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Mercer, WI
- Thread starter bk79
- Start date
harvest1121
Well-known member
Its always iffy that time of year. You might have to go 30 miles North to Hurley. You will not have a problem finding places to go and eat in Mercer. If there is no snow check to see how much is in the UP.
If you need a place to stay, this trip or your next. Check us out Stonewall Hideaway we are just outside of town on Trail 10 www.mercercabin.com
F
fusion
Guest
I've seen seasons where people were riding in Mercer before Christmas, but rarely. When we were riding in Mercer area between Christmas and New Years, everybody and their brother was up there - it was insane. Total amateurs, hour after hour. Dangerous at times. It got to the point, I wouldn't ride anywhere near mercer between Christmas and New Years, Hurley either. Better off out in the boonies, and stay there.
I would head to Hurley if I were you, but I haven't heard anything about conditions there either.
I would head to Hurley if I were you, but I haven't heard anything about conditions there either.
Last edited:
lincolnwood
Member
Am I missing something? Seems like every post I read about Mercer is mainly negative, i.e. trails stink, no snow, overcrowded, and to some extent all these things carry some weight. there IS more snow in from Pine Lake north. The area is crowded which leads to rougher trails. But all this, taken into consideration, my question is, Why?
Minocqua seems to be more upscale, Hurley has more snow, so why does Mercer draw such a crowd?
I know why I like it but I thought I was in the minority.
Minocqua seems to be more upscale, Hurley has more snow, so why does Mercer draw such a crowd?
I know why I like it but I thought I was in the minority.
harvest1121
Well-known member
I like Mercer but the early season conditions make it a hard place to usually snowmobile from. Its iffy that early in the season. If Minocqua had snow that early in the season I would stay there. I just look at the conditions and go where the conditions are ride able.
hogsback12
New member
First of all welcome to the board bk79. I live in hurley and this is what i can tell you right now. I measured the snow in my yard today and came up with about 12 inches. Mercer can be a good hub to start from but you would definitely want to head north from there. I have not been out with my sled yet although i have seen some people out riding in Ironwood. I am waiting for more snow before my FX Nytro is free to run. Head towards the UP through Hurley and don't forget to buy a Michigan Trail Pass which will set you back $ 45. It is money well spent especially if you plan on making more than one trip up. I rarely ride farther south than Mercer due to rough trails, less snow and increased traffic. I love the area around Boulder Junction, Sayner etc but my sled likes snow not snirt. Hope for the best as it will be early season conditions. Have Fun.
Sent you a message thru your website.If you need a place to stay, this trip or your next. Check us out Stonewall Hideaway we are just outside of town on Trail 10 www.mercercabin.com
Don't have my map with me so I can't you the trail numbers but its at a intersection, at the corner of hwy 51 and Manitowish Rd (old 51?), there is a bar that has a wood cooker out in back of it and they make some pretty damn good sandwiches. Was worth the stop for food and rest.
Otherwise there really isn't much to do in Mercer, better going off to Hurley, Ironwood or Minocqua.
Otherwise there really isn't much to do in Mercer, better going off to Hurley, Ironwood or Minocqua.
I have a cabin in Mercer. I have ridden on the 15th of dec the last four years in a row. Now the conditions werent the best but ridable but i am talking opening day during the week. Now this year might be different with opening the trails on the weekend. There is about 8 inches on the ground now. Lazy aces is the bar you are refering to cat600.
snowfreak56
Member
Races plus red light rally this weekend they will run the trails to the dirt.And then we can start all over again.Yall have fun now.I will wait and keep doing the snow dance.
Am I missing something? Seems like every post I read about Mercer is mainly negative, i.e. trails stink, no snow, overcrowded, and to some extent all these things carry some weight. there IS more snow in from Pine Lake north. The area is crowded which leads to rougher trails. But all this, taken into consideration, my question is, Why?
Minocqua seems to be more upscale, Hurley has more snow, so why does Mercer draw such a crowd?
I know why I like it but I thought I was in the minority.
Beelers like to drive to where the good conditions start ala Mercer & Lando & unload. Mercer seems to attract the hardcore types cans & mods not a bad thing just the way of it. Mercer the traffic does not disperse seems to always be there & around there. Lando never seen a lot of traffic unless a promotion weekend & seems to be more of a family area than Mercer. Nothing wrong with Mercer nothing wrong with Lando but traffic a lot less in Lando. All depends on what you are looking for & able to find but Mercer not 1 of my favs either.
F
fusion
Guest
In theory Mercer has it all - fairly good snowfall, service dealers, places to eat, resorts, trails heading in all directions, but they get massive traffic. Great Northern has so many rooms, I think they pack so many sledders in there, this is part of the traffic problem. Trails are always snirt and moguled until you get about 5 - 10 miles out of town. Snow is significantly deeper from Pine Lake, north. (about 10 miles up 17) Trail 17 always had rocks and gravel until the base builds up, and I never wanted to subject my equipment to that. I remember riding moguls that were 2 -3 ft. high, to the west, toward the flowages, Giles and Flambeau. That MXZ 670 and Forumala 3 beat me up bad, since those weren't the best suspensions. It took me a few years, but i figured out the best thing was to avoid the area until mid-January when the base built up.
I have always liked the Mercer area. We always had to stop at Chuck's Bar, to see Brian. This was not a sports bar, just a nice old neighborhood bar. Brian was very smart to the sno-mo system and always friendly to sledders that didn't have a potty mouth. Haven't been there in a few years, don't even know if the family still owns it since Brians passing.