The trail system consists of a mix of fire roads and twisting sandy two-track running through hardwood and pine forests. The trail follows the Chippewa River and has some nice, scenic stops on the way. The system is closed from March 15 to May 1 as well as the nine days of deer gun season (which lasts from the Saturday before Thanksgiving to the Sunday after the holiday). ATVs need to be registered in Wisconsin and display a current registration to be operated on the trails. Nonresident vehicles must have a nonresident trail pass. Contact the Clark County Forestry and Parks Department (715/743-5140, 888/CLARK-WI; www.clark-cty-wi.org/ATV.html, www.wisconline.com/counties/clark/) for further information.
With lots of great little Sconny (Wisconsin) burger joints and gas stations on the trails and relatively low traffic, the area is perfect for a weekend getaway. Note that there is plenty of public land for hunting small game, and some great fishing at Mead Lake or Rock Dam.
If you go, be sure to have a burger at Dale's North Mound Tavern. Dale's is one of those little places where you can get a great burger and fries for less than $2 and a tap beer (or an on-tap 1919 Root Beer) for less than $1. It has great food, Clark County ATV maps on the counters, live bands on some Saturday nights and a great mix of classic and new rock on the jukebox, and you can get a free pitcher of beer for every deer heart you bring in. What more can you ask?
Just down the road from Dale's you'll find Sunset Pines Resort (715/267-6989; www.sunsetpinesresort.com), which has three two-bedroom cabins for rent and a 4.5-acre lake stocked with game fish right out front. The cabins are about a mile off the trailhead. You need to trailer your quads to the trailhead.
60-inch state plow blade: $324
60-inch rubber blade flap: $23
Universal push tube: $191
Mounting hardware: $66
Electric blade angle kit: $293
Total as tested: $897