Jennifer Gonzalez
Tourism Coordinator, Kewaunee County
Office: (920) 388-0567
Email: gonzalez.jennifer@kewauneeco.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2020
Snowmobile Trails to Open in Kewaunee County
KEWAUNEE COUNTY, WI – The Kewaunee County Sheriff’s Department and Promotions & Recreation Department are asking snowmobilers to use caution and everyone be mindful of their surroundings with nearly 205 miles of trails set to open before the weekend.
Trails in all four snowmobile sections will open on Friday, February 14, 2020 at 8AM in Kewaunee County, and three of those sections include use of the Ahnapee State Trail.
The Sheriff’s Department would like to remind riders that it is important to stay on the marked trails for their safety and as a courtesy to others.
“When operating on the Ahnapee State Trail, be aware that there are many users of that system other than snowmobilers. If you see someone walking or cross-country skiing, please slow down. There are also portions of the public trail that utilize private lands. Be respectful and stay on the trail as a great deal of damage can be done to areas not groomed. Also, leaving the trail poses greater risks as there are many hazards you may not see until it is too late. When crossing roads, please follow the posted signage, and realize you have the same obligation on a snowmobile as you would in a vehicle,” says Sheriff Matt Joski, Kewaunee County Sheriff’s Department.
There are six snowmobile clubs that groom and maintain the trails across Kewaunee County as well as give condition updates to the Promotions & Recreation Department.
“We have enough snow to open but conditions are poor to fair. There are some rough spots in fields and we’ve noticed open water in low-lying areas especially swamps and ditches,” says Dave Myers, Director of Kewaunee County Promotions & Recreation. “We also ask that snowmobilers be vigilant of groomers as clubs work on trails.”
To use public trails, snowmobilers are required to buy an annual Wisconsin snowmobile Trail Pass through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Trails passes are $10 for Wisconsin residents who are members of a snowmobile club that is affiliated with the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs (AWSC), $30 for Wisconsin residents not affiliated with AWSC and $50 for out-of-state residents.
For information on AWSC, visit: www.awsc.org/Trail-Pass-Registration.aspx or DNR regulations, visit https://dnr.wi.gov/permits/registrations/snowmobile/trailpass.html.
The Kewaunee County Promotions & Recreation Department will update trail conditions on its 24/7 hotline, (920) 388-7199, and advises that snowmobilers call before riding.
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