Uller Loops
Having the Historic Montreal Ski Trails directly in your backyard is pretty amazing but it also spoils you. It’s just so dang convenient to head out the door, strap on your equipment and hit the trails...right from your front yard. That convenience is great but it also keeps me from exploring other trail systems in our community.
I do try to make it a point to hit the Uller Trails at least once a season though. I’ve been trying to go with a group of friends for weeks but the stars haven’t aligned...that is until today. Not a cloud in the ski, temps in the upper 30’s, I knew it would be a good day. Being that it’s late in the season, and it’s been unseasonably warm, we knew that the trails would be icy. And those of you who don’t know, icy conditions and Uller make for an interesting combo.
Our party of five took off from the Weber Lake parking lot just before noon. The plan was to ski the blue, yellow and orange loops and reconvene at the cabin, where we would enjoy some snacks and wine that our friend had packed. Rewards for a job well done, yet being out on the beautiful Uller Trails for the first time this season is the true reward! It truly is amazing back there.
The trails were tricky, as they were crusted over with ice, making climbs difficult and the descent even more. Many falls were taken, including a face plant on the crusted snow (talk about natural exfoliation) and a triple barrel roll by yours truly. A few of us decided that we wanted to live to see another day (and enjoy our rewards at the cabin) so we walked down the last few hills just to be safe.
The cabin I speak of is just about a mile in, recently built by Iron County Forestry. It’s the perfect place to relax after a hard ski (or snowshoe) adventure. If you haven’t been there, you need to!
As we made our way back to the trailhead, we decided to ski across Weber Lake to have a quick beverage at the Whitecap Wine Hut. Coincidentally, the first person we bumped into was a fellow Penokee Ranger!
I will definitely make a point to visit the Uller Trails again next season, but the Historic Montreal Ski Trails will always be my home. - Rebecca, Trail Steward
