Sault Ste. Marie Trail Report – 12/26
SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 12/26
Good evening! Well, it’s been a day around here! First we had drag stuck in Raco and then Steve had a really tough day out on trail 49. The 35” of snow is definitely challenging us! Here is Steve’s report-
“I spent the day on Trail 49. It was tough going.
It took me a couple hours to go from 3 Mile to 6 Mile. I got stuck three times in indescribably deep snow. It is amazing what one can accomplish with a square nose garden shovel. I was able to dig out and keep moving.
At 6 Mile, I circled back to Chippewa Motors and dropped the drag there. I hopped back on the trail at Walmart and headed south.
I got stuck a couple more times without a drag hooked on. I went all the way to Devil’s Hill south of 12 Mile. (See the screen shot that shows this spot as the green line above the Beaver Pond that I circled. This is as far as we can make it until the pond freezes).
On the return trip, I came across a nice girl on a sled that got nervous with the conditions and tried to turn around and head back north. She was stuck bad but the trusty shovel and every bit of strength the two of us had got her moving again.
I followed her north and made it to the bridge behind the CCRC. The groomer busted through right at the bridge.
Decided there was no way I could get past the bridge so I turned around and got ready to head back south. Another snowmobile came by and stopped to check on me. He buried his sled too. It took a little bit but we were able to get him out. I followed him south and made sure he got back to a road.
Finally, got back to the barn where Pete met me and finished up the fueling and paperwork.
Leaving the barn I got my truck stuck at the end of the driveway.
It was one of those days but I am still smiling.
The trail needs some sled traffic but I hate to send sleds through there. This warmup might be what we need to tighten things up.
Rider’s definitely should not ride alone with the conditions we have.
Conditions are bad but I think we are on the right track to get drags through the trails in the near future.”
Steve also mentioned that when he opened the cab door on the Tucker in some areas, the bottom of the door was pushing snow😳
We cannot thank our volunteers enough for the dedication and hours that they put in! Please be patient as we work through these hazards. We have A LOT of swamp areas in our end of the UP that areas just west do not. Coupled with 35” of new snow, it’s going to take time to get everything in great shape.
Thanks all!
Oh almost forgot… already another 4” and still snowing tonight
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Good morning all! We hope you all had a nice weekend with family and friends!
Pete and Sandi were out last night grooming the city trails again. Here’s Pete’s report-
“Merry Christmas to all! The City trails are groomed again! In most areas, I couldn’t even tell we had groomed just 24 hours ago. Most areas were drifted in bad. The bypass around the water hole by the tunnel is groomed. I tried grooming the courtesy trail to Chippewa Motors, but there is a large water hole at the back of their property by the power lines. Be very careful around the new medical building on trail 449 as it runs along 129. The reroute is a little tricky with some hazards. I groomed the ditch closest to the road. The snow is very soft and deep there as well. Hopefully we can continue to drag snow into the ditch and build it up.
I used the limb masher a lot tonight, and cleared a bunch of branches hanging over the trail. I also made a couple more swipes out of the snow piles on the trail in town.
All in all, the trails are not bad at all. I couldn’t do much grooming, mostly panning and drift clearing. But you can feel the trail starting to firm up.
Saw tracks of one sled, and it was nice to see the rider respecting a fresh groom! The tracks were smooth and even, with no track spinning!
Hard to believe my next groomer trip will
Be next year! 🤣🤣🤣🤣”
Picture is of the water hole behind Chippewa Motors. I imagine there are similar holes in the swampy areas of 49, 480, and 472. We will follow up once we can get through those trails.
Thanks all! 3-6” today on top of the 35” we got with the storm. Going to take a bit to get it all smoothed out❄❄❄
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Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Facebook Page
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Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Trail Report on MSA
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Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
FROM US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers will increase in coverage late tonight into Monday morning. The heaviest snow showers will be near the Marquette/Alger County line and the higher terrain of Marquette County. Travel could be difficult for the morning commute on Monday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow showers will increase in coverage late tonight into Monday morning. The heaviest snow showers will be near the Marquette/Alger County line and the higher terrain of Marquette County. Travel could be difficult for the morning commute on Monday.
FROM US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Here is a look at snowfall reports for the lake effect snow since last night. Expect amounts to go up with another round late tonight into Monday. Did you get lake effect snow? If so, please send us your reports on Facebook or X. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaHere is a look at snowfall reports for the lake effect snow since last night. Expect amounts to go up with another round late tonight into Monday. Did you get lake effect snow? If so, please send us your reports on Facebook or X.
FROM Great Lakes Weather & Climate >> 📡 Statewide radar loop through 10 AM today (11/9) shows our two distinct snowmakers in progress.
The first one is the synoptic (aka "system") snow associated with a low that is moving east through southern Ohio. The counterclockwise flow around the low is shown over Metro Detroit as moisture interacts with decreasing temps, leading to this morning's snowfall.
Over the U.P. and Lake Michigan, the north winds are ushering in the coldest air of the season, which activates lake effect snow and transitions to the second portion of this snow event. Counties in the corner of southwest lower Michigan, northern Indiana and Illinois are set to receive a firehose of lake effect over the next 24-36 hrs, resulting in accumulations that could push one foot.
Portions of northern lower Michigan and the Saginaw Bay region are also set to receive lake effect snowfall through this evening, with amounts of 3-6 inches possible, with isolated higher amounts. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #traversecity #petoskey
FROM TV6 & FOX UP >> FIRST ALERT: Higher snowfall is now expected for portions of Marquette and Alger counties. It comes in rounds of lake effect snow starting this evening and goes through Monday evening. Plan for moderate to heavy snow, hazardous roads, and limited visibility at times. Warnings could be issued. Another update with the latest changes comes this afternoon! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaFIRST ALERT: Higher snowfall is now expected for portions of Marquette and Alger counties. It comes in rounds of lake effect snow starting this evening and goes through Monday evening. Plan for moderate to heavy snow, hazardous roads, and limited visibility at times. Warnings could be issued. Another update with the latest changes comes this afternoon!
bring it on winter!!!!😂😂😂😂🤪🤪🤪
FROM US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> The first widespread lake effect snow event of the year is set to kick off tonight and last through Monday. The heaviest snowfall across the central U.P. will be highly contingent on where the strongest lake effect snowbands persist. Expect sharp snowfall gradients and rapid changes in road conditions impacting weekend travel and Monday commutes. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #newberry #seney #soo #straitsareaThe first widespread lake effect snow event of the year is set to kick off tonight and last through Monday. The heaviest snowfall across the central U.P. will be highly contingent on where the strongest lake effect snowbands persist. Expect sharp snowfall gradients and rapid changes in road conditions impacting weekend travel and Monday commutes.
FROM TV6 & FOX UP >> FIRST ALERT: Accumulating snow between Sunday and Monday. Highest amounts subject change based on where snow bands set up.
Forecast>https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2025/11/07/first-alert-winter-blast-bring-accumulating-snow/ #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #newberry #soo #straitsareaFIRST ALERT: Accumulating snow between Sunday and Monday. Highest amounts subject change based on where snow bands set up.
Forecast>www.uppermichiganssource.com/2025/11/07/first-alert-winter-blast-bring-accumulating-snow/
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Quiet weather is expected today as highs climb into the 40s with increasing clouds through the day. A cold front will bring light showers to the area tonight, with a wintry mix of precipitation types possible, but not much snow or ice accumulation is expected as lows fall near 30. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaQuiet weather is expected today as highs climb into the 40s with increasing clouds through the day. A cold front will bring light showers to the area tonight, with a wintry mix of precipitation types possible, but not much snow or ice accumulation is expected as lows fall near 30.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A breezy day is expected today, with westerly gusts to 30 mph expected and a few gusts to 45 mph along the Great Lakes, but otherwise expect showers and fog to clear out in the morning and breaks in the clouds this evening through Friday. Light showers return to the forecast for Saturday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA breezy day is expected today, with westerly gusts to 30 mph expected and a few gusts to 45 mph along the Great Lakes, but otherwise expect showers and fog to clear out in the morning and breaks in the clouds this evening through Friday. Light showers return to the forecast for Saturday.
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