What a Day!

Duck Lake

Lookout Mountain

A beautiful day and a lot of snow.  Snowshoeing from Turtle Lake Road to Highway B on the Ice Age Trail is tough.

Underdown ski trails are perfect - fast but not too icy yet.  Loop Road has a fast track for skating.   Snowshoe trails are solid for fat bikes.

South to Rib Mountain

Lookout Mountain

North to Rhinelander

First Day of Spring

• Whatever that means.
• Underdown got even more snow, and it will still be hanging around in April.  Ski trails were all groomed for classic skiing today.
• Snowshoe trails have tracks all the way around the Mist Lake loop, and lakes are all very solid.
• I predict that the Ice Age Trail from Turtle Lake Road to Highway B will have a well established track by noon on Saturday.  The RASTA gravel ride is called off, but there should be some interesting fat biking by Good Friday.

It's Snowing Now

• On Monday the Underdown got 6 inches of snow that has now settled substantially.  Ski trails were groomed today including a nice skate lane around Loop Road.  
• Snowshoe trails have tracks at least around the Big Bog loop.  Dog Lake will be a nice hike, but the Mist Lake loop has no signs and possible slush.
• Somehow Steve rode the 9Zero7 to Dog Lake  today.  It must have been very tough.  Fat biking should be great by Sunday and buried again on Monday.  I'm riding dirt roads and snowmobile trails.

It Didn't Snow Here

Ski trails are still all groomed with progressive icing.   Snowshoe trails all are well established with boot hiking on the horizon.  The trail to Dog Lake is a twisty skinny sidewalk for fat bikes or regular bikes with the right tires.

RASTA Gravel Ride

Sunday March 24th east of Gleason
Details on the Facebook here

I don't do the Facebook but I did post this kitty cat video.

Last Perfect Weekend?

• Underdown trails are in perfect condition right now, just in time for things to melt.  Ski trails were all groomed today including a firm skate path around Loop Road.
• Snowshoe trails are well established and firm.  Steve already rode a couple fat bike laps around the race course to Dog Lake today.  An owl was hanging out there tonight.  Mist Lake could get ridden this weekend, but more likely Sunday night than Saturday morning.  Fat bike gatherings go at 11 on Saturday and 4 on Sunday.  I retrieved the signs from the Mist Lake loop because I don't know when I'll get another chance.
• By the way, my brother ran the Mist Lake loop in 1:45 last weekend which has to be some kind of record.  I've hardly hiked it in under 3:00.  The bike record is 1:15, but that won't happen this weekend.  With luck the trail will be a sidewalk next weekend.
• The Beaver Trail area in Harrison has two loops over 13 lakes established for snowshoe, fat bike, and back country skiing.  Find the lake 4.8 miles north of J on Turtle Lake Road.

New Snow

• About 3 inches of powder fell on Underdown Friday.  
• Underdown is best for snowshoes right now.  Trails have tracks all the way to Mist Lake.  Lakes are solid with some creepy slush on Mist Lake.
• Ski trails were tracked late yesterday so there is only an inch of powder over the track.
• Nothing is ready for fat bikes at the moment.

Solid

Underdown ski trails are all groomed.  Loop Road is as solid as it's ever been for skating, and the road is bermed so trucks can't get in and wreck it again.
Snowshoe trails are well established and are even more solid for fat bikes than on race day last weekend.

2013 WEMS Championship at the Thunderdown

Snowbound

Time for Some Skiing

Of course you should get to the Abominable Fat Bike Race in Tomahawk Saturday, but biking in Harrison is probably done for the year.  I went out to drag some trail tonight.  It was a good workout, but I don't think it was too productive.  The snow had some moisture and the hills set up well when I rode the sled down, but too much snow has accumulated on the lakes for a bike to be ridden off a beaten path.

Ice is 99.9% solid, but I did find a thin spot on Lake #7 near something rotten we'd ridden right over in January.  The water was surprisingly warm and foul smelling.  I didn't go in too far past my knees and was able to crawl out and head back the other way.

Harrison is now the domain of fat skis, snowshoes and the otter I saw on the hill between Lake #1 and Beaver Lake.  Underdown should have a few more good fat bike weekends here and there this winter.

Snowbound in the Underdown

Photos Here

	Solo Men
1	0:40:53	Justin Piontek
2	0:43:03	Scott Veldhuizen
3	0:44:21	Shane Veldhuizen
4	0:45:35	Steve Engel
5	0:46:10	Gary Barden
6	0:46:32	Mark Cole
7	0:48:00	Luke Schuttenhelm
8	0:48:15	Paul Wagner
9	0:49:04	Kevin Eickelberger
10	0:49:40	Chris Scotch
11	0:52:25	Mark Scotch
12	0:53:19	Butch Piontek
13	0:56:15	David Williamson
14	0:56:16	Andy Oleson
15	1:00:15	Kevin Nowack
16	1:00:20	Mark Haferman
17	1:00:57	Phil White
18	1:03:00	Matt Haduik
	Solo Women
1	0:48:35	Jen Barden
2	0:55:55	Beth Wagner
3	1:06:52	Karen Piontek
4	1:14:00	Lauren Haiduk
	Teams
1	12 laps @2:54 Just For Fun Scott and Shane
2	12 laps @2:56 Chris, Gary & Paul
3	11 laps @2:50 Justin Time for a Double Scotch
4	9 laps @2:47 Mark, Karen & Butch
5	8 laps @2:38 Beth & Jen
6	7 laps @2:42 Bacon

Trail Conditions

• The fat bike race course to Dog Lake is in great shape.
• The snowshoe trail has tracks all the way to Mist Lake.
• Underdown ski trails were all groomed today with the new machine.
• The Beaver Trail area in Harrison is just for back country skis and snowshoes right now.

Race Saturday

• A group ride has been called for 6:45PM on Friday night at the Underdown, but it could be a hike instead.  Check for updates.
• The Snowboud in the Underdown is on for Saturday!  Nothing in the forecast indicates otherwise.  Trails were perfect last Sunday and the few inches of new snow will be knocked down and ridden in by Friday.
• The 10AM solo course will likely be using the Dog Lake Loop which takes about an hour.  The 1PM team race will use trails Z and A which is about 2 miles.
• Sunday's 10AM group ride in Harrison should make it to all 16 lakes with a little bit of hiking on some of the climbs.

Snowshoe Hike

Photo by Mike Ziemke

Good Trail

Fat biking is great to Dog Lake, but soft to Mist Lake and in Harrison.

Underdown ski trails are all tracked.  Harrison is great for back country skiing with tracks to 16 lakes.
All Underdown snowshoe trails have prominent tracks.

A Weekend for Skis and Snowshoes

Underdown got over 4 inches of new snow this week.  Ski trails are all tracked.  Snowshoe trails all have tracks.

Underdown snowshoe hike: 10AM Saturday
Harrison snowshoe hike: 10AM Sunday at the lake on the left side of Turtle Lake Road about 4.8 miles north of J.  If you hit the north end of Beaver Trail Road you've gone a bit too far.

Good Stuff All Around

Underdown  got 4 inches of snow on Friday.  Ski trails are all tracked.  Snowshoe trails all have tracks.  Trails A and Z are well established.   Bogs could still use a bit more snow, but conditions look good for a fat bike race to Dog Lake in 2 weeks.

Harrison has solid tracks to 14 lakes - a bit tough on a fat bike now but rideableish.  Conditions will improve over the next few days.  Great for back country ski and snowshoe.

Beaver Trail Perfect Day

One Inch

Underdown got an inch of new snow this week.  The red and green ski trails were groomed Friday.

Snowshoe trails are best on boots right now.

Beaver trail is best for bikes right now, and it has been back country skied.

Underdown Snowshoe Hike

Saturday February 2nd at 10AM
Underdown Main Parking Lot

Hike from one hour to four.
Fire and refreshments.

Ice Conditions

Snowshoes: Not worth it
Skis: Impossible
Book Hiking: Nice
Bikes:

• Harrison: Marginal snow on land and clean ice on lakes 
• Underdown: Good trails, clean ice on lakes, lumpy bogs

Good Conditions

The Underdown ski trails have tracks set.  Snowshoe trails are well established to the Big Bog and fair to Dog Lake.  I rode a regular bike with 2.2" studs and did some hiking up hills, but it wasn't terrible.  There are rumors of wolves around Mist Lake.  I don't know about that, but there were some canine tracks around Dog Lake tonight that couldn't be explained any other way.

The Beaver Trail area in Harrison Hills will be a bit rough on a fat bike, but a worthwhile challenge.  I'll try Bradley Park tomorrow.

Powder

Underdown country has 3 inches of beautiful powder.  Ski trails have been skied in, but we'll probably have to wait until Friday for grooming.  Snowshoe trails all have tracks with solid lakes and improving tread across bogs.  Fat bike conditions are fair at best, but improving through next weekend.
The Beaver Trail in Harrison Hills has some cool routes for snowshoeing and back-country skiing.

Snow

The Underdown got 4 inches of new snow.  The green ski trail is dragged, but not tracked yet.  Snowshoe trails all have tracks and signs.  Bike riding conditions will be poor for a while except for A&Z and the lakes which are frozen solid.  Bogs need a lot more snow.  Tomorrow will be a day to check the lakes on the Beaver Trail backcountry in the Harrison Hills.

Snowbound in the Underdown

10AM  The solo race will follow as much as the snowshoe trail system as conditions permit,  hopefully past Dog Lake counter-clockwise all the way to Mist Lake for 8 miles of snow single-track.  This is the race for series points.

1PM The 3-person team relay will run for 3 hours on trails A & Z  for 2 funky miles of snow single-track.

$15 will get you into either race or both. 

ENTRY FORM Print a copy and bring it along if you want, or fill one out in the cold on race day.

Amenities: 

• Fire and miles of unique trails over hills, bogs, and lakes.  There may be more, but this event is really all about the trails.  
• Feel free to bring your favorite number plate or we can assign you a circular one.
• Guided group ride of the Beaver Trail back country Saturday night or Sunday morning.  Either way.

While you're in the area, visit our map sponsors.
For snacks: Prairie Pines Country Store on the north end of Gleason  at 17 and X
For burgers and pizza: Lighthouse Bar and Grill south of Gleason on X

Trail conditions.

Maps here.

Wisconsin State Fat-Bike Series Race Series

May

Saddle Switchback

Ghost Ride

 5PM Saturday, October 27

Poker Run

Capture the Flag

Spooks

New Trail

Beverage

Fire

WANTED

A Wausau rider to show up early to hide the flag

Loser pours

Bring your extra items to give away as Poker Run prizes.

So far we have an Ergon saddle and gourds.

 10 AM Calling All Cordless Drills

70 foot  boardwalk to be built on the Saddle switchback 

Ride Hemlock Hill

Trail CC is done except for the last climb.  Steve, Paul, Beth and Randy came out in the rain and got a lot done this weekend.  Monday afternoon and Saturday morning look like good times to come out and help finish it up.

Leaves are still coming down, but we'll get rid of them in a week or so.

New Trail Day

Please come on out to build a funky new third mile of trail.  This will be your last chance to build new trail in the Underdown for at least 5 years so don't miss out.

Come any time on October 13th and 14th and work as long as you want.  I'll be there the whole time with a good collection of digging tools.

Drive or walk in on the trail X double track from Loop Road and climb the Saddle hill on trail XX and C.  See trail CC in red on the map below.

Be prepared to be scared on the October 27th Ghost Ride at 5PM. This is your chance to ride the new trail in the dark and win an Ergon titanium saddle and other fabulous prizes.  Start saving your used goodies to add to the poker run pot.

Support Our Map Sponsors

Lincoln County: Always something to do

Knight Lake Serenity: Quiet cabins just south of the Underdown

Red Eye Brewing: Wausau

Rib Mountain Cycles: Wausau

TC Teardrops: Super sleek campers

Bikes N Boards: Rhinelander

Giant: Fast machines

Changing Gears Pedal and Paddle: Tomahawk

Builer's Cyclery and Fitness: Wausua

Rhinelander Area Silent Trails Association

CoVantage Credit Union

 

Prairie Pines Country Store: Gleason

St. Stephen's United Church of Christ: Merrill

The Lighthouse Bar & Grill: Gleason

Uniquely Schotz: Quilts, beads and fiber adventures Irma

Subway: Merrill, Tomahawk, Antigo

Merrill Veterinary Clinic

Mel's Trading Post: Rhinelander

Tomahawk Surplus Store

BURGR 2013

Bill Underdown's Roubaix-style Group Ride will start and finish at the Lighthouse Bar & Grill next year.  The course will measure 95.5 miles including 66.2 miles on gravel.

Ice Age Trail Fall Hike

Saturday, September 22, 2012

10 A.M.

Northwoods Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance will have there Fall Color Hike in the beautiful rolling hardwoods in the Harrison Hills  of Lincoln County.  Hike will be approximately 2 ½ to 3 miles in length.  Cookies and refreshments will be served.

Public is invited

Meet at the Recreational parking lot on Highway B

Time:  10.A.M.

Bring water

Directions:  Take Highway 64 East of Merrill to Highway l7. Go north 19 miles on Highway 17 to Highway B.  Turn right(west) on B.  Go 1 mile to the Ice Age Trail Trail-head at the Recreational Parking Lot.  Follow Ice Age Trail Event signs.

Any questions Contact Ruby Jaecks  brjaecks@airrun.net or 715-443-3586

Pitch Black Photos

Photos from David Swanson

Photos from Coleman Retzlaff

Heineman Fire

This is one map of the extent of the 1910 Heineman fire that wiped out the town of 400.  Other accounts tell of fires moving south from the Underdown and narrowly missing two homesteads on Yanda Ave.

Thanks to Robert Rusch.

Railroads and Ghost Towns

Major Historic Railroads of Lincoln County

Dunfield Townsite just north of the Underdown on County J near Alta Junction where the Long Lake Line split from the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad System

Major railroads and logging railroads including the Wright Lumber Company line into the Underdown with Camps 1 & 2

Thanks to Robert Rusch of Rib Lake for the research

Old Underdown Railroad Map

 

A few days ago Irv Bork and I compared notes about historic sites in the Underdown.  As a kid Irv herded milk cows in the Underdown so he knows it well.

Lumber Camp 1 was found on the Wright Brothers rail line just east of county forest land.  Most of that line was graded by horses pulling slushers which were drags that would pull dirt from hills and drop it in the fills.  The Greek Fill was actually done with shovels and steel wheelbarrows.  The rail company had  immigrants work off their lack of a sponsor by filling in that low part of the rail grade with manpower.  The Kelsey (spelling unknown) Branch of rails was a good place to retrieve the cows in early summer when food was abundant.

The lumber camp just north of Underdown Lake was Camp 2, and Camp 3 was somewhere in the vicinity of Loop Road near trail X.  The bike trail crosses the Camp 3 branch at the Monster Bridge and Blackwater Bridge.  The location of Camp 4 is a mystery, but it was somewhere west of the others.  My hunch is somewhere near Henson Lake.

The stone foundation and furrowed pine plantation first believed to be the home of Bill Underdown is actually the Scheidlow (spelling unknown) Homestead.  The concrete and stone confirms it to be a more recent structure.  Most earlier homesteads were just logs laid out right on the earth.  A story I had heard recently was confirmed.  Underdown's homestead was on the grounds of the current Lincoln County Landfill.  The pine plantation north of the main Underdown parking lot was farmland at one time, and there was another homestead near the little parking lot on Loop Road.  There is barbed wire and a balsam plantation on the site.  I've also found barbed wire on the Roundtop Hill where the frost comes out early so the Borks could plant corn two weeks earlier than anywhere else before the county acquired the land by trade.

Before Camp Squawberry was a Girl Scout camp it was the Anderson homestead.  A silo, foundation and chimney can still be found on the site.  Not much is left of the Heineman ghost town that was leveled by fire in 1910.  Some stone from the mill foundation hides in the brush near the railroad bridge pilings south of Heineman Road.

Where is this?

Go ride!

Radio Shows

Wegener
Lund
Schotz
Ek

Go Ride

August mowing is done.  The hornet's nest on trail U has finally been found and destroyed.
Try something new like trail V or trail M around the hollow.

BURGR Results

1. Joel Hynes 96 miles in 5:40
2. Chris Schotz a bit later
3. Mike Curtes some time later
4. Randy Wegener s.t.

Back next year.  Maybe a Lighthouse start-finish.

Single Speed Awards

Custom Awards by Karie.

Bill Underdown's Roubaix Style Group Ride

This a 96 mile, self-navigated, unsupported, free "group ride" through the wilderness dirt roads of Lincoln, Langlade, and Oneida counties.  Like with any other training ride, you will be responsible for yourself and should not count on rescue from anyone.  You will be on the road for 7 hours or more and will not pass through any town for the final 90 miles.  You will be in bear and wolf territory most of the time.  Your phone will work most of the time.  All traffic laws and laws of nature apply.

Start: 10AM July 14th Underdown parking lot

Gear:

• This is a cross bike ride.  Mountain bikes would make it, but without compromise tires they will be tougher to ride that far.  Road bikes will not survive some fire road segments.
• I'm using the same 700x32 tires that got me across Iowa.  Sometimes those aren't quite enough, but overall they are an efficient and durable choice.
• You will receive a cue sheet with turns, road names, and mileage.  You will need an accurate computer unless you plan on never getting dropped from the group.  You will need a way to hold your cue sheet whether a stem bag with a window, clip board, binder clips, or the cuff of your shorts.
• Because the route really doesn't have to be top secret, and I don't want anyone getting stranded: Map Joel's Ride 
• Depending on temperatures, start with 3 or 4 bottles and put the same in your drop bag.
• Sunday should be a good day to pick raspberries in the Underdown.

Wausau Recaptures Thunderdown Cup

Wausau 315
Rhinelander 301
Madison 186

Results
Photos

You're Not Alone Out There

Low flying eagles and deer at Oktoberfest
Loons on Underdown Lake
Bear tracks on U and KK
Ducklings on Dog Lake

The short course will run up Loop Road to visit the Round Top aid station instead of using trail X.

Where?

Long Course Profile

Data collected by Jason on Saturday: about 2000 feet of climbing per lap.


TEST LAP- 1:29 by #11
Someone will finish a lap around 1:20.

Building a new deck?

Why not donate the old one to your local trail builder?  Thanks Beth and Paul.

Steve and I gave White Lightning a new top today.  He's always up for some crazy trail project.  Between the two of us, the race course got mowed.

Any Questions?

Just like last year, the race will split on the top of the climb about 2 miles in.

Free Book Download

Underground in the Underdown will be free on Sunday, June 24th only.
It's not about bikes.  It was just written on one.

Group Ride June 23rd 10AM

By then the trail will be mowed, cleaned and partly marked.

The Muddy Angle

Not muddy anymore.