January 12, 2011 -   More snow!  12" new snow again this past week, giving us around two feet total and about 10" base on the trails.  Snowmobiles have packed most of the trails and logging roads.  There are no major trails that are plowed this year, so most everything is runnable. Expect a mix of a few inches on the surface from new snow every day and some hard packed sections.  It is snowing every day, so it may be slow.  Race trail was packed again Wednesday, so it should be decent for this weekend.

The Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race site, on St. Hwy 13 between Bayfield and Cornucopia, is plowed with trails going out the back.  The Rec/Kids loop has a few signs to help find your way, but if you don't know the trails, stick to Echo Valley and Hinkens Roads.  The southern 1/3 of Echo Valley, beyond where the race turns off, is plowed out to Star Route, so avoid this section.  Also, stay off all marked snowmobile trails, with the exception of Jodi Road, where we use it for the race.  It is a town road and is not closed to dogsledding like the snowmobile trails.

The Sportsman's and 6-dog loops are now open.  There is a section of the 6-dog loop, about 2 miles from where the trail crosses Star Route, where a couple hundred yards of the trail is plowed.  Turn left a little ways after it becomes plowed to find the connection to Jodi Road that the race trail usually runs on.  The plowed section is short and with good visibility.

 This year, the race will use Echo Valley, EV Gravel Pit Road, Hinkens, then turn on last year's outgoing trail up to Star Route on the way out, then on the way back, use the southern 2 miles of Hinkens Road and turn right onto last year's trail which comes out on EV Gravel Pit Road.  The outgoing and incoming trails will almost touch on Hinkens Road for a moment, but except for a few hundred yards along Star Route, we should be able to completely eliminate head-on passing this year.  The Kids Race/Rec Loop will be changed slightly this year to eliminate head-on passing there.

 Please wear bright clothing, preferably blaze orange or road worker yellow to be visible in low light conditions to snowmobiles.  The difference in your visibility is drastic with these colors and will help keep everyone safe.  Snowmobile traffic is normally light during the week, but please be careful as they do not expect to see anyone else, either.

John Thiel