Snowmobilers are thankful for cold, snowy winter but with many trails closing, outdoor sportsmen and and women are looking forward to the summer. But the cold temps could mean a delay for ATV trail openings.
Thanks to all the cold and snow, it has been a great season for snowmobilers here in Wisconsin. Even thought some trails have closed, in Marathon County, they are still open…for now.
"This is highly unusual to get this kind of snow conditions this late in the season," Jon Daniels said.
Daniels is the snowmobile and ATV trail coordinator in Marathon County. He says while this winter has been great for outdoor enthusiasts, it could create a problem for ATV trails, which may open later than usual.
"May 15th at the earliest, due to the weather conditions," Daniels said, "I'm sure we're going to be getting some rain when it warms up, that tends to make things pretty soft."
Daniels says they need dry conditions in order for the trails to open up. If that doesn't happen, they may not open at all.
"If we have ATVs out when the ground is soft, the trails are soft, they're going to cause trail damage," Daniels said, "and that increases the amount of maintenance we have to do, and the work we have to do,and the maintenance expenses, and could ultimately close trails."
