December 17, 2014 at 3:35 p.m.
Snowshoes are great for racing or recreation in the Northwoods
Snowshoes are great for racing or recreation in the Northwoods
Anyone who can walk can snowshoe so it makes for a great family activity. New shoes can often be found for right around $100 and retailers in the Rhinelander area also rent snowshoes for those who are just looking to try the sport before making a financial commitment. I personally enjoy snowshoeing because it's a great alternative to winter outdoor sports like skiing or snowmobiling that you can enjoy almost every day with a group or by yourself.
The Rhinelander area has a great selection of groomed trails that will guide snowshoers through forests and around lakes. Almon County Park Trail is located just south of Rhinelander on Buck Lake is a great trail to try out if you are just beginning to snowshoe. If you're feeling a little more adventurous try out the CAVOC Trails off of South Shore Drive near Holiday Acres Resort. This trail system is full of hilly terrain and is a little better for the advanced beginner to expert snowshoer. The Washburn trails west of town also provide a more challenging terrain as well as options for shorter or longer routes, depending on your ability level and time availability. A quick jaunt around any of our area lakes is also a fantastic way to spend a day or night out with a pair of snowshoes and a friend or two.
If you're looking to get into the competitive side of things, then the Rhinelander Area Silent Trails Association's (RASTA) Fourth Annual Snowshoe Hare Snowshoe Race should already be on your calendar. The race will be held at Holiday Acres on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015 and will offer age and gender divisions, 5k or 10k distances, a kid's race, and post-race chili feed. Registration opened this week and forms are available online at http://www.rastatrails.org/races/snowshoe-hare-2/ or stop in at the chamber of commerce and we'll be happy to print one off for you.
Registration for the race kicks off at 9 a.m. and the 5K and 10K races begin at 10:30 a.m. Registration is $25 before Jan. 2 or you can register the day of the race for $30. The kid's race is free for kids 12 and under and is expected to start around 11:30 a.m. You can check out all the details for the race by visiting RASTA's website at http://www.rastatrails.org.
For a full listing of area trails and outfitters, visit our website or stop in at the chamber of commerce for trail maps, snow conditions and trail reports, and lots of other info. I look forward to seeing you on the trails this season!
Dana DeMet is the executive director of the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce. He may be reached at (715) 365-6474.
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