We have a 2 inch base in the mid-range of our trail system (M-55) area near Coyote Crossing with fair sledding conditions. Local sledders report heavier snow north of Boon–as much as 2 feet of snow and excellent sledding conditions. We’ll start grooming that portion of our system tomorrow letting the sleds do some packing today. We may hold off on the mid-section, south and eastern portions of the trail a bit longer before grooming.

We have been busy with our driver training and review session today. We are proud to welcome four new drivers to our crew. Driver training involves more than learning to drive tractor and maneuver the drag. Drivers need to know the basic mechanics of both to help them fix equipment problems in the woods when they are on their own. Before each groom, the drivers have to go over the equipment following a checklist looking for problem areas (burned out lights, broken chains, fluid levels etc). They report to a radio base that they are leaving and where they are headed. When they return from each groom they have to fill the fuel tank, scrap the snow off the tractor and drag (what a tedious job after a long groom), complete the paperwork (again), call the DNR to report the groom, and back the tractor in the garage. They do all this as a volunteer. So the next time you see a groomer on the trails, let them know how much you appreciate what they are doing for you and the sport we all love.

DECEMBER 13

UPDATE: There may be a groomer panning in the Boon area tonight so be on the lookout for him. Also, they will have groomers in the Coyote Crossing/Trail 6 area for driver training tomorrow so be aware particularly in those areas.

Picked up an additional 3 more inches in the last 24 hours and temperatures are a little warmer today–currently 18 degrees. As mentioned previously, we have lots of snow/fluff but not much if any base. We have 10 inches of snow in the Cadillac West area with more in the National Forest west and north. Not certain of snow depths on the southern and eastern portions of the trail system.

Grooming is still on hold.

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To better access the forest trails, you’ll want to use one of the Staging Areas below:

33 Rd Staging Area–S of M-55–approx.. 3 miles west of Cadillac on M-55 (watch for signs)

Caberfae Staging Area–approx.. 12 miles west of Cadillac on M-55 (watch for signs)

Boon Staging Area–park in plowed area south of Boon Grocery

Note: The porta-a-johns were removed from our staging areas today as our contracts on them expired 3-15-13.

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VIA CADILLAC WINTER PROMOTIONS
http://www.cadillacwinterpromotions.org/trailconditions.html

December 11 – If this whiteout keeps up we will have the 12-18″ predicted. What is missing from this picture?

Here at Halfway Lake we have 18" of snow on the ground, 5" of that being a good hard base from our warm up. We have seen a lot of snow since Tuesday, recently making our trails rideable and groomable, so the trails have not seen much traffic.

I am only able to rate trails off of the amount of snow we have, the hard base I measured and a compilation of groomer reports. I went with decent-very good based on groomer reports about slushy areas in swamps. I’d hope those are freezing up nicely since we have not had a day hit 20 degrees in almost two weeks. This cold weather will also help the trails set up nicely after the groomer goes through.

Grand Marais, Paradise and Seney, and Tahquamenon are out grooming. Tahquamenon assoc. reports they will open the gaits on public land (restricting getting into/out of Newberry) December 16th. You are still able to ride from Halfway Lake to Grand Marais and Paradise utilizing the trail systems, you just cannot get into Newberry via trail 9 from here.

***Book by December 31 to receive $25 off your stay of any three consecutive nights Jan 6 – Feb 28. Must mention at time of reservation. Deposit must be postmarked by Jan 7th. Not to be combined with other offers.

We are located 12 mi NW of Newberry and 7 miles S of Pinestump Junction, 1 mile S of the Wolf Inn. Between Grand Marais and Paradise.