Winter is over

Looking back I wish my ride on March 10 had been longer. It ended up being my last ride of the year. On tuesday the 12th the weather warmed up and it started to drizzle and then rain off and on until about friday. The rain hurt the trails and parts of the lakes became large slush buckets. I wouldn't want to get stuck in that stuff this time of year or any time really. So I'm putting away the snowmobile and getting ready for spring.
Since the rain ended it has been mostly above average in temp. We hit 50 the other day for the first time going back to late Oct last year.

Open water is up on the left out of frame.

Near my house. A crossing that I use quite a bit is getting wet and slushy.

The geese are moving north allready.

Snowpack Feb 22nd.

March 22nd.

Feb 7th when we got 10 inches of snow.

Yesterday afternoon in the bright sunshine. I'm liking this warmer weather. Bring on spring.
That's all for now.

Sunday Ride

Todays ride was a rather short one. We recieved about 4 inches of snow overnight. It was still snowing at 11am when we met up out on the Tiger Cat Flowage.

Getting set to head out for a short 35 mile ride.

Meeting up out on the flowage.

Still snowing lightly but good visibility.

Todays route. Clockwise directon.

We ran on the old railroad right of way for quite a ways. It runs along side US63. Straight level fast running.

It seemed like we were the only ones out today. Only encountered a few other machines.
We only made 1 stop today. I forgot to get a picture. It is the Wayside Sports Bar and Grill, #145 on the map.

The Namekagon river is opening up.

Time to head back into the woods for some exercise.

Turn right to enter exercise area.

Let the workout begin.

Another great day to run the trails.

This tree looks lonely and out of place. In the summer it's a small island.

Headed home, only a couple more miles. Then I will get out the snowblower and clean the driveway.
The snowmobiling season may be coming to a quick ending if we get the rain they are predicting for weds and thurs along with temps in the high 30's to lower 40's.
So far this season I've logged 950 miles on my snowmobile. Great time with great friends.

80 mile loop

Today was another great day to go for a ride. I met Gib & Jean out on the Tiger Cat Flowage in front of their place at 9:30am. It turned out to be a mostly cloudy day but the temp was about 32 F, perfect.

Our route went counterclockwise from the flowage at marker star 44.

Deer hide out in the middle of nowhere.

More great signage and groomed trails. All the trails today were in excellent shape, freshly groomed.

The entrance to Al Capone's hideout.

The only thing missing is a bright blue sky, but I'm not complaining.

Our first stop of the day, Blueberry Lake Oasis. Circle 33 on the map.

Headed back out onto the Chippewa flowage.

Great day to be out fishing for panfish.

Somehow this person got on the groomed snowmobile trail for about a mile and a half. There was no place wide enough on the trail to turn around so she thought she could when she got on the lake. That didn't work out. She said she called for help. I hope it worked out.

A run through the woods and a recently logged area.

Second stop was at Louie's Landing resort. Star 35 on the map.

We weren't the only riders stopping for a burger and a beer.

A look out onto Moose lake.

One of the bigger grooming machine setups.
It turned out to be a super ride. We are supposed to get more snow tonight, up to 6 inches. It has started to snow as I write this. I hope to get out tomorrow. Bye for now.