OCONTO COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – After weeks of preparations and working with the changing weather conditions, it’s time for some outdoor play.
Snowmobile trails in northern Oconto County are open and ready for business.
With a signal from the cab of the groomer, Larry Mertz made his way down the trail Friday morning. He put some finishing touches on part of the 85-mile system the Paul Bunyan Riders Snowmobile Club maintains in the Lakewood area.
“We always look at, if we can get the trails open by Christmas, that’s the bonus, and we did. Christmas Eve,” said Dennis Pommering, Paul Bunyan Riders Snowmobile Club president.
Pommering says grooming started relatively early in the season, but the recent warm temperatures and wind, had an impact.
“That took a lot of trees down and also branches, large branches of all sizes and stuff. So we had to go back out with a road crew and clear the trails again,” he said.
Pommering says cleanup is complete, and the Paul Bunyan trails are ready to go.



