Sault Ste. Marie Trail Report – 02/21
SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 02/21 2/21 5:30 PM update. Ok guys, sun is going down and it’s cooling off a bit but we for sure lost a lot of snow cover today. I plan to drive and look down the trails, and I’ll report what I see. For those that are already here, or are coming no matter what, these are my suggestions on where to stage at to avoid a ton of road riding, or thin trails. Option 1- Wild Bluff Golf Course at Bay Mills Resort and Casino. The trail is just to the north of the lot, maybe a 1/4 to 1/2 mile. It’ll be a little rough along the road, but it’s a short stretch to the trail. From there, you can hit the 889 loop, be sure to stop and take in the amazing view at Mission Hill Overlook. There are a ton of forest service roads all back in there and all the way through Raco and Strongs. Be sure to stop in to Sacy’s Restaurant for an excellent breakfast or dinner, and also Back Bay Grill and Games for lunch or dinner. It’s a quick walk right across the street from Wild Bluff. Option 2- Park at Waboose Ski Trail head off of Ranger Rd, 2.5 miles north of M28. This is where the ORV route comes in, and again, tons of two tracks and forest service roads all back in there. Option 3- there is a small parking area on the north side of M28, east of Strongs Corner. That is right on trail 47 which I have heard is not good (rocks mixed with snirt) but again, the forest service roads are also right there. There’s a place a little further down on M28 where you can cross over to south of M28 and hit all of those forest service roads too. For maps, you’re on your own. You can see most of them on the Polaris Ride Command app. I’m sure also on VV Mapping, or similar. Also the Hiawatha National Forest website. This is the Sault Ste Marie sector. Please be mindful of signs that say no snomobiles or private property, and don’t trespass. Also be mindful of forest plantations. Last but certainly not least, before or after you ride, please stop in and support the local businesses that have been here for all of us, snow or no snow. Who knows if this is the end of the season or not, but it’s been a very, very tough winter for area businesses. Please be safe! It’s spring conditions for sure as of today, mixed with early season little to no base on the trails. Let us know if you have questions and we’ll try to help. Oh and if you appreciate what we do, we’d be so grateful for a donation! You can do so at www.sootrails.org. We are all unpaid volunteers. Thanks guys! <> 2/21 mid afternoon update- it’s 45 degrees and sunny today. Boo! I’m not out riding so I can’t tell you what the trails look like, but I would bet they are getting soft and burning down in the thin areas. The icicles on my house are rapidly melting. I still show 9” of snow here at my house (down from 14” on Sunday) If you’re out riding our area today, please comment on this post or message us so that we can help others know what’s going on out there. Thanks! <> 2/21 – good morning all! This is from yesterday, but I just got it. Our newest groomer recently retired after he sold his John Deere dealership in Ohio, so his nickname is Tractor Tim😉 He headed out yesterday on the power lines, also 889, and part of 480. Here’s what he had to say- “Yesterday, we groomed 480 to the Spile Dam turnaround , 8 from Brimley turn off to Ranger rd (the power lines), & the Mission Hill loop (889) down to Bay Mills resort. The power lines are thin but very rideable . All of the other trails are good to very good . Big Thanks to Trainer Raco Dave , Turbo and my wife Melissa for riding shotgun” Thanks for your time Tim! We are happy to have you aboard! I will update you all later. Grooming has been suspended until further notice, as things are about as good as they can get with the minimal snow we have and warmer temps today. Think snow and cold! <> <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Facebook Page <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Trail Report on MSA <> WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Widespread "system" snow tapers off tonight and transitions to lake effect snow in the W to NW snowbelts Monday. Snow could be moderate to heavy at times, especially in the western UP and Keweenaw where areas have a 50-75% chance of seeing 8" of snow by Tuesday morning. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaWidespread "system" snow tapers off tonight and transitions to lake effect snow in the W to NW snowbelts Monday. Snow could be moderate to heavy at times, especially in the western UP and Keweenaw where areas have a 50-75% chance of seeing 8" of snow by Tuesday morning. SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/12/25 WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A clipper system bringing snow to Upper Michigan will continue to do so. Expecting widespread 2-4 inches with potential for higher amounts in the Keweenaw and north of Lake Michigan. Tonight, lake effect snow brings more snow for the WNW to NW snow belts. Probabilities of seeing another 8 inches or more are above 50% in parts of the west and Keweenaw tonight into Monday night. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA clipper system bringing snow to Upper Michigan will continue to do so. Expecting widespread 2-4 inches with potential for higher amounts in the Keweenaw and north of Lake Michigan. Tonight, lake effect snow brings more snow for the WNW to NW snow belts. Probabilities of seeing another 8 inches or more are above 50% in parts of the west and Keweenaw tonight into Monday night. #906wx #miwx #snow SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/12/25 Looks great! Thank you... SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/12/25 WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Low pressure traversing Upper Michigan will spread system snow across the area early Sunday morning before transitioning to WNW lake effect snow Monday. Low temperatures around zero with windchills in the negative teens are expected for the interior west Sunday and Monday nights. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLow pressure traversing Upper Michigan will spread system snow across the area early Sunday morning before transitioning to WNW lake effect snow Monday. Low temperatures around zero with windchills in the negative teens are expected for the interior west Sunday and Monday nights. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Favorable probability for below-normal temperatures continues into late January for much of the CONUS, supporting the likelihood of lake effect snow and continued ice growth along the shores of the Great Lakes. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaFavorable probability for below-normal temperatures continues into late January for much of the CONUS, supporting the likelihood of lake effect snow and continued ice growth along the shores of the Great Lakes. SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/11/25 8 pm update WEATHER UPDATE via Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> SNOW TIME! Posted (Jan 11 2pm). Had this dude got anything right this winter?? Bring it on BRING IT!!!! Mitchell Bierman Tyler Wizner Garrett Babik Nicole Ann 🤙 Jordan Veenema WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Widespread snow will build in tonight and linger into early Monday morning. Expecting mostly 1 to 4 inches, but higher amounts can't be ruled out near Lake Michigan. Lake effect snow follows Monday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaWidespread snow will build in tonight and linger into early Monday morning. Expecting mostly 1 to 4 inches, but higher amounts can't be ruled out near Lake Michigan. Lake effect snow follows Monday. #906wx #miwx SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/11/25 <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>
Cell service can be spotty out there. Please download the what3words app and start it before you head out. Doing so should allow you to still pull up the 3 words that are assigned to your location in the event of an emergency. You can also text 911 with very little signal.
Videos in the comments.Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
If you left today, I’m truly sorry! We are getting fresh snow and wow what a welcome sight! A group of us, a few members and volunteers, took a ride up toward Paradise today. We tried to get there, but there is a pretty nasty water hole on 8 just north of Lakeshore. I would not go that way until the Paradise club says it’s frozen over. We turned around and took Lakeshore to 123 to 474 to Hulbert and back the same way.
Beautiful ride!
On our return trip, we ran into groomer Dan with the Chippewa Snowchasers club on trail 8. Shout out to him for smoothing out the weekend whoops after a crazy busy weekend! Awesome work Dan!
8 back on our trail system and the city trails are holding up great. The fresh snow will only make things even better!
Hope you all enjoy as much as we did! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #snowphotos
Our crews were busy last night! I ran the city trails with Jay, and we got 497 open! Yay! Not many pics as I was the operator for the majority of the run last night. Jay hopped in the seat to help with 497 in the really gnarly spots. It’s looking great now! I used the limb masher A LOT to clean up some overhanging brush. More needs to be done, but I got some big ones out of the way!
Chris warns that trail 49 south of 12 mile still has some wet spots. We simply need more snow to be able to pack them. It’s coming!
I haven’t heard from the Raco crew but I know they were out last night too.
If you’re riding today, we hope you enjoy our overnight efforts!
Join or donate today at www.sootrails.org
Thanks all! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #snowphotos
Raco/Bay Mills update from Brimley Bill-
“This morning I groomed the power line and Mission Hill Loop 889. The trails were beat up from the high sled traffic yesterday, but there was plenty of snow to work with. I was able to cut down and fill in the moguls, even in the winding section of 889. I was out and done before any sled traffic, so there trails should be set up nice and solid.”
Awesome job Bill! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #snowphotos
Holy wah! I have never seen so many sleds on our trails as I did today. Passed the Raco crew on my way back to the Soo, and I’ll be out shortly with groomer Jay.
We’ll whip them into shape as best we can!
Hope you had a great day on the trails! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #snowphotos
A clipper system comes in Sunday with impacts lasting into Monday. This is SNOW POTENTIAL Sunday AND Monday. Don't come at me 9am Sunday morning and say "where's my snow." lol.
As you can see the effects of this will vary GREATLY depending on where you are in the state.
We go from up to 1" for most areas in the light blue to about 1-3" at best for most of the Lower Peninsula. The west side gets more because of a quick shot of lake effect with gusty winds and cold temperatures. The U.P. is the bread winner here with the center of the low pressure hanging out over Lake Superior for a bout 24hrs. That will cause more lift which we need for snow to develop along with more lake effect due to strong winds and VERY cold air. It'll be a fluffy snow that piles up rather quick.
Winds will be very strong as times with a lot of cold air pouring in by Monday morning. Expect some areas in West Michigan to have wind chills as cold as -5 with the Western U.P. having wind chills as cold as -20. BRR!
TIMING is posted on my page a post or two down. Please go there and scroll down. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeySNOW TIME! Posted (Jan 11 2pm).
A clipper system comes in Sunday with impacts lasting into Monday. This is SNOW POTENTIAL Sunday AND Monday. Don't come at me 9am Sunday morning and say "where's my snow." lol.
As you can see the effects of this will vary GREATLY depending on where you are in the state.
We go from up to 1" for most areas in the light blue to about 1-3" at best for most of the Lower Peninsula. The west side gets more because of a quick shot of lake effect with gusty winds and cold temperatures. The U.P. is the bread winner here with the center of the low pressure hanging out over Lake Superior for a bout 24hrs. That will cause more lift which we need for snow to develop along with more lake effect due to strong winds and VERY cold air. It'll be a fluffy snow that piles up rather quick.
Winds will be very strong as times with a lot of cold air pouring in by Monday morning. Expect some areas in West Michigan to have wind chills as cold as -5 with the Western U.P. having wind chills as cold as -20. BRR!
TIMING is posted on my page a post or two down. Please go there and scroll down.
daytime pics from volunteer Dennis after Pete and Jay opened up 449 and went into Kewadin last night. It was dark when they came back, so this is very helpful. A little fresh snow and it’ll be good to go! Please stay on the trail! Lots and of hidden hazards off the trail still! #soo #snowphotos