Greetings and welcome!
It was another cloudy 42 degree day today. There was melting and puddles and the bad spots opened up a little more. The base continues to get soft, I was sinking in coming up the driveway again. I am just thankful hat this has been a cloudy thaw or it would be much worse.
What I saw on my way home tonight could best be described as late March conditions. There is still a lot of trail base, but sunny spots and bare corners are getting worse. Plowed paved roads are shot, including most shoulders. Low spots are gathering water. The base is slushy on top. There are riding opportunities, but I would head west and north onto sheltered and forested areas.
We have a storm on tap for later tonight, tomorrow and tomorrow night. The NWS has us for a mix at times and 1-2″ total.
Checking my guidance the GFS is putting us in the 0.25-0.5″ band. If part of it is rain the normal 2-4 or 3-6″ expectation would be reduced by half or more. The NAM model is keeping the storm downstate and putting our precip at 0.01 to 0.1″ for the next 72 hours. Ouch.
As of 9pm the radar shows all snow, and the leading edge is up at about Wausau. That looks more promising than the forecast or my model guidance.
The one thing that was consistent between them is a return to more normal temperatures starting Thursday night.
Would I ride right now? No. There is way too much bare stuff between here and the trail. I could see throwing a couple on a trailer and heading to a more sheltered area, but it would involve a trailer.
We have a couple of events this weekend. One is Human Ice Bowling at Thornton’s Resort. Two person teams push each other down an ice bowling alleys in saucers. It is a family rated event.
The other one is the Snow Fun Day with the (Lakewood) Paul Bunyan Rider club at Waubee Lodge. Here is a copy n paste from their web site..
Saturday January 28th will be The Paul Bunyan Riders Snow Fun Day held at Waubee Lake Lodge. The event kicks off with a fish on any lake fishing derby. You can register starting Friday at Mighty Fine Bait in Lakewood, Pintches Hardware in Townsend and Waubee Lake Lodge in Lakewood. At 1 pm we will have meat raffles, 50/50 raffles and basket raffles. The poker run books can be brought in with the winners announced at 7 pm. (must be present to win). The big ticket drawing will be at 8pm. (need not to be present to win). Come support the Paul Bunyan Riders who bring you the great trails you ride on. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE !!!!!!!!