Sault Ste. Marie Area Trail Report – 01/13
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Old Soo Line Grade Lodge >> 01/13
🎉❄️ TRAIL 480 IS OFFICIALLY REOPENED! ❄️🎉
The bridge is in, the trail is groomed, and Trail 480 is back in action in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula! 💨 This is a HUGE win for riders and a key connection for our local trail system.
A big THANK YOU goes out to the Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association for their tireless work grooming and advocating for our trails, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for their coordination and support, and the contractor who delivered a solid bridge that will serve riders for years to come. 👏👏👏
This project took teamwork, patience, and dedication—and it shows. We’re proud to see riders safely crossing once again and enjoying everything the U.P. has to offer.
If you’re riding through the area, fuel up, ride safe, and enjoy the fresh trail!
** There is still exposed stone at the bridge …. Please see the updates on the associations page!
Stay Safe …
📍 Trail 480 | Eastern U.P.
🏁 Open • Groomed • Ready to Ride
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SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 01/13
1/13/26
Good morning everyone! 23” in the Soo currently with snow showers. Temps are a little higher than we’d like, just above freezing, but that changes drastically tomorrow night.
Here’s what I know-
❄️ Trail 8- Soo to Raco- good to excellent
❄️ ‼️ City Trails – part of 49, 449, 497, and the I500 trail- good with with the exception of 449 right by the 497 intersection with 449, and 497 is very, very wet. It’s a dead end trail to the high school, but worth mentioning for our locals especially!
❄️Trail 49- Soo to Kinross- fair to good. All water holes are packed and panned. Do not get off of the trail as you will encounter water in spots if you do.
❄️ Trail 49 south of M80 and the 494 loop- excellent
❄️ Trail 472 west of Kinross to Tilson Rd- good
🔔 Trail 472 to 480 to the Raco gate- please see the pinned post. We HAVE groomed it, and we’re awaiting the DNR inspection of the new bridge to be able to officially give the green light🙌🏼
❄️ 480 from the Spile Dam turnaround to the Raco Powerline ( trail 8 ) – excellent
❄️ Raco Powerline- excellent
❄️ Trail 889 The Mission Hill Loop- excellent
Remember, we are on Groomer Tracker!
Ride safe everyone!
***to join or donate, please visit www.sootrails.org***
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BRIMLEY – SAULT STE. MARIE ARE UPDATE via Old Soo Line Grade Lodge >> 01/13
01/13/26 – looks like it’s staying cold for a while!
Stay safe …
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SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 01/12
1/12/26
Good evening everyone! We had on and off snow showers in the Soo today and picked up another couple of inches.
Turbo and Diane were out in the Pisten Bully today on the 889 loop, the powerlines, and 480 north of M28. Here’s what Turbo had to say-
“Howdy everyone! Turbo here. Wanted to give a little trail update. I woke up early and told Mrs. Turbo I would like to take her out for a romantic breakfast. Little did she know we had to grab our Pisten Bully and a Dubie first. We groomed trail 480, the power lines, and the 889 loop, then down to Bay Mills where we had a very good breakfast before heading back on the trail. This was our first time grooming the loop this year, and I just have to say the crew has been doing a great job while we weren’t here. I would have to say it is better than anytime last year already. So, if you’re thinking about coming up, make some plans, load the sleds, call off work and get up here!! That’s all I have today. Turbo”
Looking awesome! Thank you Turbo and Diane! ❄❄❄
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SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 01/12
1/12/26
Early morning ride along with Turbo and Diane.
Thanks for the video guys! Looking flat and fantastic!
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Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Facebook Page
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Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Strong westerly winds develop this afternoon and evening, with winds gusting up to 60 mph in the Keweenaw and 45 mph for the remainder of the northern UP near the Superior shoreline. Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
Temperatures will plummet tonight, setting up a seasonably cold weekend with some light lake effect snow for the northwest wind belts. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Light snowfall brings generally an inch or less to the area today before leaving this evening. Warm & windy conditions show up Friday ahead of a strong cold front coming in Friday night; areas in the Keweenaw & near Lake Superior could see winds gusting to at least 45 mph or more. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLight snowfall brings generally an inch or less to the area today before leaving this evening. Warm & windy conditions show up Friday ahead of a strong cold front coming in Friday night; areas in the Keweenaw & near Lake Superior could see winds gusting to at least 45 mph or more. #906wx #miwx
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Dry with some peeks of sun to start today. Another quick-hitter system passes through this afternoon, bringing some snow showers, some of which could be heavy at times. Be prepared for wintry driving conditions later today! We then briefly trend warm Friday. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryDry with some peeks of sun to start today. Another quick-hitter system passes through this afternoon, bringing some snow showers, some of which could be heavy at times. Be prepared for wintry driving conditions later today! We then briefly trend warm Friday. #MIwx
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 2/25/26
Good morning all!
We didn’t end up with as much new snow as we wanted out of the system, but lake effect is lingering a bit. I show about 4” of new snow here in the Soo. It looks like just west us (Brimley/Raco) got a little more.
Once operators are out rolling and send me updates, I’ll be sure to share!
Thank you! #soo #soo0225 #snowphotos2/25/26
Good morning all!
We didn’t end up with as much new snow as we wanted out of the system, but lake effect is lingering a bit. I show about 4” of new snow here in the Soo. It looks like just west us (Brimley/Raco) got a little more.
Once operators are out rolling and send me updates, I’ll be sure to share!
Thank you!
Wow! That's a ton of snow! Just one more good snowfall and the measuring stick disappears 🙂
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 2/24/26
Updated warning and forecast. Be safe but also…. bring it on!!🤘🏼❄️🙌🏼 #soo #soo0224
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Snow and gusty winds return through the day today, with hazardous travel conditions likely this afternoon into the evening. Heaviest snowfall is expected across eastern upper Michigan, with travel impacts likely along US 2 west of St. Ignace due to gusty southerly winds. For northern lower, the heaviest snowfall generally favors spots along and north of M-32. Activity will transition to lake effect snow tonight. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberrySnow and gusty winds return through the day today, with hazardous travel conditions likely this afternoon into the evening. Heaviest snowfall is expected across eastern upper Michigan, with travel impacts likely along US 2 west of St. Ignace due to gusty southerly winds. For northern lower, the heaviest snowfall generally favors spots along and north of M-32. Activity will transition to lake effect snow tonight. #MIwx
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A strengthening Clipper low brings a 2-to-6-hour period of moderate to heavy snowfall to the UP today, with the greatest snow totals in the east. In addition, gusty winds will bring areas of blowing snow along the lakeshores. Expect at least hazardous travel today. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA strengthening Clipper low brings a 2-to-6-hour period of moderate to heavy snowfall to the UP today, with the greatest snow totals in the east. In addition, gusty winds will bring areas of blowing snow along the lakeshores. Expect at least hazardous travel today. #906wx #miwx
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Here's our last call snowfall outlook regarding the system starting today, February 24th, and finishing up Wednesday, February 25th, 2026... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyHere's our last call snowfall outlook regarding the system starting today, February 24th, and finishing up Wednesday, February 25th, 2026.
Discussion
The only significant changes to the map shown since yesterday are the addition of a 6-12" zone to focus on the back-side lake effect snow through the end of the day on Wednesday that will bump up totals across the eastern Upper Peninsula, and a slight shift south of the 1-3" zone towards Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor. Besides a few wobbles, the 2-5" and 4-8" zones remain largely the same. The entire Upper Peninsula now has winter alerts issued for this incoming snow. Notice, we've added a dashed green line to denote that areas south of it will deal with greater uncertainty in higher snowfall totals due to daytime temperatures above 32°F, plus the presence of low-level dry air filtering into the state. There should still be enough time to give everyone a solid half inch across the state, but for those primarily south of I-94, that may be all.
For timing, truthfully, not everyone will see the peak of precipitation by the end of the day. The front will be taking its time as it crosses the state this morning and afternoon. Upper Peninsula west of Newberry, you'll see your snow beginning by noon. After the noon timeframe, it'll be everyone else across the state. Last to see the precipitation start today will be southeastern Michigan, where flurries/light rain may not start until after 10 pm EST. Remember, gusty winds are possible within this passing winter storm, and as such, travel will become difficult at times as visibility drops to under a half a mile within the highest snowfall rates. Travel with care, and make sure to turn on headlights AND taillights when driving in any snow squall. Snow will finish by noon Wednesday, but continue as lake effect for the Upper Peninsula through the end of Wednesday, as denoted by the circled yellow area.
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WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect Tuesday for widespread accumulating snowfall. With wind gusts of up to 30 mph, falling and blowing snow can cause low visibility and tough road conditions! Widespread snow gives way to WNW wind lake effect snow, providing additional 1-3 inches of snow Tuesday night to the Keweenaw and the north half of the eastern UP. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #sooWinter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect Tuesday for widespread accumulating snowfall. With wind gusts of up to 30 mph, falling and blowing snow can cause low visibility and tough road conditions! Widespread snow gives way to WNW wind lake effect snow, providing additional 1-3 inches of snow Tuesday night to the Keweenaw and the north half of the eastern UP.
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Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links
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