Went for a ride with my daughter on Christmas. Trails in the Ontonagon and Porcupine Mountains area are currently in early-season condition. Riders will find a mix of good and hazardous sections, so caution is strongly advised.
Conditions:
Some trails are riding well, especially in shaded and higher-elevation areas. Other sections have thin snow cover with exposed rocks and loose gravel—particularly on road crossings, waterways, and open areas.
Weather Impact:
A brief warm-up this weekend may soften the base and create additional hazards. Ride smart and adjust speeds accordingly.
Looking Ahead!!!
The good news—up to 20 inches of snow is forecasted for next week. If that materializes, trail conditions should improve dramatically and begin shaping up very nicely for the season.
Bottom line:
Early-season riding is possible, but expect variable conditions. Use caution, watch for hazards, and stay on marked trails. Much better riding is on the horizon once the next round of snow arrives.
Ride safe and stay tuned for updates. ❄️🏁
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ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP >> 12/27
Good morning, Sled Heads. President Mac-Daddy and Mama Sledhead finally got out for our first joy ride yesterday. Our daughter came up north for the holidays and brought her better half. We took him for his first run ever and he LOVED it!
Thanks to Hamilton’s North Coast Adventures for the great rental sleds for our family!
The trails are DEFINITELY in early season condition. Gale force winds last week scoured the lakeshore and all high ground trail is dirt or grass with thin snow in the dips. Ridable, but gritty.
Trail 11 was good, but deteriorating to slushy with the current temps.
Trail 102 was recently groomed and a great ride thanks to Gogebic Greg and Gogebic Area Grooming. Hanging brush and a couple downed trees are becoming exposed in the melt.
Trail 1 from Bergland to Silver City was in good condition.
Wet areas are reopening in this warm up. When you get to low-lying/wet areas, we recommend treating them as single file center only trail sections. If there is open water, and you are not comfortable crossing, please go around or turn around.
Colder weather and ❄🌨 is in the forecast. Get out there and do Heikki Lunta with us!!
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Winter Storm Watches have been issued across the entire U.P. for Wednesday night into Thursday. There is the potential for significant snow, sleet and freezing rain (ice) accumulations. The combination of ice on trees/powerlines and wind could result in power outages. At this time the best chance for accumulating snow is over the northern and western U.P. For more details please see our latest weather briefing, www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo ... See MoreSee Less
SIDNAW - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Sno Valley Riders Snowmobile Club >> ❄️ Last Day of the Trail Season ❄️ Today marks the final day of the snowmobile trail season in our area. It’s been another great winter of riding here in the Western U.P., and we want to thank everyone who helps make these trails possible. A huge thank you to: ❄️ Our volunteer groomer operators ❄️ The landowners who allow trails across their property ❄️ Our club members and supporters ❄️ The businesses that support the snowmobile community ❄️ And the riders who respect the trails Remember that after March 31 the trails are officially closed for the season, so please stay off the trails once they close to protect them for next winter. From all of us at Sno Valley Riders, thank you for being part of another great season. Ride Right. Lead Right. And remember — the groomer always has the right of way. We’ll see you next winter. ❄️ 📸 Share your favorite ride or trail photo from this season in the comments! #westernup❄️ Last Day of the Trail Season ❄️
Today marks the final day of the snowmobile trail season in our area.
It’s been another great winter of riding here in the Western U.P., and we want to thank everyone who helps make these trails possible.
A huge thank you to:
❄️ Our volunteer groomer operators ❄️ The landowners who allow trails across their property ❄️ Our club members and supporters ❄️ The businesses that support the snowmobile community ❄️ And the riders who respect the trails
Remember that after March 31 the trails are officially closed for the season, so please stay off the trails once they close to protect them for next winter.
From all of us at Sno Valley Riders, thank you for being part of another great season.
Ride Right. Lead Right. And remember — the groomer always has the right of way.
We’ll see you next winter. ❄️
📸 Share your favorite ride or trail photo from this season in the comments! ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Tonight, isolated to scattered rain showers are expected across the south and east, with maybe a few thunderstorms across the south. Across the north-central, drizzle and freezing drizzle may occur. Tuesday, conditions evolve mainly to a mix of rain and snow before we see a mostly dry Wednesday. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #sooTonight, isolated to scattered rain showers are expected across the south and east, with maybe a few thunderstorms across the south. Across the north-central, drizzle and freezing drizzle may occur. Tuesday, conditions evolve mainly to a mix of rain and snow before we see a mostly dry Wednesday. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Cloud cover increases today ahead of the next batch of wintry precipitation that moves in this evening into the night. By tomorrow, the wintry precipitation will become more confined to the north, while showers and thunderstorms sneak into the southern counties. A few of these storms could even become strong at times with large hail. Further out, snow is expected to return from Wednesday night through Thursday morning, eventually transitioning to a wintry mix again by Thursday afternoon. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #sooCloud cover increases today ahead of the next batch of wintry precipitation that moves in this evening into the night. By tomorrow, the wintry precipitation will become more confined to the north, while showers and thunderstorms sneak into the southern counties. A few of these storms could even become strong at times with large hail. Further out, snow is expected to return from Wednesday night through Thursday morning, eventually transitioning to a wintry mix again by Thursday afternoon. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> After light snow wraps up this evening, expect partially clearing skies overnight while temperatures fall back mainly into the 20s. Clouds increase Sunday, with a milder day ahead as temperatures climb into the 40s and 50s. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #sooAfter light snow wraps up this evening, expect partially clearing skies overnight while temperatures fall back mainly into the 20s. Clouds increase Sunday, with a milder day ahead as temperatures climb into the 40s and 50s. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> AM lake effect snow showers will diminish across the east, but additional snow showers will be possible this afternoon across the northern U.P. After warm and dry days Sunday and Monday, incoming rainfall is expected by late Monday afternoon. High temperatures will top off in the 40s and 50s by Sunday and Monday. The exception will be the northernmost portions of the Keweenaw where upper 30s will linger. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #sooAM lake effect snow showers will diminish across the east, but additional snow showers will be possible this afternoon across the northern U.P. After warm and dry days Sunday and Monday, incoming rainfall is expected by late Monday afternoon. High temperatures will top off in the 40s and 50s by Sunday and Monday. The exception will be the northernmost portions of the Keweenaw where upper 30s will linger. ... See MoreSee Less
LAKE GOGEBIC AREA UPDATE via Lake Gogebic News >> “Conditions vary widely across the area.” ❄️ A half-hour drive north of Lake Gogebic, you’ll encounter Lake Superior. Known for its lake effect snow, Gitche Gumee is always moody. ❄️ Friday, March 27th: Here’s a look at lakefront conditions in Ontonagon County. A band of lake effect snow moved in, dropping two inches in one hour. ☁️ MEANWHILE… On Lake Gogebic… a cloudy day with afternoon temps reaching the mid-20’s. ☁️ Chef Noel is at the Hoop ‘n Holler. Feel free to stop in for a Reuben and some college hoops tonight! 🥪🏀 #lakegogebic#westernup#snowphotos... See MoreSee Less