What are consequences of poor grooming on snowmobiling in general and all snowmobile support businesses?? I can tell you there is plenty of snow on trails from Phelps WI to Iron River, MI north to Lanse south to Watersmeet back to Phelps. It definitely is not if those areas have snow it is the dedication to grooming that satisfies snowmobilers. Imo you take the good with the bad but very little grooming ongoing during the day and evening yesterday. There was traffic our pack of 5 was a small group compared to 10-15+larger packs yesterday. Imo areas that were bad simply needed to be groomed but little to no effort was seen. What is your view of this problem? What can be done to improve?
Consequences Of Poor Grooming?
- Thread starter whitedust
- Start date
You might want to try contacting a club representative in the area and talk to them about whats going on. I'm sure they want to get out and groom and make everyone happy. There could be a lot of variables. They could have groomer problems, Drivers sick possibly, areas were the groomers can't go yet.
They might not want to tear up their equipment. I'm sure it's not because they don't want to. All I'm saying is just ask somebody and I'm sure you'll find out why the trails aren't groomed to perfection.
Ride Safe Ride Right
They might not want to tear up their equipment. I'm sure it's not because they don't want to. All I'm saying is just ask somebody and I'm sure you'll find out why the trails aren't groomed to perfection.
Ride Safe Ride Right
G
G
Guest
The general rule of thumb around here is that you groom at night. That way the trails have time to 'set up' a little before the traffic hits them. Day grooming is also dangerous just because of increased traffic. And finally there are certain places where there is so much traffic that it is just impossible for the groomers to keep up. That happens when there is only one area with snow. And Whitedust you are there. NW Wisconsin just about unridable. Mn needs new snow too. What we have is old and hard and shot. Except for the Arrowhead. It is endless up there.
Minocqua area (Cross country cruisers) is a perfect example of a club that puts all they can into the trails. Regardless of the amount of snow they do everything they can to keep the trails in great condition...Its often amazing what they do with limited snow!
For the most part I find most areas in Northern WI and the UP are taking great care of the trials..every once and a while we stumble on some poor trails..not often though.
For the most part I find most areas in Northern WI and the UP are taking great care of the trials..every once and a while we stumble on some poor trails..not often though.
favoritos
Well-known member
To the OP.
I see and hear the consequences time after time. Trail conditions do make a difference when and where people ride. It has been a factor for some areas with extremely reduced traffic being the result.
Simple example from a single trail last week. I was on a long section that had not been "refreshed" by grooming in quite some time. Lots of new snow too. I started to see turn around tracks in the last miles of that section.(Dozens of sleds recently) It was a giveaway that the next section was groomed. Riders had just given up and turned around when they hit the rough. It doesn't take too many experiences like that for riders to give up on an area.
I give the clubs credit. I know it is dang hard to get trails, keep trails, maintain equipment, and then groom when the season hits. This year also added the challenges posed by all the flooding. It is not easy. I appreciate all the work. I understand the challenges. I know that many riders do not. I also understand how riders can be a bit grumpy. Many plan out the trips with friends and family weeks in advance. I also see the range of riding equipment and skill sets on the trails. Good trail conditions can make a big difference in the experience.
Good grooming does make a difference. I see areas that have lagged over the years. Their traffic is down. Conditions might not send a group home during the trip. It will affect their decisions on the next trip.
I see and hear the consequences time after time. Trail conditions do make a difference when and where people ride. It has been a factor for some areas with extremely reduced traffic being the result.
Simple example from a single trail last week. I was on a long section that had not been "refreshed" by grooming in quite some time. Lots of new snow too. I started to see turn around tracks in the last miles of that section.(Dozens of sleds recently) It was a giveaway that the next section was groomed. Riders had just given up and turned around when they hit the rough. It doesn't take too many experiences like that for riders to give up on an area.
I give the clubs credit. I know it is dang hard to get trails, keep trails, maintain equipment, and then groom when the season hits. This year also added the challenges posed by all the flooding. It is not easy. I appreciate all the work. I understand the challenges. I know that many riders do not. I also understand how riders can be a bit grumpy. Many plan out the trips with friends and family weeks in advance. I also see the range of riding equipment and skill sets on the trails. Good trail conditions can make a big difference in the experience.
Good grooming does make a difference. I see areas that have lagged over the years. Their traffic is down. Conditions might not send a group home during the trip. It will affect their decisions on the next trip.
Was exactly our opinion riding in that area yesterday, Conover-ER-BJ-LOL-Phelps-Nelma. Better snow conditions then we expected, but poorer grooming conditions than we expected. We hit the trail at 7:30am, and were surprised to find lots of bumps at that time.
It was still a decent day of riding for sure, it was just surprising that "more snow needed" didn't cross my mind all day. lol
oldguy
Member
Plan on all of the MN state groomed trails like the Arrowhead, Taconite and North Shore to be junk all winter. The MN DNR has decided to groom only during the day this season. They will no longer be doing any grooming at night. The past few weeks I have witnessed this to be true watching day groomed trails completely destroyed a few hours after the groomer went thru. The warmer then usual temps play a big part in the day groomed trail conditions as well. Not sure what the MN DNR is thinking.
snobuilder
Well-known member
Forest Co. was last to open but were busy out panning nightly for more than a week prior to set a base. This should be the difference throughout the year.
First hand report to follow but not soon enough....LOL
First hand report to follow but not soon enough....LOL
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G
G
Guest
You are a little north but do you know if the Soo Line Trail is DNR groomed or club groomed? It does not come up in the MN Trail conditions report.
oldguy
Member
We were on trails at the same time in the morning and thought not a good condition to start the day couldn’t wait to hit our unplowed FR connection to the UP which was delightful. I’m not sure why it was rough right after sun up?
Maybe the parking lots around the track being packed with sleds has something to do with it?
Sure always events in Vilas during winter bring peeps to the area but no biggie this weekend vintage derby. Were you riding your area yesterday? The pipeline was the worst I have ever seen it not much traffic. Mini Mart doing a good business but seen it much more crowded no wait or rush at pumps either some sleds parked but not wall to wall sleds. Traffic wasn’t that heavy imo for a weekend Sidnaw to Lanse RT.
dfattack
Well-known member
I was with Whitedust yesterday and agree with what he said. However, we did pass 2 or 3 groomers yesterday and tried to stay off the ribbon as much as we could. within a a mile it was as if the groomer hadn't even been through that area. If I didn't see the groomer with my own eyes I wouldn't have believed they were out.
Maybe it's because the season is getting a late start and maybe the bugs are being worked out later in the year when it's usually prime time. For example, a club by me has 3 groomers and two are broke down and waiting for parts. The third is stuck in a swamp. This entire club doesn't have one groomer out as of today. Tough situation to be in. I see both sides of the situation. All we can do is make the best of it. The trails weren't the best yesterday but I still had a great time. My route for tomorrow is now changed since trail 5 from Iron mountain to republic hasn't been groomed yet this year. Don't want to even attempt it.
Maybe it's because the season is getting a late start and maybe the bugs are being worked out later in the year when it's usually prime time. For example, a club by me has 3 groomers and two are broke down and waiting for parts. The third is stuck in a swamp. This entire club doesn't have one groomer out as of today. Tough situation to be in. I see both sides of the situation. All we can do is make the best of it. The trails weren't the best yesterday but I still had a great time. My route for tomorrow is now changed since trail 5 from Iron mountain to republic hasn't been groomed yet this year. Don't want to even attempt it.
yes some how need to pay drivers !!
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yes agree , me too, but need to pay drivers to get results