High temperatures will be in the upper teens and low twenties through this weekend with some snow showers possible.
The Gogebic Range Trail Authority Groomers Report:
The trails are in fair to good condition. Trail 8 to Tula and trail 2 have been groomed and are in good condition. Trail 11N is good with a detour around a water hole. Signs are posted. Trail 160 will be groomed Friday, however, logging is ongoing so be on the lookout for logging trucks. Trail 11S is closed due to logging this winter.
Lake Gogebic Groomer’s Report:
All trails are groomed daily and are in good to very good condition. Watch out for an area on trail 13N where we will be sharing about 800 feet of trail with a logging company. Conditions will have a bit of bare snow so stay to the side and watch out for trucks. Also, there will be a short reroute of 1/2 mile on 13S due to logging. VERY IMPORTANT: Watch for the reroute where trails 1, 102 and 8 West meet, north of Merriweather going west for about 5 miles. Watch for changes and new signing. There will be many pipeline workers plus a lot of heavy equipment in the area. This reroute will continue to the end of the season. You may also want to top off your gas if headed north through this area as the reroute will add an extra ten miles (there and back) to your trip with no gas stops between Lake Gogebic and Konteka.
The Watersmeet Groomer’s report:
Our groomers are running daily and trails are all groomed. All trails are in good condition but use caution on corners they are icy. We need more snow.
Please follow the orange barrels and stay on trail going across Cisco Chain.
Please remember groomers are out both day and night, so watch for them, please pull over or at least slow down and wait for the operator to signal you by whenever you see them. Groomers have the right of way.
JUST ONE MORE REMINDER: PLEASE STAY ON MARKED TRAILS. RIDING ON UNMARKED TRAILS CAN RESULT IN THE CLUBS LOSING EASEMENT FOR THAT TRAIL AND IT CAN ALSO RESULT IN A POSSIBLE TICKET FOR YOU.
Call our snowmobile report at 800-522-5657 anytime.
RATED #1 SNOWMOBILE DESTINATION BY READERS OF AMERICAN SNOWMOBILER!
Each Western U.P. snowmobiling adventure is unique and exciting, as there are over 2000 miles groomed trails, unplowed logging roads, secluded National Forest trails throughout our area. Explore a Western U.P. winter and share the experience of a Western U.P. snowmobiling vacation with your family and friends. This is what snowmobiling is all about. Because when natural beauty, brilliant exhilaration and good times come together, the sensation is Pure Michigan. Big Snow Country is a Snowmobiler’s Paradise. This heavy snowfall gives you, the rider, the very best conditions and trails.
Our new website is www.explorewesternup.com We moved to a new location 405N Lake St. Ironwood, MI 49938.
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February 5, 2015 | Western U.P. Bureau
February 5, 2015 – All trails are in very good condition with the temperatures we’ve had over the last few days. What we do need, however, is some snow and we’ve got that in the forecast everyday through this weekend. Temp highs look to be in the 20’s and single digits for lows – perfect riding and grooming conditions. Our groomers continue to groom each trail each day and I’d say we’re back to the conditions we’re used to offering snowmobilers in our area. The early season wet condition set us up for quite a battle in getting the trails in good shape but we’ve got it finally beat. You do need to continue to watch for logging on trails 13 north and 13 south. These spots are only a small portion of the trail but you need to respect the logging trucks in these areas for your safety. Stay to one side and give them plenty of room.
***VERY IMPORTANT – EFFECTIVE JANUARY 26TH THROUGH MARCH*** -The big news is a reroute over the area where trails 1, 102 and 8 west meet, north of Merriweather and west for about 5 miles. Please watch for changes and new signing (and there is plenty of it) in this area and heed all trail signage. There will be many pipeline workers plus a lot of heavy equipment in the area formally used for trails in this area so for their safety as well as yours please heed the new signing and don’t take any “short cuts”. This reroute will be in effect for most of the remainder of the snowmobile season, but we will post any changes as they occur. You will also want to top off your gas if headed north through this area as the reroute will add on an extra 10 miles (there and back) to your trip with no gas stops between Lake Gogebic and Silver City. YOU CAN NOT USE THIS AREA FOR ANY RIDING.
Keep in mind that we continue to groom our trails typically until the last day of March. Of course that depends a great deal on the weather as we’ve had years where we had to stop prior to that date but then again we’ve had years where, after receiving special permission from the DNR we groomed as late as April 8th! There’s a lot to be said for snowmobiling that late in the season!
You can legally ride any county road that does not get plowed, but check with the Forest Service for a map to these roads. They have a waterproof one for $10.00. Call 906-932-1330 or go to www.fs.usda.gov/ottawa for more info.
The new snowmobile maps are out and available at most local businesses. Please remember that only money put into the wooden map money boxes with the photo of the groomers on it goes back to the trails – so please be aware of this and watch for this.
That’s all for now from Carolyn at the Hoop! Keep checking back for more updates as conditions change. For additional information about the Lake Gogebic area please visit the chamber website at www.LakeGogebicArea.com or call them at 1-888-464-3242 (888-GOGEBIC). Have a great day and a great ride.
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Lake Gogebic Area Chamber of Commerce –
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February 5, 2015 | Lake Gogebic