UTV's on snowmobile trails

R

ridindirty800

Active member
I was in Iron Co this past week and encountered a small amount of UTV's on trial as it is legal to ride there if it is below 32. I feel like more and more people will be on them in them in the winter as if we keep having mild winters some will invest is a side by side then a sled. Came upon a group of heading at me and my concern is the trails are not very wide and at some point there will be major head on between a sled and one. There was not much room to get around this group, luckily we were going slow over the top of the hill when saw them. Anyone else encounter side by sides this year?
 
R

ridindirty800

Active member
The trails were a little thin so ruts where not a problem after we passes them. But I could see if there was good snow it may be.
 
M

MNBlizzard

New member
I saw about four or five of those UTV's on Saturday night near Saxon. They were all lit up much brighter than a sled and one even had glow sticks up sticking up about 4-5' above the rear cargo box.

Due to their width, I don't want to see them on sled trails. However, with the way winters are lately, it may be a way to increase traffic and business to the local spots in sled country. I believe MN and MI still specifically ban anything other than a mass produced snowmobile on their snowmobile trails, but WI allows ATV/UTV's on certain trails when the temps go below 32.
 
R

ridindirty800

Active member
MNBlizzard said:
I saw about four or five of those UTV's on Saturday night near Saxon. They were all lit up much brighter than a sled and one even had glow sticks up sticking up about 4-5' above the rear cargo box.

Due to their width, I don't want to see them on sled trails. However, with the way winters are lately, it may be a way to increase traffic and business to the local spots in sled country. I believe MN and MI still specifically ban anything other than a mass produced snowmobile on their snowmobile trails, but WI allows ATV/UTV's on certain trails when the temps go below 32.
Click to expand...

Same group I saw when we were headed south from Saxon on trail 2.
 
A

anchrman

New member
ridindirty800 said:
I was in Iron Co this past week and encountered a small amount of UTV's on trial as it is legal to ride there if it is below 32. I feel like more and more people will be on them in them in the winter as if we keep having mild winters some will invest is a side by side then a sled. Came upon a group of heading at me and my concern is the trails are not very wide and at some point there will be major head on between a sled and one. There was not much room to get around this group, luckily we were going slow over the top of the hill when saw them. Anyone else encounter side by sides this year?
Click to expand...

RD800 can you share where you learned that ATV/UTV's can operate on the combined trails when the temp is below 32 degrees? I have checked the Wisco regulations and the watva.org and I am unable to find this information. Thanks, anchrman.
 
R

renegade

Active member
anchrman said:
RD800 can you share where you learned that ATV/UTV's can operate on the combined trails when the temp is below 32 degrees? I have checked the Wisco regulations and the watva.org and I am unable to find this information. Thanks, anchrman.
Click to expand...

That is an Iron County regulation. For only the trails that are designated as such.
 
A

anchrman

New member
Thanks renegade! I read his comment too fast and skipped the fact that it was in reference just to Iron county.
 
R

renegade

Active member
ridindirty800 said:
I was in Iron Co this past week and encountered a small amount of UTV's on trial as it is legal to ride there if it is below 32. I feel like more and more people will be on them in them in the winter as if we keep having mild winters some will invest is a side by side then a sled. Came upon a group of heading at me and my concern is the trails are not very wide and at some point there will be major head on between a sled and one. There was not much room to get around this group, luckily we were going slow over the top of the hill when saw them. Anyone else encounter side by sides this year?
Click to expand...
I do most of my riding in Iron County and it really is not that often you encounter ATV/UTV on the trails. I dont think I'm going out on a limb by assuming its locals bumming around.
 
R

ridindirty800

Active member
renegade said:
I do most of my riding in Iron County and it really is not that often you encounter ATV/UTV on the trails. I dont think I'm going out on a limb by assuming its locals bumming around.
Click to expand...

I would agree, as its the first year I have seen this many, and that it was only a few. I was curious if other people had seen them other times or if it was just me. I know many people who have sold off their sleds to by side by sides, hopefully they never want to head north and use them in the winter
 
O

old abe

Well-known member
We avoid all areas that allow ATV/UTV's on the snowmobile trails period. Won't waste our time or money riding a wallowed out trail due to ATV/UTV.
 
R

ridindirty800

Active member
old abe said:
We avoid all areas that allow ATV/UTV's on the snowmobile trails period. Won't waste our time or money riding a wallowed out trail due to ATV/UTV.
Click to expand...

Besides Iron co, what other counties in Northern Wi allow both. I think on the N.E side of the state by Mountain you can run both but not sure??
 
S

snobuilder

Well-known member
Marinette Co. in NE WI allows both.
I have been on trails there with atvs and don't really notice damage.....at least anymore damage than yur avg track spinnin' yahoo sledder can cause. The rule is 28 degrees and colder or atvs have to stay off.
 
R

renegade

Active member
ATV/UTV are only allowed on designated trails in Iron County. Not all trails are both. Can't tell the differance between the two trails on any given day. Most weekends I don't see any ATV's. On a typical saturday afternoon as you bounce to saxon and meet 40 sleds, park amongst 60 sleds when you arrive, it must be the 5 UTV's that made the trails what they are! There are not enough ATV's in Iron County to worry about what they do to the trails. However, that being said, the width of a UTV, especially on the above mentioned trail to saxon, would be a concern.
 
A

arcticgeorge

New member
I saw some ruts in Iron County Tuesday when I did a little 75 mile loop but they really didnt bother me. Guess those guys just wanna have fun too and as long as the groomer's in operation should be no problem.
 
T

timo

Well-known member
I also do a lot of riding in Marinette co. and come across atv's and I agree. you can hardly tell they were on the trail especially if it's a good hard packed trail.



snobuilder said:
Marinette Co. in NE WI allows both.
I have been on trails there with atvs and don't really notice damage.....at least anymore damage than yur avg track spinnin' yahoo sledder can cause. The rule is 28 degrees and colder or atvs have to stay off.
Click to expand...
 
hermie

hermie

Well-known member
We ride in Marinette co. last year. We won't go back. We got lucky and saw the utv before coming into the corners. The utv don't hold there lines what so ever when turning on snow. For us it not worth the risk don't stand much of a chance getting hit by one and if you come up one in a blind corner good luck avoiding them. ATV are one thing but the utv have changed the game up there.
 
O

old abe

Well-known member
With what limited snow we get anymore you would think they could leave the snowmobile trails to the snowmobiles. When it warms up, the ATV/UTV's destroy a trail in no time. And I thought Wis wanted to generate more revenue for the snowmobile trails??? They won't be selling permits/registrations this way. When we find an area allowing this, we just don't go there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top