Sault Ste. Marie Trail Report – 02/19
SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 02/19 2/19 pm update- I finally got to get out and ride! Left this morning from the Soo on a fresh groom (thanks Buck!) on trail 8 toward Raco. As we’ve been saying, there is slag rock on 8 popping up, the worst of which is just past 6 mile, so just take it easy there and you’ll be just fine. In Raco, I met up with Raco Dave and several of our club members. We hit the 889 loop, and then some off trail, forest service roads and two tracks, as this is where the most snow is. I then ran down 480 to 472 and met up with some more of our volunteers, and went down 472 to Rudyard where we had a great lunch at Huck’s Pub & Grill (thanks Jen!) Yes, the road riding in Rudyard where Snowchasers club is unable to groom the ditches is no fun at all, but it was worth it to stop and support Huck’s, as they have supported us! From here, we rode 472 toward Sullivan Creek Rd. It’s pretty thin until Sullivan Creek road, but I heard it’s great from there west. From here, we took forest service roads back to 480 and those were AWESOME! We saw our newest volunteer, Marc, coming back in the Pisten Bully from his run on 8 between Brimley and Raco. Finished off the ride with another loop up 889 to the overlook, and back to the Soo on trail 8. The northeast side of 889 is getting bumpy from traffic, but I’m sure the Raco crew will straighten it out. 8 is also showing some bumps, but nothing crazy. Trails are definitely thin on 8 more so than anywhere. Again, lots of good snow on the forest service roads as those don’t see the same traffic, or have a rock base. I saw maybe 20 other sleds out all day. All seemed to be enjoying themselves! I’ll be updating as we move through the week. Thanks all! ❄️❄️❄️ <> <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Facebook Page <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Trail Report on MSA <> SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> Video is from 12/16/25 WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Lake effect totals through Friday afternoon, December 19th, 2025 have been updated slightly to account for latest shifts in atmospheric conditions. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Active weather is expected for the remainder of the work week. Winds pick up tonight, gusting to 25-45mph (highest in the western and north-central UP), falling back into Thursday morning. Light rain and patchy mixed precipitation return Thursday morning, transitioning over to widespread snow late Thursday into Thursday night before tapering off to light lake effect snow Friday. The heaviest snow accumulations will be across the far western UP. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/16/25 SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/16/25 WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> The UP will experience some impactful weather to round out the work week. Tonight, a Wind Advisory is in effect for the Keweenaw Peninsula for 45+ mph W to NW winds. Then Wednesday night through Friday morning will bring gusty winds and a wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, and/or snow becoming widespread accumulating snow (with the highest chances of multiple inches of snowfall over the north half). WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Back to back events are expected this week. Expect strong winds this afternoon and tonight, then strong winds, falling temperatures, and snowfall on Thursday and Thursday night. The strong winds for both events night may result in power outages and lakeshore flooding/erosion and/or weakening lake ice. Temperatures will also climb up above freezing today for the first time since late November, with highs remaining in the 30s for the next few days. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/15/25 <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
Sorry I’m late on this put thought it was still worth sharing to show how things looked before this little warm up.
Here’s Pete’s report to go along with it-
“I took took New Dave out for his final training run down trail 8 to Brimley. We have been struggling with some engine computer wiring issues causing stalls. Some repair attempts were made, and this was an unscheduled test run as well. Bryan and his assistant Logan followed along to assist in case of another breakdown. Additionally, we wanted to take down the large leaning tree that’s been impeding the trail. Everything went well and the groomer made the trip with no issues. Dave finished up his training and will be headed out on his own soon. The tree came down without any hiccups. Even though it was warm out, the trail laid out smooth and flat. It was a great success and we are glad to have accomplished so much in one evening.”
Thanks all! #soo #snowphotos
Discussion
As temperatures fall early Friday, moisture pools back in, mixed with colder air over the warmer lakes, turning on the lake effect machine for both of the Great Lakes that influence our normal lake effect zones. A respectable 1-3" to 2-5" is possible in the fairly typical areas shown on the map. The narrow lane of higher elevation across the Keweenaw Peninsula and Porcupine Mountains are most-likely to experience totals exceeding 6". You may have noticed our one main change was the expansion of T-1" over to the east side of the state just as a general precaution to any snow squalls that make it across the state. Not everyone will get a rogue snow squall, but it is in the odds for nearly everyone. A snow squall is a thin, but intense band of quick snow that can produce at least half an inch of snow in minutes time, while knocking visibility down from 10 miles, to a quarter mile in moments time. Additionally, a quick coating of snow may hide any ice that was able to form from the freeze later tonight. Lake effect snow and snow squalls are poised to start later this evening around 8 pm EST (earlier for the western UP), and run primarily through 1 pm EST Friday. A couple lake effect bands may last through 6 pm across northern Michigan near Gaylord, and the central UP near Munising.
Each area is never guaranteed the totals shown on the screen. This is why we call it a prediction. The totals that are shown however do have the greatest odds of occurring. Yes, we are still trying to find that crystal ball, but no luck to this point. Follow us here at Michigan Storm Chasers for forecast updates, and a little humor on the side, throughout the next few days, and as always, 365 days a year! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyLake effect totals through Friday afternoon, December 19th, 2025 have been updated slightly to account for latest shifts in atmospheric conditions.
Discussion
As temperatures fall early Friday, moisture pools back in, mixed with colder air over the warmer lakes, turning on the lake effect machine for both of the Great Lakes that influence our normal lake effect zones. A respectable 1-3" to 2-5" is possible in the fairly typical areas shown on the map. The narrow lane of higher elevation across the Keweenaw Peninsula and Porcupine Mountains are most-likely to experience totals exceeding 6". You may have noticed our one main change was the expansion of T-1" over to the east side of the state just as a general precaution to any snow squalls that make it across the state. Not everyone will get a rogue snow squall, but it is in the odds for nearly everyone. A snow squall is a thin, but intense band of quick snow that can produce at least half an inch of snow in minutes time, while knocking visibility down from 10 miles, to a quarter mile in moments time. Additionally, a quick coating of snow may hide any ice that was able to form from the freeze later tonight. Lake effect snow and snow squalls are poised to start later this evening around 8 pm EST (earlier for the western UP), and run primarily through 1 pm EST Friday. A couple lake effect bands may last through 6 pm across northern Michigan near Gaylord, and the central UP near Munising.
Each area is never guaranteed the totals shown on the screen. This is why we call it a prediction. The totals that are shown however do have the greatest odds of occurring. Yes, we are still trying to find that crystal ball, but no luck to this point. Follow us here at Michigan Storm Chasers for forecast updates, and a little humor on the side, throughout the next few days, and as always, 365 days a year!
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Good evening everyone!
Trail 49 update, between the Soo and Kinross. Lane groomed from Kinross to 12 mile yesterday morning. He reports that he brought up some water between devils hill and 12 mile, but he was able to knock down a lot of the rough stuff and said it is getting better every trip through. He rode it after he groomed and it is passable, nothing too deep. He advises that you need to pick your lines to go around wet spots, which is typical in the early season. There were several sled tracks after he groomed👍🏼
Last night, Dennis groomed 49 from the Soo south to around 11 1/2 mile. There’s a ditch around there that he couldn’t get through so he back out and headed back. He said that there are still some wet spots to watch for, but it’s passable via sled.
Temps are still below freezing at night, even with a few days above freezing, and the thaw/freeze cycle should actually help that trail. We need some more snow to push into the wet spots and we’ll really be able to get this trail in good shape.
Thank you Lane and Dennis! ❄️❄️❄️
Remember, we are on Groomer Tracker! Half of each subscription fee comes right back to the club. We appreciate your support! #soo
Thank you to Bryan, Logan, Pete, and Dave for clearing this gnarly widow maker from trail 8 between 5 and 6 mile. It was just sort of dangling there and would have made a real mess if left to fall on its own. Much safer for riders and our operators now. #soo #snowphotos
For additional information, view the full briefing packet here: www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaThe UP will experience some impactful weather to round out the work week. Tonight, a Wind Advisory is in effect for the Keweenaw Peninsula for 45+ mph W to NW winds. Then Wednesday night through Friday morning will bring gusty winds and a wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, and/or snow becoming widespread accumulating snow (with the highest chances of multiple inches of snowfall over the north half).
For additional information, view the full briefing packet here: www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf
Hey guys! Rider report from Greg regarding trail 49. If you subscribe to our system on Groomer Tracker, you can see that we have not been through there since Lane set the trail a week ago, but we’ll update once we are able to get in there.
For now, good advice from Greg👍🏼
“The trail to Kinross is a disaster right now (trail 49 from Alberta Ln in the Soo to Gaines Hwy) The power line just as you get out of town has a big wet hole and once you get past that there are holes in the farm fields. Stay out until they open it. The big swamps are fine they just have no snow. The trails in kinross are good. Everything other than Soo to kinross is amazing”
We’ll keep you posted! #soo