We have a wind chill warning for today until noon today. For the next few days we will have bitter cold temps. Once again this cold weather will help with our water problems. Groomers in all areas are doing with they can to get the trails to where they are suppose to be.

The Gogebic Range Trail Authority Report:
Trail 11: south is closed again due to logging on Keweena

Ironwood: was groomed this morning and is in very good condition

Trail 2: was groomed this morning Jan. 02 and in very Good/Excellent condition, there still some areas of water on the side of trail in spots but the trail is in good shape.

Trail 160: was groomed this morning on Jan. 02, there are a couple of wet spots open so be careful and there is some logging going on as well, good to very good condition.

11 north: has been groomed this morning Jan. 02 with one large water hole trail is very good condition.

We have had reports of signs being removed from the trails. If anyone sees someone removing the signs please report them. The signs are there for a reason so please leave the signs in place. This is for the safety of the riders..

Lake Gogebic Groomer’s Report:
Ok, where do I start? Very wet conditions along with holiday crowds can wreck havoc on trials. Please remember that most of our trail system runs through the Ottawa National Forest. Not paved sidewalks or roads. We are experiencing problems that we have never seen before. Trail 102 is still closed due to lots of water (where we have never seen water before). We hope to get some more culverts in this week and try to get it open. Trail 8 west is being groomed today, however the groomer is taking the trail a bit off where it usually runs in an attempt to avoid…yes, you guessed it…more water. All other trails have seen improvement but the amount of sleds crossing our trails this last week wouldn’t allow the trails to remain in great shape for more than a few hours. All other trails are mostly good to fair with some rough spots to look for on 13 north.

We received about 5-inches of new snow over last night and it’s been snowing all day. We’re entering into a very cold snap for this upcoming week through next weekend with more snow in the forecast almost every day. That’s the good news. We’ve also started to see a slowdown in traffic today which will help the trails as well. We apologize to anyone who was disappointed in the trails this last week. Again, I can only tell you that we had a very wet fall followed by 90-inches of snow in November (a record) which insulated the ground and wouldn’t let it freeze. Then once December hit it warmed up and we actually saw rain one day. The same people who’ve been involved with the work on the trails are still at the helm for over 20 years and we’ve never dealt with these conditions before. Please have patience and know that we are working hard to get our trails back to the award winning condition we’ve offered in the past.

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.

The Watersmeet Groomer’s report:
Groomers are running daily and the trails are in good to very good condition. There are areas with wet spots where caution is still needed!

Please follow the orange barrels and stay on trail going across Cisco Chain.
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.

Hi All. I did get a chance to get my 700 Crossfire (Which is for sale)out for a short 58 mile ride yesterday, doing my part to pack the snow down to make panning the trails easier and was pleased conditions. The rails to trails were the best ride with plenty of snow and some of the tight twisty trails were fun, but had some frozen ruts, were thin in spots, but that will get fixed when they start panning. Over all it put a big old smile on my face. We picked up another 6 to 8 inches 1-4-15 and some of the drifts were huge. The forecast for the rest of the week is cold and snow, right on through the weekend. If the snow keeps up like this, I would think most clubs will start panning the trails. The dirt was graded flat on the Irons trails before the snowmobile season and just waiting for a little more snow. Check out our Facebook page for current pictures. All of the local grooming snowmobile clubs have their ratings as closed to poor and their rating are on our website. We have our Snowmobile Rentals ready to go, so if you don’t have one or if yours breaks down, we have you covered. (weather permitting on course) Also check out our Snow report page below We do have a couple rooms available for this up coming weekend. Check out our Facebook page for current pictures. All of the local grooming snowmobile clubs have their ratings as closed and their rating are on our website. We have our Snowmobile Rentals ready to go, so if you don’t have one or if yours breaks down, we have you covered. (weather permitting on course) Also check out our Snow report page below.

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Keep an eye on our ATV & Snow Report for all the reports from the local grooming clubs and everything about ATV’s & Snowmobiles and our trail report, on one of the largest trail systems, plus there is a link to the Michigan DNR website for the new signage changes. Remember that there some ATV and dirt bike trails that you can ride year around here too, including the Little O and Tin Cup Springs. PLEASE DO NOT RIDE YOUR ORV ON SNOWMOBILE ONLY TRAILS. You can call us at 231 745 4101 during business hours of 8am until 10pm, to reserve an ATV, Room or Snowmobile. But if you just need a trail report please look at our website and take a look at the WolfCam for the snow totals.

Gift Certificates are available for ATV, Boat, Room, Snowmobile Rentals. Check out our specials and the WOLFCAM for the snow totals.

If you don’t have your sled ready, when time comes to ride, just call us, our rentals will be ready to go.

We are members of the Cycle Conservation Club of Michigan, Baldwin Trailriders, Irons Area Tourist Association, Wellston Area Recreation and Tourist Bureau, Benzie-Manistee Snowbirds, Lake County ORV Club and the Michigan Snowmobile Association. These are the local grooming clubs, in which we help support all of your favorite sports. When I go to an area, I always buy the new map for the season from the local snowmobile or ORV club. Trails may change and so do the maps. But I always spend my hard earned money, only with the businesses that support my sport. All those advertisers on the Snowmobile or ORV Club maps are the people, that help make those trails possible for all of us to ride. Just my two cents.

We have rooms available for this week and weekend, so what are you waiting for? We are snowmobilers too, and know if there isn’t enough snow to ride, you don’t want to come up and not be able to ride. Just call us before you come up and we will tell you the conditions at that time and if there is not good enough snow to ride, you can cancel your room with no penalties. But if there is enough snow to ride we expect you to keep your reservation. If you need a room or snowmobile rental, just give us a call 231-745-4101, office hours are 8am until 10pm, so call soon to get your room reserved or they will be all gone. We do have some discounts at a few local restaurants to save you even more money.

Check out the WOLFCAM for the snow totals.

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I CAN NOT SAY THIS ENOUGH, WEEKDAY RIDING IS THE BEST. SMOOTH TRAILS AND LESS TO NO TRAFFIC.

Make sure you STOP when they see the groomers so they can move by. It’s really dangerous to have riders keep moving when the groomers pass. Make sure you wave and show your support. Also, please stay off the ribbon so it will set up, and the trails will stay smoother longer.

Here is a list of the snowmobile trails in this area, are you ready? The Baldwin trails, (146 miles) go west to Reed City and south from here to Newaygo, Irons trails wrap around Wolf Lake and then heads north, east and west for 122 miles and connects to Cadillac and Wellston trails, Cadillac trails connect into the Irons and Wellston trails all the way to Cadillac, then south to Leroy, they groom 124 miles, Wellston trails goes west to connect to Cadillac trails and south to the Irons Trails and west to Freesoil for 68 miles and north to the, Benzie/Manistee trail system. The Pere Marquette trail connects to The Baldwin trail and all the way to Evart and up to Leroy 144 miles, the south Pere Marquette trail goes to Grand Rapids, I think about 140 miles, then north the Benzie/Manistee trail goes all the way to the Maple City another 147 miles I think. Let’s total this up, 146 + 122 + 124 + 68 + 140 + 147 = 747 in groomed connecting trails just in this area alone and we are right in the middle of them. I know most of the groomer operators and their schedules, so if it’s bumpy one way, we know which way to go, to have smooth trails. I don’t know about you but that’s a ton of riding. Now there is more trails to get to, but that would be just over kill and this is not even counting the hundreds of miles of the two tracks and seasonal roads that you can ride. Why spent an extra $200 to $300 in fuel to get to Gaylord or the UP when we have fantastic riding right here.

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Remember that the mid week riding is the best, less to no traffic, no lines at the gas pump and you don’t have to worry so much about the crazies coming up the trail at you.

There are over 740 miles of connecting groomed trails that run through this area and surrounding areas, so why would you want to go anywhere else? Plus miles and miles of two tracks and seasonal roads. We have two bedroom lake front rooms with full kitchens, living rooms with a sofa sleeper, (sleeps 6 – $110 a night), double lake front rooms with a queen and full beds and a kitchenette and dining table and chairs (sleeps 4 – $88 a night). Double motel rooms with two double beds and a mini fridge, (sleeps 4 – $59 a night) and single motel rooms with one full bed, (sleeps 2 – $44 a night) and our large Bunk House which has two bed rooms with queen bunk beds and a queen sofa sleeper, full kitchen, full living room, a breakfast bar and a fireplace (sleeps 10 – $ 167 a night). We have something for everyone.

Visit us at www.wolflakemotel.com or call 231-745-4101, office hours are 8am until 10pm 7 days of the week. See ya soon on the trails.