Wagoner Trails Club focusing on improving Tower's ski trails

TOWER- A group of dedicated cross-country ski enthusiasts have breathed new life into the ski trails developed by former Tower DNR-area forester Howard Wagoner and other skiing enthusiasts. The new Wagoner Trails Club formed two years ago. The trails had been overseen by the Vermilion Outdoor Fitness Club, but that group had not been active for many years, and the trails, though still open, needed improvements.
The group’s first goal, according to Mary Shedd, one of the new club’s founders, was to restore the trails to prime skiing condition. This entailed many hours of volunteer work clearing brush and downed trees. It also included installing updated trail maps and new trail signage.
“We installed all new, redesigned maps at each intersection on the trail, 21 in all,” said Shedd. “Each intersection is numbered, with the number clearly marked on the sign post and the map,” she said, “so you can see on the map where you are.”
The 12 kilometers of trail are located south of Tower, on both the east and west sides of Hwy. 135. The trails feature both beginner and advanced loops, and traverse large pines, aspen, birch and conifer forest and lowland bog areas. Parking is available at the north trailhead, near the new Lamppa building, as well as the parking area 1.5 miles south of Tower on the west side of Hwy. 135.
The maps were created with generous help from both the DNR Trails office in Tower, as well as the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission in Duluth. The club is currently working on having brochures with smaller versions of the map made available in Tower.
Trailhead kiosks with maps and informational signs were built by Dan Broten and are located at both parking areas. The one installed at the north end serves both the ski trails and the Prospector ATV trailhead and was funded by the ATV group. The second, at the south trailhead just off Hwy. 135, was funded by the trails club, with volunteer work by Broten, along with Wayne and Allen Dahl.
The next goal of the group is to secure funding for better trail grooming equipment. Howard’s son, Terry Wagoner, has been in charge of grooming and setting tracks on the trails for many years. But the equipment he uses is old and outdated. This year, the club has purchased a used groomer/ tracker, which allows safer tracking on the hillier sections of the trail. Next year the club hopes to secure funding to purchase a new snowmobile to pull the tracker, since the current sled in use is old and having mechanical difficulties.
The third goal is to support wider use of area trails, for skiing, hiking, and biking. Many portions of the existing ski trails can be converted to year-round hiking trails with some work done around the wetter areas, said Shedd.
Securing funding for cross-country ski trails has become more difficult, Shedd said. The state provides some funding, but that is based on the number of cross-country ski trail licenses sold.
“The number of ski passes sold is declining,” said Shedd. “This means less funding for trails like these.” The club receives this funding every year, which is the main source of revenue for trail grooming and maintenance. The city of Tower and its Gundersen Trust have also supplied funding for the trails over the years.
Skiers age 16 and older using the City of Tower-Howard Wagoner Trails are required to purchase the Minnesota Ski Pass, which is available locally at Vermilion Fuel and Food and The Y Store, as well as online at mndnr.gov/skipass. Passes are $10 for a day or $25 for the winter season.
The group is hoping that the trail improvements will bring more people out on the trails.
“Our club members are all regular skiers,” Shedd said. “We love to see new people on the trails and are hoping to continue to widely spread the word about what incredibly beautiful trails we have here.”
The club is also hoping to sponsor some outreach events, to bring more skiers, especially younger skiers, to the trails.
“We plan to work with our area schools to sponsor some group ski events and perhaps night skis on the lighted Northern Lights Trail loop,” she said. They also hope to secure grant funding to purchase ski equipment that can be loaned out during these events.
The Wagoner Trails Club is always looking for new members. Membership is $5/year for individuals or $10/year for families. The club has a facebook page (City of Tower Ski Trails) that posts trail information along with club meeting notices and other volunteer opportunities. You can email the club at CityOfTowerSkiTrails@gmail.com.