REGIONAL— Mother Nature’s snow machine has continued to deliver for the North Country in recent weeks and that has trail conditions across the region in the best shape as at any point in the past two years.
Trail grooming had gotten underway last week and the five-to-six inches that fell across the area last weekend simply added icing to the cake. With several more inches forecasted Wednesday night after the Timberjay’s weekly press time, conditions should only get better heading into the weekend.
Tower area DNR trails supervisor Joe Majerus said the trail crews are now into their regular grooming schedule, which means at least two passes a week in most trail segments and three passes in those areas with heavier use.
“Everything will be groomed up nice for the weekend,” said Majerus.
With other parts of the state seeing little snow this winter, the sudden abundance here in the North Country is starting to bring significant numbers of visitors into the area to take advantage of snowmobile and ski trails that are now in good to excellent condition.
Keep ATVs off
snowmobile trails
Majerus did put the word out that ATVs have been traveling on parts of the Arrowhead Trail along the west end of Lake Vermilion. “We had a bunch of ATVs ripping things up,” said Majerus, who noted that the ruts created by ATVs can be dangerous for snowmobilers, potentially causing them to lose control.
He urged ATVers to stay off snowmobile trails and advised snowmobilers riding on the Arrowhead near Head-O-Lakes Bay to watch for ATV activity and drive accordingly.
It is illegal to ride ATVs on snowmobile trails during the winter season and violators can be ticketed.