Gaylord Area Trail Report – 12/18
Gaylord Bureau –
December 17, 2025
3:40 p.m.
We’re experiencing a little warm up, but most trails are in fair shape with some low spots, especially near Johannesburg. You’ll currently find the best riding in and around Lakes of the North, where trails are holding strong. Wet spots, along with icy or bare batches, may start appearing as the temperature warms up this week. Grooming will be done at night when temperatures drop if conditions allow for it. The regular grooming schedule is expected to resume on Friday when temperatures return back to where we like them!
Please note, due to last April’s ice storm, there is a logging operation near Turtle Lake Road and Douglas Lake Road – the logging trucks are using the trail as a road. The trails are passable, but they’re in poor shape. Proceed with caution in these areas.
If this winter is anything like last year, it’s going to be another epic one! Want to be ready? Get a free trail map delivered right to your mailbox and plan your adventure!
Check out a live view of trail # 7 here.
A few things to remember about our groomers and trails:
– Groomers are out there to help you have a better riding experience and always have the right of way.
– Please move off the trail when groomers are approaching and allow them to safely pass.
– If you approach a groomer from behind, kindly wait for the operator to signal you to pass.
– Grooming can take place at any time during the day or night, so stay alert.
– Always ride on the right side of the trail.
– Ride safe and ride sober.
Want to be ready? Get a free trail map delivered right to your mailbox and plan your adventure!
As always, check back with us for updates and weather reports.
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http://www.gaylordmichigan.net/snowmobile-trail-report-114/
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It’s misty rain and 37 degrees on this thursday morning in downtown Frederic. Roads are wet. I finally did see some sleds out and about yesterday, 4 at the Frederic Inn and 5 at Bear Lake Inn and a few guys that drove in here this morning they said they stopped by here after I left yesterday. They had rode up to the bridge and back as they were from Ohio and staying here in Frederic. There is still alot of snow in the woods but things are getting slushy. Pics below are from this morning. Its supposed to drop in temp tonight but they are showing 30s on some of next week. That’s the best I can tell you. Thanks for checking in. Pete
http://frederic-mi.com/category/trail-conditions/
Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
FREDERIC - GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Sledheads of Frederic , Michigan Snowmobiling >> Its misty rain and 37 degrees on this thursday morning in downtown Frederic. Roads are wet. I finally did see some sleds out and about yesterday, 4 at the Frederic Inn and 5 at Bear Lake Inn and a few guys that drove in here this morning they said they stopped by here after I left yesterday. They had rode up to the bridge and back as they were from Ohio and staying here in Frederic. There is still alot of snow in the woods but things are getting slushy. Pics below are from this morning. Its supposed to drop in temp tonight but they are showing 30s on some of next week. Thats the best I can tell you. Thanks for checking in. Pete #gaylord #snowphotos
frederic-mi.com
Its misty rain and 37 degrees on this thursday morning in downtown Frederic. Roads are wet. I finally did see some sleds out and about yesterday, 4 at the Frederic Inn and 5 at Bear Lake Inn and a … WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Lake effect totals through Friday afternoon, December 19th, 2025 have been updated slightly to account for latest shifts in atmospheric conditions.
Discussion
As temperatures fall early Friday, moisture pools back in, mixed with colder air over the warmer lakes, turning on the lake effect machine for both of the Great Lakes that influence our normal lake effect zones. A respectable 1-3" to 2-5" is possible in the fairly typical areas shown on the map. The narrow lane of higher elevation across the Keweenaw Peninsula and Porcupine Mountains are most-likely to experience totals exceeding 6". You may have noticed our one main change was the expansion of T-1" over to the east side of the state just as a general precaution to any snow squalls that make it across the state. Not everyone will get a rogue snow squall, but it is in the odds for nearly everyone. A snow squall is a thin, but intense band of quick snow that can produce at least half an inch of snow in minutes time, while knocking visibility down from 10 miles, to a quarter mile in moments time. Additionally, a quick coating of snow may hide any ice that was able to form from the freeze later tonight. Lake effect snow and snow squalls are poised to start later this evening around 8 pm EST (earlier for the western UP), and run primarily through 1 pm EST Friday. A couple lake effect bands may last through 6 pm across northern Michigan near Gaylord, and the central UP near Munising.
Each area is never guaranteed the totals shown on the screen. This is why we call it a prediction. The totals that are shown however do have the greatest odds of occurring. Yes, we are still trying to find that crystal ball, but no luck to this point. Follow us here at Michigan Storm Chasers for forecast updates, and a little humor on the side, throughout the next few days, and as always, 365 days a year! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyLake effect totals through Friday afternoon, December 19th, 2025 have been updated slightly to account for latest shifts in atmospheric conditions.
Discussion
As temperatures fall early Friday, moisture pools back in, mixed with colder air over the warmer lakes, turning on the lake effect machine for both of the Great Lakes that influence our normal lake effect zones. A respectable 1-3" to 2-5" is possible in the fairly typical areas shown on the map. The narrow lane of higher elevation across the Keweenaw Peninsula and Porcupine Mountains are most-likely to experience totals exceeding 6". You may have noticed our one main change was the expansion of T-1" over to the east side of the state just as a general precaution to any snow squalls that make it across the state. Not everyone will get a rogue snow squall, but it is in the odds for nearly everyone. A snow squall is a thin, but intense band of quick snow that can produce at least half an inch of snow in minutes time, while knocking visibility down from 10 miles, to a quarter mile in moments time. Additionally, a quick coating of snow may hide any ice that was able to form from the freeze later tonight. Lake effect snow and snow squalls are poised to start later this evening around 8 pm EST (earlier for the western UP), and run primarily through 1 pm EST Friday. A couple lake effect bands may last through 6 pm across northern Michigan near Gaylord, and the central UP near Munising.
Each area is never guaranteed the totals shown on the screen. This is why we call it a prediction. The totals that are shown however do have the greatest odds of occurring. Yes, we are still trying to find that crystal ball, but no luck to this point. Follow us here at Michigan Storm Chasers for forecast updates, and a little humor on the side, throughout the next few days, and as always, 365 days a year!
-- Trusted Partner of the Day --
Apex Restoration & Mitigation | Call 810-202-3586 today for all restoration needs across Genesee county and the thumb!
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> After a mild and occasionally rainy day today, much colder temperatures arrive this evening through Friday. Temperatures are expected to fall a good 10-20 degrees this evening through tonight. leading to a potential flash freeze of wet roads. Renewed snow chances will accompany this colder air with several inches of accumulation, especially in the snow belts of northern lower & eastern upper. In addition, strong winds upwards of 35-45 mph late tonight into Friday will lead to blowing snow. All said, travel will become hazardous later this evening through Friday across much of northern Michigan. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
JORDAN VALLEY AREA UPDATE via Jordan Valley Trails Council >> Current condition’s are 32* and drizzle. Today’s warmup is melting/settling the snow quickly. We’ll regroup Friday as temps drop and hope the snowfall comes back.
Prior to this warmup, trails had 2-5” of compacted snow on them, which should give us a good solid base going forward.
In just 2 days, snow has dropped 2+” according to the National Weather Service snow gauge. The Antrim County Snowmobile Club snow gauge is sitting at 4” #jordanvalley #gaylord #snowphotos
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Chances tonight for light drizzle/ freezing drizzle with temperatures warming into Thursday. Rain is likely Thursday before sharply colder air moves in Thursday night into Friday, leading to a quick refreeze and snow. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyChances tonight for light drizzle/ freezing drizzle with temperatures warming into Thursday. Rain is likely Thursday before sharply colder air moves in Thursday night into Friday, leading to a quick refreeze and snow.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> We trend milder into midweek with drizzly / damp periods. Rain is likely Thursday before sharply colder air builds Thursday night into Friday, bringing potential for more lake effect snow and a quick refreeze. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyWe trend milder into midweek with drizzly / damp periods. Rain is likely Thursday before sharply colder air builds Thursday night into Friday, bringing potential for more lake effect snow and a quick refreeze.
GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Heart Lake Resort Cottages - Gaylord, MI >> Walkin’ in a winter wonderland🤍 #gaylord #snowphotos
FREDERIC - GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Sledheads of Frederic , Michigan Snowmobiling >> STAY OFF THE ICE & LAKES Once again 2 more sledders fell thru and drowned. That makes 4 this season, the first 2 were just walking on the ice and went thru and these next 2 were riding. Please be aware of where you are at. We had about 2 inches of new fluffy overnight again. Riders that were in yesterday were having a good time and the snow is holding pretty good. Lets see how this week goes. They are callilng for warmer temps later in the week. Thanks for checking in. Pete... #gaylord
frederic-mi.com
STAY OFF THE ICE & LAKES Once again 2 more sledders fell thru and drowned. That makes 4 this season, the first 2 were just walking on the ice and went thru and these next 2 were riding. Please… Load more
FREDERIC - GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Sledheads of Frederic , Michigan Snowmobiling >> Its misty rain and 37 degrees on this thursday morning in downtown Frederic. Roads are wet. I finally did see some sleds out and about yesterday, 4 at the Frederic Inn and 5 at Bear Lake Inn and a few guys that drove in here this morning they said they stopped by here after I left yesterday. They had rode up to the bridge and back as they were from Ohio and staying here in Frederic. There is still alot of snow in the woods but things are getting slushy. Pics below are from this morning. Its supposed to drop in temp tonight but they are showing 30s on some of next week. Thats the best I can tell you. Thanks for checking in. Pete #gaylord #snowphotos
frederic-mi.com
Its misty rain and 37 degrees on this thursday morning in downtown Frederic. Roads are wet. I finally did see some sleds out and about yesterday, 4 at the Frederic Inn and 5 at Bear Lake Inn and a …WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Lake effect totals through Friday afternoon, December 19th, 2025 have been updated slightly to account for latest shifts in atmospheric conditions.
Discussion
As temperatures fall early Friday, moisture pools back in, mixed with colder air over the warmer lakes, turning on the lake effect machine for both of the Great Lakes that influence our normal lake effect zones. A respectable 1-3" to 2-5" is possible in the fairly typical areas shown on the map. The narrow lane of higher elevation across the Keweenaw Peninsula and Porcupine Mountains are most-likely to experience totals exceeding 6". You may have noticed our one main change was the expansion of T-1" over to the east side of the state just as a general precaution to any snow squalls that make it across the state. Not everyone will get a rogue snow squall, but it is in the odds for nearly everyone. A snow squall is a thin, but intense band of quick snow that can produce at least half an inch of snow in minutes time, while knocking visibility down from 10 miles, to a quarter mile in moments time. Additionally, a quick coating of snow may hide any ice that was able to form from the freeze later tonight. Lake effect snow and snow squalls are poised to start later this evening around 8 pm EST (earlier for the western UP), and run primarily through 1 pm EST Friday. A couple lake effect bands may last through 6 pm across northern Michigan near Gaylord, and the central UP near Munising.
Each area is never guaranteed the totals shown on the screen. This is why we call it a prediction. The totals that are shown however do have the greatest odds of occurring. Yes, we are still trying to find that crystal ball, but no luck to this point. Follow us here at Michigan Storm Chasers for forecast updates, and a little humor on the side, throughout the next few days, and as always, 365 days a year! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyLake effect totals through Friday afternoon, December 19th, 2025 have been updated slightly to account for latest shifts in atmospheric conditions.
Discussion
As temperatures fall early Friday, moisture pools back in, mixed with colder air over the warmer lakes, turning on the lake effect machine for both of the Great Lakes that influence our normal lake effect zones. A respectable 1-3" to 2-5" is possible in the fairly typical areas shown on the map. The narrow lane of higher elevation across the Keweenaw Peninsula and Porcupine Mountains are most-likely to experience totals exceeding 6". You may have noticed our one main change was the expansion of T-1" over to the east side of the state just as a general precaution to any snow squalls that make it across the state. Not everyone will get a rogue snow squall, but it is in the odds for nearly everyone. A snow squall is a thin, but intense band of quick snow that can produce at least half an inch of snow in minutes time, while knocking visibility down from 10 miles, to a quarter mile in moments time. Additionally, a quick coating of snow may hide any ice that was able to form from the freeze later tonight. Lake effect snow and snow squalls are poised to start later this evening around 8 pm EST (earlier for the western UP), and run primarily through 1 pm EST Friday. A couple lake effect bands may last through 6 pm across northern Michigan near Gaylord, and the central UP near Munising.
Each area is never guaranteed the totals shown on the screen. This is why we call it a prediction. The totals that are shown however do have the greatest odds of occurring. Yes, we are still trying to find that crystal ball, but no luck to this point. Follow us here at Michigan Storm Chasers for forecast updates, and a little humor on the side, throughout the next few days, and as always, 365 days a year!
-- Trusted Partner of the Day --
Apex Restoration & Mitigation | Call 810-202-3586 today for all restoration needs across Genesee county and the thumb!
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> After a mild and occasionally rainy day today, much colder temperatures arrive this evening through Friday. Temperatures are expected to fall a good 10-20 degrees this evening through tonight. leading to a potential flash freeze of wet roads. Renewed snow chances will accompany this colder air with several inches of accumulation, especially in the snow belts of northern lower & eastern upper. In addition, strong winds upwards of 35-45 mph late tonight into Friday will lead to blowing snow. All said, travel will become hazardous later this evening through Friday across much of northern Michigan. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
JORDAN VALLEY AREA UPDATE via Jordan Valley Trails Council >> Current condition’s are 32* and drizzle. Today’s warmup is melting/settling the snow quickly. We’ll regroup Friday as temps drop and hope the snowfall comes back.
Prior to this warmup, trails had 2-5” of compacted snow on them, which should give us a good solid base going forward.
In just 2 days, snow has dropped 2+” according to the National Weather Service snow gauge. The Antrim County Snowmobile Club snow gauge is sitting at 4” #jordanvalley #gaylord #snowphotos
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Chances tonight for light drizzle/ freezing drizzle with temperatures warming into Thursday. Rain is likely Thursday before sharply colder air moves in Thursday night into Friday, leading to a quick refreeze and snow. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyChances tonight for light drizzle/ freezing drizzle with temperatures warming into Thursday. Rain is likely Thursday before sharply colder air moves in Thursday night into Friday, leading to a quick refreeze and snow.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> We trend milder into midweek with drizzly / damp periods. Rain is likely Thursday before sharply colder air builds Thursday night into Friday, bringing potential for more lake effect snow and a quick refreeze. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyWe trend milder into midweek with drizzly / damp periods. Rain is likely Thursday before sharply colder air builds Thursday night into Friday, bringing potential for more lake effect snow and a quick refreeze.
GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Heart Lake Resort Cottages - Gaylord, MI >> Walkin’ in a winter wonderland🤍 #gaylord #snowphotos
FREDERIC - GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Sledheads of Frederic , Michigan Snowmobiling >> STAY OFF THE ICE & LAKES Once again 2 more sledders fell thru and drowned. That makes 4 this season, the first 2 were just walking on the ice and went thru and these next 2 were riding. Please be aware of where you are at. We had about 2 inches of new fluffy overnight again. Riders that were in yesterday were having a good time and the snow is holding pretty good. Lets see how this week goes. They are callilng for warmer temps later in the week. Thanks for checking in. Pete... #gaylord
frederic-mi.com
STAY OFF THE ICE & LAKES Once again 2 more sledders fell thru and drowned. That makes 4 this season, the first 2 were just walking on the ice and went thru and these next 2 were riding. Please…<>
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