Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
TWO EARLY season snowmobilers on Trail 2 in Hurley head east Thursday. Conditions of the trails vary, with some open water remaining until the swamps freeze completely. Snow is expected this weekend, combined with low temperatures, to drastically improve trail conditions. The county forestry department warns riders to take precautions, as early season conditions are persisting and there is a risk with the open water.
By IAN MINIELLY
Hurley - Iron County snowmobile trails opened on Wednesday and are in varying conditions.
"Early season freezing is progressing nicely, but there is still some open water on the trails, so riders need to proceed with caution," said Tara Krall, office manager and trail coordinator for the Iron County Forestry Department.
Trail signs are posted throughout the system, but the varying conditions change rapidly.
Iron County is expecting more snow than was forecast to put trails into excellent condition. Cold conditions this week are helping freeze swampy trails.
Kelly Klein, of the Iron County Development Zone Council, says it is difficult to quantify an exact number from snowmobile activity for the area's coffers. "Studies have shown snowmobile riders spend on average $170 to $200 per day. That figure covers a wide range of things, but the big chunks of that sum consist of food, lodging and gasoline, which is also spread out among the areas the riders visit."
According to Klein, "The Mercer Sno Goers have registered as many as 1,000 riders passing through intersections of trails they groom on big weekends, but during the week, that number falls off significantly."
In 2011, Iron County received about $4 million from snowmobiling activity. Compared to the wood products economy, which brings in roughly $81 million annually, it's no comparison, however the cost to manage trails is negligible compared to the revenues brought in, which makes snowmobile riders good for the economy and a staple of winter revenue.
