Back to Lake Namakagon

Today Gib, Jean and I decided to head back up to lake Namakagon. Last Sunday when we were up there we missed a turn on the ride back. We ended up back on the lake where it was snowing so hard visibility was at about one tenth of a mile. At least we were headed in the right direction. So we decided to run the route in reverse. Todays trip was in a clockwise direction, me leaving from home on Lake Placid and picking up Gib and Jean on the Tiger Cat Flowage.

The top map is Sawyer County where we started and the bottom map is Bayfield County and Lake Namakagon. We never really did figure out where we messed up. We were trying to find trail 75 off of trail 15.

Gassed up and ready to go.

Yes that is open water. A beautiful flowing stream. And that my friends is why you stay on these beautiful marked trails.

Stop to check the map.

More trail pics.

A good day for pictures.

First stop was Lakewoods resort.

Lost Land Lake. Trail 3 between Namakagon and here was terrible. Needed grooming, alot of bad moguls to negotiate. It sucked after awhile. I stood up for a fare amount of it. So my legs got a workout along with my upper body, shoulders, arms and torso.

Next stop was the Reel Livin resort on Lost Land Lake.

This was our last stop today.

This is the reason for some of our stops, besides refreshments and bathroom breaks. You have a card that you get stamped at 6 or 7 bars and receive a free t-shirt.
Next ride? Somebody mentioned Clam Lake, WI.

Pizza Run

Today it was the "Pizza for Lunch Run" down to the Stone Lake Pub in Stone Lake WI. They have great thin crust pizza. I met Gib and Jean at their house at 9:30am. We arrived in Stone Lake just after 11am. It was about 36 miles from my house. We had Yvonne and Ron join us. They arrived about 5 minutes after us. They came by car.
It was another great day to be out sledding. The sun was out, nice temperture, no wind to speak of and not really much other sled traffic, a few groups of 3 to 5. Trails were in good shape but the lakes were more up and down like a kids roller coaster. I wonder if it's the ice that is wavy or the snow causing it.

Our route in pink. I started out from Placid Lake, upper right. Picked up Jean and Gib up on the Tiger Cat Flowage. We did a counterclockwise loop as best as we could. My mileage showed 71 miles round trip.

Jean is ready to ride.

Lots of people out fishing. Getting ready to hit the woods.

Varying landscapes.

The pub, the bloody marys, and the pizza, it's all good.

L to R, Gib, Ron, Yvonne and Jean.

I never get tired of the scenery. Good signage also.

Getting closer to home.

One last refreshment stop before home, only about 7 miles to go. Another great day with friends.
Tomorrow we are headed to?

Ride Time

On weds the 13th I went for a ride with my favorite snowmobiling friends, Gib and Jean. We did about a 65 mile loop which included lunch at Jeans brothers house. The trails were in great shape thanks to all the snow the last week (22 inches). The lakes were a bit more of a challenge. You just needed to stay on the marked trail, otherwise it got deep in a hurry and could bog you down.
I had to break trail on a feeder trail for about a quarter mile through 8 inches of snow from the day before to get onto a main trail. The track I'm running has 1-1/4 inch lugs and 8 inches of loose snow is about it's limit I think. The key is to slide your weight back and stay on the gas. As it was I could only see the grab handles on the top of the skis. I kept my speed about 15-20mph and had no problems.

Breaking trail. I was the first one on this feeder trail.
I was able to get a few more pictures on this ride. The woods were beautiful and the sky was blue.

A few pictures taken out on a couple of the lakes we crossed.

I love riding thru the woods.

We stopped here to let the trail groomer go by. We had to pull off the trail to let him by and Gib got into some of the deep loose stuff and it was a bit of work to get him out of it. It's all part of the fun and adventure.

Gas stop. Most eveyone has 91 octane non-ethanol gas. The good stuff.

A run through the woods and tall pines.

My sled: 2017 Ski-Doo MXZ Blizzard with a Rotax 600 2-stroke E-tec engine. I love it.
It looks like we will be out again this weekend for more riding
Until then, bye.

Snow a plenty

So we have had plenty of snow in the last week. Starting last Thursday the 7th of feb with 10 inches. On Sunday we recieved 5 inches more and then today another 7+ inches. It was still snowing when I took todays measurement. This is all very good news for the snowmobilers and cross country skiers.
The 45th American Birkebiener cross country ski race will be held Feb 21-24th, 2019. It runs between Hayward and Cable Wisconsin. It's a big deal up here in northern Wisconsin and a lot of fun.
With all the snow the past week the Red Squirrels have started to do alot of tunneling to get here and there. Well yesterday a mink came through the yard checking all those tunnels looking for a meal. No luck while I was watching and only 1 picture of him through the window, so it's not of great quality.

The Mink (Mustela vison).

I don't think the deer are to excited about all the recent snowfall, makes foraging for food harder. Their trails are alot easier to follow though.

Todays measurement and me getting rid of it.
I do believe I am going to need to remove some of the snow from my deck. I took a couple pics of the accumulation.

How can the snow do this. It looks like it should fall.
Going snowmobiling tomorrow with my friends Gib and Jean. Hope to get a few more pictures, it should be beautiful with all the new snow.
Till next time, be happy.

Wisconsin Winter

I've been able to do a fair amount of snowmobiling this winter, about 400 miles so far. I ride with 2 friends Jean and Gib. On sunday we did a 70 mile loop. A couple days ago we got 10 inches of snow which helped the trail system greatly.

The snowblower got a good work out. At least it was of the lighter variety.
A couple pics from the ride Sunday.

Jean and Gib.

We have great signage on alot of our trail systems.

First stop for refreshments was the Pioneer Bar.

Great north woods feel.

Our first sunset of the new year.

Love how the frost has accented the design.
They say more snow tonight and tomorrow, maybe up to 6 inches.
Later.