Sault Ste. Marie Trail Report – 01/08
SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 01/08
Good morning all! Update as of noon on 1/8/24
We are just as excited as everyone else for the incoming storm, and with it the potential that we can hopefully get grooming! We need a good foot to be able to get the machines rolling, so please be patient. I promise I will update as things unfold, as always.
There are a few things I know with certainty that are very important to mention. So here we go-
Trail 49 from Alberta Lane just south of the Soo, all the way to almost Gaines Highway in Kinross is wet over much of the area. Unfortunately, someone got a 4 wheeler stuck in an area where there is not a gate between 8 and 9 mile, and it needs to be extracted which undoubtedly will make quite the mess. Thanks to that fine human for making a boneheaded decision that further delays our progress. It’s a snowmobile only trail, and they never should have been in there, and no, it wasn’t the land owner.
The gates on 49 from 12 mile south to Gaines Highway remain closed as it is far too wet in there as of right now. Snow and cold will help, but even after the gates are opened, it will be quite some time before we can get a groomer in there without sinking it. Please plan for this closure.
Trail 480 from Raco through the Spile Dam to 472 has some significant ruts from a truck driven by another really smart individual. IF we get enough snow to groom, we will do the best we can to get in there and smooth them out.
All other areas should be pretty solid as soon as we get more snow.
There is still a very large washout on the old trail leaving Bay Mills casino, but we have rerouted the trail along side of the road, so please follow the new trail. That washout will swallow you and your machine whole.
If we get this snow, we will report as we get rolling. I will also try to get out on my sled after work each day to check trails.
Thanks all! Let the games begin! ❄️❄️❄️
Join or donate today at www.sootrails.org
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Good morning, all! Update as of 1/7/24.
4 solid inches here om the ground in the Soo after the little clipper yesterday. More is expected tonight through Wednesday, and again into next weekend. Not enough for us to groom yet, but it’s all coming together❄❄❄
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Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Facebook Page
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Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Trail Report on MSA
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Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Tonight and Monday morning, moderate to occasionally heavy lake effect will be accompanied by strong winds and create blowing snow concerns. Near blizzard conditions expected in the Keweenaw Peninsula, Marquette, and Alger counties, especially in areas exposed to the north or northwest. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaTonight and Monday morning, moderate to occasionally heavy lake effect will be accompanied by strong winds and create blowing snow concerns. Near blizzard conditions expected in the Keweenaw Peninsula, Marquette, and Alger counties, especially in areas exposed to the north or northwest.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Snow will continue today, with periods of moderate to heavy snowfall expected across portions of north-central and western Upper Michigan. Travel impacts abate tonight with lake effect snow becoming light into Sunday. By Sunday afternoon, a shot of widespread snow will be followed by strong winds and lake effect. The snow in this period will change to the kind that blows around really easily. Expect hazardous travel conditions Sunday night and Monday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake Effect Snow through Saturday; Cold and Windy with Reduced Visibility Sunday Night/Monday... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/16/26
OG (original groomer) Ben is back!
He did his first solo run of the season on the city trails today and had an interesting run!
Here’s what he had to say-
“Finished the city trails. Things started out great, trails were flattening out great and are in so much better condition than they were last weekend. I did open up a couple of spots between the high school and the casino but they all filled in with the drag so it shouldn’t affect any sledders. Got to talk to a porcupine near the high school trail which is groomed now. There are some ice chunks in that area so be aware. It is flat but it’s lumpy in spots still. More snow and that’ll clean up really nice again. Beyond that, I had a giant branch fall on me just before the turn to Don Dee Lanes. It wasn’t a branch that I hit with the groomer either, I just happened to look back and see it fall behind the drag. Weird. Took a little time to clean that up. Long story short, trails are in good shape. And finally a picture of my Bluetooth playlist while grooming. Smooth operator indeed.”
Great work, Ben! We’re happy to have you back in the saddle! ❄️❄️❄️
Video in the comments from Anita who saw Ben from her workplace😊 #soo #soo0116b #snowphotos
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/16/26
Good morning all! Light snow flurries have begun, and the frigid temps continue.
We do have one machine down that does the kinross area, and I’ll keep you posted on that.
Zeke ran trail 8 from Raco to Brimley last night, and 480 from the Spile Dam to 8.
Things are pretty flat everywhere, with some wet spots still giving us trouble in the swamps. Keep an eye out, especially on 49.
Ride safe! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0116 #snowphotos1/16/26
Good morning all! Light snow flurries have begun, and the frigid temps continue.
We do have one machine down that does the kinross area, and I’ll keep you posted on that.
Zeke ran trail 8 from Raco to Brimley last night, and 480 from the Spile Dam to 8.
Things are pretty flat everywhere, with some wet spots still giving us trouble in the swamps. Keep an eye out, especially on 49.
Ride safe! ❄️❄️❄️
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> This is our last call snowfall outlook for FRIDAY ONLY, January 16th, 2026. Snow has begun across parts of the UP, and will begin for the rest of the state over the course of the next 12 hours.... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyThis is our last call snowfall outlook for FRIDAY ONLY, January 16th, 2026. Snow has begun across parts of the UP, and will begin for the rest of the state over the course of the next 12 hours.
A clipper will bring a mixture of synoptic snow and lake effect snow for the entirety of Michigan. This is the first of multiple clippers between now and Monday. Lake effect areas may see totals into the 4-8" zone, with localized heavier totals possible along the Porcupine Mountains in the western UP. We DO have ample moisture on our atmospheric profiles for tomorrow, but the forcing is still suspect, so a solid blanket of 1-4" of snow, with isolated higher totals close to half a foot should occur by the end of our day Friday. The greatest chance at an area underachieving is in... guess what... southeast Michigan. Monroe and Lenawee counties specifically were in the T-1" zone at first call, but with a more-moist profile expected tomorrow, all locations (in an ideal world) should at least hit 1". We are also watching for the development of freezing drizzle mixing in, primarily in the Lower Peninsula as low-level temperatures favor this phenomena. Now, drizzle would hinder totals, but significantly increase travel issues as roads get coated with both the drizzle and the wet snow. We will have a freezing drizzle accumulation map out tomorrow morning.
Winds gusting 25-35 mph at times, primarily out of the west. Some snow squalls will mix in, which for those who don't remember, snow squalls exist to only cause headaches. These narrow bands of snow drop visibility from open skies to mere feet in the matter of seconds, which is never good, especially on fast-moving roadways. A snow squall can put down as much as a quick inch in 15-30 minutes at their peak intensity. Both morning and evening commutes will be impacted by snow or drizzle. Let's hope we don't light up the MDOT drive map with 25 accidents this time around, so please take your time. Give yourself that extra hour to travel, especially in instances of forced slow downs.
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