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Taylor County in North Central Wisconsin is a hidden "gem" for snowmobiling and other winter activities
When the snow pummels Wisconsin's Northland with glistening mounds of fluff, and the sound of "vroom -- vroom" that was in snowmobilers' minds is now in their machines, another season roving Northwoods forests and frozen lakes is underway!
And one thing common to all snowmobilers is finding "another new and undiscovered" trail or area to enjoy. Enter Taylor County, Wisconsin, a lesser-known gem in North Central Wisconsin boasting more than 300 miles of trails criss-crossing the County and connecting to a network of six adjacent counties, and many other Wisconsin trails.
"Snowmobiling is one of our most popular winter activities," says Taylor County Tourism Council member and avid snowmobiler, Mike Roiger. "Our trails offer unspoiled, uncrowded, beautiful snowmobiling, maintained by eleven local clubs (Taylor County Snowmobile Clubs Grooming Association), using a brand new Ultimate Groomer (made in Laona, WI); a 1995 LMC and a 1979 LMC to keep the trails in top shape.
One major snowmobile corridor in Taylor County is the Pine Line Rail Trail, #23, a scenic, 26.1 mile corridor between Medford and Prentice -- an old railroad right-of-way -- the most heavily used of the Taylor County trails.
Roiger believes Taylor County's "most picturesque" trail is the segment of the 35 mile M and E trail that traverses the Mondeaux Recreational Area in the Chequamegon National Forest, easily accessible off of Corridor 23. Roiger adds that "many wonderful, pristine, lesser-used trails loop off of #23 and other major Taylor County Corridors like #21 and #25.
Long a winter recreation mecca, Taylor County boasts trails, facilities, and access for pursuits as diverse as tobogganing, tubing, skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. In addition, a slew of winter weekend events and activities dot the Taylor County calendar.
For other winter activities, Wisconsin's Ice Age National Scenic Trail snakes across Taylor County for more than 70 miles, with groomed, tracked cross-country ski trails in the winter; including the five-mile "UGH" Trail near Rib Lake. Taylor County's Perkinstown Winter Sports Area offers inner tubing, cross-country skiing; snowmobile trails; and also contains portions of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
Other Taylor County highlights include the 167,000-acre s. quadrant of the Chequamegon National Forest; 17,000-acre Taylor County Forest; and 7,900-acre Pershing Wildlife Area.
Taylor County, located roughly between Eau Claire & Wausau, is bordered by Wisconsin Highways 64, 8, 27 and 13 and includes communities like Medford (County Seat); Rib Lake, Westboro, Stetsonville, Chelsea, Gilman, Perkinstown and Lublin, among others.
For information and maps on Taylor County snowmobiling, and other year-round activities, contact Taylor County Tourism Council, c/o Medford Chamber of Commerce, Box 231, Medford, WI 54451; 888/682-9567; 715/748-4729; e-mail: chamber@dwave.net.