The Thursday/Friday storm had more impact then I thought it would have. They closed the bridge and us-2 on Friday for quite a while, and US-2 was still closed through Saturday. High winds knocked out power all over teh place, including my house for 10 hours, Moran for 12-14, and some place in Epoufette on and off for 2 days.

The Groomers had a tough time of it on Friday night, with over 40 trees having to be cleared from the trail, and heavy drifting all weekend. The lower loop took 2 full passes on Friday night just to get the drifts knocked down. The upper loop as a ton of trees down making Bob’s trip long, and as a consequence he did not have time to do the Caffey. With Cut River out of power, he couldn’t plug in the groomer to keep it warm, and it would not start on Saturday afternoon. So the upper loop did not get a good groom until Sunday afternoon.

The good news is that the trails all groomed up very well with the good snow snow, which packed well. We are working on widening out some sections of the trail in anticipation spring as the trail edges will become dangerous fro the groomer when things start to soften up. The storm added more then 5′ to the base on the trail which is now easily 20′-30′ over the entire trail system. Off trail is just crazy, and our whole coverage area has snow like you have seen along the Superior shoreline in recent years. Besides the groomer breakdowns, you really can’t ask for a better year for sledding!

The forecast for the coming week has the buzz words ‘Polar Vortex’ in it again and that means more bitter cold, but not really a ton of snow (not that we need it!) Temps over the next week will only be in the single digits and then maybe the teens over the weekend.

Things should remain in great condition, as both groomers are running and there is tons of snow to groom out there.

The City of St. Ignace would like me to remind you that snowmobile are NOT ALLOWED on city sidewalks or main street. If you want to access the ice bridge to Mackinac Island, then cross Main Street at right angles, and use the access points at the Mackinac Grill or beach next to Star Line.

Base: 24 inches

Snowfall Past 24 hours: 0 inches

Last Grooming: Every other weekday, and all Weekend.

Current Trail Conditions: Good to Excellent

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It has been hovering around 10 degrees all day and partly sunny. Trails are back to great shape after the crappy warm up, rain, sleet, and then wind plus snow. Drifts are still forming quickly today after grooming so open areas may have some big ones. the temp is to drop back down to below zero the rest of the week again.

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Website Report – 2/22

Trails are in excellent shape. Rain then snow and wind. Near white out at times, lots of drifts, watch for branches off trees or trees themselves freshly fallen.

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Sault Ste. Marie to Brimley, Trail #8 – Base 4-8 inches -Trail is in Excellent Condition. Go with the flow of traffic on the bridge in Brimley!

Brimley to Raco, Trail #8 – Base 5 – 10 inches -Trail is in Excellent Condition. Make sure you go with the flow of traffic when crossing the bridge in Brimley or you will be ticketed!!!!!

Raco to Naomikong Trail #8 [where Paradise meets us], Trail #8 <[p>Base 5-12 inches – Trail is in Excellent Condition. The wind is blowing and drifts form quickly after grooming.

Sault Ste. Marie City Trail, Trails #497, #449, parts of #8 & #49 –

Base 4-7 inches – Trail is in Excellent Condition. Downtown trail is open, marked. Snowplows will fill in some spots between grooms. City curfew is from 1am – 6 am. Remember most City streets are open to traffic, 20 mph, stop at all intersections, and ride the right hand side of street not on side walks. Watch for closed streets that are posted, mainly around the hospital, university, and state trunk lines.

Sault Ste. Marie to Kinross, Trail #49 –

Base 4-8 inches – Trail is inexcellent condition.Condition. When the trail is running along roads make sure you go with the flow of traffic on the right side of the road. All wet spots frozen. Drifts form quickly.

Kinross loop and south to Pickford, parts of Trail #49, #494, #472

Base 4 – 8 inches – Trail is inexcellent condition,

Kinross to Raco/Rudyard, Trail # #480 & #472

Base 4-8 inches – Trail is in good to excellent Condition, The trail has been groomed completely and the water hole has been fixed. Watch for deer!

The Downtown Trail has been groomed, and it is marked. Since it used portions of parking lanes and crosses many streets there may be piles of snow pushed up from plowing streets and lots..

Base: 7 inches

Snowfall Past 24 hours: 3 inches

Last Grooming: Groomers are out on a daily basis

Current Trail Conditions: Excellent

Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association