Bad News on Trails 12-18-19

[Attak man]

It is as bad as I was trying to tell you guys

ONEIDA COUNTY, Wis. (WAOW) -- Snowmobile trails in Oneida County will be closed until further notice, while trails in Vilas County will open Friday.

The trails have been difficult to groom, according to Oneida County Snowmobile Council President Jim Wendt. He said some spots are so saturated, machines can't make it through. "It's the kinda thing you don't put in the budget," he said.

"The snowmobiling industry up here is a huge impact," said Hazelhurst Pub owner Bill Fricke.

Local business owners are understanding that the trails will need to wait, though it'll mean a longer wait to see new visitors.

"It definitely would be nice I mean the conditions look exceptional," said Fricke. "But if we have to wait for everybody's safety for everything to be done right -- a few more days i don't think is going to hurt anybody."

Jim Wendt is also the "Trail Boss" of Bo Boen Snowmobile Club. They run out of Saint Germain with over 11,000 members. He's happy to say trails in Vilas County will open Friday morning at 8 a.m.

Also not listed here...we have a huge problem spot south of Tomahawk in Lincoln County Zone 1...Trail 17 will not open, until we can get a bulldozer into the large swamp area, just north of the hog house bar (just north of Irma)...It has a ton of storm damage. There was no way to know how much damage was back there until the ground froze (its very wet)...so if the trails open soon...Trail 17 from Hwy S to Hwy J will be closed...I will keep you updated.
BTW..many of the lakes are not marked, and not considered safe at this time

 

[euphoric1]

Good ole mother nature, don't know about up there but predicting almost 50 degrees here, hopefully not that way up north because will only make things worse. I hope things improve for them as im sure winter surpasses fishing, hunting etc tourism. Finally a banner start to the year as far as snowfall and mother nature had to wield her ugly face, unfortunate!

 

[eagle1]

-10° this morning should help firm things up at least.

 

[XTEAM]

They should close the WI trails for the weekend my opinion they will be trash by Sunday night if they keep them open during this quick warm up! More cold and snow coming next week so no need to trash them!

 

[Attak man]

They should close the WI trails for the weekend my opinion they will be trash by Sunday night if they keep them open during this quick warm up! More cold and snow coming next week so no need to trash them!

It's not expected to be extreme, and it shouldn't hurt us too much...PLENTY of snow out there...low to mid 30's, with one day in the upper 30's...then slowly cooling down....lows in the teens at night..a little above average for this time of the year.

 

[ddhanna]

DATE: December 18, 2019
TO: News Media (And Other Interested Persons)
FROM: Oneida County Forestry Department
RE: Opening of the Oneida County Snowmobile Trail System

With two exceptions, the Oneida County Funded Snowmobile Trail System (as administered by the Oneida County Forestry, Land, & Recreation Department) will officially open for the 2019-2020 winter season at 8:00 am on Friday, December 20, 2019.
The following trail closures will be in effect until further notice:
Hodag Sno-Tails (McNaughton Area):
Funded Trail Corridor 12 is closed from TIN 247 (Intersection of Trail 12 and 47) through TIN 842 (Hwy 47)
Three Lakes Trails:
Funded Trail Alternate 13 is closed from TIN 122 (Rice Lake Rd) through TIN 022 (intersection north of Burnham Lk)

All lake trails in Oneida County remain closed and are considered unsafe until they have been clearly marked by a local snowmobile club. As always, the Oneida County Forestry, Land, & Recreation Department requests riders stay on clearly marked trails. Always exercise caution when riding a snowmobile. The trails are in rough, early season condition.

For more detailed information on Oneida County Snowmobile trail riding opportunities, contact the local snowmobile club in the area that you would like to ride, the Oneida County Chamber of Commerce, or the Oneida County Forestry, Land, & Recreation Department. The Oneida County Snowmobile Map is available at http://www.co.oneida.wi.us/wp-content/uploads/Oneida-County-Snowmobile-Map.pdf
Contact Information:
Oneida County Snowmobile Council President, Jim Wendt 715-891-1610
Oneida County Chamber of Commerce, 715-365-7464
Oneida County Forestry Department, 715-369-6140

 

[Attak man]

I would bet money some business or businesses, blew a gasket last night when this story aired....because...BOOM..this gets released..good grief people, smh!!!!

 

[kevinj]

It's not expected to be extreme, and it shouldn't hurt us too much...PLENTY of snow out there...low to mid 30's, with one day in the upper 30's...then slowly cooling down....lows in the teens at night..a little above average for this time of the year.

Yeah I would be more concerned with warm temps and chances for light-to-moderate rain Christmas Day and night. I will be out exploring Vilas and northern Oneida on Friday and Saturday. Not looking to put a lot of miles on, but would like to get out before the crowds get up there for the holidays.

 

[hermie]

Yeah I would be more concerned with warm temps and chances for light-to-moderate rain Christmas Day and night. I will be out exploring Vilas and northern Oneida on Friday and Saturday. Not looking to put a lot of miles on, but would like to get out before the crowds get up there for the holidays.

Ok I give what am I missing in the forecast that you are seeing? I have looked at 3 different forecast and I don't see rain in any of them.