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Trail Conditions
Blue Hills Trail CONDITIONS
Sunday - morning update
Packed powder conditions, very good skating, excellent striding.
A very destructive December ice storm (visit our blog for photos etc) initially shut down our skiing. Despite the December ice storm, about half of our East Side trails are open; Excelsior Road is open on the West Side. Click here for helpful maps that show our open trails.
Snowshoers: we prefer you use the Ridges Snowshoe Trail as your first option. If snowshoeing on the groomed ski trail, please snowshoe well to the side. On January 26, a great new loop was added to the Ridges Trail - the 'Highland Loop' - it climbs to the Ridgeline near intersection #12. The 'Highland Loop' doesn't yet show on our maps, but it's well marked in the field.
IMPORTANT UPDATES
Autumn 2022, loggers cut a large timber sale on the East Side in the vicinity of the Otter Slide and Far East trails (those trails are the furthest 'east' trails). In late January, when the ground is well frozen, loggers will haul those logs to market using a route to the east and mostly separate from the ski trails. Click here for a map showing the involved trails.
snowfall
January 27: 2" fine grained dry snow
grooming & MOWING
Grooming Report / Plans --- note: due to December 15 extensive ice storm damage, grooming is currently limited to about half of the East Side trails and Excelsior Road on the West Side. These are some of our favorite trails. Click here to see where we're grooming.
January 28 evening: touched up the skate deck
January 27 evening: groomed all the open trails - including fresh classic track
weather forecast
The Blue Hills Trail of northern Wisconsin's Rusk County is a 22-mile system that is considered one of the most scenic cross-country ski trails in the Midwest. The trail's many loops and intersections allow skiers to make their outings as long and challenging or as short and easy as desired.
In addition to skiing, the trail is open to snowshoeing, hiking and biking during the non-winter seasons, and hunting in the fall.
Read MoreThe Blue Hills Trail was established in 1987 by a group of local cross-country skiers. Originally incorporated as the Rusk County Trail Association, the organization reincorporated as the Blue Hills Trail Association (BHTA) in the fall of 2006 to reflect the increasingly regional nature of the operation and to facilitate the attainment of 501c3 nonprofit status.
The group remains dependent on annual membership dues, donations, and the cooperation of the Rusk County Forestry Department for its continued existence.
New members, suggestions and financial support are all greatly appreciated.
Thanks to all the individuals and businesses that support the Blue Hills Trail System year round.
Please consider leaving your legacy of support by including the Blue Hills Trail Association, Inc. in your will.
Trail Maps
a PDF
All intersections are clearly labeled with "You Are Here" maps.
Please: no motor vehicles, no walking on groomed ski trails, no horses
(Click map to view a full-size image)
.jpg)
a PDF
All intersections are clearly labeled with "You Are Here" maps.
Please: no motor vehicles, no walking on groomed ski trails, no horses
(Click map to view a full-size image)
a PDF
All intersections are clearly labeled with "You Are Here" maps.
Please: no motor vehicles, no walking on groomed ski trails, no horses
(Click map to view a full-size image)
.jpg)
a PDF
All intersections are clearly labeled with "You Are Here" maps.
Please: no motor vehicles, no walking on groomed ski trails, no horses
(Click map to view a full-size image)
.jpg)
Driving Directions
Travel 8 miles northwest of Bruce on County O; watch for Fire Lane road one-half mile east of the Christie Mountain downhill ski area. Then travel 2.5 miles north on Fire Lane Road. Signs to the Blue Hills Trail will show you the way.
Mileage from various cities to the Blue Hills Trail
- Rice Lake : 20 miles
- Eau Claire : 75 miles
- Rhinelander : 120 miles
- Duluth-Superior : 120 miles
- Marshfield : 120 miles
- Wausau : 135 miles
- Minneapolis/St. Paul : 120 miles
- La Crosse : 140 miles
- Madison : 245 miles
- Milwaukee : 315 miles
- Chicago : 400 miles
Get Detailed Driving Directions
On the map above, please click the red map point. This will open up a new browser tab where you can enter your starting address to access detailed directions to the Blue Hills Trail.
Warming House Words
25 miles of trails
Endless beauty
Memories for a lifetime
View a list of Blue Hills Trail donors
Bike & Ski Shops
Gear West (Long Lake, MN)
New Moon Ski & Bike (Hayward)
Out There (Rice Lake)
Spring Street Sports (Chippewa Falls)
Nearby Lodging
Canoe Bay Inn (Chetek)
Cobblestone Hotel & Suites (Ladysmith)
VisitRiceLake.com (lodging info & much more)
Rusk County Tourism (general lodging info)
Trail Amenities & Safety
The Blue Hills Trail provides a heated warming house at the East Side trailhead where you can change out of your day clothes and into your ski gear if desired. The furnace operates from early December until winter disappears.
Map information, the trail log book, and seating are inside for your convenience.
Separate men and women's pit toilets are a short walk from the warming house.
There is no cell service or running water, so please plan accordingly. Like any other wilderness outing, you are on your own. Be prepared, be safe, know your limits.
During the coronavirus pandemic, we request a mask in the warming house. Thank you in advance for respecting our facilities!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located?
Please see above for directions.
Are ATVs and snowmobiles allowed?
With the exception of a shared use agreement on Excelsior Road, the entire trail system is non-motorized and intended for silent sports activities. Please report violators to the Rusk County Sheriff's office at 715-532-2200.
What's the policy regarding the use of Excelsior Road?
Beginning the winter of 2019-20, we have permission to groom and ski the entire length of Excelsior Road (refer to the West Side map).
- Grooming for skiing begins some time around the middle of December.
- During the winter ski season, once grooming begins, cars and trucks are not allowed on Excelsior Road.
- The middle of the road is groomed for skate skiers; classic track is set on the north side of the road.
- The south side of the road is for ATVs, snowmobiles, snowshoers, and hikers.
- A small parking lot at the east end of Excelsior Road was created 2022. More parking is available nearby at the warming house.
What are the fees?
We request a daily donation of $10 per person at the trailhead. Donate what you can afford - please contribute $10 or more. At the donation pole near the warming house, you can pay with cash, check, or using the VENMO App on your phone. The Blue Hills Trail Association, Inc. is a non-profit corporation with an annual budget of $20,000+. Please support us either through daily donations, memberships, or separate donations. We are run entirely by volunteers so all your monies go toward maintaining and improving the Blue Hills Trail.
How can I become a member of the Blue Hills Trail Association?
Please click here to take out a membership. Thank you - your support helps us remain financially stable.
How can I donate to the Blue Hills Trail Association?
Please click here to donate. Thank you - your support helps us keep these trails available to all. Click here for a list of donors for our current fiscal year. Please consider leaving your legacy of support by including the Blue Hills Trail Association, Inc in your will.
Do you have maps of the trail system?
Please see the Maps section above for trail maps.
Do you groom for classic skiing?
You are welcome to stride (classic ski) on any of the trails. Groomers place classic track on most of the trail sections, often totaling 25 km. We do not place track on steeper downhills, some downhill curves, narrow/rough sections, or technically challenging trails. After some heavier snowfalls it may take a couple grooming sessions before the snow is ready for fresh classic track. Setting track often requires a magical combination of adequate fresh snow, the right humidity, and cooperative temperatures.
Is snowshoeing allowed?
Snowshoers are welcome. A dedicated snowshoe trail starts just east of the warming house. Please see the Maps section above to view the 'Ridges' snowshoe trail. If snowshoeing on the ski trail, please stay toward the side of the groomed surface to lessen your impact on the skating lane - and it goes without saying that you should avoid the classic track.
Do you rent skis and/or snowshoes?
We don't offer rentals - visit the Shops & Lodging section above for suggestions of ski shops that may offer rentals. Snowshoes may be available for loaner use at the Visitor's Center in Ladysmith.
Is it OK if I walk or hike on the ski trail?
No!!! Walking on any portion of the groomed ski trail ruins the grooming. Similar to the surface of an ice skating rink, we try to maintain a smooth surface for skate skiers, and of course the classic tracks need to be crisp and clean.
Are dogs allowed?
Winter ski season:
-Dogs are not allowed on the ski trails on the East Side of the trail system.
-Dogs are welcome on the dedicated snowshoe trails (East Side).
-Dogs are welcome on the West Side of the trail system.
Non-winter:
-Dogs are welcome throughout the trail system.
Please be responsible, clean up after your dog and remove other droppings as well.
Are horses allowed?
Horses are not allowed on the East Side of the trail system. During dry conditions in summer and fall, horses are allowed on the West Side - the best access is at Letter A.
Are snow bikes allowed?
No.
Are bathrooms available?
We maintain separate pit toilets for men and women. Find them north of the warming house at the East Side trail head.
Do you have running water?
No running water is available. Please supply your own hydration.
Do you have electricity available?
No.
Is the warming house heated?
Yes. During the ski season, the warming house is heated to 62 degrees F during the daylight hours and 45 degrees F overnight.
Are the comments in the logbook in the warming house available online?
As of December 2010, many of those comments will be posted on our blog. Click here for archived comments from the warming house logbook.
Is cell phone service available?
No. But you may be able to receive cell phone service about 3 miles south of the warming house on County Highway O.
Where is the closest lodging?
Please visit the Shops & Lodging section above. More lodging is available at Christie Mountain, Bruce, Weyerhaeuser, Ladysmith, & Rice Lake. Lodging information is also available at these websites: Rice Lake Tourism and Rusk County Tourism.
Do you send out trail updates?
Yes! To receive grooming updates, special events, news, announcements, volunteer days, and more, please sign up for our email newsletter in the subscribe section below. Your privacy is important to us, and your information is never shared.
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