This past weekend I rode with my 2 kids and wife out of the north end of Willow Flowage. Ended up with around 250 miles between Oneida and Price Co. I have been riding this area for a long, long time and this is was some of the best conditions I have ever rode in. On Friday we took a loop over to Phillips and the trails were excellent. I am talking the kind where you can count the bumps on one hand. And riding a two up, you notice the bumps a lot more. Overall fairly low traffic and plenty of snow. Saturday morning we made a loop towards Tomahawk. Even the bearskin was in great shape. We did take the machines for dinner on Saturday night and by then the trails did have some bumps on them, but Sunday morning was all groomed again and flat as a pancake.
Couple of notes. A special thanks to the owners at Kuhl's Reel 'Em inn. My daughter played in the snow too much on Thursday and she was not aware she had wet boots. Her feet were freezeing within 20 miles of our ride. Reel 'Em inn was not open yet but when we came by he thought we needed fuel. I stated I had a daughter had cold feet. He gladly opened his doors and fired up the pellet stove. Within a 1/2 hour, we had her boots dried out and warm, happy feet. This place saved our ride!
I feel bad for the deer. We came across a few on our ride and they are up to their bellies or more. You can see the heavy used trails and can't help to think they are easy picking for the wolves. What is good for us riders, is tough on some of the wildlife for sure.
The lakes have plenty of snow for sure, which I love. Took my two longer track sleds and played both on the Willow flowage and on Willow Lake. Willow lake does have some serious slush forming under the snow. Did bury the sled on one run which a very generous fisherman helped me dig out. On the east shore of the flowage there are some great drift areas and we had a blast. Folks were saying if you get off trail on the lakes you will get stuck. As long as you are not stupid, I don't think that will happen. I even was taking the Yamaha Venture off into the powder on the lake and with two of us never had an issue.
Bottom line, a great family trip with even better people in the northwoods. Can't wait to go again.
Couple of notes. A special thanks to the owners at Kuhl's Reel 'Em inn. My daughter played in the snow too much on Thursday and she was not aware she had wet boots. Her feet were freezeing within 20 miles of our ride. Reel 'Em inn was not open yet but when we came by he thought we needed fuel. I stated I had a daughter had cold feet. He gladly opened his doors and fired up the pellet stove. Within a 1/2 hour, we had her boots dried out and warm, happy feet. This place saved our ride!
I feel bad for the deer. We came across a few on our ride and they are up to their bellies or more. You can see the heavy used trails and can't help to think they are easy picking for the wolves. What is good for us riders, is tough on some of the wildlife for sure.
The lakes have plenty of snow for sure, which I love. Took my two longer track sleds and played both on the Willow flowage and on Willow Lake. Willow lake does have some serious slush forming under the snow. Did bury the sled on one run which a very generous fisherman helped me dig out. On the east shore of the flowage there are some great drift areas and we had a blast. Folks were saying if you get off trail on the lakes you will get stuck. As long as you are not stupid, I don't think that will happen. I even was taking the Yamaha Venture off into the powder on the lake and with two of us never had an issue.
Bottom line, a great family trip with even better people in the northwoods. Can't wait to go again.