Ontonagon Area Trail Report – 02/17
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via Scott’s Superior Inn and Cabins >> 02/17
🌞➡❄ Western UP Trail Report – False Spring Is Officially Cancelled ❄➡🌞
Well folks… we survived the “Was That April?” warm spell of the last few days. Snowbanks shrank. Trails got a little sugary. We all nervously side-eyed the thermometer like it owed us money.
But guess what?
Winter just walked back in the room.
Tonight we flip the switch. Temps are dropping, the cold is returning, and the forecast is calling for up to a foot of fresh snow by Wednesday evening. Mother Nature basically said, “Relax, I was just kidding.”
Here’s what that means:
• ❄ Fresh accumulation building back the base
• 🥶 Colder temps locking everything back in
• 🚜 Groomers getting back to laying down that corduroy magic
• 😁 Smiles per mile going way up
During the warm-up the trails got soft in spots (nothing unexpected), but the base held strong. With this incoming snow and cold, we’re about to go from “late March vibes” right back to prime-season riding.
So if you were sweating the thaw — don’t.
Snow is returning.
Cold is returning.
Happy is returning.
Load the sleds. The comeback tour starts tonight. 💪❄
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Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Confidence is increasing in a significant winter storm Saturday night into Monday night. Snowfall amounts between 1 to 3 feet could be near 2-day records in some areas. Strong winds and heavy snowfall rates likely result in blizzard conditions. Widespread impacts: very difficult to impossible travel, power outages, significant recovery time. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo
BESSEMER - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Trails-North Powersports LLC >> 🤟😎🌬️❄️❄️❄️ EPIC 💯 If your aren't here you are missing it 👀 Coming this Saturday thru Monday 1 to 2 more feet ❤️🤟🌬️❄️❄️❄️ #bessemer #westernup #snowphotos
LAKE GOGEBIC AREA UPDATE via Lake Gogebic News >> 🌥️ Friday afternoon update 🌥️
➡️ Rode the lake to the Hoop, then Trail 1 up to Konteka and back.
➡️ The new layer of snow on the lake is a foot deep. It is very heavy.
➡️ Get after it, but don’t romp on it. “Ride steady” is the key.
#lakegogebic #westernup #snowphotos
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP >> NCSC groomers Wyatt and Jay are heading out from Ontonagon as I'm writing this. They will be doing the grade (Trail 137) to Greenland (Trail 12). They'll turn around and head back to the junction. The plan is to take 12 to LP Walsh Rd. Then take Trail 101 to 13. Then 13 back to the grade (137) and take the grade back to Ontonagon.
Tonight Groom Chad, out of White Pine, will do Lake of the Clouds (LOTC) (Trail 1) and South Boundary (Trail 11).
Please ride right and ride carefully. There are still water areas and blowing snow, reducing visibility.
Be safe and please come North to DA UP, and enjoy our winter snowmobiling season. You should be able to ride until the grooming stops at the end of the month. #ontonagon #westernupNCSC groomers Wyatt and Jay are heading out from Ontonagon as I'm writing this. They will be doing the grade (Trail 137) to Greenland (Trail 12). They'll turn around and head back to the junction. The plan is to take 12 to LP Walsh Rd. Then take Trail 101 to 13. Then 13 back to the grade (137) and take the grade back to Ontonagon.
Tonight Groom Chad, out of White Pine, will do Lake of the Clouds (LOTC) (Trail 1) and South Boundary (Trail 11).
Please ride right and ride carefully. There are still water areas and blowing snow, reducing visibility.
Be safe and please come North to DA UP, and enjoy our winter snowmobiling season. You should be able to ride until the grooming stops at the end of the month.
WATERSMEET - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via U.P. Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club >> UPDATE 3/13/26- We have received 8-10 inches with the last two snowfalls. Groomers will be out today and tomorrow! Enjoy it while it lasts! #watersmeet #westernup
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Although some areas in the UP are experiencing a lull in the snowfall this morning, we expect the snow to fill back into the area from west to east through early afternoon. Winds shift to N/NE, resulting in reduced visibility in snow and blowing snow, especially in open areas and along Lake Superior. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #sooAlthough some areas in the UP are experiencing a lull in the snowfall this morning, we expect the snow to fill back into the area from west to east through early afternoon. Winds shift to N/NE, resulting in reduced visibility in snow and blowing snow, especially in open areas and along Lake Superior.
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> A second, more significant winter storm is coming Sunday into Monday, and it still looks like a whopper. Confidence is increasing in the following:
•More than a foot of snow for the UP and/or far northern lower Michigan
•Significant icing that may impact the power grid
•Wind gusts that could top 45mph
•Blizzard conditions
We plan to release our first call snow/ice/wind maps for this event later this afternoon. We encourage you to begin preparations as this event could be our biggest winter storm we’ve seen in quite some time. Stay tuned for further details. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyA second, more significant winter storm is coming Sunday into Monday, and it still looks like a whopper. Confidence is increasing in the following:
•More than a foot of snow for the UP and/or far northern lower Michigan
•Significant icing that may impact the power grid
•Wind gusts that could top 45mph
•Blizzard conditions
We plan to release our first call snow/ice/wind maps for this event later this afternoon. We encourage you to begin preparations as this event could be our biggest winter storm we’ve seen in quite some time. Stay tuned for further details.
LAKE GOGEBIC UPDATE via Lake Gogebic News >> ❄️ Friday the 13th daylight view!
❄️ We have significant drifting from the overnight winds- it’s fun! We have about 5” of new snow.
❄️ There are places with deep snow and other areas that are icy and wind-swept. The snow is heavy, but lighter than some of the other stuff we had last week.
❄️ The path is cleared to the sauna! Next video update… afternoon ride on the lake! #lakegogebic #westernup #snowphotos
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Good morning,
A quick hitting, strong clipper continues to bring widespread moderate to heavy snow and high winds to the area this morning. After a brief lull in snow around daybreak, an increase in northerly winds and lake effect snow will return hazardous conditions to the north winds snowbelts this early afternoon.
Our attention then turns to a major winter storm set to impact the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region this weekend into early next week. Confidence is continuing to grow regarding significant snowfall accumulations (potentially record breaking) and blizzard conditions that may result in widespread impacts.
Please view this morning's informational briefing at the link below for additional details on both today's and this weekend's storm systems.
www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A strong Clipper system is looking to bring a round of heavy snowfall and blowing snow late tonight through Friday. Another winter storm will potentially impact the U.P. Sunday through Monday as well. Whiteout conditions are possible within both systems. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP >> Repairing, leveling and smoothing Trail 13 between Norwich Rd and Trail 137, 3/11/2026. Groomer Wyatt is very skilled with Pisten Bullies!!! #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotos
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Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links
- Gaylord Area Trail Report – 03/14
- Frederic / Gaylord Area Trail Report – Sledheads of Frederic – 03/14
- Keweenaw Peninsula Trail Report – 03/14
- Harbor Springs Area Trail Report – 03/14
- Sault Ste. Marie Area Trail Report – 03/14
- Seney Area Trail Report – 03/14
- Newberry Area Trail Report – 03/14
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- Jordan Valley Area Trail Report – 03/13
- Keweenaw Peninsula Trail Report – 03/13
- Munising Area Trail Report – 03/13
- Cadillac Area Trail Report – 03/13
- Lake Gogebic Area Trail Report – 03/13
- Frederic / Gaylord Area Trail Report – Sledheads of Frederic – 03/13
- Watersmeet – Western U.P. Trail Report – 03/13
- Ontonagon Area Trail Report – 03/13
- Gaylord Area Trail Report – 03/13
- Grand Marais Area Trail Report – 03/12
- Gaylord Area Trail Report – 03/12
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- Newberry Area Trail Report – 03/12
- Sault Ste. Marie Trail Report – 03/12
- Keweenaw Peninsula Trail Report – 03/12
- Sidnaw – Western U.P. Trail Report – 03/11
- Ontonagon Area Trail Report – 03/11
- Ironwood – Western U.P. Trail Report – 03/11
- Newberry Area Trail Report – 03/11
- Lake Gogebic Area Trail Report – 03/11
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