Officials are putting out a word of caution to snowmobilers using trails in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
Spokesperson Casey Jardine says most of the trails are maintained cooperatively with local clubs...
"..What we're hearing from them is with the warmer temperatures and not all the creeks getting frozen. The Forest Service is recommending some temporary reroutes or even closures of some sections of the trails because the low-land wet areas are not safe for the snowmobiles to go through..."
Jardine says snowmobiles have been going into creeks as the ice isn't frozen and others have gotten stuck in swampy areas. She says in some spots the snow isn't there and the trails are getting damaged by the machines...
"..We're just reminding everyone of safety resource concerns. Stay away from wet areas, swampy areas, where creeks are and especially stay off lakes since they're not truly frozen as in past years like they're used to...."
The section of Snowmobile Trail 120 in Price county that crosses through lower lying areas has standing water just east of Riley Lake Wildlife Management Area.
Jardine says contact local snowmobile clubs or ranger stations, and she says the state tourist website TravelWisconsin.com has an interactive map to see.
