Not Good (Oneida, Vilas Lincoln,UPDATED) 12-18-19

[Attak man]

This was on one of our local TV stations last night

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.

 

[Attak man]

THEY HAVE CHANGED THEIR MIND SINCE LAST NIGHT (hmmmmm, I wonder why?)

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-conten...mobile-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

 

[skidoodoug]

Thanks again for your reports Bryan...IMO should have waited until Tuesday to open but I am sure alot of revenue money would have been lost. Hopefully the weather changes quickly and the trails recover.