Sault Ste. Marie Area Trail Report – 02/18
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 02/18
2/18/25
Good morning everyone!
It’s Tuesday, so time for another trail report from Steve. Here we go!
“Yesterday was an emotional roller coaster leading up to our Monday night grooming run.
With both groomers in the Soo barn broke down and waiting on repairs, Dennis and I spent the day tossing around ideas of what we were going to do with our first free Monday night in a long time.
Things changed around 3 pm when our groomer boss Mike called with some good news and bad news.
The good news was, we were going to be able to still groom. The bad news was, the available groomer was sitting down in Kinross.
I spent some time reflecting on the five-year sentence I served grooming out of our Raco location and decided driving to Kinross from the Soo wasn’t all that bad. Time wise, it is about half as long as driving to Raco after work.
Dennis and I made a plan that worked for both of us to do our normal Soo to Kinross run on trail 49 in reverse.
I drove to Kinross and warmed up the groomer before heading north. Our groomer sits outside there and it really made me appreciate the barn in the Soo where everything is warm and thawed out before starting our runs.
I had an uneventful trip into town. I met lots of sleds and received thumbs up from most of them.
I reached out to Groomer Lane just south of the Soo. He had made the last trip into town from Kinross and groomed all the way to Trail 8. I decided at that point to groom the east side of town and went to the casino and also to the high school. Most of our city trails have now been groomed in the last few days, utilizing our Kinross groomer.
Overall, trails are in great condition. The top layer of snow on the trail is soft. Trails are pretty flat and should be enjoyable to ride.
There is still utility work going on inside the city limits around the trail to the casino. It is signed well and one section of trail is blocked off. I was able to sneak the groomer around the area and keep a safe path through. Please use caution in this area as they are working in many spots along the way.
Hope to continue to see sleds enjoying our trail system.
Steve Lawson”
Thank you to all of our volunteers, especially to those that have put in extra time and rearranged their schedules to help us out while we are down 2 machines. I rode yesterday and you’d never know it. They are all doing a fantastic job!
Stay warm if you’re out the next few days. It’s brutally cold, and trails are very hard packed, especially in the morning so scratchers are recommended if you have them. No significant snow in the next few days, but there’s tons around. We could use a break from shoveling and plowing LOL.
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WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> While the lake effect snow winds down over the east tonight, a round of light fluffy snowfall returns to the UP on Saturday. Expect only nuisance travel impacts from the snowfall on Saturday, with amounts ranging from a dusting to a light few inches throughout the day. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaWhile the lake effect snow winds down over the east tonight, a round of light fluffy snowfall returns to the UP on Saturday. Expect only nuisance travel impacts from the snowfall on Saturday, with amounts ranging from a dusting to a light few inches throughout the day. #906wx #miwx
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/2/26
Out for a ride. Lucky me!
Trail 8 between Raco and Brimley.
Thank you Warren and Laurie🤘🏼❄️ #soo #snowphotos1/2/26
Out for a ride. Lucky me!
Trail 8 between Raco and Brimley.
Thank you Warren and Laurie🤘🏼❄️
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Another chilly day is in store today with highs ranging in the teens. Light lake effect snow showers persist today through tonight in the eastern UP, where another 2-4in will be possible. Light snow becomes more widespread across the UP as another system moves through. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaAnother chilly day is in store today with highs ranging in the teens. Light lake effect snow showers persist today through tonight in the eastern UP, where another 2-4in will be possible. Light snow becomes more widespread across the UP as another system moves through.
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/2/26
Good morning everyone! It’s been awhile since I was able to create a complete trail report with all that we’ve had going on, so here we go!
❄️Trail 8- good from the Soo to Brimley, and Brimley to Raco has greatly improved now that the drifts have been knocked down more. Still soft snow that will start packing down more with each run.
❄️ City Trails- part of 49, 449, 497, and the I500 courtesy trail- lots of drifting in the open areas, fair to good. Needs a groom to manage drifts, and we’ll get to it as soon as we can.
❄️ ‼️ Trail 49 - Soo to Kinross- rough from Devils Hill to 12 mile, and we left the groomer out of there the last few days to let it freeze in more. Passable by sled with some wet spots, so use caution. Continued cold and sleds packing it will make a big difference. 12 mile north to the Soo is in good shape. Please stay on the trail! There are water hazards under the snow off trail in several areas.
❄️49 south of M80 and the 494 loop- excellent. No issues here, other than maybe some drifts in open areas.
❄️472 out of Kinross to Tilson Rd- our first pass since the storm was made yesterday so it is much improved. Fair to good. We cannot groom past Tilson due to ongoing construction.
🚨 472 and 480 to the Raco gate- please see the pinned post. We cannot groom in here yet due to bridge construction. The Raco gate is closed.
❄️ 480 from the Spile Dam turnaround to the Raco Powerline ( trail 8 ) - excellent
❄️ Raco Powerline- good
❄️889 The Mission Hill Loop- good- all trees have been cleared and it groomed up nicely.
Ride safe everyone!
**to join or donate, please visit www.sootrails.org** #soo #soo0102 #snowphotos1/2/26
Good morning everyone! It’s been awhile since I was able to create a complete trail report with all that we’ve had going on, so here we go!
❄️Trail 8- good from the Soo to Brimley, and Brimley to Raco has greatly improved now that the drifts have been knocked down more. Still soft snow that will start packing down more with each run.
❄️ City Trails- part of 49, 449, 497, and the I500 courtesy trail- lots of drifting in the open areas, fair to good. Needs a groom to manage drifts, and we’ll get to it as soon as we can.
❄️ ‼️ Trail 49 - Soo to Kinross- rough from Devils Hill to 12 mile, and we left the groomer out of there the last few days to let it freeze in more. Passable by sled with some wet spots, so use caution. Continued cold and sleds packing it will make a big difference. 12 mile north to the Soo is in good shape. Please stay on the trail! There are water hazards under the snow off trail in several areas.
❄️49 south of M80 and the 494 loop- excellent. No issues here, other than maybe some drifts in open areas.
❄️472 out of Kinross to Tilson Rd- our first pass since the storm was made yesterday so it is much improved. Fair to good. We cannot groom past Tilson due to ongoing construction.
🚨 472 and 480 to the Raco gate- please see the pinned post. We cannot groom in here yet due to bridge construction. The Raco gate is closed.
❄️ 480 from the Spile Dam turnaround to the Raco Powerline ( trail 8 ) - excellent
❄️ Raco Powerline- good
❄️889 The Mission Hill Loop- good- all trees have been cleared and it groomed up nicely.
Ride safe everyone!
***to join or donate, please visit www.sootrails.org***
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Another chilly night is in store with wind chills falling to -5 to -20. Lake effect snow will continue with several additional inches of accumulation and low visibility in Ontonagon/Houghton Counties and in the eastern UP along/north of M-28. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaAnother chilly night is in store with wind chills falling to -5 to -20. Lake effect snow will continue with several additional inches of accumulation and low visibility in Ontonagon/Houghton Counties and in the eastern UP along/north of M-28.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Accumulating lake effect snow will continue today, especially across parts of Chippewa County in the eastern U.P. where several inches of additional localized accumulation are expected. Lighter snow showers expected to continue across parts of northwest lower Michigan. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryAccumulating lake effect snow will continue today, especially across parts of Chippewa County in the eastern U.P. where several inches of additional localized accumulation are expected. Lighter snow showers expected to continue across parts of northwest lower Michigan.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Accumulating lake effect snow will continue tonight for parts of eastern upper and the NW lower snowbelt. An additional 1-4 inches is expected for parts of the county with localized amounts in excess of 8 inches possible near Sault Ste. Marie and Brimley. In the NW lower snow belts, additional snow of 2-4 inches in some spots is possible as well tonight. Snow covered roads and quick drops in visibility will lead to hazardous travel at times into tonight. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryAccumulating lake effect snow will continue tonight for parts of eastern upper and the NW lower snowbelt. An additional 1-4 inches is expected for parts of the county with localized amounts in excess of 8 inches possible near Sault Ste. Marie and Brimley. In the NW lower snow belts, additional snow of 2-4 inches in some spots is possible as well tonight. Snow covered roads and quick drops in visibility will lead to hazardous travel at times into tonight.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Happy New Year, northern Michigan! Accumulating lake effect snow will continue today into tonight, mainly across Chippewa county. An additional 2-4” is expected for parts of the county with localized amounts of 6”+ possible near Sault Ste. Marie. Snow covered roads and quick drops in visibility will lead to hazardous travel at times into tonight. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryHappy New Year, northern Michigan! Accumulating lake effect snow will continue today into tonight, mainly across Chippewa county. An additional 2-4” is expected for parts of the county with localized amounts of 6”+ possible near Sault Ste. Marie. Snow covered roads and quick drops in visibility will lead to hazardous travel at times into tonight.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A chilly day is expected for the first day of 2026, with highs mainly in the teens and light lake effect snow continuing for the west to northwest wind snow belts through tonight. Another 2-4” is expected in the eastern UP, though some locally higher amounts up to 6” are possible. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA chilly day is expected for the first day of 2026, with highs mainly in the teens and light lake effect snow continuing for the west to northwest wind snow belts through tonight. Another 2-4” is expected in the eastern UP, though some locally higher amounts up to 6” are possible.
BRIMLEY - EASTERN U.P. UPDATE via Old Soo Line Grade Lodge >> 01/01/26 - HAPPY NEW YEAR
24” minimum on the ground just off Trail 8 in Brimley, MI with more on the way!
Snow and cold temps in the forecast.
Stay safe #soo #newberry #snowphotos
Time for a taller gauge😅
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers persist over the northwest wind snow belts through New Year's Day, with an additional 3-6" in the east (locally up to 8"). As winds turn gusty, blowing and drifting snow will be possible. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow showers persist over the northwest wind snow belts through New Year's Day, with an additional 3-6" in the east (locally up to 8"). As winds turn gusty, blowing and drifting snow will be possible.
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WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> While the lake effect snow winds down over the east tonight, a round of light fluffy snowfall returns to the UP on Saturday. Expect only nuisance travel impacts from the snowfall on Saturday, with amounts ranging from a dusting to a light few inches throughout the day. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaWhile the lake effect snow winds down over the east tonight, a round of light fluffy snowfall returns to the UP on Saturday. Expect only nuisance travel impacts from the snowfall on Saturday, with amounts ranging from a dusting to a light few inches throughout the day. #906wx #miwx
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/2/26
Out for a ride. Lucky me!
Trail 8 between Raco and Brimley.
Thank you Warren and Laurie🤘🏼❄️ #soo #snowphotos1/2/26
Out for a ride. Lucky me!
Trail 8 between Raco and Brimley.
Thank you Warren and Laurie🤘🏼❄️
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Another chilly day is in store today with highs ranging in the teens. Light lake effect snow showers persist today through tonight in the eastern UP, where another 2-4in will be possible. Light snow becomes more widespread across the UP as another system moves through. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaAnother chilly day is in store today with highs ranging in the teens. Light lake effect snow showers persist today through tonight in the eastern UP, where another 2-4in will be possible. Light snow becomes more widespread across the UP as another system moves through.
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/2/26
Good morning everyone! It’s been awhile since I was able to create a complete trail report with all that we’ve had going on, so here we go!
❄️Trail 8- good from the Soo to Brimley, and Brimley to Raco has greatly improved now that the drifts have been knocked down more. Still soft snow that will start packing down more with each run.
❄️ City Trails- part of 49, 449, 497, and the I500 courtesy trail- lots of drifting in the open areas, fair to good. Needs a groom to manage drifts, and we’ll get to it as soon as we can.
❄️ ‼️ Trail 49 - Soo to Kinross- rough from Devils Hill to 12 mile, and we left the groomer out of there the last few days to let it freeze in more. Passable by sled with some wet spots, so use caution. Continued cold and sleds packing it will make a big difference. 12 mile north to the Soo is in good shape. Please stay on the trail! There are water hazards under the snow off trail in several areas.
❄️49 south of M80 and the 494 loop- excellent. No issues here, other than maybe some drifts in open areas.
❄️472 out of Kinross to Tilson Rd- our first pass since the storm was made yesterday so it is much improved. Fair to good. We cannot groom past Tilson due to ongoing construction.
🚨 472 and 480 to the Raco gate- please see the pinned post. We cannot groom in here yet due to bridge construction. The Raco gate is closed.
❄️ 480 from the Spile Dam turnaround to the Raco Powerline ( trail 8 ) - excellent
❄️ Raco Powerline- good
❄️889 The Mission Hill Loop- good- all trees have been cleared and it groomed up nicely.
Ride safe everyone!
**to join or donate, please visit www.sootrails.org** #soo #soo0102 #snowphotos1/2/26
Good morning everyone! It’s been awhile since I was able to create a complete trail report with all that we’ve had going on, so here we go!
❄️Trail 8- good from the Soo to Brimley, and Brimley to Raco has greatly improved now that the drifts have been knocked down more. Still soft snow that will start packing down more with each run.
❄️ City Trails- part of 49, 449, 497, and the I500 courtesy trail- lots of drifting in the open areas, fair to good. Needs a groom to manage drifts, and we’ll get to it as soon as we can.
❄️ ‼️ Trail 49 - Soo to Kinross- rough from Devils Hill to 12 mile, and we left the groomer out of there the last few days to let it freeze in more. Passable by sled with some wet spots, so use caution. Continued cold and sleds packing it will make a big difference. 12 mile north to the Soo is in good shape. Please stay on the trail! There are water hazards under the snow off trail in several areas.
❄️49 south of M80 and the 494 loop- excellent. No issues here, other than maybe some drifts in open areas.
❄️472 out of Kinross to Tilson Rd- our first pass since the storm was made yesterday so it is much improved. Fair to good. We cannot groom past Tilson due to ongoing construction.
🚨 472 and 480 to the Raco gate- please see the pinned post. We cannot groom in here yet due to bridge construction. The Raco gate is closed.
❄️ 480 from the Spile Dam turnaround to the Raco Powerline ( trail 8 ) - excellent
❄️ Raco Powerline- good
❄️889 The Mission Hill Loop- good- all trees have been cleared and it groomed up nicely.
Ride safe everyone!
***to join or donate, please visit www.sootrails.org***
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Another chilly night is in store with wind chills falling to -5 to -20. Lake effect snow will continue with several additional inches of accumulation and low visibility in Ontonagon/Houghton Counties and in the eastern UP along/north of M-28. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaAnother chilly night is in store with wind chills falling to -5 to -20. Lake effect snow will continue with several additional inches of accumulation and low visibility in Ontonagon/Houghton Counties and in the eastern UP along/north of M-28.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Accumulating lake effect snow will continue today, especially across parts of Chippewa County in the eastern U.P. where several inches of additional localized accumulation are expected. Lighter snow showers expected to continue across parts of northwest lower Michigan. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryAccumulating lake effect snow will continue today, especially across parts of Chippewa County in the eastern U.P. where several inches of additional localized accumulation are expected. Lighter snow showers expected to continue across parts of northwest lower Michigan.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Accumulating lake effect snow will continue tonight for parts of eastern upper and the NW lower snowbelt. An additional 1-4 inches is expected for parts of the county with localized amounts in excess of 8 inches possible near Sault Ste. Marie and Brimley. In the NW lower snow belts, additional snow of 2-4 inches in some spots is possible as well tonight. Snow covered roads and quick drops in visibility will lead to hazardous travel at times into tonight. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryAccumulating lake effect snow will continue tonight for parts of eastern upper and the NW lower snowbelt. An additional 1-4 inches is expected for parts of the county with localized amounts in excess of 8 inches possible near Sault Ste. Marie and Brimley. In the NW lower snow belts, additional snow of 2-4 inches in some spots is possible as well tonight. Snow covered roads and quick drops in visibility will lead to hazardous travel at times into tonight.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Happy New Year, northern Michigan! Accumulating lake effect snow will continue today into tonight, mainly across Chippewa county. An additional 2-4” is expected for parts of the county with localized amounts of 6”+ possible near Sault Ste. Marie. Snow covered roads and quick drops in visibility will lead to hazardous travel at times into tonight. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryHappy New Year, northern Michigan! Accumulating lake effect snow will continue today into tonight, mainly across Chippewa county. An additional 2-4” is expected for parts of the county with localized amounts of 6”+ possible near Sault Ste. Marie. Snow covered roads and quick drops in visibility will lead to hazardous travel at times into tonight.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A chilly day is expected for the first day of 2026, with highs mainly in the teens and light lake effect snow continuing for the west to northwest wind snow belts through tonight. Another 2-4” is expected in the eastern UP, though some locally higher amounts up to 6” are possible. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA chilly day is expected for the first day of 2026, with highs mainly in the teens and light lake effect snow continuing for the west to northwest wind snow belts through tonight. Another 2-4” is expected in the eastern UP, though some locally higher amounts up to 6” are possible.
BRIMLEY - EASTERN U.P. UPDATE via Old Soo Line Grade Lodge >> 01/01/26 - HAPPY NEW YEAR
24” minimum on the ground just off Trail 8 in Brimley, MI with more on the way!
Snow and cold temps in the forecast.
Stay safe #soo #newberry #snowphotos
Time for a taller gauge😅
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers persist over the northwest wind snow belts through New Year's Day, with an additional 3-6" in the east (locally up to 8"). As winds turn gusty, blowing and drifting snow will be possible. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow showers persist over the northwest wind snow belts through New Year's Day, with an additional 3-6" in the east (locally up to 8"). As winds turn gusty, blowing and drifting snow will be possible.
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