Petoskey Area Trail Report – 12/05
PETOSKEY AREA UPDATE via Petoskey Snowmobile and ORV Club >> 12/05 This is the rerouted trail 763 to Walloon, this trail starts at trail 76 at the Chandler Hill Road parking lot and dead ends in Walloon it’s, 12 miles. The Barrel Back restaurant has gas and good food with a view of Walloon Lake and the owners are big supporters of our club and sport.This is our club president Ken clearing trail today, we had a lot of low hanging trees. Think snow! <> <> <> HARBOR SPRINGS AREA UPDATE via Harbor Springs Snowmobile Club >> We’ve had the roller out on the railroad grade the last two nights, working hard to build a solid base. Tomorrow morning and early afternoon, our tractor will be out in the woods opening gates, fixing signs, clearing downed trees, and doing some panning — so please ride with caution if you’re out on the trails. PETOSKEY AREA UPDATE via Petoskey Snowmobile and ORV Club >> Trail 763 from trail 76 Chandler Hill parking lot to Walloon. #petoskey #snowphotos PETOSKEY AREA UPDATE via Petoskey Snowmobile and ORV Club >> This is the rerouted trail 763 to Walloon, this trail starts at trail 76 at the Chandler Hill Road parking lot and dead ends in Walloon it's, 12 miles. The Barrel Back restaurant has gas and good food with a view of Walloon Lake and the owners are big supporters of our club and sport.This is our club president Ken clearing trail today, we had a lot of low hanging trees. Think snow! #petoskey #snowphotos WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> An additional 1-3” is expected for parts of the eastern U.P. through this before before snow showers diminish this afternoon. Gusty winds and cold temperatures will keep wind chills in the single digits for most areas today. Looking ahead, snow chances will continue through the weekend. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyAn additional 1-3” is expected for parts of the eastern U.P. through this before before snow showers diminish this afternoon. Gusty winds and cold temperatures will keep wind chills in the single digits for most areas today. Looking ahead, snow chances will continue through the weekend. PETOSKEY AREA UPDATE via Petoskey Snowmobile and ORV Club >> Trees are a pain when they are like this. #petoskey #snowphotos JORDAN VALLEY AREA UPDATE via Jordan Valley Trails Council >> Latest trail update: WEATHER UPDATE via Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> Arctic air causes another decent lake effect set-up! Amounts will vary widely - as usual. Depending on where those bands set up in the eastern U.P., we could be looking at more than a foot !! It'll be very, very cold Thursday and Friday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #petoskey PETOSKEY AREA UPDATE via Petoskey Snowmobile and ORV Club >> Panning today, we try to drive the frost down to freeze in the trail, we need a lot more snow to fill the holes. Think snow! #petoskey #snowphotos WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Accumulating snow will continue across parts of northern Michigan into Thursday, especially north of the bridge. Lake effect snow is expected to bring quick accumulations on roads, rapid drops in visibility, and hazardous travel across parts of Chippewa county tonight into Thursday afternoon. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #newberry #sooAccumulating snow will continue across parts of northern Michigan into Thursday, especially north of the bridge. Lake effect snow is expected to bring quick accumulations on roads, rapid drops in visibility, and hazardous travel across parts of Chippewa county tonight into Thursday afternoon. HARBOR SPRINGS UPDATE via Harbor Springs Snowmobile Club >> ❄️ Snow totals are in! We picked up 15”–24” over the last two days — an awesome start to the season! WEATHER UPDATE via 9&10 News >> We track another clipper system delivering more light snow Wednesday AM followed by breezy NW winds and lake effect snow Wednesday PM into Thursday. WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Don't look at us, we're just the messenger, but more lake effect snow is on the table for Wednesday into Thursday, December 3rd & 4th, 2025. Some lighter flurries from these bands may make it over to eastern Michigan as well, but the odds are stacked against. <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>
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We’re off to a great start and will have a more detailed update for you tomorrow afternoon! ❄️🚜 #harborsprings #petoskey #snowphotosWe’ve had the roller out on the railroad grade the last two nights, working hard to build a solid base. Tomorrow morning and early afternoon, our tractor will be out in the woods opening gates, fixing signs, clearing downed trees, and doing some panning — so please ride with caution if you’re out on the trails.
We’re off to a great start and will have a more detailed update for you tomorrow afternoon! ❄️🚜 
766 and 76 north where our trial meets Petoskey’s trail has many thin spots. 766 has some wet areas still, which is normal for this time of year.
4/76, 76 south and trail 4 still have good snow cover with some thin spots.
Depending on the weather station, we are slated to get 8-10”+ of snow before the weekend which will add a small amount to what’s already on the trails.
🚨BE CAUTIOUS OF TREES/LIMBS DOWN ON THE TRAILS!🚨. Every groomer pass has required our volunteers to cut trees, limbs and move brush. We anticipate this will continue through the year due to the ice storm. Please send us a message if you encounter a downed tree so we can spread the word and get a crew to remove any trail obstruction. We will continue to have people inspecting trails even when the groomer isn’t out.
Ride safe, ride right, ride sober #jordanvalley #gaylord #petoskey #snowphotosLatest trail update:
766 and 76 north where our trial meets Petoskey’s trail has many thin spots. 766 has some wet areas still, which is normal for this time of year.
4/76, 76 south and trail 4 still have good snow cover with some thin spots.
Depending on the weather station, we are slated to get 8-10”+ of snow before the weekend which will add a small amount to what’s already on the trails.
🚨BE CAUTIOUS OF TREES/LIMBS DOWN ON THE TRAILS!🚨. Every groomer pass has required our volunteers to cut trees, limbs and move brush. We anticipate this will continue through the year due to the ice storm. Please send us a message if you encounter a downed tree so we can spread the word and get a crew to remove any trail obstruction. We will continue to have people inspecting trails even when the groomer isn’t out.
Ride safe, ride right, ride sober
#JVTC #fueledbyvolunteers #pistenbully #johndeere #TeamRed #TeamGreen #dubiegroomer #groomertracker #766 #trail76 #trail4_76 #trail766 #trail4
This week we’ll start rolling the grade, and this weekend we’ll be opening gates + panning in the woods.
⚠️ If you’re out riding, please be careful! The ground is not frozen, there are open water holes, washouts that are not filled in & missing signs on 717 (Pellston) & 71 (Center Trail) — those are going up this weekend.
🚧 Trail 71 Alert: A dozer will be working between State Rd & Beacon Hill Rd tomorrow fixing a dangerous washout. Avoid this area!
🌲 Logging: Trail 71 south of Brutus Rd (starting at Valley Rd) will have active logging for the next 3-ish weeks.
🙋♂️ We Need Volunteers!
Our small group of dedicated volunteers all work full-time jobs — and we are TIRED. The season just started and we cannot keep up without more help. If you love these trails, please consider pitching in. Every bit helps! ❤️
🗓️ Upcoming Meetings & Events
📍 Groomer Operator Meeting
Wednesday, 12/3 at 6:30 PM — Pellston Barn
📍 Monthly Club Meeting
Thursday, 12/4 at 7:00 PM — Harbor Barn
🍕 All-You-Can-Eat Pizza Night!
Tuesday 12/9 at 5:00 PM — Moose Jaw Junction
Come out, enjoy some great food, and support the club! #harborsprings #petoskey #snowphotos
Temperatures get much colder Wednesday night into late week. Wind chills for many Thursday AM will be hovering near or below zero.
Another clipper system will be possible getting into our Friday.
Forecast 12-2-25: www.9and10news.com/weather/
-Meteorologist John Gross #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
Discussion
As a cold front swings through, our favorable wind direction, water-to-air temperature difference, and other favorable lake effect ingredients ramp back up. At the current time, we are seeing enough signs for decent lake effect accumulation, primarily across the east-central UP, and slopes of Elmira/Gaylord. We begin with a couple 2-5" zones, but these areas may quickly see a jump to the next category up at our final call update tomorrow. Totals of 1-3" in west Michigan and the Porcupine Mountains will also suffice for now, but a few locations may see an upgrade to 2-5" where confidence improves. It's Michigan, it's meteorological winter, so while it may not be breaking news, it's still weather news that we must report. As meteorologists, it IS our job after all.
Timing
Primarily from noon Wednesday through 6 pm EST Thursday. Extensions for this time period are being monitored into very early Friday.
More weather updates coming to you throughout the winter, so make sure to follow us here at Michigan Storm Chasers to never be out of the loop again when it comes to statewide weather updates, both snow and severe. While you're here, check out our trusted partner of the day, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Detroit to donate to families in need this holiday season! Visit online at rmhc-detroit.org/ for all information. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyDon't look at us, we're just the messenger, but more lake effect snow is on the table for Wednesday into Thursday, December 3rd & 4th, 2025. Some lighter flurries from these bands may make it over to eastern Michigan as well, but the odds are stacked against.
Discussion
As a cold front swings through, our favorable wind direction, water-to-air temperature difference, and other favorable lake effect ingredients ramp back up. At the current time, we are seeing enough signs for decent lake effect accumulation, primarily across the east-central UP, and slopes of Elmira/Gaylord. We begin with a couple 2-5" zones, but these areas may quickly see a jump to the next category up at our final call update tomorrow. Totals of 1-3" in west Michigan and the Porcupine Mountains will also suffice for now, but a few locations may see an upgrade to 2-5" where confidence improves. It's Michigan, it's meteorological winter, so while it may not be breaking news, it's still weather news that we must report. As meteorologists, it IS our job after all.
Timing
Primarily from noon Wednesday through 6 pm EST Thursday. Extensions for this time period are being monitored into very early Friday.
More weather updates coming to you throughout the winter, so make sure to follow us here at Michigan Storm Chasers to never be out of the loop again when it comes to statewide weather updates, both snow and severe. While you're here, check out our trusted partner of the day, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Detroit to donate to families in need this holiday season! Visit online at rmhc-detroit.org/ for all information.