Watersmeet – Western U.P. Trail Report – 12/30
WATERSMEET – WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via U.P. Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club >> 12/30
UPDATED 12/30/25- Groomers were finally able to get out today and groom our entire system and clear all big obstacles that were on or blocking the trails. Both groomers were out 9 to 10 hours to get through everything but still expect some mirror wackers as it will take a while to get all them. We got anywhere from probably 12 to 20 inches of snow so it is going to take a few days before the trails are really going to set up. We will be on a more consistent grooming schedule moving forward as long as weather cooperates and groomer drivers are available. Big thanks to some of the snowmobilers that stopped and help us clear some of the big trees and if you see something on the trails please try to pick it up to help our drivers out. Remember Ride Right and Ride Safe.
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ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP >> March 18 Trail Report:
A big THANK YOU to Groomer Josh and Tractor Mac for some late season magic.
We are out riding them and they are awesome!!
Rode the ribbon on 101!
Runoff water is moving, the little bit of cold we've had did not slow it down. Our snow bridges are failing. We are rebuilding them but Ma Nature is slowly winning the battle.
Trail #12 along LP Walsh road has 4 snow bridges, all are narrowing. Trail #1 between South Boundary Road and The Porkies Ski Hill has 2 that are the same. Please use extreme caution.
A warm-up is forecast. Temps at night barely below freezing for a couple hours the next 3 nights with highs in the 40's. Fingers crossed they are wrong.
Come up and ride the 906 quick!! #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotosMarch 18 Trail Report:
A big THANK YOU to Groomer Josh and Tractor Mac for some late season magic.
We are out riding them and they are awesome!!
Rode the ribbon on 101!
Runoff water is moving, the little bit of cold we've had did not slow it down. Our snow bridges are failing. We are rebuilding them but Ma Nature is slowly winning the battle.
Trail #12 along LP Walsh road has 4 snow bridges, all are narrowing. Trail #1 between South Boundary Road and The Porkies Ski Hill has 2 that are the same. Please use extreme caution.
A warm-up is forecast. Temps at night barely below freezing for a couple hours the next 3 nights with highs in the 40's. Fingers crossed they are wrong.
Come up and ride the 906 quick!!
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Final snowfall totals have been released from our blizzard of March 15th-17th, 2026 here in Michigan. Do note, some locations are approximated due to data gaps in the Upper Peninsula..... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyFinal snowfall totals have been released from our blizzard of March 15th-17th, 2026 here in Michigan. Do note, some locations are approximated due to data gaps in the Upper Peninsula.
No doubt the forecast lived up to its insanity, with many locations getting over 40" of snow across the central Upper Peninsula, and 8-10 foot snow drifts to make things even more extreme. In terms of forecast verification, our forecast did hit the 80%+ accuracy threshold we strive for after each event. Our final verification was 83%, and most of the the misses were where the system shifted slightly south to give parts of the northern Lower Peninsula greater than 24", and parts of the western Upper Peninsula much less. Anything over 18" of snow is just "a lot" at this point anyways, so we aren't stressing too badly about the miss in the Lower Peninsula near the Mackinac Bridge. Lake effect zones in SW Michigan did verify, as text was featured under the forecast that a couple spots would see locally higher amounts.
Overall, this will be a storm we won't soon forget, which adds to the list of wild weather we've experienced in Michigan over the last two weeks. If you have any additional snowfall reports to add to the list that are not affected by drifting, drop them in the comments below here on X or Facebook. A new two-day record was also broken at the NWS office in Marquette of 36"+ with this blizzard, which is just one record smashed by this blizzard.
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP >> Mother Nature gave us another week!
Thank you Groomer Jay and Tractor Mac.
We groomed our entire system except Trail #12 from Trail #137 to Greenland, which was groomed the night before.
All trails are fair to very good, it's Spring riding conditions with some standing water and reduced/failing snow bridges.
The snow bridges along LP Walsh Rd. are narrow. The snow bridge between South Boundary Road and The Porkies Ski Hill has running water and is failing but passable, please use caution when riding.
Ride the 906!! #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotos
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Today, lake effect snow and winds slowly decrease, with snow totals exceeding 2 inches confined to Alger County. Highs will be around 20. Tonight and Wednesday, a weak system brings a widespread 1 to 2 inches of snow, with lows in the single digits in the interior to 10s around the lakeshores. Highs Wednesday will be in the 30s. For the rest of the week into the weekend, mostly weaker systems with highs above freezing and lows mainly in the 20s. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #sooToday, lake effect snow and winds slowly decrease, with snow totals exceeding 2 inches confined to Alger County. Highs will be around 20. Tonight and Wednesday, a weak system brings a widespread 1 to 2 inches of snow, with lows in the single digits in the interior to 10s around the lakeshores. Highs Wednesday will be in the 30s. For the rest of the week into the weekend, mostly weaker systems with highs above freezing and lows mainly in the 20s.
SIDNAW - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Sno Valley Riders Snowmobile Club >> 🍀 Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Sno Valley Riders! 🍀
May your sled run strong,
your trails stay smooth,
and your ride be full of good friends.
If you're out riding today, remember:
✔ Ride Right
✔ Lead Right
✔ Respect the trails and landowners
And remember… the groomer always has the right of way.
Have a safe and lucky ride! 🍀❄️
🍀 Where are you riding today? Drop a photo in the comments! #westernup🍀 Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Sno Valley Riders! 🍀
May your sled run strong,
your trails stay smooth,
and your ride be full of good friends.
If you're out riding today, remember:
✔ Ride Right
✔ Lead Right
✔ Respect the trails and landowners
And remember… the groomer always has the right of way.
Have a safe and lucky ride! 🍀❄️
🍀 Where are you riding today? Drop a photo in the comments!
LAKE GOGEBIC AREA UPDATE via Bergland Outfitters Bait Shop & Motel >> I passed 3 groomers on my ride this afternoon The trails should be amazing.
Available rooms give me a call 906-235-8288 to book #lakegogebic #westernup #snowphotos
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