Snowmobilers enjoy Chaseburg poker run

CHASEBURG — Kyle and Bridgette Klum know the winding snowmobile trails of Vernon County.

The Viroqua couple has traversed the routes often since they opened in December, even braving bitter cold temperatures Thursday for a ride to St. Joseph Ridge.
Shelly DeGier of Chaseburg pulls off her face mask after riding into Stoddard for a lunch stop Saturday during the Chaseburg Trail Days Poker Run. PETER THOMSON

“It was just 19 below. It wasn’t that bad, really,” said Kyle Klum, 23. “My chin got a little cold, that’s all.”

Bridgette Klum, 22, preferred Saturday’s above-zero temperatures as she and her husband planned their route for the 39th annual Chaseburg Trail Days Poker Run.

They left DeGarmo’s Tippy Toe Inn in Chaseburg and headed for Stoddard and Genoa to collect four additional stamps before meeting back at the Chaseburg Village Hall.

“We felt like going for a ride and thought this would be fun,” Kyle Klum said. “We thought this would be something different to do on our snowmobiles.”

The weather and holidays kept Jason Jorstad, 37, of Chaseburg off his snowmobile until Saturday’s poker run.

“I just haven’t had the time,” he said, seated with six friends at Billy’s Lantern on Hwy. 14/61. “It’s nice to get out there.”

Despite snow earlier this season, snowmobile riders said recent rain, ice and cold have left some area trails a tad “rough.”

They remain optimistic conditions will improve.

Meteorologist Dan Jones said the La Crosse area can expect to see light snow today and Monday, with temperatures in the upper teens and low 20s.

“It’s just something that makes you not hate winter,” said Jerald Widner, 57, of La Farge.

“I like to get outside,” added Vivanna Widner, 57.

The Widners rode through Vernon County with Angie, 29, and Ryan Piepenhagen, 31, of Stoddard on Saturday, passing a number of poker run participants.

“It’s nice because you don’t have to make a decision of where you’re going,” Angie Piepenhagen said. “Wherever the trail takes you, you end up.”

Trail Days events, which continue today, raise money to help maintain area trails, said Harlan Hanson, 73, of Chaseburg. Each year, he said, trails need to be rebuilt and groomed.