Blue Hills Trail

07/05/2026

Summer mowing of the East Side trails began in late June. The Blue Hills Trail Association mows most of the East Side of the trail system. The Rusk County Forestry Department usually mows the West Side of the trail system in August or September. Visit the website for mowing updates: https://www.bluehillstrail.com/ and click on 'Trail Conditions' top center of each page.

03/01/2026

Announcing…
Big news! The Blue Hills Trail Association recently received a very generous donation from the Jean Sanford Replinger Foundation. Jean passed away in November 2024 at the age of 96. Her decades-long connection to the Blue Hills Trail was just one of her many outdoor passions – her memory serves as a tremendous inspiration to her numerous friends and family, and anyone who knew of her.

Read the following message [in brackets] from the Jean Sanford Replinger Trust:
[Jean was a lifelong outdoor enthusiast and educator. Born in Ladysmith, WI, and a graduate of UW Madison, Jean was committed to using the outdoor experience to spark curiosity, discovery, learning and stewardship of the natural world, of human relationships, and the care of our communities through the values of diversity, equity and inclusion.

It was while teaching at Antioch College in Ohio (1950-67) that Jean began the tradition of an annual weeklong ski trip to the Blue Hills in northwest Wisconsin. Students, coworkers and friends were invited, experienced skiers and novices alike. This tradition continued after Jean and her husband, Randy, and son, Eric, moved to Marshall MN, where Jean was a professor of outdoor education (1969-96).

We are pleased to be able to make this contribution to the Blue Hills Trail Association knowing that it will go toward helping to keep trails accessible and in good condition so that all who are interested are able to experience the delight and rejuvenation that a good ski experience provides.]

To learn more of Jean’s background, her love of silent sports, and to appreciate one person’s ability to favorably impact their world, visit this link to her beautiful obituary:
https://www.hamiltonfh.com/obituaries/jean-replinger

01/27/2026

Trail Report:
Very good skiing at the Blue Hills!
Many side trails on the East side were groomed yesterday, January 26th. Planning to groom the East side core loop today January 27th, including setting fresh classic track. The west side skate deck was groomed January 21st, the classic track is in good shape.

01/22/2026

Trail Report:
East Side Core Loop and West Side groomed Wednesday evening, should be good skiing. All other trails were groomed earlier this week and have 1”-2” of powder topping the base.

See website for complete daily trail reports:

The Blue Hills Trail of northern Wisconsin's Rusk County offers 22 miles of trails for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, biking, hiking, and fall hunting.

01/01/2026

Trail Report:

December 31 (evening): groomed the East Side Core Loop and the East Side Roundabout trails; groomed most of the West Side. Good skiing is available. Ungroomed trails will provide plenty of 'backcountry' skiing until grooming can be expanded while removing ice damaged trees/branches.

The December 28th big snowfall transitioned from rain to ice to wet snow to dry snow, and was accompanied by stiff winds -- and plenty of downed branches. Please help remove trail debris as you ski.

12/12/2025

Trail Report:

East Side: Good skating and striding on the 11 km East Side Core Loop. More skating available on the side trails that branch off the Core Loop.

West Side: 4" of standing snow on top of the trails that were rolled (packed) December 8.

Grooming Plans: December 12 (Friday) - planning on rolling the West Side trails, then perhaps returning to the East Side to work on the side trails branching off the Core Loop.

For more details, visit our website:

The Blue Hills Trail of northern Wisconsin's Rusk County offers 22 miles of trails for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, biking, hiking, and fall hunting.

12/03/2025

December 3, 2025
1/2" fresh snow topping the East Side groomed trails which have a 1"-2" fairly solid base (a mostly uniform cover with a corduroy surface) where the first grooming of the season was performed Sunday/Monday/Tuesday (Nov. 30th - December 2nd). The groomed trails are a bit soft if you plan on skating; but firm enough to provide decent striding. The Core Loop has the firmest surface. Typical of early season skiing, anticipate an uneven surface with occasional dirt spots and grasses.

Ungroomed trails (West Side trails) have 6+ inches of snow covering an icy crust on warm ground.

Use your rock skis - or 'B' skis - until the base is thicker.

12/02/2025

LAST UPDATE: December 1, 2025
Groomed trails have a 1.5"-2" fairly solid base (a mostly uniform cover with a corduroy surface) where the first grooming of the season was performed on November 30th. Groomed trails include the Core Loop, Whitetail, Rollercoaster, and Roundabout. The groomed trails are a bit soft if you plan on skating; but firm enough to provide decent striding.

Ungroomed trails have 6+ inches of snow covering an icy crust on warm ground.

Use your rock skis - or 'B' skis - until the base is thicker.

12/01/2025

From our groomers:

Performed first grooming of the season on November 30th by rolling the East Side Core Loop - creating a corduroy surface.

No firsthand trail reports from skiers. Estimating ungroomed trails have 4+ to 6+ inches of snow on an icy crust.