Jordan Valley Trail Report – 01/28
JORDAN VALLEY AREA UPDATE via Jordan Valley Trails Council >> 01/28
Happy Tuesday! Get out there and ride! Yesterday afternoon we received more lake effect snowfall with a lot of drifting.
First and foremost, big thank you to our groomer extraordinaire Mike, yesterday he was here and there which seemed to be everywhere, being in 3 different groomers in one day! Thanks for all you do Mike!!!! 👍🏼
It’s been a long week breaking and fixing machines. Thankfully with the help of some great DNR folks we were able to get the 6215R out of the middle of the trail. Now we are just waiting for funding and a track to get that back on the trail. Thanks to Kevin, Cecil and Frank for trying their best Sunday to get it out as well. The Pisten Bully has returned to the trail! Big thank you to Andy L. for coming through in short notice. When he asked when we needed it, I replied “3 days ago” and he said I’ll be here tomorrow. Groomer Cecil and Rich were there to run for parts and lend a needed hand in the arctic conditions and we appreciate their time as well. Overall the team stepped up and handled being down a machine, GREAT! Trails weren’t to our expectations but grooming hours and trails groomed had to be adjusted and we greatly appreciate all our drivers that have adjusted their schedules to accommodate grooming different trails and a few old faces that jumped in to help out! As we mentioned last week trail 766 through the pristine Jordan Valley is back open. The logging on trail 76 north of Elmira is still ongoing and they will be utilizing a portion of the trail this week for hauling, please be vigilant in that area.
Looking forward, we have a mid week warm up coming. The tentative plan is to groom through Wednesday night and then get back on the trails Friday as the conditions cool off. We’re working on a full schedule to round out the week and cover for the downed unit the best as possible with our other machines. By tomorrow we should be right where we need to be heading into the warm up. If your the early one on the trails the next couple days, be cautious of drifting in open areas. Trails overall are still in good condition, unfortunately there still are a few thin spots out there, we really need a nice shot of system snow to pack into the trails. The warmup will help tighten the snow on the trails but we may lose some depth as well. With our area being some of the best riding conditions in the NLP, there has been a huge increase in traffic.
Thank you all for riding our system, supporting the clubs and local businesses! Join a club, grab the groomer tracker app or donate to your favorite riding area organizations. Enjoy your ride!
Here are some pictures of our excitement this week
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WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Accumulating snow is expected tonight, primarily across northwest Lower where 1” to 5” are expected. Cold temperatures will continue through the remainder of the week with wind chills sitting below zero and temperatures in the single digits to teens. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyAccumulating snow is expected tonight, primarily across northwest Lower where 1” to 5” are expected. Cold temperatures will continue through the remainder of the week with wind chills sitting below zero and temperatures in the single digits to teens. #MIwx
FREDERIC - GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Sledheads of Frederic , Michigan Snowmobiling >> 21 degrees monday at 2 - That's kind of warm compared to what it has been. Sled traffic was slow on sunday but most riders I talked to said trails were decent. Hoping to go for a ride tommorow and make it to Lewiston for lunch at Talleys. Not many people around today but thats a usual monday. Yesterday Mohawk John stopped in for his first ride this season. have been orderiing up things for later this week. If you are out and about around any of the national guard ranges you can expect to see or feel some big booms as this is the annual trailing for the guard known at Northern Strike. Be sure to stay back if they have gates closed on any of the trails mostly towards Lovells or the air to ground range. Thanks for checking in and Please ride safely. Pete #gaylord #snowphotos
frederic-mi.com
Thats kind of warm compared to what it has been. Sled traffic was slow on sunday but most riders I talked to said trails were decent. Hoping to go for a ride tommorow and make it to Lewiston for lu…WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Lake effect snow continues today, stops, then resumes in intensity overnight into Tuesday, January 26th and 27th, 2026.
Discussion
Our west winds kick up to the 30-40 mph range later tonight. Prior to that happening, a northwest wind will batter some lake effect areas with an additional 1-3" this afternoon, with pockets of 4"+ possible. As we move into Tuesday, a widespread blanket of 2-5", with pockets of 4-8" will overtake the Lake Michigan shoreline, eastern UP, and Keweenaw Peninsula. Temperature difference between water and air, plus adequate lift will fuel lake effect all the way through Wednesday morning. Additionally, we have a clipper moving through on Tuesday that will bring isolated pockets of 1-3" to the east side. Most locations should still be beneath an inch, however, too many variables are in play to not mention it.
Travel will be impacted along and west of US-131, with minor travel impacts all the way over to the US-127 corridor (I-75 north of Grayling). The clipper will be swinging through with the initial push of gusty winds after midnight tonight through 10 am Tuesday morning. Again, this will be for totals starting at noon today, and lasting through 8 am EST Wednesday, with most of the snow falling throughout the entire day Tuesday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyLake effect snow continues today, stops, then resumes in intensity overnight into Tuesday, January 26th and 27th, 2026.
Discussion
Our west winds kick up to the 30-40 mph range later tonight. Prior to that happening, a northwest wind will batter some lake effect areas with an additional 1-3" this afternoon, with pockets of 4"+ possible. As we move into Tuesday, a widespread blanket of 2-5", with pockets of 4-8" will overtake the Lake Michigan shoreline, eastern UP, and Keweenaw Peninsula. Temperature difference between water and air, plus adequate lift will fuel lake effect all the way through Wednesday morning. Additionally, we have a clipper moving through on Tuesday that will bring isolated pockets of 1-3" to the east side. Most locations should still be beneath an inch, however, too many variables are in play to not mention it.
Travel will be impacted along and west of US-131, with minor travel impacts all the way over to the US-127 corridor (I-75 north of Grayling). The clipper will be swinging through with the initial push of gusty winds after midnight tonight through 10 am Tuesday morning. Again, this will be for totals starting at noon today, and lasting through 8 am EST Wednesday, with most of the snow falling throughout the entire day Tuesday.
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WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> 1/26/26 - The song remains the same this week, as winter will leave us this pattern to lead us into more snow, thanks to the clipper parade. A few inches of snow or so are possible with each round, starting with a burst of snow tonight that will transition to NW to WNW flow lake effect. Highs in the teens will carry on, with cold signals holding on into early February. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey1/26/26 - The song remains the same this week, as winter will leave us this pattern to lead us into more snow, thanks to the clipper parade. A few inches of snow or so are possible with each round, starting with a burst of snow tonight that will transition to NW to WNW flow lake effect. Highs in the teens will carry on, with cold signals holding on into early February.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Jan 25 2026...Most areas stay quiet across the Northwoods for the first couple days of the week, with the exception of the shorelines, which have a better shot at seeing some lake effect snow showers at times. The next best chance of snow comes later Monday into Monday night with the next clipper system swinging in. Light northerly winds today become light and variable tonight…then west to southwest and increasing a bit for Monday and Monday night with that clipper. Temperatures will start to warm a smidgen…highs look to reach into the teens above zero. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyJan 25 2026...Most areas stay quiet across the Northwoods for the first couple days of the week, with the exception of the shorelines, which have a better shot at seeing some lake effect snow showers at times. The next best chance of snow comes later Monday into Monday night with the next clipper system swinging in. Light northerly winds today become light and variable tonight…then west to southwest and increasing a bit for Monday and Monday night with that clipper. Temperatures will start to warm a smidgen…highs look to reach into the teens above zero.
FREDERIC - GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Swamp II Bar & Restaurant in Frederic MI >> We got Riders! And Fish Fry Friday with Salad Bar! #frederic #gaylord #snowphotos
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Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links
- Keweenaw Peninsula Trail Report – 01/26
- Gaylord Area Trail Report – 01/26
- Frederic / Gaylord Area Trail Report – Sledheads of Frederic – 01/26
- Newberry Area Trail Report – 01/26
- Lake Gogebic Area Trail Report – 01/26
- Petoskey Area Trail Report – 01/26
- Grand Marais Area Trail Report – 01/26
- Ontonagon Area Trail Report – 01/26
- Grand Marais Trail Report – 01/25
- Keweenaw Peninsula Trail Report – 01/25
- Watersmeet – Western U.P. Trail Report – 01/25
- Munising Area Trail Report – 01/25
- Paradise Area Trail Report – 01/25
- Lake Gogebic Area Trail Report – 01/25
- Ontonagon Area Trail Report – 01/25
- Traverse City Area Trail Report – 01/25
- Newberry Area Trail Report – 01/24
- Grand Marais Area Trail Report – 01/24
- Baldwin Area Trail Report – 01/24
- Newberry Area Trail Report – 01/24
- Ironwood – Western U.P. Trail Report – 01/24
- Ontonagon Area Trail Report – 01/24
- Cadillac Area Trail Report – 01/24
- Keweenaw Peninsula Trail Report – 01/23
- Newberry Area Trail Report – 01/23
- Gaylord Area Trail Report – 01/23
- Baldwin Area Trail Report – 01/23
- Sidnaw – Western U.P. Trail Report – 01/23
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