SE Wisconsin / N. Illinois SNOW

[ryanslyne]

Just wanted to get a thread going about this big storm hitting us tonight and tomorrow. Im in Whitewater, WI and we had about an inch already on ground yesterday. Got about an inch this morning. And we are projected to get over a foot tonight and tomorrow. Will post pictures later when starts piling up!!

[coles_55]

Got 7" so far in Eagle which is right down the road from ya Ryan....

[snow_chaser]

I will post in the a.m

[sledrider103]

Id say 10-12 inches of very heavy, wet snow soo far in South Beloit,Il. Still snowing as I type with another 2-5 inches on the way for today!!! GOTTA LOVE IT!!!

[landoman]

Crazy storm here. At my house in Pewaukee, I would say we have about 8" or so. As I drove 94 Eastbound this AM, the snow went from 8" to absolutly nothing right on the lake downtown Milwaukee where I work. Grass is green as it can be.

[phazerpilot]

about 3 in. in gurnee, il wet and heavy.

[sno-busters3]

13 inches by Whitewater Lake (6 miles SE of Whitewater) as of 11 am on Wednesday, 12/9.

[25lieb]

I have 14 inches in my yard in Pearl City, il. Sounds like rockford got about half that. Not sure what anyone west has gotten.

[wish4sno]

Here in central IA, we have 14 inches. And it's all blowing around! Hope you don't get the wind up to the northeast.

[sledrider103]

Most areas around here saw anywhere from 8 inches in Rockford to 15 inches towards Freeport. Here at the house in Roscoe we got right around 10 inches total! Trails should be open area wide December 15th!

THINK MORE SNOW!!

[kb97z]

here we go again...Rock County web site states closed till dec 13th for deer hunting, crops, and unmarked trails.

[hibars]

On the line 20 miles west of the lake. Got a total of 8 " here & took a ditch ride today. It was a gas to say the least. Cant wait till the trails open!

[ryanslyne]

I measured almost 14 inches in Yard in Whitewater this morning. It snowed on and off here all day. Went out and did a little riding back at my moms house back home in East Troy. Put on the first 20 miles. Had a few sled issues but was still able to ride ditch to gas station and property for about an hour on backup sled. East Troy had about 12 inches of snow!!

[sledrider103]

13 inches total today in Roscoe,Il (15 miles north of Rockford) some spots were bumper deep today!!!

[nate01]

R the trails open around rockford, freeport area

[zrgrl]

I know here in Belvidere the trails do not open until the 15th.

[cornersinn]

Walworth county will remain closed. Several clubs are marking this saturday (Dec 12th). We where waiting due to crops still in the ground. I hope we all finish saturday.

[ryanslyne]

Are the Walworth trails all able to run through? There is still alot of corn out in the fields....or are they gonna be able to re route some of the trails?

[cornersinn]

Ryanslyne
We are going to do whats called creative marking. There will be a few spots that we will have to mark a ditch or around a field but should not be to bad. I will post more after saturday.
Rick

[BriPar]

As you can imagine, there are a ton of people that are dying to get out and ride and some will ride trails that are not yet open and some will piss off the farmers and ride wherever they can pin the throttle to the bars. If anyone knows of trails that will open this weekend in Southern WI or Northern IL, please post. Like most of you, just a few hours of ripping around will break the seal and prime us for a long winter of many more more miles behind the windshield. Be safe.

[maddog24]

Green county trails in Wisconsin open (Monroe) just across the border west of Rockford.

[ryanslyne]

Creative marking....I like the sound of that! haha

[25lieb]

I went out for a short run last night. It was very nice to get out there again.

There is a lot of corn out there still. With this snow, it will be sitting there for a while too, so I hope everyone has their creative markings out.

[arcticgeorge]

Wow Whitewater glad to hear you got nailed! We have dropped trailer at some bar that is on the west side of rt.12 and right ON the trail.(can somebody help me with the name?) Nice mom and pop tavern. We didnt know where to ride so we headed north on the trail to some other tavern and had lunch. Nice area.............................................. ............... Here on the Mchenry/Lake county border we got several inches but the warm front moved in and it was melting big time wednesday night.

[reaper969x]

TRAILS IN N ILL ARE ***NOT OPEN*** UNTIL 12-15!!! DNR IS AND WILL BE ISSUING TICKETS! God I love this state:( I watched the DNR scouting the trails with binoculars from their truck on the side of the road. BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[firecat700]

reaper, what area did you see the dnr?

Isn't it legal to ride the ditches?

[landoman]

TRAILS IN N ILL ARE ***NOT OPEN*** UNTIL 12-15!!! DNR IS AND WILL BE ISSUING TICKETS! God I love this state:( I watched the DNR scouting the trails with binoculars from their truck on the side of the road. BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The way you state this you seem to think this is wrong? DNR is doing their job. Why?? Because people are on the trails and they are closed...... Same way the police stop you on the highway when it is closed. Give the DNR a break.

[fireman35]

Most of these trails are on private lands and you could ride them if you have the permission of the land owner,the dnr could do nothing to you then. Most trails dont open til the 15th so that the farmers have the time to clear their fields and the hunting is all over with to keep sledders from being shot at. I was in kenosha county and guys were already riding trails that had 3 in of snow thats rediculous,the property owners are real happy their tearing up their lawns im sure. Be smart about when and where you ride. Youre just helping them with reasons not to have trails and tax money spent on us...

[FrozenH2O]

I'm looking to ride from Richmond Il to my friends house in Rock Co. I know that the SE Rock Co trails are open. Are the Walworth and Jefferson Co trails open?

[arcticgeorge]

reaper, what area did you see the dnr?

Isn't it legal to ride the ditches?.///////////////////////////////////////////////////////.we have areas we ride when trails are not open but beware they will give you a ticket for anything like crossing the road to gas up or not. Being within 10 feet of the roadway, heading the wrong direction along a roadway, crossing water. I got a ticket crossing the road while ON the trail in Johnsburg il. One of the many reasons i want to move north.

[muss]

Most of these trails are on private lands and you could ride them if you have the permission of the land owner,the dnr could do nothing to you then. Most trails dont open til the 15th so that the farmers have the time to clear their fields and the hunting is all over with to keep sledders from being shot at. I was in kenosha county and guys were already riding trails that had 3 in of snow thats rediculous,the property owners are real happy their tearing up their lawns im sure. Be smart about when and where you ride. Youre just helping them with reasons not to have trails and tax money spent on us...

Completly agree with this. Don't ride the trails till there open and marked. You will just have to ditch ride till then. By the way Sterling, Il received only 6-7 of wet snow that has now frozen over, so the riding sucks, frozen drifts!

[ryanslyne]

FrozenH20 I know the Walworth Co. trails are still closed until at least next week. I know they are finishing up marking all the trails in Walworth county this weekend. Hopefully they will open up this week.

[reaper969x]

I have no problem with the DNR doing thier job! Just trying to warn people that they risk being stopped. I'm just frustrated that we live in a state that is dead broke and instead of capitalizing on our natural resources and the revenue they bring, this state seems to go out of their way to penalize the people that use them. The main reason the trails are closed is because of the muzzel loader season. On the other hand how do they expect to keep snowmobilers off the trails after a foot of snow hits the ground, and 6 days before the trails are scheduled to open. The problem I have is that the DNR tickets with no exception. no warnings no nothing. We have been dealing with an officer on a power trip. He has issued several private property citations to the landowners themselves. In one instance tearing up crops to "apprehend" an offender, who turned out to be the landower checking his fences on an atv. When the landowner confronted the officer he cuffed him for assaulting and officer and proceeded to search his property and home without provocation. After finding venison in the landowner's freezer he issued 6000.00 in fines citing that the permits did not cover the amount of meat in the freezer. Last season he stopped a snowmobiler on a brand new sled, the reg papers (filled out by the dealer) looked "fishy" so the owner was arrested for possesion of stolen property and carted off to jail, sled was impounded. Thousands of dollars later the owner was cleared and the sled was returned, at the owners cost. (the sled had a few hundred more miles on it when returned). So yes i have a chip on my shoulder concerning the DNR!!

[sean34590577]

Trails don't open anywhere until Dec 15 Wisconsin, or Illinois. Still don't want to run into this DNR officer that is on a power trip though so where is he?? what county??

[CatsOnly]

some vilas county trails are OPEN!!!

[reaper969x]

He usually stays to the western side of ogle, but I've seen him all over the place. He got my boat this summer, I had ummm a few too many and had A girlfriend of mine drive back to the dock, he pulled us over and started tearing into her after he couldn't get us on anything. I asked if we could be on our way after 45 min of BS and he told me that if I spoke agian I was going to jail.

[snoeatr]

And the meltdown is already here.

[sledrider103]

Words cant describe how mad I got when I drove past the trails in Roscoe today and saw that their are down to mud!!! FIRST OF ALL- The trails arent even open until Tuesday. SECOND- It was 36 degrees today and if you people would have just stayed off of them until tuesday when its gonna get colder we couldve had awsome trails for opening day. But because of some peoples impatience and ignorance that they think they can go were they want, the trails will be poor for opening day.

Im one of the nicest guys but when I see snowmobilers disrespecting land owners and the law by not riding when their suppose to, It really torks me off! Im as anxious as anyone else to get out and ride, but we need to respect the land owner agreement.

I hate to say it but those of you who recieved tickets deserved them.

[ryanslyne]

Agreed

[skidooking]

Yesterday we marked the 16 mile strech of trails our club is responsible for in Region 5, and there were several sleds out. Our land owners are to the point, they might not let us ride on their property due to this and that "Stay on the trail" means it or loose permission to use it. Way too many make their own trails off the trail and spoil it for those who obey the rules. We all like to ride the trails so let’s stay on them when on private property. It is a privelege we have them to ride!

[bankers_hours]

Not sure if we will get the trails north of Roscoe open on the 15th. As of yesterday, still corn in and no good re-route around. Until this is solved, trails are closed.

[fishs_summit]

It's the Sad truth of trying to sled in Illinois.The few that don't even wait till it stops snowing ruin it for all! My sleds stay in Michigan,not worth the hassle here.

[ryanslyne]

Anyone think that the trails will open tomorrow in SE Wisconsin? I know the warm temps are here for now but its suppose to cool off again tomorrow with a dusting of snow around the area later today. Im in Walworth county and there still is about 8-10 inches of snow on the ground?

[sledrider103]

I believe the trails will open tomorrow. Even with the mild temps and a little drizzle the snow has held on pritty good. Everywhere ive seen still has 6+ inches on the ground. But im not positive so call the hotline in the morning and see. Im hoping to go out tomorrow and ride rock county.

Also, the cold temps tonight and throughout the week will freeze the snow pack up and will make an excellent base. We could use some more fresh snow tho.

[sledder10]

It's the Sad truth of trying to sled in Illinois.The few that don't even wait till it stops snowing ruin it for all! My sleds stay in Michigan,not worth the hassle here.

Same reason I register and keep my sleds in WI.

[harvest1121]

We road 75 miles around Cedarville Il and the trails were a 10 to minus 10. But its Illinois so it was not too bad. The trails were marked well. Its just good to get out riding some. They said the trails around there open up Nov 15. There were alot of peopl eout riding.

[deerhunter]

everyone seems to forget... there is zero frost in the ground. you need frost before you can build a base...... snow is melting from the bottom up.

[ryanslyne]

Looks like the storm coming is just going to be an icy mess for xmas with rain....might as well kiss our base good bye! Hopefully something changes in the next few days so we can save a little snow. Might as well get out and ride while you can. Went out a little Sunday ditches are a little icy but most of fields are nice. Trails in Walworth are closed. But almost all of Waukesha county are open.

[bankers_hours]

The final area with corn did get harvested last weekend and the trails are now open north (and west) of Roscoe, IL. There are still areas of chisle plowed fields that need to get worked down with the groomer and what snow we have now will be gone soon. But we are ready for the next good snowfall.
Thanks to all of the members of the Oaks Ridge Riders that worked on getting our trails in this year!

[sledrider103]

I know theirs no use in getting mad at mother nature cause you cant control it but this sucks that were gonna have heavy rain/thunderstorms thursday with torrental rain. My guess is we wont be riding again in roscoe til march.

[darkstar31]

once again the walworth county trail system is closed and its the dec 23rd. Maybe they can get them open for feb 2010.

[sledrider103]

Hey bankers hours, I was just wondering why Roscoe stopped grooming the trails? Last time I saw a groomer in Roscoe was 3+ years ago and ever since the trails are "rideable" at best. Im not complaining cuz I know the clubs are struggling I was just wondering what happened to them??

[dooski_dan]

The Huntley/Elgin trails were open as of last night. Of course I couldn't get out then or tonight and the sled will sit in the garage even longer while the BS rain comes in. Why the heck am I still in this sport? I can't think of anything more frustrating.

[bankers_hours]

Sledrider,
The groomer around Roscoe was out numerous times last year and years prior. Prior to last year, Oaks Ridge only cared for the trails through and north of Roscoe. Then we assumed the trails to the west as well (with the help of a lot of new members after the other local club disbanded due to lack of members).
The groomer is run by volunteers (not paid like WI) and I think it takes close to 6 hours to run the trails we are responsible for. The groomer is old, tired and slow. No state dollars available to replace. So, we do what we can with what we have. Always open to new members who would like to learn how to run the groomer if your interested. We meet the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the VFW / Roscoe, 7:15 pm.

[sledrider103]

Bankers hours, I would love to help out and join the club. Hopefully one of these tuesdays i will make it out, I love riding close to home and would love to run a groomer or mark trails and whatever needs to be done to make riding enjoyable around here.

In the short term, lets hope the temps and rain doesnt melt/wash away too much snow so at least we can keep some of the bass thats out there.

[bankers_hours]

Hey, didn't want my comment about WI groomers above to be taken wrong. They do a great job and I'm sure what little stipend (this was an uninformed statement on my part), if anything, they get does not equal the hours they put in. The trails we hook up into in Rock and the surrounding counties are always awesome to ride and they are out in force when we do have snow. Thanks!

[sledrider103]

Well it has been raining all day long! The good news is we havent lost much snow yet. Im just hoping I dont wake up tomorrow morning to grass. If we can hold on to the snow we have right now, we will still have a good base on the trails. I will update tomorrow.

[ryanslyne]

I hope it hangs on I was suprised when I went to bed last night it was pouring rain but woke up this morning and there still is snow on the ground! We got about 6-8 inches in East Troy still on the ground all we need to do is to hang on until this afternoon.

[sledrider103]

Yep, Weve had a ton of rain overnight, but we still have 5+ inches and according to Johns forcast we will be gaining some of it back. Looks like the worst is over so i believe riding is not lost in the Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin areas. I will probably be back out riding Rock county Saturday so I will report what conditions are out there.

[darkstar31]

Well here in Walworth,wi we got maybe 4 inches left and it's melting quick. We will need a good snowfall to be able to ride,but then again the trails are not open. Walworth County Snowmobile has now changed there message on there website to not enough snow how convenient. I honestly think here in Walworth/Fontana Township the club should be ousted and a new one created. The Groomers here have been Great over the years. Not only do the riders suffer so do the establishments that count on us for extra winter income.

[sledrider103]

Just changed from rain to snow!! Went from 39 to 29 in the last 2 hours! Already a dusting of new snow and more to come tonight and tomorrow. We lost quite a bit of snow but lets all hope we can get some back!

[ryanslyne]

Yeah we only got about 3 maybe 4 inches here in East Troy...with a few bare spots in open fields. But rain changed back to snow at about 330 yesterday and its been cold and snowing ever since. 1-2 expected today with an additional inch tomorrow. Maybe it will be enough to open Waukesha county back up!

[sledrider103]

About 3 inches new so far in Roscoe,IL since last night! Snowing at a good clip as I type. Looks like their calling for 3-6 inches by tomorrow! I will update later tonight.

[bankers_hours]

Regarding trail north of Roscoe, IL, we do have standing water where the trail runs under I90, wouldn't advise trying to run through it. Also have pooled water where the trail crosses Stateline Road east of the airport. Both should freeze up in the next day or so and be ok but use caution under 90 until it freezes solid. Neither issue is an easy fix or reroute, so we'll hope the cold temps do the job.
A special thanks to the riders that broke through the fence at the Stateline issue noted above. I am sure you will be back in the Spring to fix your damage so we don't loose this section of trail, right??