In the 1960’s, several small snowmobile clubs began establishing trails in Forest County. Although the trails were not long, nor did they meet today’s requirements, they were still trails and rideable (we had a lot of snow back then!). Like the rest of the clubs in the state during this time period, trails were “groomed” with bedsprings and home-made drags pulled behind snowmobiles.
It was evident by 1973 that recreational snowmobiling was becoming very popular. It was also becoming a major driver of economic activity during the winter months. The smaller clubs would need to invest more time and money to keep the trails in good and safe condition. It quickly became evident to each of these small clubs that they did not have the financial resources to do this on their own.
In January of 1974, the Logrollers, Carter Brush Monkeys, Hill Toppers, Sugar Bush Snow-Mo-Wheelers, and Freedom Winter Weasels met and agreed to form and fund one organization to groom and take care of the approximately 100 miles of club trails. This meeting resulted in the birth of Lumberjack Memorial Trails, INC. The LMT has been in existence since April, 1974. The five small clubs turned all equipment over to the LMT. The trail system financing and operation functions fell under the direction of the LMT Board of Directors.
The LMT is now a 501c3 organization and we are proud to be a 100% volunteer organization. We are also very proud of the 100-plus mile LMT trail system. It is our belief that this system offers the recreational snowmobiler one of the safest, best signed and groomed trail systems in Wisconsin.
The LMT Club has updated equipment on a regular basis. Today we operate three groomers. They include a 2020 and a 2023 Tucker Terra 2000, and one New Holland tractor. We groom seven days a week depending on snow conditions. We have two groomer barns and a fully equipped work shop. The club members perform most of our equipment service and repairs. Groomers and brushing volunteers average 3,000 – 4,000 hours a year.
The LMT club is one of five clubs that make up the Forest County Snowmobile Council. We work cooperatively and in conjunction with the Forest County Forestry Department as all state funding reimbursements flow through county coordinators. The five clubs in Forest County maintain over 400 miles of trails.
Happy Anniversary to the LMT club!!! Please help us celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2024!!!
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