Grand Marais Trail Report – 12/11
GRAND MARAIS UPDATE via Grand Marais Tavern – 12/11
GMSTA trail boss grooming update: I have had a lot of questions and inquiries on if we are grooming, when we will be grooming, and why we are not grooming, etc. Before I get into the scheduling I just want to give you all some insight to how we determine when and how much we groom.
Of course one of the biggest factors is weather. How much snow, temps, conditions, what snow quality etc. Just because it’s below 32 degrees doesn’t mean you groom. If the snow quality is poor, sugary not packy, then grooming that type of snow when the base is not set up does very little for the overall "condition" of the trail. You cannot get all the woops/moguls out and the sugary snow just blows back out of the trail as the snowmobiles go over it. If this is the scenario, and it is early in the week with very low traffic, this would be the time to take a day off.
The other big factor is the budget we have to groom for the entire season, Dec. 1st – Mar. 31st. One never knows how much snow we will get over the course of the snowmobile season, as proven last year. The season lasts 121 days, and we want to make sure there is enough budget to get us through the entire season. Budgeting is critical and plays a huge part in the decision of when not to groom. If the budget allowed, we would groom every day weather permitted.
The next consideration is traffic volume. Usually Tuesday -Thursday is the slowest part of the week for traffic. Those are the first days we consider to not groom, as there is the least amount of traffic. This coupled with weather, snow conditions, and budget all help to make the call to groom or not. High travel times, we strive to groom every day to give you the best trails possible.
We will be grooming this afternoon, starting with our East trail, trail 8, and our South trail, 443 & 88 from the park and ride on M77 east to 443. Then once they get back, we will head out on the West trail, 8, 89, 43/88 across Sunrise Landing to the south end of 888 and our North trail 8, from the split at 89, 888, and 88 all the way down to the park and ride on M77. The town route is usually done in coordination with the North run and or run as needed, as it is the single groomed trail route into the town of Grand Marais for food, gas, etc.
Our scheduled grooming times are the same every day with the North and West trails being done early mornings, departing the groomer barn approximately 2am, returning approximately 9am. The East and South trails departing the barn approximately 5pm returning approximately 1am.
Hopefully the snow that is in the forecast will come, and we will have the trails good and ready for a great sledding weekend. We want to thank everyone for your support, patience, and understanding. Thank you also for your comments and info from out on the trails. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.
Last but not least, I also highly recommend downloading the Groomer Tracker app and for $10.00 download the GMSTA trails so you can follow the groomers in "real time". For $10.00 each, you can download the Curtis Area Trails, Seney Snowmobile Association, Tahquamenon Area Snowmobile Association, Chippewa Snow Chasers, and the Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association and see all the trails that are being groomed in the EUP! Other club trail systems are also available for purchase as well as other States. A percentage of the $10.00 goes directly to each club who’s trail system you download. This helps and we greatly appreciate it. Take a minute and check it out.
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Grand Marais Sno-Trails Assoc. on Facebook >>>>
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Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
FROM TNT Trenary Northern Trails >> You will see some improvements on our west end thanks to Forsyth Forward. They have been working on local improvements in and around Forsyth Township. One of their projects was informational map boards for trails. They are still working on getting business information plaques for individual businesses with mileage installed. They are well made and a welcome upgrade to the system! Thanks to all involved! #munising #newberry
The Forsyth Snowmobile and ATV Club of Gwinn is having the pleasure to work with these map kiosks. Soon we will be installing mileage markers and business sponsors.
FROM Grand Marais Sno-Trails Assoc. >> Busy, busy busy. We have been brushing and grading, but today we got help from a couple of our local contractors. A bit thank you to Dave and Brett Dudnasky of Superior Excavating and Rich Williamson of M77 Redimix and Excavating for some heavy lifting. Flat dirt trails make for flat snowmobile trails. #grandmarais #newberry
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Snow and ice return tonight, and continue through midday April 4th, 2026. Snow totals will be the highest yet again into the Keweenaw Peninsula. It's almost a carbon copy of today. Ice totals, however, are primarily a concern for the Upper Peninsula. Ice storm warnings are now in effect... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Areas of mixed precipitation continue lifting north this morning, largely becoming sleet and freezing rain through much of the afternoon. Hazardous travel conditions are likely to develop on untreated roads and surfaces! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #sooAreas of mixed precipitation continue lifting north this morning, largely becoming sleet and freezing rain through much of the afternoon. Hazardous travel conditions are likely to develop on untreated roads and surfaces!
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Key Messages:
-A system arriving this morning will bring snow, sleet and freezing rain through early Friday morning.
-Moderate to potentially major impacts are anticipated from the combination of snow, freezing rain, and sleet. High travel impacts are expected along with possible power outages and tree damage.
-A second system moves through the area Friday night and Saturday bringing another round of mixed precipitation. Similar impacts are possible.
-Winter Storm Watches have been issued for all of the UP for the second system, too! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #sooKey Messages:
-A system arriving this morning will bring snow, sleet and freezing rain through early Friday morning.
-Moderate to potentially major impacts are anticipated from the combination of snow, freezing rain, and sleet. High travel impacts are expected along with possible power outages and tree damage.
-A second system moves through the area Friday night and Saturday bringing another round of mixed precipitation. Similar impacts are possible.
-Winter Storm Watches have been issued for all of the UP for the second system, too!
NEWBERRY AREA UPDATE via Pine Stump >> 4-1-26
No joke here still alot of snow
There aren’t many people around but the ones that are here are enjoy good trails
TASA Tahquamenon Area Snowmobile Associationgroomed 9 one last time last night
We have parking if you want to ride for the day
We will be closed this Saturday Sunday and Monday for Easter
Let’s all hope spring comes soon now #newberry #snowphotos
Awesome riding thanks
NEWBERRY AREA UPDATE via TASA Tahquamenon Area Snowmobile Association >> Just to let everyone know we have tried to close the gates around town and on trail 45-the falls but the snow is too deep be respectful to the private land owners and only use the trails north of silver creek ATV trail system or south of the airport thank you for a great season there is still plenty of snow out north and south to ride we will get the gates closed as soon as we can! #newberry #snowphotos
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Ice and snow forecasts for tomorrow, April 2nd, 2026... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Winter Storm Watches remain in effect across the entire U.P. for tonight into Thursday. There is the potential for significant snow, sleet and freezing rain (ice) accumulations. The combination of ice on trees/powerlines and wind could result in power outages. At this time, there has been a significant decrease in snow amounts and a trend toward higher ice accumulations. For more details please see our latest weather briefing, www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #sooWinter Storm Watches remain in effect across the entire U.P. for tonight into Thursday. There is the potential for significant snow, sleet and freezing rain (ice) accumulations. The combination of ice on trees/powerlines and wind could result in power outages. At this time, there has been a significant decrease in snow amounts and a trend toward higher ice accumulations. For more details please see our latest weather briefing, www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Winter Storm Watches have been issued across the entire U.P. for Wednesday night into Thursday. There is the potential for significant snow, sleet and freezing rain (ice) accumulations. The combination of ice on trees/powerlines and wind could result in power outages. At this time the best chance for accumulating snow is over the northern and western U.P. For more details please see our latest weather briefing, www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo
NEWBERRY AREA UPDATE via Pine Stump >> 3-31
A lot of snow on the ground still
3ft on the gauge up the road
This is a video of trail 8 west of county road 407
Grooming is over but traffic is low. If you want to go have a little fun there’s definitely snow #newberry #snowphotos
Load more
FROM TNT Trenary Northern Trails >> You will see some improvements on our west end thanks to Forsyth Forward. They have been working on local improvements in and around Forsyth Township. One of their projects was informational map boards for trails. They are still working on getting business information plaques for individual businesses with mileage installed. They are well made and a welcome upgrade to the system! Thanks to all involved! #munising #newberry
The Forsyth Snowmobile and ATV Club of Gwinn is having the pleasure to work with these map kiosks. Soon we will be installing mileage markers and business sponsors.
FROM Grand Marais Sno-Trails Assoc. >> Busy, busy busy. We have been brushing and grading, but today we got help from a couple of our local contractors. A bit thank you to Dave and Brett Dudnasky of Superior Excavating and Rich Williamson of M77 Redimix and Excavating for some heavy lifting. Flat dirt trails make for flat snowmobile trails. #grandmarais #newberry
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Snow and ice return tonight, and continue through midday April 4th, 2026. Snow totals will be the highest yet again into the Keweenaw Peninsula. It's almost a carbon copy of today. Ice totals, however, are primarily a concern for the Upper Peninsula. Ice storm warnings are now in effect... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Areas of mixed precipitation continue lifting north this morning, largely becoming sleet and freezing rain through much of the afternoon. Hazardous travel conditions are likely to develop on untreated roads and surfaces! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #sooAreas of mixed precipitation continue lifting north this morning, largely becoming sleet and freezing rain through much of the afternoon. Hazardous travel conditions are likely to develop on untreated roads and surfaces!
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Key Messages:
-A system arriving this morning will bring snow, sleet and freezing rain through early Friday morning.
-Moderate to potentially major impacts are anticipated from the combination of snow, freezing rain, and sleet. High travel impacts are expected along with possible power outages and tree damage.
-A second system moves through the area Friday night and Saturday bringing another round of mixed precipitation. Similar impacts are possible.
-Winter Storm Watches have been issued for all of the UP for the second system, too! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #sooKey Messages:
-A system arriving this morning will bring snow, sleet and freezing rain through early Friday morning.
-Moderate to potentially major impacts are anticipated from the combination of snow, freezing rain, and sleet. High travel impacts are expected along with possible power outages and tree damage.
-A second system moves through the area Friday night and Saturday bringing another round of mixed precipitation. Similar impacts are possible.
-Winter Storm Watches have been issued for all of the UP for the second system, too!
NEWBERRY AREA UPDATE via Pine Stump >> 4-1-26
No joke here still alot of snow
There aren’t many people around but the ones that are here are enjoy good trails
TASA Tahquamenon Area Snowmobile Associationgroomed 9 one last time last night
We have parking if you want to ride for the day
We will be closed this Saturday Sunday and Monday for Easter
Let’s all hope spring comes soon now #newberry #snowphotos
Awesome riding thanks
NEWBERRY AREA UPDATE via TASA Tahquamenon Area Snowmobile Association >> Just to let everyone know we have tried to close the gates around town and on trail 45-the falls but the snow is too deep be respectful to the private land owners and only use the trails north of silver creek ATV trail system or south of the airport thank you for a great season there is still plenty of snow out north and south to ride we will get the gates closed as soon as we can! #newberry #snowphotos
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Ice and snow forecasts for tomorrow, April 2nd, 2026... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Winter Storm Watches remain in effect across the entire U.P. for tonight into Thursday. There is the potential for significant snow, sleet and freezing rain (ice) accumulations. The combination of ice on trees/powerlines and wind could result in power outages. At this time, there has been a significant decrease in snow amounts and a trend toward higher ice accumulations. For more details please see our latest weather briefing, www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #sooWinter Storm Watches remain in effect across the entire U.P. for tonight into Thursday. There is the potential for significant snow, sleet and freezing rain (ice) accumulations. The combination of ice on trees/powerlines and wind could result in power outages. At this time, there has been a significant decrease in snow amounts and a trend toward higher ice accumulations. For more details please see our latest weather briefing, www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Winter Storm Watches have been issued across the entire U.P. for Wednesday night into Thursday. There is the potential for significant snow, sleet and freezing rain (ice) accumulations. The combination of ice on trees/powerlines and wind could result in power outages. At this time the best chance for accumulating snow is over the northern and western U.P. For more details please see our latest weather briefing, www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo
NEWBERRY AREA UPDATE via Pine Stump >> 3-31
A lot of snow on the ground still
3ft on the gauge up the road
This is a video of trail 8 west of county road 407
Grooming is over but traffic is low. If you want to go have a little fun there’s definitely snow #newberry #snowphotos
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