Stay On The Trail......

[Admin]

hmm what's happening in the middle of the bridge then...? because a bridge will typically be mogulled up from one end to the other. I'd imagine both reasons are true.... it's just that recently I was following a couple cautious riders and they both locked them up when they got to the bridges even though they were only going 30 to begin with....LOL

Moguls are contagious. Once a few are started, the suspensions these days compress and then rebound. That action, along with power to the track causes the sleds to dig their own. So it is a combination of both stated above, but the nailing after just tosses loose snow onto the crossing, which gets bumped up much quicker than a groomed/packed trail. We are our own worst enemy when it comes to moguls on the trails!

 

[xcr440]

Moguls are contagious. Once a few are started, the suspensions these days compress and then rebound. That action, along with power to the track causes the sleds to dig their own. So it is a combination of both stated above, but the nailing after just tosses loose snow onto the crossing, which gets bumped up much quicker than a groomed/packed trail. We are our own worst enemy when it comes to moguls on the trails!

Its funny you say "these days" - My dad, being Mr. Curious that he was on how stuff works, sat on the side of the trail once and watched sled after sled after sled go by on a busy day in the woods, and how each sled would flip just a little more on the top of the mogul each time. He was trying to determine if it was bogie wheel or slide suspensions that were causing the issue.

This was in 1975 - not much has changed in how moguls are developed.

 

[Admin]

Its funny you say "these days" - My dad, being Mr. Curious that he was on how stuff works, sat on the side of the trail once and watched sled after sled after sled go by on a busy day in the woods, and how each sled would flip just a little more on the top of the mogul each time. He was trying to determine if it was bogie wheel or slide suspensions that were causing the issue.

This was in 1975 - not much has changed in how moguls are developed.

Great story! That is EXACTLY how I came to my conclusions. Sat on the side of the trail just north of Mohawk. Groomer went by and in 40 minutes, 1-2 foot moguls! I guess the only difference between now and 1975 is the speed at which they grow, due to greater HP, much larger lugs on tracks and increased travel in the suspension.

 

[xcr440]

Great story! That is EXACTLY how I came to my conclusions. Sat on the side of the trail just north of Mohawk. Groomer went by and in 40 minutes, 1-2 foot moguls! I guess the only difference between now and 1975 is the speed at which they grow, due to greater HP, much larger lugs on tracks and increased travel in the suspension.

Completely agree!

 

[1fujifilm]

Its funny you say "these days" - My dad, being Mr. Curious that he was on how stuff works, sat on the side of the trail once and watched sled after sled after sled go by on a busy day in the woods, and how each sled would flip just a little more on the top of the mogul each time. He was trying to determine if it was bogie wheel or slide suspensions that were causing the issue.

This was in 1975 - not much has changed in how moguls are developed.

Does anyone remember back in like 1997 there was an inventor who was selling a contraption (to me, it looked like barbed-wire wound in circles) you were supposed to attach to the rear of your sled and the snow would flow through it and eliminate moguls?

Bear

 

[united]

Maybe a harrow or the springs from a box spring mattress.

Does anyone remember back in like 1997 there was an inventor who was selling a contraption (to me, it looked like barbed-wire wound in circles) you were supposed to attach to the rear of your sled and the snow would flow through it and eliminate moguls?

Bear

 

[old abe]

Does anyone remember back in like 1997 there was an inventor who was selling a contraption (to me, it looked like barbed-wire wound in circles) you were supposed to attach to the rear of your sled and the snow would flow through it and eliminate moguls?

Bear

Yeah I remember that, but I can't remember what it was called either. I often wondered what that thing would be at 50+ MPH? Get out of control and wrapped up with a oncoming sled? Whoa! I also remember motel trails being somewhat groomed with bed springs stacked up.

 

[UP RIDER]

Up here they used to groom mostly during the night so that the snow had a chance to setup, but now seems to be mostly daytime grooming......

 

[snobuilder]

 

[Deleted member 10829]

Up here they used to groom mostly during the night so that the snow had a chance to setup, but now seems to be mostly daytime grooming......

I did notice that too while going up to Copper Harbor last week. Maybe they can't get people to groom at night? John may know. We passed a groomer north of Calumet going in the opposite direction we were at about 9:00 a.m. The trail was compromised after the first sled went over it and within 10 minutes and about 15 sleds, you couldn't even tell the trail had been groomed. Grooming at that time of the day is mostly a complete waste of time and money. I don't allow my groomers to go out before 4:00 in the afternoon (there can be exceptions, but very few), and after they make their second pass back to the shed, most, if not all sleds are done riding for the night and the trail sets up hard and they hold up so much longer. I never saw a single groomer out during the day in the Lake Gogebic area and their trails were hard and flat for most of the day. It makes all the difference.

 

[maddogg]

Just saw a post that Winneconne, WI closed their trails permanently this year because of idiots riding on them when they weren't open.

 

[1fujifilm]

Just saw a post that Winneconne, WI closed their trails permanently this year because of idiots riding on them when they weren't open.

Sad.
I live in Green Bay and if they are not open by 2/2/20 history says they won't open at all this season.

Bear

 

[euphoric1]

Just saw a post that Winneconne, WI closed their trails permanently this year because of idiots riding on them when they weren't open.

only takes a few to ruin it for many, the ride when you want where you want mentality.

 

[xcr440]

only takes a few to ruin it for many, the ride when you want where you want mentality.

One nice thing about MN - if there's snow, have at it, Dec 1 to April 1. Actually rode my area on Dec 1st and 2nd this year, there was barely enough snow, but mostly to make sure all trail signage was up to snuff before someone ran off trail and complained.

Quite honestly, the (mostly) kids who go out early do a great job of knocking down the chisel plow fields!

 

[Sandylake]

Up here they used to groom mostly during the night so that the snow had a chance to setup, but now seems to be mostly daytime grooming......

I watch the groomer go by my house every night that I'm home on trail 17.

 

[old abe]

I did notice that too while going up to Copper Harbor last week. Maybe they can't get people to groom at night? John may know. We passed a groomer north of Calumet going in the opposite direction we were at about 9:00 a.m. The trail was compromised after the first sled went over it and within 10 minutes and about 15 sleds, you couldn't even tell the trail had been groomed. Grooming at that time of the day is mostly a complete waste of time and money. I don't allow my groomers to go out before 4:00 in the afternoon (there can be exceptions, but very few), and after they make their second pass back to the shed, most, if not all sleds are done riding for the night and the trail sets up hard and they hold up so much longer. I never saw a single groomer out during the day in the Lake Gogebic area and their trails were hard and flat for most of the day. It makes all the difference.

Agree X2!

 

[just_ride]

I did notice that too while going up to Copper Harbor last week. Maybe they can't get people to groom at night? John may know. We passed a groomer north of Calumet going in the opposite direction we were at about 9:00 a.m. The trail was compromised after the first sled went over it and within 10 minutes and about 15 sleds, you couldn't even tell the trail had been groomed. Grooming at that time of the day is mostly a complete waste of time and money. I don't allow my groomers to go out before 4:00 in the afternoon (there can be exceptions, but very few), and after they make their second pass back to the shed, most, if not all sleds are done riding for the night and the trail sets up hard and they hold up so much longer. I never saw a single groomer out during the day in the Lake Gogebic area and their trails were hard and flat for most of the day. It makes all the difference.

Gogebic had best trails today.... never seen groomer but trails were tight...autobahn was also good to go into SC...

 

[Admin]

I did notice that too while going up to Copper Harbor last week. Maybe they can't get people to groom at night? John may know. We passed a groomer north of Calumet going in the opposite direction we were at about 9:00 a.m. The trail was compromised after the first sled went over it and within 10 minutes and about 15 sleds, you couldn't even tell the trail had been groomed. Grooming at that time of the day is mostly a complete waste of time and money. I don't allow my groomers to go out before 4:00 in the afternoon (there can be exceptions, but very few), and after they make their second pass back to the shed, most, if not all sleds are done riding for the night and the trail sets up hard and they hold up so much longer. I never saw a single groomer out during the day in the Lake Gogebic area and their trails were hard and flat for most of the day. It makes all the difference.

Most of our busy trails get a double groom every 24 hours. I agree that 9 am is not a good time at all. Must have been a reason. I know we lent one of our groomers to the club Running Bear is with, so that might have had something to do with a schedule anomaly. Or, it was coming from the garage in Mohawk from getting it's weekly maintenance done and was heading south to it's regular grounds. We do go at night and that is the priority. Daytime grooming is suppose to start in the late afternoon. I think what you saw was an anomaly, for some reason. I will be checking with our groomer boss for sure though.

-John

PS- For those that see a groomer heading south from Mohawk this Saturday, it is heading to our trailside bonfire at the Trailside Lodge in Calumet. In addition to the bonfire, we will have free hot dogs/brats, hot and cold drinks and other goodies. Folks will be able to climb up into the PistenBully groomer to get a feel for what it is like to groom our trails. Hope to see and meet lots of you!

 

[gary_in_neenah]

Just saw a post that Winneconne, WI closed their trails permanently this year because of idiots riding on them when they weren't open.

From the Wolf Runners Snowmobile Club;
ALL SNOWMOBILE TRAILS AND ROUTES POSTED AND MAINTAINED BY THE WOLFRUNNERS WITHIN THE VILLAGE OF WINNECONNE WILL BE CLOSED PERMANENTLY FOR THE REMAINING 2020 SEASON.

After this last snowfall the trails never opened and yet a handful of snowmobilers thought they could ride anywhere they please in Marble Park. Going right around snow Fence, No snowmobiling signs posted in the park, and crossing paved walkways. It is unfair to the snowmobile club members and police to babysit the situation after every snowfall therefore we've decided to make a bold statement.

The Winneconne Police will allow snowmobilers in currently 1 spot.
1. For you to TRAILER your snowmobiles to Lake Winneconne Park to access the lake.

Please share and spread the word we'll hopefully have better luck next season!

 

[UP RIDER]

Most of our busy trails get a double groom every 24 hours. I agree that 9 am is not a good time at all. Must have been a reason. I know we lent one of our groomers to the club Running Bear is with, so that might have had something to do with a schedule anomaly. Or, it was coming from the garage in Mohawk from getting it's weekly maintenance done and was heading south to it's regular grounds. We do go at night and that is the priority. Daytime grooming is suppose to start in the late afternoon. I think what you saw was an anomaly, for some reason. I will be checking with our groomer boss for sure though.

-John

PS- For those that see a groomer heading south from Mohawk this Saturday, it is heading to our trailside bonfire at the Trailside Lodge in Calumet. In addition to the bonfire, we will have free hot dogs/brats, hot and cold drinks and other goodies. Folks will be able to climb up into the PistenBully groomer to get a feel for what it is like to groom our trails. Hope to see and meet lots of you!

I was in the McGanns yard yesterday morning at 9:00 am and the Groomer went by heading north so I commented to one of the Yard guys about daytime Grooming and he said they go by every day........