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Jeff Currie and his wife Ann took advantage of the early snow melt to get a look at the latest progress on the Great Headwaters Trails.
“I must say this is the first time we’ve taken a look at it,” said Jeff. “It’s definitely dramatic.”
They’re exploring the corner of Song Hill Lane and County Highway K, west of Phelps. That’s where the 8.5 mile stretch of trail from Conover ends and the work on the last segment of trail is beginning.
Over the winter, loggers came through and took down trees that are still strewn over where the path will wind through the woods.
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Snowmobile routes and ATV/UTV routes sometimes use the same trail segments on the Vilas County Forest, but often maintenance issues develop between the two groups.
Last week the Sno-Eagles Snowmobile Club of Eagle River requested to be given upkeep responsibility of the current ATV/UTV trails south of Bauer’s Dam.
But the Landover ATV/UTV Club of Conover is opposed to that action.
Sno-Eagles representative Howard Wolf indicated their membership voted to become a duel sports club and currently maintain 90 miles of snowmobile trails.
“If we are awarded the ATV/UTV miles discussed, our club will ensure they are always safe, sign compliant, and well-groomed for our guests to the Eagle River area,” Wolf said.
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Portions of Vilas County highways open for travel by ATV/UTV’s only for a limited period from May 1 to October 31 while a number of towns have town roads open all year has caused confusion for both riders and law enforcement.
That could be changed if a recommendation from the county forestry, recreation and land committee moves forward. The committee heard from a number of ATV clubs last week asked for consideration to open those county roads with access all year.
Roger Flaherty spoke for a number of ATV clubs at the committee meeting.
“All county roads that have access to ATV routes should be open all year rather than May to October,” Flaherty said. He was supported by committee member Dan Swiecichowski who also is chair of the county recreational trails safety committee who agreed “they should be open year around.”