here.
Thanks in advance guys!
Nick
good luck
BTW, my daughter has more miles on this year than you do.
BTW, my daughter has more miles on this year than you do.
"I know they could take a MAJOR hit tomorrow and Tues. but let me know. I'm not only debating but SERIOUSLY PISSED here."
I think you answered your own question - I am sure Al will chime in with the major conditions - However this does not look good , quarter to half inch of rain
EAGLE RIVER
Monday: A 50 percent chance of rain after noon. Areas of fog after 2pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 37. Southeast wind between 6 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday Night: Periods of rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Widespread fog. Low around 35. South southeast wind between 14 and 17 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers before noon. Areas of fog before noon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. South southwest wind between 13 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Southwest wind between 6 and 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Wednesday: A chance of flurries. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34.
I think you answered your own question - I am sure Al will chime in with the major conditions - However this does not look good , quarter to half inch of rain
EAGLE RIVER
Monday: A 50 percent chance of rain after noon. Areas of fog after 2pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 37. Southeast wind between 6 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday Night: Periods of rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Widespread fog. Low around 35. South southeast wind between 14 and 17 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers before noon. Areas of fog before noon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. South southwest wind between 13 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Southwest wind between 6 and 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Wednesday: A chance of flurries. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34.
around our area there is anywhere from 2-3' towards marquette it is 6'. pics as of today
Al didnt get out to ride the trails today (was picking up a new toy).. a guest here tho put on about 175 miles..
According to him, trails are holding up ok.. better than expected. All trails still snow covered.
Only bad area was south of town (still snow covered but rough)... He rode from here up to Watersmeet, to Ironwood, then
down south of Eagle River (almost Three Lakes) and back to the Hiawatha..
So far (AS OF TODAY) they are doing pretty good considering 3rd day at 36...
Not sure how they are gonna continue to hold up.. Al is going riding tomorrow tho and will let ya know
what he finds.
According to him, trails are holding up ok.. better than expected. All trails still snow covered.
Only bad area was south of town (still snow covered but rough)... He rode from here up to Watersmeet, to Ironwood, then
down south of Eagle River (almost Three Lakes) and back to the Hiawatha..
So far (AS OF TODAY) they are doing pretty good considering 3rd day at 36...
Not sure how they are gonna continue to hold up.. Al is going riding tomorrow tho and will let ya know
what he finds.
I know the trails that I can see between Minocqua and St. Germain are getting bare to little snow cover and stretches with dirt and mud at road crossings and areas that are high traveled near towns. I wouldn't go any further south-it's even more deppressing. I would go as far north as possible-at least Hurley or far into the UP-they are suppose to be getting warm with chances of rain also-check johndee.com. Keep in mind that these are trails I can only see from the road while driving to work. Did talk with a couple of guys at a gas station last night and they said the trails were getting beat pretty bad. Still seeing alot of traffic out there even with the warm temps. The guys that were suppose to come up and ride with me in the next couple days have cancelled due to the temps/trail conditons and I do not see my self going out until we get more snow. Warm weather sucks-pray for snow!!!
I'd bet Eagle River will be shot by tomorrow. Anywhere north of Bruce Crossing will have plenty of snow....even if they get a foot of rain.
Trails within 1 mile of towns are junk(mud) if you can ride through the mud and get into the woods they are nice but you may have to ride through alot of crap to get good snow.
Yeah, I have NO problem with riding in the UP as my base will be Land O Lakes. The thing that is bugging me the most is that this is/was my last trip of the season due to work and a family vacation to Florida. Believe me when I say I will be reading EVERY sled and weather site on the web today and tomorrow. If it snows behind the rain, then that will help. I don't mind doing all my riding in the UP. I just can't believe it can go from the BEST trail conditions of any recent memory to NOTHING. It just chaps my hide! 
Nick
Nick
QUOTE(Nick @ Feb 9 2009, 08:28 AM) 
Yeah, I have NO problem with riding in the UP as my base will be Land O Lakes. The thing that is bugging me the most is that this is/was my last trip of the season due to work and a family vacation to Florida. Believe me when I say I will be reading EVERY sled and weather site on the web today and tomorrow. If it snows behind the rain, then that will help. I don't mind doing all my riding in the UP. I just can't believe it can go from the BEST trail conditions of any recent memory to NOTHING. It just chaps my hide!
Nick
Nick
Stay in IL...
trails are great, bad it town and around the hills where the sun is beating on them Riding at night when they tighten up is the way to go. Corners are starting to fall apart in St. Germain and here and their. Depending on the weather they will still be good this weekend if we get some snow.
Riding to Patty's day
Riding to Patty's day
After riding the trails in Forest County this weekend, any rain/warm stuff will put a severe beating on them. Tons of sleds this weekend. By Saturday afternoon most of the trails I was on were snirt. Well have to see what the weather does over the next couple of days. Doing yellowstone in 10 days so still have a lot of miles to put on this year.
Calling for possible thunderstorms here tonight. Hmmmm..... 41-48 tomorrow. Hmmm.....
Light rain now in Minocqua and calling for high of 43 for next 2 days with rain and T-storms through today and part of the day tomorrow then chance of snow at night. THIS sucks!!!
QUOTE
The thing that is bugging me the most is that this is/was my last trip of the season due to work and a family vacation to Florida.
Are you kidding me? If you need someone to break in your sled before you summerize it on Feb 16th??? Let me know.
Saturday we left mercer went to silver city via the trail that heads north out of Bessmer, back to berglund through PI to Mercer. This was on saturday and most the trails were shot pretty early in the day and not to much snow left on anything by saturday night, groomers were trying to put it back together saturday night, but from what I saw in the difference between Friday and Saturday i would tell you to make your reservation further north then Land O'. We were at Bent's friday and it was fine, but they didn't have enough to deal with rain and the warmth that is coming.
We just did 193 miles. Started in Bergland at 7:30am went to Hurley, back up around to Bergland, then up to Ontonagon and back to the cabin in Bergland. Little bit of rain and sleet here and there but nothing that got us wet. Trails of course were thinner in Hurley but not bad. I think after tonight and tomarrow the trails in the Hurley area will be in poor shape if there not already after today. Bergland to Ontonagon and beyond there were a few minor bare spots but still in good or better shape. Towns are SHIT. Lets hope it doesn't rain tonight and we'll be OK.
Stay home........we're leaving in the morning from Bergland cutting our trip 2 days short. Lots of virgin snow in the woods but the trails are in poor shape IMO. When it does freeze again tonight there going to be hard and icey. I'm done until they get more snow up here not riding on them to many bare spots and snirt towns are shot.
QUOTE(uwrf94 @ Feb 9 2009, 11:06 AM)
After riding the trails in Forest County this weekend, any rain/warm stuff will put a severe beating on them. Tons of sleds this weekend. By Saturday afternoon most of the trails I was on were snirt. Well have to see what the weather does over the next couple of days. Doing yellowstone in 10 days so still have a lot of miles to put on this year.
Road trip sounds like a great Idea Craig!
Yeah Im pretty pumped. Finally get to make it out there with Dad. Im taking the F7 and he's taking the old T660 fourbanger. Ill probably ride the park one day with a rental, then I think well hit the tetons, and bighorns for sure. Leaving the 20 the and coming back the 29th. Will be sure to take plenty of pics.
QUOTE(uwrf94 @ Feb 10 2009, 04:26 PM)
Yeah Im pretty pumped. Finally get to make it out there with Dad. Im taking the F7 and he's taking the old T660 fourbanger. Ill probably ride the park one day with a rental, then I think well hit the tetons, and bighorns for sure. Leaving the 20 the and coming back the 29th. Will be sure to take plenty of pics.
Sounds great and yes bring lots of pictures back with you for us with dirty snow!
Ganna be at least a week before we will think about going to Northern Wi or the UP..
looks like we missed another snow storm.. Going to the south us.. Damn really could use it
Skip Lando and go up to Houghton or North of that.
I think you'll be sorry if you stay in Vilas this weekend just based on the weather reports.
I think you'll be sorry if you stay in Vilas this weekend just based on the weather reports.
QUOTE(catalltheway @ Feb 10 2009, 09:11 PM)
Skip Lando and go up to Houghton or North of that.
I think you'll be sorry if you stay in Vilas this weekend just based on the weather reports.
I think you'll be sorry if you stay in Vilas this weekend just based on the weather reports.
My teacher has her son up in Houghton for college.. He said they had rain on and off for three days.. I know the U.P has a crap ton of snow. We as a group decided to wait until they get some more snow.. Its only a 3-4 hour drive for us and we don't think it is worth it..
I canceled my trip. I should have been just north of Madison by now. First time in 15 years I have had to cancel a trip.
QUOTE(Nick @ Feb 11 2009, 11:03 AM)
I canceled my trip. I should have been just north of Madison by now. First time in 15 years I have had to cancel a trip.
I feel your pain, absolutely disgusting, I say to my wife, the temp. never hits say, 30 - 40 degrees in July but it seems to be a yearly occurance with these out of whack temps. in the winter, it's depressing.
QUOTE(Nick @ Feb 11 2009, 09:03 AM)
I canceled my trip. I should have been just north of Madison by now. First time in 15 years I have had to cancel a trip.
You've had good luck. I can remember cancelling several trips in the late 90's and early 2000's.
We've been spoiled the last 3 years.
Maybe the Bayfield Area?
http://www.woodsidecottages.com/
Gary is riding today and will have a report later in the day
http://www.woodsidecottages.com/
Gary is riding today and will have a report later in the day
QUOTE(Ronder @ Feb 11 2009, 11:59 AM)
Maybe the Bayfield Area?
http://www.woodsidecottages.com/
Gary is riding today and will have a report later in the day
http://www.woodsidecottages.com/
Gary is riding today and will have a report later in the day
I was just going to email Gary but now I guess I can just wait for his email tonight with the trail report!!
QUOTE(catalltheway @ Feb 11 2009, 11:52 AM)
You've had good luck. I can remember cancelling several trips in the late 90's and early 2000's.
We've been spoiled the last 3 years.
We've been spoiled the last 3 years.
We never cancled but spent alot of time in the cabin and on the ice fishing. 1 year my sled never left the truck, we had a week up there, brought it just in case it snowed, which it didn't.
QUOTE(Ronder @ Feb 11 2009, 11:59 AM)
Maybe the Bayfield Area?
http://www.woodsidecottages.com/
Gary is riding today and will have a report later in the day
http://www.woodsidecottages.com/
Gary is riding today and will have a report later in the day
It isn't going to be good...
Still raining...
Gary's report from Weds, Feb 11th-
Rain and warm weather is not a good combo in February and can wreck havoc on trail and forest road conditions. The Bayfield/Valhalla received llight rain and temps near 40 the past three days after a busy weekend of riding. But for the most part, the conditions have held up quiet well as trails have a snow pack of 4"-12" and forest roads 8"-12". I will rate the overall conditions as fair.
The attached pics show current conditions as I just returned from a 50 mile ride. I rode north of TR 40 west of Valhalla and south of Star Route into the PubNGrub and Valhalla area. Everthing is very soft as it did not freeze last night. The snow on the side of the trail will pull a sled right into the woods so be careful. There are some bare spots on trails near Valhalla and the Pub after high use last weekend. TR 19 and 31 were groomed/smooth prior to the rain so they are smooth and in very good condition. The south end of TR 51 is in good condition as is TR 40 west of Valhalla.
Once it freezes tonight, conditions will firm up so cooling and hi-fax issues will arise until trails see sleds and daytime moderating temps and loosen up. Or we get some snow which may happen as the NWS is calling for 40% chance tonight and 30% Thursday. Temps starting Friday will approach 30 and down to the mid teens at night. The groomer should commence work Thursday night as conditions need to firm up B4 they get out there with the heavy equipment.
All forest roads or sections of trails that have been plowed are not rideable as you will see in the pics.
Rain and warm weather is not a good combo in February and can wreck havoc on trail and forest road conditions. The Bayfield/Valhalla received llight rain and temps near 40 the past three days after a busy weekend of riding. But for the most part, the conditions have held up quiet well as trails have a snow pack of 4"-12" and forest roads 8"-12". I will rate the overall conditions as fair.
The attached pics show current conditions as I just returned from a 50 mile ride. I rode north of TR 40 west of Valhalla and south of Star Route into the PubNGrub and Valhalla area. Everthing is very soft as it did not freeze last night. The snow on the side of the trail will pull a sled right into the woods so be careful. There are some bare spots on trails near Valhalla and the Pub after high use last weekend. TR 19 and 31 were groomed/smooth prior to the rain so they are smooth and in very good condition. The south end of TR 51 is in good condition as is TR 40 west of Valhalla.
Once it freezes tonight, conditions will firm up so cooling and hi-fax issues will arise until trails see sleds and daytime moderating temps and loosen up. Or we get some snow which may happen as the NWS is calling for 40% chance tonight and 30% Thursday. Temps starting Friday will approach 30 and down to the mid teens at night. The groomer should commence work Thursday night as conditions need to firm up B4 they get out there with the heavy equipment.
All forest roads or sections of trails that have been plowed are not rideable as you will see in the pics.
QUOTE(Ronder @ Feb 11 2009, 06:55 PM)
Gary's report from Weds, Feb 11th-
Rain and warm weather is not a good combo in February and can wreck havoc on trail and forest road conditions. The Bayfield/Valhalla received llight rain and temps near 40 the past three days after a busy weekend of riding. But for the most part, the conditions have held up quiet well as trails have a snow pack of 4"-12" and forest roads 8"-12". I will rate the overall conditions as fair.
The attached pics show current conditions as I just returned from a 50 mile ride. I rode north of TR 40 west of Valhalla and south of Star Route into the PubNGrub and Valhalla area. Everthing is very soft as it did not freeze last night. The snow on the side of the trail will pull a sled right into the woods so be careful. There are some bare spots on trails near Valhalla and the Pub after high use last weekend. TR 19 and 31 were groomed/smooth prior to the rain so they are smooth and in very good condition. The south end of TR 51 is in good condition as is TR 40 west of Valhalla.
Once it freezes tonight, conditions will firm up so cooling and hi-fax issues will arise until trails see sleds and daytime moderating temps and loosen up. Or we get some snow which may happen as the NWS is calling for 40% chance tonight and 30% Thursday. Temps starting Friday will approach 30 and down to the mid teens at night. The groomer should commence work Thursday night as conditions need to firm up B4 they get out there with the heavy equipment.
All forest roads or sections of trails that have been plowed are not rideable as you will see in the pics.
Click on the link to photbucket to view pics of my ride today. I thought I would try this format as I am able to add a brief description of each pic and a bit more detail for your use.
http://s279.photobucket.com/albums/kk124/w...eb%2010%202009/
Rain and warm weather is not a good combo in February and can wreck havoc on trail and forest road conditions. The Bayfield/Valhalla received llight rain and temps near 40 the past three days after a busy weekend of riding. But for the most part, the conditions have held up quiet well as trails have a snow pack of 4"-12" and forest roads 8"-12". I will rate the overall conditions as fair.
The attached pics show current conditions as I just returned from a 50 mile ride. I rode north of TR 40 west of Valhalla and south of Star Route into the PubNGrub and Valhalla area. Everthing is very soft as it did not freeze last night. The snow on the side of the trail will pull a sled right into the woods so be careful. There are some bare spots on trails near Valhalla and the Pub after high use last weekend. TR 19 and 31 were groomed/smooth prior to the rain so they are smooth and in very good condition. The south end of TR 51 is in good condition as is TR 40 west of Valhalla.
Once it freezes tonight, conditions will firm up so cooling and hi-fax issues will arise until trails see sleds and daytime moderating temps and loosen up. Or we get some snow which may happen as the NWS is calling for 40% chance tonight and 30% Thursday. Temps starting Friday will approach 30 and down to the mid teens at night. The groomer should commence work Thursday night as conditions need to firm up B4 they get out there with the heavy equipment.
All forest roads or sections of trails that have been plowed are not rideable as you will see in the pics.
Click on the link to photbucket to view pics of my ride today. I thought I would try this format as I am able to add a brief description of each pic and a bit more detail for your use.
http://s279.photobucket.com/albums/kk124/w...eb%2010%202009/
This link is not working for me.
It's still raining...
QUOTE(redxcr440 @ Feb 12 2009, 07:09 AM)
I emailed Gary about the problem
Garys Pics from Feb 11th ride in Bayfield-
http://s279.photobucket.com/albums/kk124/w...eb%2011%202009/
Click on the pic for info
Now with a little snow.. they should be pretty darn good
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DULUTH MN
750 AM CST THU FEB 12 2009
DOUGLAS-BAYFIELD-
SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE INTO FRIDAY
Snow Dance-
http://s279.photobucket.com/albums/kk124/w...eb%2011%202009/
Click on the pic for info
Now with a little snow.. they should be pretty darn good
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DULUTH MN
750 AM CST THU FEB 12 2009
DOUGLAS-BAYFIELD-
SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE INTO FRIDAY
Snow Dance-
QUOTE(Ronder @ Feb 12 2009, 08:03 AM)
Garys Pics from Feb 11th ride in Bayfield-
http://s279.photobucket.com/albums/kk124/w...eb%2011%202009/
Click on the pic for info
Now with a little snow.. they should be pretty darn good
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DULUTH MN
750 AM CST THU FEB 12 2009
DOUGLAS-BAYFIELD-
SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE INTO FRIDAY
Snow Dance-
http://s279.photobucket.com/albums/kk124/w...eb%2011%202009/
Click on the pic for info
Now with a little snow.. they should be pretty darn good
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DULUTH MN
750 AM CST THU FEB 12 2009
DOUGLAS-BAYFIELD-
SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE INTO FRIDAY
Snow Dance-
People are out;
Well, not really Pat. They are sitting at the PnG cuz the trails are shit. I wonder if they know about the northside exit?
QUOTE(greensled @ Feb 12 2009, 03:36 PM)
Well, not really Pat. They are sitting at the PnG cuz the trails are shit. I wonder if they know about the northside exit?
North side is the only way out that's ridable. Bastards plowed the road from Ernie's field past the entrance to the Valhalla trail on the south side.
And like you & I wouldn't be doing anything different?
From what my LE friends have told me the trails around me are in bad shape and the ones that can be seen from the road do not look good. One of them also mentioned that last night they were on Big St and there was a spot of open water. A good portion of events at cruiser fest have been cancelled from what I have read. Still should be a good time with the events that are still planned. Temps have been right around freezing and got about a inch last night. Hope we get more soon-would like to get out and ride some more.
hyrczyk, what does LE friends mean?
QUOTE(racerdave @ Feb 13 2009, 05:55 AM)
hyrczyk, what does LE friends mean?
Sorry-law enforcement-I get use to using abbreviations at work. Have a couple of the guys(local police and dnr that are out on the trails) that we see at work and they try to keep us updated. Not to mention a number of people I work with(some who groom and soe who don't) have the trail run through or right by their property which helps in letting me know what conditions are. Just want to be able to help people know what conditions are by me so they can make a decision where they want to ride-I know when I was traveling to ride it helped me.
well what do you know, it got cold and the trails tightened up and those that went up there got some great riding in without all the traffic.
Thats exactly what I was told by a bud that came all the way from Florida for the weekend. Not great, but rideable. 100 miles each day, Sat and sun. I sat here in Ill. My bad.
THAT LADY at the Bayside may usually sugar coat things but this time she's right on. The trails ARE in fair shape. Not exactly something to go out of your way for but they are rideable and with snow in the forecast for mid-week, they should be in pretty good shape again for the weekend and Klondike Days.
Want an honest report here ya go: I live in Boulder so saturday we rode from here to Lake Minocuqa. They are in terrible shape from AV to Minocqua. They are ice with about a 1/4 inch of dirt and snow on top. AV to boulder was rideable but extremely thin. Again all ice with maybe an inch or two on top but a couple sleds thru there will be nothing. Around town in Boulder is dirt. Boulder to PI is better. My honest opinion would be to go to at least PI and ride north. Best bet would be to drop off in Marenisco and head out. Not trying to drive people out but we need more snow. Lakes are pure ice with a dusting on them. You better have studs or you arent gonna go far.
Rode Saturday (and Sunday) out from Eagle River to Bond Falls and back.. only trail we hit that was bad was heading back ... Trail 17 from Phelps to Eagle River, was very icy.. wasnt a bad ride.. on Sunday they hit some bad area around Star Lake that was VERY thin
for more pics & video of Saturday .. http://www.hiawathamotorinn.com/snowmobiling.shtml
Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment
for more pics & video of Saturday .. http://www.hiawathamotorinn.com/snowmobiling.shtml
Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment
As of yesterday morning the Forest Dept in Iron County was still grooming. I didn't notice if they went by this morning.
I rode yesterday west on 77 to 8 south then east on 15 to 13 south, 13 C east to 17 north back into Hurley and the 2 east into Ironwood. 30 miles total.
Trails were all very rideable and winter storm warning forcast for 1 -3 inches tonight and 2 - 5 inches tomorrow. Current temp here is 31 degrees
I rode yesterday west on 77 to 8 south then east on 15 to 13 south, 13 C east to 17 north back into Hurley and the 2 east into Ironwood. 30 miles total.
Trails were all very rideable and winter storm warning forcast for 1 -3 inches tonight and 2 - 5 inches tomorrow. Current temp here is 31 degrees
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