12/12/2025

N. WISCONSIN - Drivers in Wisconsin are now required to move over or slow down when approaching disabled vehicles on the side of the road under a new law signed by Gov. Tony Evers.  Evers signed Assembly Bill 409, now 2025 Wisconsin Act 54, into law this week, expanding the state’s Move Over Law to include disabled vehicles stopped along the road with hazard lights on, emergency devices or flares placed near the vehicle, or one or more persons attending to the vehicle and visible to motorists.  This law expands Wisconsin’s Move Over law was enacted in 2001 which requires drivers traveling on a road with two or more lanes in the same direction to slow down and / or move out of the lane closest to stopped law enforcement vehicles, ambulances, fire trucks, tow trucks, utility or highway maintenance vehicles with their warning lights activated.  Violators could be cited with a noncriminal moving violation and a fine of up to $300.  Penalties increase if the violation results in an accident. 

Mercer Snowmobile / Ski Trail Report

Mercer Sno-Goers Snowmobile Trail Report

Expect early-season riding conditions.

8- Open/ Groomed

8a- Closed

9- Closed/ Packed & Rolled

9a- Closed/ Packed & Panned

10 & 10a- Closed/ Partially Groomed

10e- Closed/ Groomed

11- Closed

12- Closed

12a&b- Closed/ Partially Groomed

14- Closed

17n- Open/ Groomed

17s- Open/ Groomed

19- RR #2 is groomed/ Closed, 19S to Vilas closed

19b- Closed

20- Closed

21- Closed/ Rolled

51e- Closed

182b- Closed/ Sled Packed

182- Closed/ Sled Packed

Closed = Impassable, trees & Brush or trails leading to lakes.

Partially Groomed = Wet Swamps, no access with Tractors yet.

Our crew is out working nonstop, we anticipate getting more trails open before the weekend. We will not open trails until we deem them safe. Keep monitoring our social media and website for up to date info.

Stay off the lakes, ice is not safe.

MECCA Trails:

MECCA Trails are gradually coming to life again after last week's snowstorm which resulted in hundreds of trees falling across the ski and snowshoe trails. Here is the latest: Wolf - skiable, trees cleared, rolled, limited tree debris, tracks set and skate lanes combed, re-grooming tomorrow. Warmup Loop - skiable, trees cleared, rolled, limited tree debris, tracks set and skate lane combed, re-grooming tomorrow. Moose - skiable, trees cleared, rolled, moderate tree debris, grooming plans tomorrow to set track and comb skate lanes. Homestead - not skiable, planning to remove trees later this week, wetland packed today by snowshoers to promote freezing. Osprey - skiable but rough, trees cleared but additional cleanup required, rolled, moderate tree debris. Bluebird - skiable, trees cleared, rolled, very little tree debris, grooming plans tomorrow is to set track and comb skate lanes. Voss Lake, Otter. Birch - portions of Otter skiable however the majority of the loops need tree removal and grooming which is scheduled later this week.

Mercer Springs Snowshoe Trail - open, a winter wonderland!

Klondike and Donner Snowshoe Trails - not open, numerous trees down, tree removal later this week or next.

Volunteers have been amazing working in harsh conditions removing hundreds of trees. The plan is to continue to schedule work bees until the work is finished. Check our webpage to see when the next work day is scheduled. Thanks for your patience.

Winman Trails:

ALL TRAILS OPEN 

Current Condition:

We’re sitting on great coverage with firm, fast conditions across the entire system, winter is delivering the goods.

Planned Grooming/Maintenance:

Our crew spent the morning leveling trails and clearing the last of the downed trees and debris from the storm. Classic tracks are being re-set this afternoon. The remaining sections will be rolled later today, and tomorrow we’ll be back out to groom and set fresh tracks.

Huge thanks for your patience while we tackled storm cleanup and had to groom during the day last week and into this one. With the bulk of that work behind us, we expect to return to our typical early-morning grooming schedule next week.

If you’re able to lend a hand clearing branches and trees, please sign up on our Volunteer page. There are thousands of trees down across the system, and we truly need the strength of this community to get WinMan fully reopened. Thank you!

Fat Bike Trails

OPEN  Scout, WinMan One, Send It, Earn It, and Bridge are now open and riding well. That gives us roughly 5 miles of trail to enjoy for Global Fat Bike Day!

CLOSED  All other routes remain closed due to storm damage.

Current Condition:

Tire pressure matters more than ever right now. Please run very low pressure (3–5 psi max) to avoid breaking through the crust, prevent ruts, and give yourself the best traction for a smooth, fun ride.

Planned Grooming/Maintenance:

Our crew will continue clearing heavy storm debris off closed trails next week. We’ll open additional loops as soon as they’re safe and rideable.

If you’re able to help, please volunteer (sign up at this link). After a storm this big, it’s going to take all of us to get the trails ready for winter fun.

Snowshoe Trails

Current Condition: OPEN 

WinMan Passage (blue route) and Glacial Erratic (pink route)

CLOSED  All other trails

Most snowshoe trails are open to volunteers only at this time. The storm damage is still significant and navigation is unsafe at this time.

There are still thousands of trees and branches down across the routes, and we need extra hands to help clear them. If you’re able, please sign up on our Volunteer page and lend a hand. Your help will get these trails open for everyone that much sooner.

Sledding Hill

Current Condition: OPEN

We’ve packed down a good portion of the slope with equipment, but nothing beats the power of actual sleds. So bring your crew, make some runs, and help us firm up the hill even more. Let the winter fun begin!

12/11/2025

VILAS COUNTY - An Eagle River man has been charged with first-degree sexual assault of a child under 16 and made an initial appearance in Vilas County court on Dec. 2.

The criminal complaint alleges Shawn M. Briscoe, 37, sexually assaulted a child on multiple occasions over several years, using threat or force. Investigators were also told Briscoe sought treatment in a Green Bay rehabilitation facility for suicidal thoughts and addiction. Judge Martha Milanowski set a $250,000 cash bond, prohibiting contact with minors and individuals involved in the case. Upon posting bail, Briscoe must provide proof of where he’s living. The class B felonyhe’s been charged with carries a maximum of 60 years in prison.