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 TV6 & FOX UP >> FIRST ALERT: Our next round of widespread snow comes tomorrow! Lake enhanced snow is expected in the Eastern U.P. Plan on moderate to heavy intensities with poor visibility from strong winds. Watch the timeline in the link below. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaFIRST ALERT: Our next round of widespread snow comes tomorrow! Lake enhanced snow is expected in the Eastern U.P. Plan on moderate to heavy intensities with poor visibility from strong winds. Watch the timeline in the link below. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow continues through tonight, with the highest additional accumulations expected over the north-central and western UP. Gusty north winds will contribute to blowing snow and areas of very low visibility along M-28 between Marquette and Munising today, as well as parts of the Keweenaw. Lake effect finally tapers off Monday morning. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 2/22/26 SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 2/22/26 SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 2/21/26 WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Moderate lake enhanced snow will continue to impact mainly the Keweenaw and parts of the central U.P. today, where Winter Weather Advisories remain in place through 7 PM this evening. Find the latest forecast information for your location at www.weather.gov/marquette. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #sooModerate lake enhanced snow will continue to impact mainly the Keweenaw and parts of the central U.P. today, where Winter Weather Advisories remain in place through 7 PM this evening. Find the latest forecast information for your location at www.weather.gov/marquette. WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Okay, remember how we mentioned sneaky snow this weekend? Well, it started yesterday, and will continue today at times, but fill in greater as lake effect by Sunday. WEATHER UPDATE via 9&10 News >> Weather Update / 2-20-26: WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Snow will continue into tonight across the Tip of the Mitt region toward Alpena with a secondary area of heavier snow expected to develop across northwest lower Michigan tonight into Saturday. Highest amounts are expected across areas near and south of Grand Traverse Bay. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberrySnow will continue into tonight across the Tip of the Mitt region toward Alpena with a secondary area of heavier snow expected to develop across northwest lower Michigan tonight into Saturday. Highest amounts are expected across areas near and south of Grand Traverse Bay. #miwx WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Snow will continue to impact travel through Saturday. The heaviest snow will be in parts of the north central U.P. and Keweenaw. Travel will be difficult in areas of heavier snow. Rain could be mixed in with the snow over the southern U.P this evening but will become all snow tonight. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo <> 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
Forecast>www.uppermichiganssource.com/2026/02/23/first-alert-brief-lull-then-more-snow-strong-winds/ 
Good morning everyone!
Last night, temps got just below 30 so all 3 of our machines were out doing what they could. The Pisten Bully was out twice, doing both routes in the Bay Mills/Brimley/Raco areas.
Jay was out on 8 from the Soo to Brimley, and did an extended run to also do part of the city trails.
Kinross east which is 472 and part of 480 to where the Bully picks up were also done.
The entire city trails will be done tonight.
I’m awaiting word on the plan for trail 49. Our operator that was scheduled to go this morning was not able to go out, so we are making plans to make sure it gets done.
Bill sent us these pics from his run on part of 480, 8, and the 889 loop this morning. Looks awesome!!
Every operator said trails were rough from the combination of warm temps, rain Friday, and high traffic. Hopefully they set up decent overnight, and are much better this morning with the exception of 49. I’ll update on that as soon as I can, but it will likely be rough today. Sorry guys😔
Thanks all! Ride safe! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0222b #snowphotos
Groomer Jay is making it an extra long run tonight. He’s finishing up on trail 8, and he’s going to run part of the city trails too it sounds like. Kenny did get trail 8 from Raco to Brimley done tonight, too, so 8 has been done in its entirety on our section from the Soo all the way to Ranger Rd. in Raco.
As Jay says in the video, the work in the ditch along 6 mile in Brimley is done, but with the recent warm temps and one machine still down, we cannot risk getting this machine stuck. We need to assess it on sleds first. We know the road riding is a pain, and we’ll do what we can as soon as we can.
Please check out the The Cozy Corners Barbeau MI page for more details about all of the fun for a great cause this coming Saturday. Let’s have a great turn out for Collin, and have some fun too!
Thank you Jay and Kenny for your runs tonight!
Cold temps are finally here, and that will help us get things back into shape everywhere. Have fun tomorrow! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0222 #snowphotos
Good afternoon all! I am back from my trip in the western Yoop. Our crew has been doing a great job while I was away, despite the tricky weather. While the freezing rain and temps in the mid 30s yesterday were not at all what we needed, we’ll be out doing what we can when it makes sense to do so.
Turbo and Diane were out VERY early this morning, and here’s their report from their run-
“We got up early this morning and started grooming trails 480, 8, and 889 at 3:30. Warren couldn't get out to do trail 8 into Brimley as the temperature was too warm. He texted me at midnight and said the Pisten Bully was all mine. So we checked out the weather, and saw that we had a window starting around 3 so we got out as soon as the temperature started to drop. We had to pick our poison. Either have a little bit of snow balling up or chatter. We think it worked out well because on our way back through, as the temperature was dropping, it was setting up nice. Slightly balled up in areas but the smooth part was like a skating rink. You can see in the picture how shiny it is. Have a great day everyone. Remember, ride right and stay safe.”
Thank you guys! We appreciate your efforts in less than ideal conditions!
Remember, we are on Groomer Tracker. Subscribe to see the latest on where our operators have been. Jay and I are scheduled to run 8 between the Soo and Brimley tonight, as long as conditions allow. Looks like we get a break from the warm temps beginning Sunday🤞
Ride safe, ride right, ride sober! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0221 #snowphotos
Here on February 21st, 2026, most of the snow and freezing rain will continue across the western UP and northwestern LP. We will see a shift to more snow into central and southern Michigan by late this evening. Then on Sunday, snow should be on-and-off across the entire state, with an uptick in typical lake effect zones such as the spine of the western UP, and the entire Lake Michigan shoreline. Lake effect bands are very finicky, and are subject to microclimate wind shifts. It's very possible that a few locations in our 1-3" zone see 4-5" by the end of the day on Sunday. We will be monitoring radar for a dominant lake effect band that stretches across the peninsula. The increase of wind on Sunday morning may also reduce visibility on all roadways to under half a mile, so travel only as fast as conditions allow.
Bottom line, plan for some more of that "annoyance" snow. Not enough to be called a big storm, but enough to cover all side roads, and many of our main roads. Accumulation will be higher during the overnight hours when surface temperatures are NOT at or above 32°F for most of the state. This also means our chances at freezing drizzle are higher during the daylight hours. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyOkay, remember how we mentioned sneaky snow this weekend? Well, it started yesterday, and will continue today at times, but fill in greater as lake effect by Sunday.
Here on February 21st, 2026, most of the snow and freezing rain will continue across the western UP and northwestern LP. We will see a shift to more snow into central and southern Michigan by late this evening. Then on Sunday, snow should be on-and-off across the entire state, with an uptick in typical lake effect zones such as the spine of the western UP, and the entire Lake Michigan shoreline. Lake effect bands are very finicky, and are subject to microclimate wind shifts. It's very possible that a few locations in our 1-3" zone see 4-5" by the end of the day on Sunday. We will be monitoring radar for a dominant lake effect band that stretches across the peninsula. The increase of wind on Sunday morning may also reduce visibility on all roadways to under half a mile, so travel only as fast as conditions allow.
Bottom line, plan for some more of that "annoyance" snow. Not enough to be called a big storm, but enough to cover all side roads, and many of our main roads. Accumulation will be higher during the overnight hours when surface temperatures are NOT at or above 32°F for most of the state. This also means our chances at freezing drizzle are higher during the daylight hours.
We fully expect to see your emoji reactions to this snowfall still-to-fall through the morning commute on Monday. Are you ready for winter to be over, or do you need this snow like there's no tomorrow?
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Tracking more snow and colder temperatures into the weekend, breezy winds early next week, and another clipper mid next week.
Winds go more NW into this weekend bringing back some colder temperatures to support more snow. Better chances for the snow Saturday into N. Lower and the Tip of the Mitt. More lake effect snow chances for Sunday.
NW winds will become breezy Sunday into Monday. We also could have another clipper system to track next Tuesday into Wednesday. As of now, looking more like another snow/mix.
Forecast: www.9and10news.com/weather/ #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey