Forest rec trails not quite ready

RHINELANDER, Wis. - Outdoor enthusiasts may be ready to hit the recreational trails in northern Wisconsin after all the snow this week.

But, managers at the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest say the trails aren't quite ready.

Lands and recreation program manager Jeff Mell says the ground underneath the snow isn't frozen yet, and that sets the base for the trails. With soft ground conditions, users could easily damage the trails.

National Forest employees will be working to prep the trails for the season and will open them when conditions are appropriate. They're asking for a little patience as they groom the trails for the season.

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest covers more than 1.5 million acres in northern Wisconsin.

The latest information on the forest can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/CNNF.