Gaylord Area Trail Report – 12/18
Gaylord Bureau – December 17, 2025 We’re experiencing a little warm up, but most trails are in fair shape with some low spots, especially near Johannesburg. You’ll currently find the best riding in and around Lakes of the North, where trails are holding strong. Wet spots, along with icy or bare batches, may start appearing as the temperature warms up this week. Grooming will be done at night when temperatures drop if conditions allow for it. The regular grooming schedule is expected to resume on Friday when temperatures return back to where we like them! Please note, due to last April’s ice storm, there is a logging operation near Turtle Lake Road and Douglas Lake Road – the logging trucks are using the trail as a road. The trails are passable, but they’re in poor shape. Proceed with caution in these areas. If this winter is anything like last year, it’s going to be another epic one! Want to be ready? Get a free trail map delivered right to your mailbox and plan your adventure! Check out a live view of trail # 7 here. A few things to remember about our groomers and trails: – Groomers are out there to help you have a better riding experience and always have the right of way. Want to be ready? Get a free trail map delivered right to your mailbox and plan your adventure! As always, check back with us for updates and weather reports. <> http://www.gaylordmichigan.net/snowmobile-trail-report-114/ <> It’s misty rain and 37 degrees on this thursday morning in downtown Frederic. Roads are wet. I finally did see some sleds out and about yesterday, 4 at the Frederic Inn and 5 at Bear Lake Inn and a few guys that drove in here this morning they said they stopped by here after I left yesterday. They had rode up to the bridge and back as they were from Ohio and staying here in Frederic. There is still alot of snow in the woods but things are getting slushy. Pics below are from this morning. Its supposed to drop in temp tonight but they are showing 30s on some of next week. That’s the best I can tell you. Thanks for checking in. Pete http://frederic-mi.com/category/trail-conditions/ WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> After a chilly start to the morning, temperatures will climb decently on this Sunday. Skies will be partly to mostly sunny. Clouds increase tonight, and snow is likely late tonight into Monday morning. Accumulations of 1 to 2 inches are likely in eastern upper and northwest lower Michigan, with an inch or less in northern lower Michigan. The midweek period looks quiet again, though with colder temperatures, especially Tuesday. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyAfter a chilly start to the morning, temperatures will climb decently on this Sunday. Skies will be partly to mostly sunny. Clouds increase tonight, and snow is likely late tonight into Monday morning. Accumulations of 1 to 2 inches are likely in eastern upper and northwest lower Michigan, with an inch or less in northern lower Michigan. The midweek period looks quiet again, though with colder temperatures, especially Tuesday. FREDERIC - GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Sledheads of Frederic , Michigan Snowmobiling >> Another perfect day for riding in northern michigan. Temp has made it to 25 and sled traffic has been steady. The Swamp has been busy all day and its saturday and that makes me think about Frederic Inn prime rib. Went down to Houghton Lake last night for the second friday night at Tip Up Town. I havent been down there in 30 years or probably more. Once a year the State Police come thru Frederic on the train to catch riders doing rail road trespass which can be as simple as being to close to the tracks so the moral of the story is STAY AWAY FROM THE TRACKS. Usually the train has a MSP sign on it but it did not today but I did see a sheriff car following along on old 27. They have been thru twice this afternoon and it was just 2 engines which never happens any other time. Not to much else to say. Thanks for checking in. Pete #gaylord #snowphotos A Beautiful Saturday in Frederic frederic-mi.com WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Northern Michigan will see a quiet weekend, with temperatures gradually recovering out of the recent deep freeze. Our next good chance for snow arrives Sunday night into Monday; this may impact the forecast you get from your local groundhog. Quiet but somewhat cooler weather returns for Tuesday. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyNorthern Michigan will see a quiet weekend, with temperatures gradually recovering out of the recent deep freeze. Our next good chance for snow arrives Sunday night into Monday; this may impact the forecast you get from your local groundhog. Quiet but somewhat cooler weather returns for Tuesday. #miwx FREDERIC - GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Sledheads of Frederic , Michigan Snowmobiling >> The daytime temps have been running 12 to 16 degrees all week and are gonna raise a bit next week but the great part is there is no melting going on and trails are good most everywhere. This has been a busy friday as I keep thinking its saturday. This whole season has brought in alot of people that havent been in here in years. That part is fun to see all of these past customers and memories I have with them. Little kids from years ago that are grown and bringing in their families. Bob Compton from south of Jackson who always says I need men sized shirts in here. He made an apperance here today after a many year absense. Not supposed to be much snow this weekend so get out and ride and enjoy it. The pic below is a regular who has a place near here in Frederic, I never remember his name but he was by yesterday to show off his new sled. Thanks for checking in. Pete #gaylord #snowphotos frederic-mi.com WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> 1/29/2026, 5am - One last round of dangerous cold again tonight... but hope is on the horizon for those looking for a reprieve from the ice box this weekend (but not so warm the winter fans can't still enjoy it)! #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey FREDERIC - GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Sledheads of Frederic , Michigan Snowmobiling >> It was a great start to the day in Frederic on tuesday morning. Wertz Warriors were in town at the Swamp for their annual stop and fund raiser for Special Olympics. Julie put out a great breakfast srpead for all of them as they were all getting to spend another day on the trail heading towards the Winter Special Olympics. They have as many people in support vehicles as they do riders. Always a great site to see. After they left at 9:30 I came back over to Sledheads to get ready to go ride to Lewiston and then 3 guys Scott, Jeff and Pat came in and said they were going to ride to the bridge. So much for Lewiston, Ten minutes later I had my closed sign up and we were on our way to the bridge. Stopped at Breakers in Topinabee for hot chocolate and then up thru Cheboygan to Maknaw City for lunch at the Keyhole and then off to Pellston and Alanson with a pit stop at Josh’s at Spankys. It was getting close to dark so we made our way thru back to Indian River. The guys had rented a motel in INdian River and I left them and back to Frederic. Another nice 170 mile day. Trails are the best they have been in years and they were flat like a table all day. It doesnt happen like that very often and this seems to be the year with no snirt sor far. I like that part too. All pics below are from yesterdays events and ride. It was a good ride with those 3 guys and I am glad they stopped in. They should be back here in Frederic later today as they parked their truck out back. It supposed to be minus 15 degrees tonight so button up. Thanks for checking in. Pete #gaylord #snowphotos Sunny 17 degree thursday in Frederic frederic-mi.com WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Bitterly cold temps return tonight, particularly for the eastern UP and interior northern Lower Michigan, with wind chills dropping between -15 to -25 across parts of interior northern lower and eastern upper. Temps could be be even colder Thursday night compared to tonight, with cold temperatures and wind chills becoming more widespread. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyBitterly cold temps return tonight, particularly for the eastern UP and interior northern Lower Michigan, with wind chills dropping between -15 to -25 across parts of interior northern lower and eastern upper. Temps could be be even colder Thursday night compared to tonight, with cold temperatures and wind chills becoming more widespread. GAYLORD TO MACKINAC BRIDGE UPDATE via Sledheads of Frederic , Michigan Snowmobiling >> #gaylord #snowphotos Brian Herbert let’s go! FREDERIC - GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Sledheads of Frederic , Michigan Snowmobiling >> Wertz warriors... #gaylord #snowphotos <> <>
3:40 p.m.
– Please move off the trail when groomers are approaching and allow them to safely pass.
– If you approach a groomer from behind, kindly wait for the operator to signal you to pass.
– Grooming can take place at any time during the day or night, so stay alert.
– Always ride on the right side of the trail.
– Ride safe and ride sober.Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
<>
<>
<>Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links
- Sault Ste. Marie Trail Report – 02/01
- Traverse City Area Trail Report – 02/01
- Harbor Springs Area Trail Report – 02/01
- Ontonagon Area Trail Report – 02/01
- Gaylord Area Trail Report – 01/31
- Frederic / Gaylord Area Trail Report – Sledheads of Frederic – 01/31
- Sault Ste. Marie Area Trail Report – 01/31
- Ontonagon Area Trail Report – 01/31
- Cadillac Area Trail Report – 01/31
- Harbor Springs Area Trail Report – 01/31
- Gaylord Area Trail Report – 01/30
- Frederic / Gaylord Area Trail Report – Sledheads of Frederic – 01/30
- Keweenaw Peninsula Trail Report – 01/30
- Cadillac Area Trail Report – 01/30
- Paradise Area Trail Report – 01/30
- Ontonagon Area Trail Report – 01/30
- Lake Gogebic Area Trail Report – 01/30
- Traverse City Area Trail Report – 01/30
- Petoskey Area Trail Report – 01/29
- Baldwin Area Trail Report – 01/29
- Grand Marais Area Trail Report – 01/29
- Cadillac Area Trail Report – 01/29
- Watersmeet – Western U.P. Trail Report – 01/29
- Munising Area Trail Report – 01/29
- Newberry Area Trail Report – 01/29
- Ontonagon Area Trail Report – 01/29
- Gaylord Area Trail Report – 01/29
- Frederic / Gaylord Area Trail Report – Sledheads of Frederic – 01/29
<>