What is new for Northwoods Drifter in 2026
A Wednesday night snowmobile crash near Lake Tomahawk sent one rider to the hospital and resulted in an OWI arrest, reminding us all that even the best trail conditions can’t eliminate the dangers of nighttime riding.
Around 10:15 p.m., emergency crews rushed to a trail off Lyannas Road after a 56-year-old snowmobiler struck a tree and stopped breathing. The response involved every available resource — Lake Tomahawk Fire, Newbold Fire, Oneida County Ambulance, the DNR, and the Sheriff’s Office.
What happened next shows both the best and worst of our snowmobiling community.
A second rider on scene didn’t freeze up. He started CPR immediately and kept going until the professionals arrived.
That quick thinking likely saved a life. When you’re miles into the woods at night, those first minutes matter more than anything.
MedEvac airlifted the injured rider to a local hospital. His condition hasn’t been publicly released, but the fact he wasn’t breathing at the scene tells you how serious this was.
Robert Bauer, 60, was arrested at the crash scene for operating a snowmobile while intoxicated.
Whether he was the one who performed CPR isn’t clear from reports. What is clear is that impaired riding puts everyone at risk on shared trails.
Oneida County Sheriff’s deputies don’t take OWI cases lightly up here. With 800-1,000 miles of trails crisscrossing the county, enforcement keeps pace with the crowds that good snow brings in.
Lake Tomahawk sits at the heart of New-Tom Snow Fleas territory — Region 8 on the county snowmobile map. The area connects to broader networks stretching all the way to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Recent conditions were prime for riding. Trail reports showed 8-10 inches of groomed base across Oneida County as of late February.
Dense pine and birch forests line these trails, with swamps and frozen lakes adding beauty — and hazards — especially after dark.
Clubs like the Snow Fleas groom nightly during peak season, turning old railway beds and forest paths into smooth corridors. But trees still stand close to the trail edge in many spots.
At night, even with headlights, your reaction time shrinks. A momentary distraction or misjudgment can put you into timber before you know what happened.
This crash pulled together five agencies within minutes. That’s rural Wisconsin emergency response at its finest.
Volunteer fire departments shoulder much of this burden. Lake Tomahawk Fire and Newbold Fire both dropped everything to reach a remote trail location off Lyannas Road.
The same community spirit drives trail maintenance. Ten snowmobile clubs across Oneida County maintain routes, organize fundraisers, and coordinate with the DNR on public lands.
When trails closed early in 2024 due to poor snow, local businesses felt it hard. This season’s solid base has brought riders — and their dollars — back to resorts, restaurants, and gas stations.
Every rider should know these basics before heading out:
Trail maps change frequently due to land ownership shifts and terrain conditions. Check Oneida County’s official snowmobile page before you ride.
The injured rider’s recovery will take time. The legal process for the OWI arrest will unfold in coming weeks.
What won’t change is the draw of these trails. Lake Tomahawk and surrounding areas offer some of the best snowmobiling in the Midwest when conditions align.
But Wednesday’s crash is a gut-check for all of us who love riding. Good grooming and deep snow don’t make trails foolproof.
Respect the machine, respect the trail, and respect the fact that help is far away when things go wrong. The Northwoods rewards careful riders with unforgettable winter experiences — and punishes careless ones without mercy.
Written by
Mike has been coming up or living in the Northwoods since his childhood. He is also an avid outdoorsman, writer and supper club aficionado.
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