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!!
FROM Gogebic Area Grooming >> Another productive weekend in the books for Gogebic Area Grooming.. We'd like to Thank each and every person that volunteered their time to help us get the trail's in shape for the upcoming season. We can't do it by ourselves and your help is not overlooked. Thank you!! Also a shout-out to Zack from Cummins of De-Pere Wisconsin for their prompt service on one of our machines. Excellent job! It's been a busy few weeks with just over a month before the season starts hopefully we'll be ahead of the game. Again, thank you and think ❄️❄️❄️.. #lakegogebic #westernup ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Areas of mixed precipitation continue lifting north this morning, largely becoming sleet and freezing rain through much of the afternoon. Hazardous travel conditions are likely to develop on untreated roads and surfaces! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette#munising #seney #newberry #sooAreas of mixed precipitation continue lifting north this morning, largely becoming sleet and freezing rain through much of the afternoon. Hazardous travel conditions are likely to develop on untreated roads and surfaces! ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Key Messages: -A system arriving this morning will bring snow, sleet and freezing rain through early Friday morning. -Moderate to potentially major impacts are anticipated from the combination of snow, freezing rain, and sleet. High travel impacts are expected along with possible power outages and tree damage. -A second system moves through the area Friday night and Saturday bringing another round of mixed precipitation. Similar impacts are possible. -Winter Storm Watches have been issued for all of the UP for the second system, too! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette#munising #seney #newberry #sooKey Messages: -A system arriving this morning will bring snow, sleet and freezing rain through early Friday morning. -Moderate to potentially major impacts are anticipated from the combination of snow, freezing rain, and sleet. High travel impacts are expected along with possible power outages and tree damage. -A second system moves through the area Friday night and Saturday bringing another round of mixed precipitation. Similar impacts are possible. -Winter Storm Watches have been issued for all of the UP for the second system, too! ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Winter Storm Watches remain in effect across the entire U.P. for tonight 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, there has been a significant decrease in snow amounts and a trend toward higher ice accumulations. For more details please see our latest weather briefing, www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette#munising #seney #newberry #sooWinter Storm Watches remain in effect across the entire U.P. for tonight 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, there has been a significant decrease in snow amounts and a trend toward higher ice accumulations. For more details please see our latest weather briefing, www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf. ... See MoreSee Less
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
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