XC Ski Trail Report

XC Ski Trail Report 03/23/2013

Cross County Skiing in the Chequamegon Bay Area
Trails are open.
Click the trail name for a printable version of the trail.

Ashland Ski Trails: Most trails provide a combination of skating and classical skiing with two trails for classic only. The trails are gently rolling to flat terrain meandering through pine forest comprising several loops totaling 5 kilometers. The trails are maintained by volunteers. ASTA (Ashland Ski Trail Association) receives no funding from city, state, or federal governments. They ask for a nominal $3.00 donations when using the trail to help continue the operation and maintenance of the trails. Directions: From Hwy 2 turn south on Beaser Ave. Travel approximately 1 mile to Maple Lane. Turn right on Maple Lane and travel west at the 3rd driveway on the right turn right in to the parking area. Conditions: 03/23/2013 Conditions Spring Like. Trails are being groomed.

New Chequamegon Bay Golf Club Cross Country Ski Trail. 3000 Golf Course Road. You can catch the trail just west of the 19th hole (clubhouse). Nestled among the trees and rolling terrain overlooking the Chequamegon Bay of Lake Superior, the Chequamegon Bay Golf Club is one of Northern Wisconsin’s finest golf challenges. Enjoy some of the area’s most awe-inspiring scenery as you ski or snowshoe this trail. Conditions: 03/23/2013. Condition Spring Like.

Copper Falls State Park: Trails come complete with spectacular river scenery including copper-colored water and numerous frozen rapids and water falls. The park has four loops, beginner-intermediate and is generally well groomed and maintained. Total of 8.3km. Directions: From Ashland drive south on Hwy 13 to Mellen. Turn left on Hwy 169. Follow the signs to the park approximately 2.5 miles. Conditions: 03/23/2013. Good to Excellent conditions. Grooming. Call for up to date conditions 715-274-5123.

Penokee Mountain Trail : One-way interconnecting loops. In the Chequamegon National Forest. More Difficult/Classical. Directions: From Ashland drive south on Hwy 13 24 miles to Mellen. Turn right (west) on Hwy GG and drive 3 miles to trail. Conditions: 8" trail base. Packed/groomed/track set: 03/23/203 Rating: Good For an up to date report call 715-264-2511.

Mt Ashwabay: website www.mtashwabay.org
Mt. Ashwabay offers both cross country skiing in a magnificent setting featuring stunning views of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and the Chequamegon National Forest. Cross country trails cover 30km with ratings from beginner to expert. All trails are groomed and tracked weekly or more frequently as necessary. Directions: From Ashland take Hwy 2 West to Hwy 13.North. 10 miles toward Bayfield. Left on Ski Hill Rd. Conditions: 03/23/2013. On Weds 20th, groomers packed Sugarbush/Black Bear, Anchor, Seagull, Roller Coaster, Telford. On Thurs 21, they set a track on Sugarbush/Blackbear, and touched up Telford. Our intention is to continue grooming the these core trails as long as the weather cooperates, and folks are still skiing. Get out there and enjoy the last of the season! For up to date report call 715-779-3227.

Mt. Valhalla -Teuton and Valkyrie Ski Trails: Valhalla Winter Sports Area is nestled in the Chequamegon National Forest. It offers two systems of cross-country ski trails developed by the Us Forest Service and groomed by local volunteers. The three Valkyrie loops run through red and Jack pine forests, with magnificent views of the area on the Sun Bowl Loop. The Teton Ski Trail also features three loops in a minced birch and maple forest with a roller coaster near the end of Loop B. C Loop is groomed for skating. Valkyrie loops are easy and good for classic & skating. Teuton loops are classic and more difficult. Directions: Take Hwy 2 west . Turn left on Hwy 13 north. Follow US13 6.7miles to County Hwy C in Washburn. Turn left on C and drive 8.5 miles to the trail head. Conditions: The Valkyrie & Teuton Trails were groomed today. The tracks were still in good condition and were not reset. The current trail conditions are good to excellent. Warmer temperatures and rain with snow mix are predicted for the weekend. Trail conditions may change quickly. For an up to date report call 715-373-2667.

For a cross country ski trail report check out these sites:
Norwiski.com
Mount Ashwabay

Snowshoe Trails

Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center allows guest to check out snow shoes and snowshoe on the trails behind the center. Conditions: Open

St. Peters Dome is another great place to snowshoe!
The hike to St. Peter’s Dome is 3.6 miles round trip. The trail has moderately steep climbs. It is a good idea to take water along on this hike. To reach St. Peter’s Dome cross the log bridge over Morgan Creek where the trail forks and hike up the gradually climbing trail. Soon you will come upon an old campground that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s. The old brick fireplaces, an artesian well, and a round cistern are all that remain of the campground. The trail becomes narrow as you walk across much steeper slopes. There is a lake sized beaver pond to your left. As you continue east the trail drops in elevation and crosses a rocky stream bed. Beyond the stream the trail becomes steeper and the tread is rocky. In a bit the grade becomes more gentle and you cross a snowmobile trail. At the base of the granite outcrop that is the dome you will find a jumble of large broken rock. From the quarry. The trail follows the old road for a hundred feet and then turns left off the road and begins to climb earnest. After two switch backs the trail reaches a grassy opening. Continue on the trail and climb to the overlook and shear drop on the north face of St. Peter’s Dome. On a clear day you can see the Chequamegon Bay of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands.
Directions From Ashland drive south in Highway 13 about 13 miles to Highway C (about 1 mile south or Marengo). Turn right on C and follow it 4.8 miles to Midway Road. Continue straight on Midway Rd 1.2 miles to County Line Road (FR 199). Turn left (south) on County Line Rd and drive 3.9 miles to the parking lot which is on the left (east) side of the road. Conditions: Good for snowshoeing.

Mt Ashwabay: website www.mtashwabay.org Mt. Ashwabay offers both cross country skiing and snowshoeing in a magnificent setting featuring stunning views of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and the Chequamegon national Forest. The XC trails are open for snowshoeing, and the same trail fee is good for either XC or snowshoes Directions: From Ashland take Hwy 2 West to Hwy 13. North. 10 miles toward Bayfield. Left on Ski Hill Rd.

Click here for a pdf version of Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoe trails.

Downhill Skiing

Mt Ashwabay: website www.mtashwabay.org
03/19/2013 Closed.
Park: 03/19/2013. Closed For up to date report call 715-779-3227.