We picked up another 2 inches of snow last night. We’ve now received 4 ft of snow in February. I headed out for a ride hitting some St. Germain, Eagle River, Sayner and Lake Tomahawk trails. The St. Germain, Eagle River and Lake Tomahawk trails I rode were all freshly groomed. Some of the Sayner trails I rode were groomed but the others still haven’t been groomed since the big storm this past weekend. The groomed trails were smooth but soft. They were beautiful. The ungroomed ones varied from smooth to bumpy. It amazes me how everyone likes to ride down the middle. Well, I was happy to ride on the side in the powder and help pack down the snow to make it easier for the groomer.
I read the Lake Tomahawk trail report and feel they did a great job saying how conditions are right now so here is what they said. “After grooming it doesn’t take very many sleds to make it rough again. The snow is the type that does not freeze very hard. We are out there but maybe not at the time you go riding. A few dozen sleds ahead of you makes the trail not look very smooth. It is going to take more than a couple groomings to make the snow workable that it will stay in place a little longer so You will find spots a little rough at times till the groomer goes through again. Watch for tree branches on the trail. They keep breaking off and falling on the trail. Some are real big too. The corners are very icy and narrow, so take it easy till you get the feel of the snow over the ice.”
Lakes are bumpy and if you get off the marked trails expect deep powder with pockets of slush.
With all this snow, snowbanks along the roads are unusually high making it difficult for sledders and vehicles to see. Slow down on plowed road trails as cars pulling out of driveways or side roads can’t see you coming. Also, some signs have been covered by the snow. If you see a stop ahead or stop sign covered up – stop and clear them off.
