75 FALL 2019 ISSUE 01 / VOL . 01 SNOWGOER . COM
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These unplowed forest roads were marked at intersections by rustic wooden posts that mounted number placards — 846 led to 816 , which led to 440 , which we stayed on until we took 428 to 434 . We crossed many other unplowed roads and logging paths , saw various formal trails a couple of times and continued to work generally south . What we didn ’ t see , however , were paved roads , or any other snowmobilers — until we came upon a lost soul in the woods . At an intersection , we found Kip Wiedl standing beside his Arctic Cat Crossfire . Kip assured us everything was fine ; he was just out exploring a new area by himself after his friends a couple hundred miles away begged off plans for a riding weekend . He joined our group and made our quartet a quintet for the next three days .
Dick ’ s freelanced path took us deeper into the Chequamegon National Forest , over rolling hills , past many sections of dense woods but also through clear-cut areas . After sunset , we looped back to the north for dinner at the locally famous Valhalla View Pub & Grub , a large bar and restaurant that is an iconic eatery and hangout for snowmobilers visiting this area . Fully stuffed , we got back to the trailhead well after dark .
With snow-painted trees , rolling hills , little bridges and perfectly groomed trails , it ’ s hard to beat the riding in this area .
FRESH SNOW FOR A NEW DAY
While we rested overnight , the same Mother Nature that punished western Minnesota and the Dakotas was busy decorating the Wisconsin Northwoods . We awoke to a couple inches of fresh snow near the Lake Superior shoreline , but the fresh powder was closer to 6 inches farther inland at our trailhead .
This time , instead of leading us out of the parking lot on the wide Butterfield Road , Dick gave us a “ follow me ” wave and led us out on a narrow , bumpy goat path to the west . Those bumps were covered with