EAST : Big Woods & Small Porcupines
9 FALL 2023 VOL . 05 / ISSUE 01 SNOWGOER . COM
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Black River out of service during our visit , an ice crossing on the river was deemed unsafe . So our route would involve one loop to the east that would bring us back to the north end of Black River Falls , and then a larger loop to the West , followed by re-running our eastern loop . It was nearing 1 p . m . before we got started , and we ’ d get back to our truck well after dark with more than 150 miles on the sleds ’ odometers on the first day .
EAST : Big Woods & Small Porcupines
East of I-94 and Black River Falls , the trails of Jackson County have the familiar feel of the Wisconsin Northwoods . Tall jack pine and white pine trees line the trails in many areas , and in others these conifers were intermixed with oaks , aspen and other hardwoods .
With vivid blue February skies overhead , we took off in sub-zero temperatures . Recent snow had painted the area bright white , and the trails were groomed so smoothly they could make a billiards table blush . The aforementioned trees added to the color pallet – green from the pines , white trunks from the aspen and oaks still clinging to their dead , burnt orange and blown leaves .
The trails in the first section we rode were mostly wide and had a very solid base , evidence that they were originally gravel roads built for summer use or logging . The history of logging is obvious to the observant rider , who will note that the trees