What gives?

indy_500

indy_500

Well-known member
I’m sure most of you are in tune, with how big of a mess the western UP and far northern WI has on their hands. Downed trees everywhere after last weeks storm leaving trails impassable. All of the clubs desperately in need of help to get things ready for snowmobilers to come up and enjoy. I have now witnessed two posts on bookface from separate clubs of people commenting offering their help, asking for a phone number to contact someone, and listing what equipment they have to offer, and the club responds publicly saying they would create more work for them than what it’s worth. Head scratching. Sure hope us snowmobilers can work together to solve this mess, as this may be one of the best starts to the season we’ve had in years.
 
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whitedust

Well-known member
I think the problem is no way to get to work sights and groomers can’t get thru either. Someone has to supervise tree removal know where to dump logs and branches. I think clubs will go out on sleds if not too deep see a downed tree and work on it. If too deep best to take the groomer out to break trail have sleds trail behind with work crews. No club wants someone getting hurt removing trees and always the insurance liability. It’s going to take some time before clubs can make trails safe.
 
mezz

mezz

Well-known member
That storm made a huge mess. Good snowfall for many, but, lots of windfallen trees, branches & limbs along with it. Also a lot of hidden surprises beneath the snow as well.
 
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euphoric1

Well-known member
This might be "one of the best starts to the season" but we cant forget... all the rain, snow and damage occurred only days before the start, I remember the pictures of water holes last year, and I can understand the hesitance of allowing just anyone to come in and help and know full well what they mean when they say it could just create more work and in the end I'm sure they don't want or need it to be done in a hastily matter. its day 1 of the season and a whole lot of crap happened just prior to today. As much as we would like to, we can't control the weather. she can be a real beeatch sometimes.
Join a club and become an active and supportive member
 
hermie

hermie

Well-known member
From all the pictures I have seen in the club sites,it is a real mess. We may go help one of the clubs on Saturday. As of now I know Sno Goers and barnstormers are planning on going out. You can take your sled. Just trying to figure out how to haul saws and other tools on a sled. I guess you can take your truck if you want for the barnstormers but would be worried about getting stuck out in the middle of the woods. Under the snow there is zero frost so would be easy to get stuck i would think. You can't even tell trails were brushed just a month ago from what I have seen.
 
pclark

pclark

Well-known member
The other issue is that a lot people that are in the clubs are dealing with power outages, having to work, it gets dark at 4pm. A lot of these guys plow driveways, the driveways up here are usually long and cut through the woods. Every driveway I have encountered including my own and most roads are littered with downed trees, most driveways have to be cleared first to even begin to move 2ft of snow. Some work for the towns, Excel Energy, etc. Clearing the trails right now is not the priority, it will happen, just have priorities to take care first. The other issue is that all that brush is under frozen snow now, I know, I cleared 3 driveways Sunday, it’s going to tough to get all of that up and out of the snow. I have never seen it this bad up here and they are trying to get power and roads open first. The clubs will have to make some decisions soon but for now patience is needed. Some pictures of driveways and roads in MW. IMG_2722.jpeg IMG_3786.jpeg IMG_3785.jpeg IMG_3784.jpeg IMG_2723.jpeg
 
goofy600

goofy600

Well-known member
Paul you are spot on. And as for the op clubs can’t stop someone from going out and clear but until they can get some idea of what they have to do I wouldn’t what people just running around potentially making a bigger mess. You cant just cut a tree wide enough for a sled it has to be the entire trail width and put in a spot that won’t hinder the groomer later. I for one have been out of town so I’ve only really been able to rely on groomer drivers to tell me what is going on so when I can get there I can get a better idea of what our club needs.
 
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euphoric1

Well-known member
WOW Jim!!! is it possible to just barricade trails until clean up is completed? Boggles the mind why people would want to even ride that, give me a break! its only the first week of December, will be plenty of riding to be had hopefully.
 
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wiscrev

Well-known member
euphoric1 said:
WOW Jim!!! is it possible to just barricade trails until clean up is completed? Boggles the mind why people would want to even ride that, give me a break! its only the first week of December, will be plenty of riding to be had hopefully.
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God point. Don't remember any gates in the UP when I lied there [that was 91-93] but we certainly have a number of gates here in my area of St Germain/Eagle River.
 
mezz

mezz

Well-known member
Private property owners on the trail system have gates which they use when that section of trail is being logged.
 
hermie

hermie

Well-known member
It never ceases to amaze me how little some people will do. If you are out riding on trails that officially open when they really shouldn't be then help out and clear the trails if your out riding. I keep a little hand saw with me at all times and have done plenty of brushing through out the season. Just the world we live in with this I bought a trail pass so I am entitled to ride the trails. I see people always posting thanks for what you do which is nice and all but you really want to show appreciation help out 1 day a year on the trails. I agree with Euphoric seems like it should be yes trails are supposed to open on the 1st but mother nature has said otherwise. Trails will open when it's safe to open them.
 
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indy_500

indy_500

Well-known member
hermie said:
It never ceases to amaze me how little some people will do. If you are out riding on trails that officially open when they really shouldn't be then help out and clear the trails if your out riding. I keep a little hand saw with me at all times and have done plenty of brushing through out the season. Just the world we live in with this I bought a trail pass so I am entitled to ride the trails. I see people always posting thanks for what you do which is nice and all but you really want to show appreciation help out 1 day a year on the trails. I agree with Euphoric seems like it should be yes trails are supposed to open on the 1st but mother nature has said otherwise. Trails will open when it's safe to open them.
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That’s where I’m torn. I see a couple clubs saying have at er, carry a saw and cut what you want while riding and have a ball. Some clubs saying we have so much work to do we would love help but then turning down offers. And then some clubs inviting any and all help and scheduling work days/times for those to join. I don’t think a sledder clearing a path for a sled to go thru is really making more work for the groomer drivers. After all, trails are there for sledders to ride, groomed trails just enhance the experience. On the other hand I can see why it can be a safety liability allowing sledders to cut up what they want. If that’s the case, as much as I hate red tape and government, one would think the DNR would step in and set a standard, maybe postpone the opening date, etc. I realize it’s only December 2nd, but the snow fell already nearly a week ago, so this shouldn’t be as surprising as it is, judging by the shockwave spreading across social media.

Iron Range Club (Iron River MI) did post that they are keeping their trails/gates closed until December 15.
 
gary_in_neenah

gary_in_neenah

Super Moderator
Staff member
I see both sides of the issue. If you're not familiar with the trail, really familiar, you can cause more problems by getting stuck in a mud hole, trespassing, etc. If you're working directly with a club member that knows the area, good for you! Looks like they can use all the help they can get.

If you're a club member, maybe an officer, don't be quick to dismiss someone willing to help. I've been in the meetings where there's lots of
(insert B Word here) about the lack of help... and then a disregard when help is offered. SMH

We'll get through this, it's still early and this much snow, this early in the season, is a good problem to have.😐
 
goofy600

goofy600

Well-known member
At this point any help would be welcomed but clear trees not just a small path. Problem is with those that want to help is how do you get to the work? 2 of our guys were out with a tractor with a loader and fork on the front and second guy in the Tucker and they only made it about 2-3 miles in the 6 hours they were out and we have 69 miles to cover. So some guys with chainsaws really aren’t going to make much of a dent, it’s going to take real machines to move this stuff.
 
hermie

hermie

Well-known member
Goofy that is pretty much what every club is saying. Sending out Crews and only knocking out 2 to 5 mi in 6 hours or so. What the clubs really need is like 50 people up there pitching in and then each group of two can get a couple miles done in 4 hours and about 5 hours. All the trails would be ready to go. The problem is the odds of that happening are not very good. Goofy thank you for your dedication to our trails. I would like to do more like you but unfortunately I am down in Northern Illinois during the weekdays and on the weekends when we are up and we hear about trail work, we will try to pitch in if we can, but it's going to take a lot more than two people from Northern Illinois pitching in on a Saturday to get these trails cleaned up
 
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