Conditions - 1/31/2008

Good Morning,

The snowmobile trails in the Manitowish Waters area are in very good riding condition. Our trail base is probably one of the firmest bases we have ridden on. Trails 6n, 8n, and 2e all are in great shape and hard. Corners can be icy, but withstanding that everything looks really good. Our forecasts are calling for snow chances Saturday, along with mid 20's for highs through Monday.
It sure looks like a great weekend for riding in the north woods.

Dive and Ride Safely,

Rich - http://www.timberlineinn.com/

Conditions - 1/30/2008

Good Morning Everyone, Burrrrrrrrr.

Our weather really made another turn yesterday morning, with the passage of the arctic front. We moved from 34 degrees early yesterday morning to -20 degrees, now, with a wind chill, I won't even mention. We did get 2-3 inches of snow yesterday, but it's hard to measure with the current winds and drifting.
As far as the trails our concerned, there were a fair number of riders out in the afternoon yesterday, and even more last night. The groomers were out again. The trails are currently in good to very good riding condition. I plan to get out later this morning, after I get the shoveling done. The base has return to a very hard packed base with some icy areas. So, watch the corners.
The forecasts are calling for near zero today, low teens tomorrow, and 20's for Friday through Monday. Some snow is possible Friday evening into Saturday. Tonight will be below zero again, but nights will also be moderating into the weekend.
We should have great conditions, both weather and trails, for the upcoming weekend.

Drive and Ride Safely,

Rich - www.timberlineinn.com

Conditions - 1/29/2008 - Afternoon Update

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I thought I'd write a quick note this afternoon. First, yesterdays warmer temps have passed. We did get in the high 30's, but no sun, and maybe a sprinkle of rain sometime last night. Trails and the rest have already firmed up with the temps in the teens. Snow is forecast for today and tonight, with very cold temps, and wind chills tomorrow. The riders who were out yesterday talked about the softening trails this morning, but all agreed there was little damage. One thing for sure, is there will again be a very hard and icy base for the next few days.

Updates tomorrow.
Our zip code for weather forecasts is 54545.

Rich - www.timberlineinn.com

Conditions - 1/28/2008

Good Morning Everyone..

It was another long and super weekend in the northwoods. Our trails in the Manitowish Waters area are in Very Good riding condition. Despite heavy traffic over the weekend, and the typical Saturday bumps and worn spots, the groomers really pulled things together again last night. It looks like today's weather forecast will present some uncertainty for the trails. We are forecasted for above freezing temps, as well as some form of non-snow precep. Most all the forecasts are calling for very little wet stuff, before the weather again changes tonight, into tomorrow with winter advisories already being issued for the area. My guess, is this day of warmth will be similar to our other warm up's, and give the trails a nice shot of moisture for a firm based. It looks like the cold really returns tomorrow, until Friday, with another nice weekend with temps in the low to mid 20's is being forecast.
This past weekend's temps also gave the skiers and fishing folk a chance to get back out. The ski areas all report great conditions with machine grooming, and deep bases.(See the links on the Timberline Inn website)
We will give frequent updates this week as conditions change.

Looks like a great weekend ahead.

Drive and Ride Safely,

Rich - www.timberlineinn.com

Conditions - 1/23/2008

Good Morning

The snowmobile trails in then Manitowish Waters area are in Very Good to excellent riding condition. Through out our trail system, trails are flat and groomed. Just pick a number, 8, 6, or 2. All are really good. If I had to pick a favorite, right now 2 into Boulder is great.
As far as our weather goes, it was another cold night at 15 below. Today and tomorrow should be in the single digits, for highs. This weekend is forecasted to be a relative balmy 25 degrees for Friday through Sunday.
Looks like a great weekend ahead.

Drive and Ride Safely,

Rich - www.timberlineinn.com

Conditions - 1/21/2008

Good Morning Everyone,

The northwoods is slowing moving in the freezer. While it was been a busy MLK weekend, it was a very cold weekend, for those who ventured north. It looks like the temps will be begin moderating today. Our highs during the week will be in the single digits to possibly 10 degrees. Our forecasted night temps will be only in the single digits below zero. Any way you cut it, it's still cold, but warmer than the last 3 days.
The snowmobile trails in the Manitowish Waters area are in Very Good Riding condition. The trails had been groomed through the weekend, and the cold kept them in decent shape. Trails 6 & 8 north, continue to be very good, and trail 2 towards Boulder Junction, is very close to excellent.
The good news, it looks like our upcoming weekend will find temps moving back towards averages.

Drive and Ride Safely,

Rich - www.timberlineinn.com

Conditions - 1/16/2008

Good Morning Everyone,

The trails in the Manitowish Waters area were groomed last night and remain in good to very good condition. (Please see the past two days notes for trail comments).
Overall it looks to be a busy upcoming weekend, with the trails, new snow forecasted, and the races in Eagle River.
The forecasts are calling for a winter storm watch for tonight into Thursday evening.( Our zip is 54545) Early forecasts are calling for 2-6 inches, which will really add to, and enhance our current trail conditions. We do have that arctic front approaching, so temps, will be affected from Friday through the weekend, be prepared for cold riding!
For our other winter players, the downhill skiing continues to be very good to excellent.(See our links page for specific areas.) X-country is also pretty good, with a hard fast base. The new snow should really benefit the hard trails.
Ice fishing seems to have slowed. There have been only a few reports of good bite, and again during the early evening hours.

As we have been mentioning, it looks like "Winter Part II" has arrived. Enjoy the upcoming weekend.

Drive and Ride Safely,

Rich - www.timberlineinn.com

Conditions - 1/15/2008 - Afternoon Comments

Good Afternoon Everyone,

The snowmobile trails in the Manitowish Waters area remain in Good to Very Good riding condition. Today's ride was on trails 8, 6, and 17. First, all the Manitowish Waters trails heading north, both 6 and 8, had only minor bumps. Trail 8, as you get into Iron county was groomed last night, and was in pretty good shape. The wet spots on 8, that existed at Christmas, just south of the intersection of 17 (Chucks Bar), are mostly frozen over, just leaving a yellow coloration in the trail. Trail 17 north, into Mercer was flat and just groomed. It was just a little thin leaving the 8/17 junction, but not bad at all. Actually, the closer to Mercer you got the better they became. (When has that ever happened?) In general, I know this early week riding has the lightest traffic, but trails are really pretty good. As we move towards this weekend, we will see heavy traffic, and hopefully the groomers can keep up with the pounding. Speaking of this weekend, our weather is forecasted to get alot cooler, for both daytime and night time temps. There is a snow chance for Weds into Friday. We will have to see how that develops.

Drive and Ride Safely,

Rich - http://www.timberlineinn.com/

Conditions - 1/14/2008 - Afternoon Comments

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Just a quick snowmobile update. First, our groomer went out last night, and he did wonders for the trail system. After a ride today, here are some thoughts. The icy chop that was around on Saturday, was gone, and trails appear in Good to Very Good condition. I should mention we did have another 1 inch plus last night and probably a bit more than that today(2ish, thus far). Specifically trail 6 north, towards Winchester was good, and trail 8 north towards Mercer was very good, well up to the Iron county line, where I did get a bit of trail chop, but not a big deal.
The lakes are pretty solid again, however, when riding them you will find that the snow is not firmly packed, and your track will seem pretty loose.
Again, things are looking really good, and it should be a great weekend ahead.

Drive and Ride Safely,

Rich - http://www.timberlineinn.com/

Conditions - 1/13/2008

Good Morning...

As I mentioned yesterday, our trail repair is well underway. In fact we added another 1+inches yesterday, and last night. Before I talk about the weather, I'd like to give you a feel for the trails, after a great ride yesterday. First, before yesterday's snow the trails in the Manitowish Waters area were definitely in Fair to Good riding condition. Sure there were some icy corners, but everything was purely flat! The nice thing about the warm up was we packed the base, but we didn't lose the base. Next, there was plenty of lubrication, not even a worry. The only fault I can mention is we did see an occasional snirtty spot. Our ride took us up trail 6 into Winchester/PI, and wow, after we moved into their system, you can sure see what this weeks effects of grooming were. They did a great job! Their system was definitely Good, if not a bit better. I have to say, it was probably one of the best trails rides we have taken in awhile..flat trails, no traffic, and just a beautiful day in the north woods.
As far as the weather is concerned, Winter Part II, appears to be here. There should be continued good temps well past this next weekend, with another drop of Artic air being forecast. We should have off and on snows though most of the week. I can't see how at this time, that we won't have a Good to VG weekend coming up.
Just remember, it's a long holiday weekend coming, with heavy traffic towards the Eagle River area, with the races.

Drive and Ride Safely,

Rich - http://www.timberlineinn.com/

Conditions - 1/12/2008

Good Morning from Manitowish Waters,

Well the winter repair job looks like it has gotten underway. As we have been talking about the better temps since last Wednesday, now, yesterday and last night we were able to get a nice covering, and inch or so, of fresh white stuff. Yesterday we talked with a number of sledders, and most all reported the trails were OK, except for being icy, especially in the corners; you know the place where trees don't move. There were even a few locals out playing with nature. Most indicated there was plenty of lubrication. With yesterdays snow my earlier concerns for lubrication have been arrested. I think from this point it is again safe to call the trails in "FAIR" riding condition. Looking towards the next week, more cold is expected, along with some snow potential, for Sunday, into Monday, and again Wednesday into Thursday. With everything considered, trails are moving towards better conditions, especially by next weekend.
We will give you another update tomorrow, after our ride today.

Drive and Ride Safely,

Rich - www.timberlineinn.com

Conditions - 1/11/2008

Good Morning Everyone,

Well not much has changed with the weather. We are still waiting on some snow. The forecasts are still calling for snow chances/flurries/something, into Monday, with another good chance for Wednesday/Thursday. Right now the trails in the Manitowish Waters area are in the Fair area, with poor or worn sections, near crossings, along some portions of road ways, and especially where they may have been thin before. While you will find icy conditions, and some snirtty areas, it seems the light traffic we have had, has helped rough up the trails and put more lubrication out there, especially since the conditions on last Tuesday. So in general, they are better, even without any new snows. I'd still be very cautious riding, and wouldn't expect great things, however, they are ok and the are rideable.
Stay turned for our daily updates.

Drive and Ride Safely,

Rich - www.timberlineinn.com

Conditions - 1/10/2008

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Well not much has changed, as far as the weather and trails are concerned. We are still waiting on snow. As far as the trails are concerned, there have been a few riders out and about, but only a few. Trails have hardened up, but seem a bit dry on the lubrication side. In general, they still remain poor to fair areas in the woods, but as I mentioned that could change with some snow. The forecasts are still calling for snow chances through Saturday, with light amounts. We will just have to wait and see.

Stay turned for tomorrows update,

Rich - www.timberlineinn.com

Conditions - 1/9/2008

Good Morning Everyone,

It sure feels better today, than it has, well at least since last Saturday afternoon. Temps in the north woods, have cooled down (24 degrees), and the snow is firming up. The trails in the Manitowish Waters area, did get hit by the warm up, however, I wouldn't be surprised to see a nice turn in conditions. Right now, trails are Poor, but moving towards Fair. The forecasts are looking better. First, temps should remain below freezing for the next 10+ days, or so. Second, some snow is already forecast for Thursday and Thursday night, with totals estimated in 1-3 range. If we get that snow, with the colder temps, I think trails conditions would improve quickly. We need the snow for good lubrication.
I should note, that lakes don't look all that good, after the warm up. They will need a few days, to firm up the ice levels.
As far as the other winter activities. Downhill skiing, with grooming and renewed snow making, should be unaffected by the 3 day warm up. X-Country, will find packed and hardened trails.

In general, it looks like the repair job is starting. Watch for updates, tomorrow and Friday, especially if the snow develops as forecast.

Drive and Ride Safely,

Rich - www.timberlineinn.com

Conditions - 1/7/2008

Good Morning Everyone,

Well our weather did change, as they had forecast, and that was not for the better. Our temps on Saturday afternoon, rose above the freezing mark, and stayed that way, until early this morning. Yesterdays melt did some real damage to the snow cover and trail base in general. The only good news, thus far, is we avoided and drizzle or rains. The trails in the Manitowish Waters area moved into the generally Poor area, with some better, and around the crossings, worse. With all that being said, some snow, and a return of cold could improve the situation very quickly, as it has in other years. Right now, we will need see the next 2 days, or so, to see how the weather develops. The forecasts are calling for more warmth today, with a colder pattern returning on Tuesday. Lets hope the colder changes give us some snow also.

Lets all hope for Winter, part II.

Drive and Ride Safely,

Rich - www.timberlineinn.com

Conditions - 1/4/2008

Well, Good Morning Everyone.

It was another cool start this morning in the north woods, right around 8 degrees. With the way our forecasts are looking, this might be the last single digit morning for a week, or so. It looks like we are in the beginning days of a warming trend, which should linger around until Tuesday. Today's temps should be around 30, and tomorrow in the mid 30's. Forecasts for Sunday, are calling for some form of wet stuff. Earlier in the week, they called for rain, but that looks to have moved to drizzle, freezing drizzle, ice pellets, or something. Late Monday into Tuesday, another system should head our way, with hopefully a snow aspect to that storm. In a way, with all the snow we received, a warm up, without damaging rains, may be just what are trails are needing to firm up the current base. Right now, the trails are in Good to Very Good condition.

As always, Drive and Ride Safely.

Rich - www.timberlineinn.com

Conditions - 1/2/2008

Happy New Year and Good Morning Everyone,
The snowmobile trails in the Manitowish Waters area, after last nights grooming, are back in Good to Very Good Condition. With the heavy traffic for the holiday week, trails really got some use. We really needed last nights grooming, as trails turned outright rough on Monday afternoon, and needed the repair through yesterday. Our traffic has died down, and with the current cold temps the trails have finally set up well.
As far as the weather goes, well, here's what we do know. Today, cold..tonight below zero. Then temps will be gradually warming into Saturday, where we will get above the freezing mark. Sunday and Monday look to be in the mid to higher 30's, with forecasts calling for light drizzle, or light snow, or a mixture. After Monday, another cool down, and more snow possible by mid next week. From what I can tell, we should have good trails up to Sunday, where they will get soft. But again, these are forecasts, and probably will change by tomorrow.
The rest of winter sports are doing well, downhill and x-country skiing, as well as snowshoeing.
Ice fishing seems to have taken a back seat to the other winter activities right now, except for the occasional local on the ice around dusk.

Have a great New Year,

Drive Safely,

Rich - http://www.timberlineinn.com/