REGIONAL— Winter recreation is set to hit high gear this weekend as recent snows have finally helped smooth area trails, both for snowmobilers and cross-country skiers. The only hitch could be the brutal temperatures forecasted for the weekend. Some of the coldest temperatures in five years are now expected Friday and Saturday, with only slight moderation forecasted for Sunday.
But those intrepid enough to head out this weekend, should encounter the best trail conditions of the winter season so far.
“The last snow has helped a lot,” said Brad Dekkers, area trails specialist with the DNR’s Tower area office, which manages state snowmobile trails in the region. While snowmobile trails received an initial grooming earlier this month, limited snow cover had left trails rough, particularly in swamps. But the past two snowfalls have made a real difference, notes Dekkers. He said he hopes trail crews will complete the second grooming of all the main state trails in the area and he’s expecting they will range from “fair to awesome” for the most part, with a “couple spots that might still be a bit rough.”
Dekkers said most of the area snowmobile clubs have their trails groomed as well and, with a few of the usual tough spots, he said conditions should be very rideable.
The only question marks heading into the weekend were the Putnam Lake and Fishing Lakes trails, although Dekkers was hopeful that the Fishing Lakes trail would be groomed and in reasonable shape for the weekend.
This weekend’s forecasted cold temperatures should also help the DNR’s efforts to freeze up the last stubborn spots of open water on river crossings and in some swampy locations.
Dekkers urges anyone using the trails to be aware that some logging operations may be ongoing. Snowmobilers are urged to stay to the right when encountering logging equipment on the trail.
Cross country trails
Meanwhile, cross country skiers brave enough to head out this weekend will find excellent conditions as well. Most area trail systems have been groomed up and are in excellent shape. Hidden Valley in Ely, which offers 25 km of both skate and classic trails, is rated “fantastic,” and it’s much the same story with the Howard Wagoner classic trails in Tower.
At Big Aspen, near Britt, about three-quarters of the area’s 30 kilometer trail system was groomed and in good condition as of late last week, and should be even better now in the wake of additional snow.