Registration for the 2022 Fern Ridge Rendezvous was taken care of by two smiling volunteers, Stacey Swenson (left) and Town Clerk Jeanna Vogel, who were on hand to take care of the paperwork for the door prize drawing and email lists for trail events and information.
Registration for the 2022 Fern Ridge Rendezvous was taken care of by two smiling volunteers, Stacey Swenson (left) and Town Clerk Jeanna Vogel, who were on hand to take care of the paperwork for the door prize drawing and email lists for trail events and information.
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One of the busiest places in St. Germain Saturday, Jan. 15, was the Fern Ridge parking lot located off Forest Lane, where a crowd was in attendance for the 2022 Fern Ridge Rendezvous.

Attendees came from Lac du Flambeau, Minocqua, Boulder Junction and Plum Lake, Merrill and Mequon in Ozaukee County, among other locales.

People of all ages were walking the trails with snowshoes. Snowshoes were also available for those who wished to give it a try. Fat tire bikes were also available for free use during the event.

There is no fee for using the Fern Ridge Trails, which are owned by the people and town of St. Germain and managed by the town’s Non-Motorized Trails Committee. A full list of trails is available at the Map It Vilas County trails app.

The St. Germain Town Board recently amended an ordinance to allow warming fires at the Fern Ridge parking area, and a fire was kept burning throughout the day because the air temperature was around 10 degrees above zero.

Jimmy Vogel keeps the wood pile full at both the Awassa Trails entrance, near St. Germain Elementary School, and the Fern Ridge parking area.

Folks were able to socialize near the fire and share Non-Motorized Trails Committee member Bob Schell’s hot chocolate, as well as cookies donated by members of the trail committee. Donations were gratefully received for helping to improve the trails.

A registration table provided an opportunity for guests to leave their email addresses to receive future publicity about the trail and events on all St. Germain trails. Guests were also able to leave a donation to help pay for trail development and maintenance and are now also able to do that via an app.

New loops in the mountain bike area are in progress. Other trail work continues to make trail users safe on trails that are not shared by snowmobiles and ATVs.