There’s no change to report from yesterday. Even though grooming wasn’t on the schedule our club president ran one of the groomers last night. The other one will groom tonight. Conditions are smooth. We’ve got some snirt in the mix and the base is thin. But there’s riding to be had and conditions are even better in the woods. The railroad grade gets the most traffic so it has a thinner base than the woods. The farther you get out from the arteries the better conditions are. We’re enjoying some sunshine right now but the thermometer is only at 8 degrees. BRRR…The forecast is for sunny skies and temps around 27 the next two days. Friday looks like a great forecast for snow. We will sit tight and keep an eye on the radar. Until then, have a great Wednesday!

Just an FYI that there’s logging activity on the east loop of our wooded trail. The area is signed but watch for changing trails conditions where the trail has been plowed for vehicle traffic. The activity stretches about 1/2 to 1 mile.

Other grooming club news is the new drag we took delivery of last week. The State approved our purchase and this drag was custom-made for us by the experts at Dubie Welding & Fabrication in Gaylord. We’re glad to support local, Michigan business with this purchase. And since this drag will be paid for with State dollars it’s nice to know your trail permit money is coming back around.

If you’re interested in supporting local grooming efforts, visit www.justgroomit.org for details on joining the Indian River Snowmobile Grooming club with a membership donation. We have hats and t-shirts (short & long sleeve) for sale too. Even when we can’t groom we still have operational expenses like insurance, two-way radio communication subscriptions, and more. Thanks to member donations we’re putting up a groomer building ,where we now store and can work on the equipment. Your support makes all the difference! Thank you–

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Visit Indian River Snowmobile Grooming Club Condition Report >>>>

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*******TRAIL CLOSURE ALERT****** Part of Trail #480 the Kinross to Raco Trail will be CLOSED temporarily starting Thursday Jan 22, 2015 for 3-6 days while water flow is restored to the stream bed. We will have a joint operation with the MDNR, USFS, and SSMSA to fix the problem. We had hoped to able to do it a week ago but had to wait until we could get everyone together. The gates will be closed at both ends of the effected section signed as closed. Once the trail freezes enough to hold the groomer it will reopen.

Trails overall are in excellent shape and groomers are out on a daily basis.

We now have a marked trail that will be groomed on occasion to get to parts and service at Chippewa Motors. it comes into the back of their lot from the east side of M-129 when you come out of the woods.

Sault Ste. Marie to Brimley, Trail #8 –

Base 3- 5 inches -Trail is in Excellent Condition. Watch for logging trucks the last 2 miles before Brimley, they are using the grade to haul, so a portion is plowed.

Brimley to Raco, Trail #8 –

Base 3 – 6 inches -Trail is in Excellent Condition. When going across the bridge in Brimley make sure you go with the flow of traffic!

Raco to Naomikong Trail #8 [where Paradise meets us], Trail #8 –

Base 4 – 8 inches – Trail is in Excellent Condition. Lots of snow out here but watch for blowing and drifting snow in open areas.

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

Base 3 -5 inches – Trail is Good to excellent condition. The wet spots have frozen over and trail is groomed all the way to the Antlers Restaurant and up to the I-500 Track.

We now have a marked & groomed trail going to Chippewa Motors. It starts once you come out of the woods east of M-129 off #449. It comes into their parking lot from behind if you need parts or service.

City curfew is from 1 am – 6 am. Remember most City streets are open to traffic 20mph, stop at all intersections, and ride on 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 2 – 5 inches – Trail is in Good to Excellent Condition. We groomed the compete section a couple of times over the weekend and the last of the wet spots are frozen.

When the trail is running along roads make sure you go with the flow of traffic on the right side of the road.

Kinross loop & south to Pickford, Parts of Trail #49, #472, and #494 –

Base 2 – 4 inches – Trail in Fair to good condition. There is less snow the farther south you go but enough to ride.

Kinross to Raco, Parts of trail #472 & #480 –

Base 2 – 6 inches – Trail in Poor to Fair Condition.

*******TRAIL CLOSURE ALERT****** Part of Trail #480 the Kinross to Raco Trail will be CLOSED temporarily starting Thursday Jan 22, 2015 for 3-6 days while water flow is restored to the stream bed. We will have a joint operation with the MDNR, USFS, and SSMSA to fix the problem. We had hoped to able to do it a week ago but had to wait until we could get everyone together. The gates will be closed at both ends of the effected section signed as closed. Once the trail freezes enough to hold the groomer it will reopen.

The Downtown Trail is signed and groomed starting the 16th of January.

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Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association

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