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/ FREDERIC - GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Sledheads of Frederic , Michigan Snowmobiling >> #gaylord #snowphotos WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Final snowfall totals have been released from our blizzard of March 15th-17th, 2026 here in Michigan. Do note, some locations are approximated due to data gaps in the Upper Peninsula..... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyFinal snowfall totals have been released from our blizzard of March 15th-17th, 2026 here in Michigan. Do note, some locations are approximated due to data gaps in the Upper Peninsula. FREDERIC - GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Sledheads of Frederic , Michigan Snowmobiling >> Its 19 and rock hard out there. Even harder than yesterday, it was down to about 6 overnight and the moist snow that there was yesterday is even harder today. Still waiting on a loader to come and plow out my storage area. They say they cant make it till wednesday. I have never seen this type of snow event before. Still businesses closed today. I did have 3 sleds ride in this morning an they said its a bit tough. There were really alot of sleds out and about yesterday but I have only seen the 3 this morning and its now 11 a.m. ON the bright side I did see the grayling groomer come thru Frederic and thats good but it has to even be tough on the groomers trying to knock that ice down. Supposed to get warmer in the next couple days. This is a tough one. The swamp got open about noon thirty yesterday and they had a steady stream of people over there all day. Wish I had better things to say. Thanks for checking in. Pete #gaylord #snowphotos frederic-mi.com WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Lake effect snow lingers across northwest Lower and pushes inland this afternoon. Hazardous travel with reduced visibilities at times will be possible with winds decreasing through the day. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyLake effect snow lingers across northwest Lower and pushes inland this afternoon. Hazardous travel with reduced visibilities at times will be possible with winds decreasing through the day. <> <>
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
No doubt the forecast lived up to its insanity, with many locations getting over 40" of snow across the central Upper Peninsula, and 8-10 foot snow drifts to make things even more extreme. In terms of forecast verification, our forecast did hit the 80%+ accuracy threshold we strive for after each event. Our final verification was 83%, and most of the the misses were where the system shifted slightly south to give parts of the northern Lower Peninsula greater than 24", and parts of the western Upper Peninsula much less. Anything over 18" of snow is just "a lot" at this point anyways, so we aren't stressing too badly about the miss in the Lower Peninsula near the Mackinac Bridge. Lake effect zones in SW Michigan did verify, as text was featured under the forecast that a couple spots would see locally higher amounts.
Overall, this will be a storm we won't soon forget, which adds to the list of wild weather we've experienced in Michigan over the last two weeks. If you have any additional snowfall reports to add to the list that are not affected by drifting, drop them in the comments below here on X or Facebook. A new two-day record was also broken at the NWS office in Marquette of 36"+ with this blizzard, which is just one record smashed by this blizzard. 
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<>Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links
- Watersmeet – Western U.P. Trail Report – 03/18
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