100 Mile Snow Safari Forum

Saw the fence when it was going in this past fall along the trail through Townsend along Hy. 32.
We finally rode down that way this AM. I think it is probably a good idea to keep sled traffic in line and away from on coming auto traffic especially at night.
I see that they used at least 3 different styles of fencing from chain link to plastic 3 rail and post to a common wire fence that you see along most freeways. One thing that struck me as odd was that they topped off the wire fence sections WITH BARBED WIRE!
Just wondering if anyone else thought that the barbed wire was overkill and unsafe in this application...what purpose does it serve?

Trails were awesome as ussual!

I didnt think the barbed wire was to smart either but the thing that didnt make sense to me was the gate way if you wanna call it that to cross the road to get to the bar next to the boat landing, I dont recall the name of it but the opening is just wide enough to fit one sled through it. Why didnt the make if wider to at least make it comfortable for one sled to make it through or maybe even two sleds. Just my opinion.

The fence was erected by the Wi.D.O.T. because of the pending designation as the nicolet state trail. The reason was to keep the highway crossings at approved locations. This was more of a concern for 4-wheelers damaging the ditches and right of ways.This is in anticipation of a connection being opened to connect the grade at the south of Forest co. to the grade at the south end of Townsend. The proposed route must cross national forest lands and at this time the feds are not allowing any crossing of their{our}lands by atv's. The opennings in the fence were{are} quite a contentious issue. The only drive-through was to access the flowage at Markuby's bar, however there are now opennings at the resteruants as well, autherized or not I don't know. As to differing fence types that was political ,with the former town supervisor getting chain link in front of his house.{also no barbed wire} What were they thinking to put barbed wire adjacent to a recreation trail?? I pity the poor soul who hits the fence and goes over the handlebars.

Paddy, thanks for the info.
Kinda figured it was largley political and "fence by comity".
I would imagine the plastic 3 rail was used to dress up the immediate "town" area. The trails were being graded and graveled also in the fall, me and the wife wondered if the funds for all this work was coming out of snowmobile funds.Trails are more like the grade now, less whoops, like it or not...
Still puzzled by the barbed wire though...not cool.

snoway; The funding for the work now done was entirely D.O.T. They took the top 6-12" off the trail in anticipation of graveling it this spring. Though as of now there is not funding from the A.T.V. funds for doing it this year. So The A.T.V. trail will end at Vally veiw rd on the south end of Townsend. As to the barbed wire, the engineer finaly has realized the concern and it looks like the barbs will go.

Paddy,
It sounds like you are involved in this whole process.
Was this mostly done for ATV traffic? Do you have any info on the future plans for the NST?
I'm in Laona and wonder if the grade from laona north is going to be aquired from the private owner and continue through Laona to hook up with the current trail on the grade just so. of long lake.

Currently the grade goes as far south as County Highway O, and from there, west across Hwy 139 to Aschenbrenner Rd. But the grade continues south. I think they were working on opening that up, and that it may (already) be open for ATV's, but not snowmobiles. Maybe Johnnie can shed some light on this?

Rumor has it, the rail from Laona north is being salvaged this summer. If and when this happens, the state will be moving to acquire the property and complete the NST. I assume this will be a high priority , because it would complete the whole north south state trail. Much is speculation, more facts will be known by this summer.

Good to see further development of Wi. already incredible trails system.
That would make for a quick ride into and out of the UP. Sounds like a win win.