Trail report Thursday, January 18, 2024
The trails are not open due to lack of snow and safety issues. We will keep you posted when trail conditions change.
Trail report Wed. March 29, 2023
Here we are , folks. The season is coming to an end. The Vilas County trails will officially
close at midnight on Friday March 31. It’s been an amazing season and we thank all who
have spent time on our trail system and in all the local establishments.
Here’s some stats for you going back 18 seasons.
The last time trails stayed open till March 31 st. was the 2012-2013 season
This is only the second time in 18 years we’ve made it to March 31 st.
This season lasted a total of98 days. The longest was 111 days in the 12-13 season.
Trail Report March 14, 2023
We had nearly a foot of new snow over this past weekend. I groomed last night & I have to say
say the trails were the best I’ve seen all year! If you can get out & ride tody, you’ll find amazing
trails and limited traffic.
Weather changes things daily this time of year. Tomorrow is forecast for 42 degrees and
Thursday is 39 with rain. There is potential for that rain toturn into snow by Friday. Temps will
back into the 20s for the weekend. Trailswill certainly degrade over the next couple days, but
most likely some good riding. Conditions this weekend will totally depend on how much rain or
snow we get> It looks like we’ll get at least one more weekend with the trails open.
keep aneye on the weather!
Late season weather has made some of our steeper hills too hazardous for the grooming
equipment to navigate, so we have some sections of our system that we’ve stopped grooming
At this point in the season we just aren’t going to risk injury or equipment damage. So if you
find areas in the Barnstormer’s system that are not getting groomed, that’s why
Stay safe & enjoy what’s left of the season!!
Dwight Kimber
dkimber@slednride.net
Trail report Feb. 23, 2023
Overall snow totals for the week ended up between 12” - 15” in our area. It was
very dry& fluffy, so it doesn’t help improve the icy base below. We really need a
good wet snow that will stay in place !
Even though the trail looks really nice, please aware that your still riding on
ice. Corners are still going to be very slick. Riding with caution will help keep
everyone safe, and it’ll help keep as much snow on the trail as possible.
The Barnstormers are back on our regular grooming routine. We’ll do
our best with the snow we’ve got. There is supposed to be another snow event
coming on Monday , so let’s hope there’s some moisture in it! That’ll go a long
way towards bringing back to very good !
TRAIL CLOSURE NOTICE: DUE TO LOGGING OPERATIONS the Barnstormers
trail#51 is CLOSED between TIN # 344-353 ! DO NOT RIDE THIS SECTION OF TRAIL1
DWIGHT KIMBER
dkimber@slednride.net
Trail Report : Feb- 21,2023
Yesterday, we received round 1 of a three part snow event. Sayner received about 4” far.
this first round was very dry and fluffy. It will not stick to the trails, so be aware that the base
is still ice. Hills and corners will continue to be difficult to navigate. You may see a fresh coating
snow but you’re still be riding on the ice.
Round , 2 tonight, is supposed to be fairly minimal in accumulations. The bigger system is
coming Wednesday evening through Thursday. Forecasts vary, but there is potential for an
additional 4-8” by end of Thursday. Let’s hope this comes with some moisture in it !
another 8” of fluff won’t really improve conditions.
At this point , The Barnstormers are planning to resume grooming operations Thursday
night.
Once again, we need to emphasize , TO STAY ON THE TRAIL! Two of our neighboring clubs
have had to close almost 20 miles of trails due to riders being disrespectful by trespassing
on private property. The land owners have had enough and have forced trail closures
TRAIL CLOSURE NOTICE: Due to logging on going logging operations, the Barnstormers trail #51
is CLOSED at TIN# 344-353! DO NOT RIDE THIS SECTION OF TRAIL!
Dwight KImber
dkimber@slednride.net
trail report Feb. 15, 2023
The entire Barnstormers trail system was groomed on Monday night. Based on the
section I did, at that time, I could say that 70% of our system was still in pretty good
good condition. The main trail coming into Sayner from the south is nearly trashed
with no way of recovering except more heavy wet snow.
Since then, we’ve had another day of 40 degree temps, plus a lot of rain. There is
only 2 out of the next five days forecast below freezing and virtually no chance of snow
These conditions we would expect to see near the end of the season . For now , there’s
no serious talk of trails closing in Vilas county. but another week may change that .
In the meantime . our biggest challenge is going to be off trail riding. People want
to ride where there is still snow. But it is still illegal! DON’T DO IT !
Hopefully, The forecasts are wrong and I can have a better report next week.
fingers crossed
TRAIL CLOSURE NOTICE: Due to logging operations, the Barnstormers #51 trail is closed
between TIN344 and 353 ! DO NOT RIDE THIS SECTION OF TRAIL1
Mark your calendars for the final Barnstormers fundraiser event of the season!
SUNDAY, February 19,2023: Pizza Fundraiser- join us at THE HILLSIDE TAVERN AND GRILL
from 4:00 - 8:00 for our Pizza Fundraiser
DWIGHT KIMBER
dkimber@slednride.net
Trail Report Feb 7,2023
The trails have been holding up quite well, even with the lack of good snow.
most trails remain flat, but the corners are getting more icy and difficult to navigate
The Barnstormers took a break from grooming yesterday and today in order to catch up
on some maintenance . Traffic has slowed considerably since the weekend ,so were still in
pretty good shape. The weather this week is bringing us some unwelcome warmer temps.
As I write this, it is 34 degrees and mostly sunny. Tomorrow is forecast to hit 40 degrees.
We don’t expect highs below freezing until Friday, when there is a chance of light snow
we’ll resume grooming tomorrow night unless warm weather temps keep us off the trails
in that case, we’d start again on Thursday.
Our groomers had a couple of incidences this past weekend where sleds nearly hit us
Folks our equipment is lit up like the city of Chicago! How can you not see us in plenty of
time to slow down? We might sound like a broken record, but Please slow down and be
aware of the conditions. Save your speed for the lakes. Stay safe on the trails !
TRAIL CLOSURE NOTICE: DUE TO LOGGING OPERATIONS, THE BARNSTORMERS TRAIL 51 IS
CLOSED BETWEEN TIN 344 AND 353 DO NOT RIDE THIS SECTION OF TRAIL ALSO STAY ON TRAILS
Mark your calendars for the final Barnstormers Fundraiser Event of the season!
Sunday, February 19, 2023 Pizza fundraiser join us at the Hillside Tavern and grill from: 4:00
to 8:00 for our Pizza fundraiser!!
Dwight Kimber
dkimber@slednride.net
trail report January 30,2023
The Barnstormers trails have held up very well despite the heavy traffic and lack of good snow. with the exception of tonight, January 30, we are grooming nightly With the sub-zero temps, we are not sending our drivers out tonight. Grooming will start up again tomorrow night.
Until we get significant snow, the trail base will remain very thin and the corners will be icy. The lack of snow is helping to keep the trails flat, but the icy base makes safety a big concern.
Sometimes we may sound like a broken record when we continue to preach about slowing down THERE HAVE BEEN FOUR SNOWMOBILE FATALITIES IN THE AREA IN THE PAST FOUR DAYS! two left the trails and hit trees one lost control and hit a fence postafter passing another sled on the trail, and one was hit by a truck when trying to cross a highway We can not stress this enough SLOW DOWNAND BE ATTENTIVE
Another situation that has been getting worse is the off trail riding. Hey I know it’s fun But it’s illegal, it’s criminal trespassing, and disrespectful. One of our neighboring clubs on the verge of losing a main corridor because of this nonsense. These aren’t idle threats , it’s really starting to happen STAY ON THE TRAIL OR STAY HOME.
Trail closing notice : Due to logging operations, The Barnstormers trail 51 is closed between tin #344 and 353 Do not ride in this section
mark your calendar for the following fund risers
SATURDAY, February 4,2023 Annual chili dump-join us at Murmuring waters lodge from 2-5
SUNDAY, February 19,2023: the Pizza fundraiser at the hillside tavernand grill from 4:00-8:00 for our Pizza fundraiser
trail report January 11,2023
TRAIL CONDITIONS HAVE IMPROVED WITH THE REDUCTION OF TRAFFIC AFTER THE Christmas and New Years week. We have been grooming nightly. There is very little base to work with right now, but we are still able to keep trails mostly flat. Everyone I ‘ve talked with over the past week or so has been very happy with riding conditions.
The snow we are currently working with has been groomed and re groomed multiple times over, so ther is no stick left in it. it takes very little traffic to blow the loose snow out of the ruts and create a bumpier ride. We need some new heavy wet snow to remedy this. The forecast for next week does not appear to bringing us any white gold, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed
This coming weekend is the 22nd Vintage World Championship Snowmobile races in Eagle River. It’s also MLK weekend so you can expect to see very heavy traffic. We should still be able to maintain good riding conditions, but please be aware that the corners will be very icy. Please be very cautious when approaching corners
TRAIL CLOSURE NOTICE; de to logging operations, the Barnstormers trail #51 is closed between TIN344 and 353 DO NOT RIDE THIS SECTION OF TRAIL
FUNDRAISING EVENTS
Saturday January 14,2023 Brats on the trail tral marker 217 we will have Brats Dogs chips and beverages
Saturday January 21,2023 Stillwaters Snowmobile breakfast - 8:00 - 11
Sunday Febuary 4,2023 Chili Dump - at Murmuring Waters 2:00 to 5:00
Sunday Febuary 19,2023 Pizza Fundraiser- the Hillside Tavern and Grill from 4:00 to 8:00
TRAIL REPORTS & NEWS
trail report 12/29/2022
News year weekend is historically ome of the busiest of the season. Extensive traffic and minimal snow conditions are not a combination tat bodes wellfor the trails. it’s been two weeks since we’ve had any wet , heavy snow ( dry , fluffy smow does not help us ) and it’s becoming obvious. when trails opened we only had 2” of base to work with.
Most of Barnstormers trail system has been in fair to good condition. The 2 mile stretch coming into Sayner is always our hardest hit and is in poor condition with deep ruts. I’m told Plum Lake will be marked on Monday, so that will take some pressure off the town trail .
After taking a ride yesterday through three neighboring club systems, it was obvious that other clubs are fighting the same issues. you”ll find a lot of decent riding , but high traffic areas are getting hit hard. Every club is doing what they can, but without some more wet snow to work with , we are grooming dry, worn out snow that will not pack or stay in place .
The Barnstormers will continue doing the best we can with the conditions Mother Nature is offering. It looks like our best chance for more snow is Tuesday . High temps is 35, so hopefully, it will be more snow than rain.!
And finally, After seeing some negative posts on social media , I feel like I have to respond . If you have never been a groomer driver , please don’t comment as if you know what it takes to maintain the trails . All of Vilas county clubs are run by people that have been doing this for a very long time .Blaming clubs for conditions that are outside of their control is uncalled for and not at all helpful.
TRAIL CLOSURE NOTICE.
Due to ongoing logging operations , the BARNSTORMERS trail #51 is CLOSED between TIN#344and 353 DO NOT RIDE THIS SECTION OF TRAIL
Mark your calendarsfor the following BARNSTORMER fundraising events
SUNDAY, JANUARY 14,2023 BRATS ON THETRAIL - join us at trail marker #217 for brats on the trailside . WE will Have chili. hot dogs,brats,chips and beverage
SATURDAY, JANUARY,21,2023: STILLWATERS BREAKFAST- 8;00 AM -11;00AM
SATURDAY,FEBUARY ,4,2023; ANUALCHILI DUMP- join us at MURMURING WATERS FROM 2;00 TO 5;00 for our annual Chili Dump.
SUNDAY, FEBUARY, 19,2023; PIZZA FUNDRAISER- Join us at HILLSIDE TAVERN and GRILL from 4;00-8;00 FOR OUR pIzza FUNDRAISER 1
TRAIL REPORT 1/4/2022
The Barnstormer trail system has held up quite well even with the lack of new snow and the heavy traffic last week. Last night, I groomed trails 6,9, and 51 and found them all to be pretty flat…
UPDATE: Trail Closure
TRAIL CLOSURE: The old Hintz trail by the old Hintz’s North Star Lodge off of Hwy K near Stillwaters is closed. The new owner doesn’t want anyone trespassing across his land. Do NOT…
TRAIL REPORT 12/28/2021
Sunday night brought us around 5" of new snow, which was much needed for the opening day. Conditions are still early season as our base had previously melted down from the week prior. Snow…
TRAIL REPORT 12/22/2021
The storm last week had 2 significant impacts on our trail system. 1. The unusually warm temps took our base down to almost nothing. 2. The high winds brought down trees all over the region…
TRAIL REPORT 12/16/2021
Unfortunately, we wish there was better news to report today, but there isn’t. The fact is, in recent days we have experienced a major warm up of temperatures that has depleted the snow base that…
TRAIL REPORT 12/8/2021
Last weekend brought us a good 8" of fresh snow. The Sayner/Star Lake Barnstormers have been out panning trails and removing trees that have recently fallen. The forecast is calling for more snow…
TRAIL REPORT 3/8/2021
Well folks, the fat lady has been standing at the microphone clearing her throat for the past week. Now she has finally started singing. The Vilas county snowmobile trails will officially close Monday…
TRAIL REPORT 3/1/2021
The Sayner area received 6" of good snow yesterday, with some areas of the county reporting even higher amounts. This will improve our trail conditions greatly. The Barnstormers will be…
TRAIL REPORT 2/26/2021
I wish I had better news for you all. The warm temps and heavy traffic are deteriorating our trails very quickly. The good news is; there is still some great riding in the woods where it's more protected from the sun. You'll just have to ride over exposed dirt…