Sault Ste. Marie Area Trail Report – 01/11
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 01/11 1/11/26 Lane went out scouting on 49 today, and there’s definitely some wet spots showing now south of 11 mile. He said it definitely needs cold, but it’s flat and nice with the new snow. Sleds will pack it in, and cold later this week will really seal it up. I went out with a group to the west after checking on 480 (please see video from earlier), and we had a fantastic day. We went to Trout Lake and hit many forest service roads as we made our way back to the Soo. Chippewa Snowchasers has 472 from west of Rudyard to Trout Lake in amazing condition! Couple of low 30s days ahead, then temps nosedive. Based on the images I’ve seen from clubs all over the UP, we all definitely welcome a deep freeze for the swamps. Hope you all had a great weekend!❄️❄️❄️ <> <> SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 01/11 1/11/26 Good evening all! Groomer Pete was out tonight on the city trails, and here’s what he had to say- “I went out for my scheduled Sunday night of the city trails. The Good: The Bad: The Ugly: We survived last weeks warmup and rain, but we have some recovering to do for sure. Do your snow dances and fingers crossed that the cold returns later this week. Thanks Pete! <> <> <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Facebook Page <> WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Strong westerly winds develop this afternoon and evening, with winds gusting up to 60 mph in the Keweenaw and 45 mph for the remainder of the northern UP near the Superior shoreline. Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Light snowfall brings generally an inch or less to the area today before leaving this evening. Warm & windy conditions show up Friday ahead of a strong cold front coming in Friday night; areas in the Keweenaw & near Lake Superior could see winds gusting to at least 45 mph or more. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLight snowfall brings generally an inch or less to the area today before leaving this evening. Warm & windy conditions show up Friday ahead of a strong cold front coming in Friday night; areas in the Keweenaw & near Lake Superior could see winds gusting to at least 45 mph or more. #906wx #miwx WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Dry with some peeks of sun to start today. Another quick-hitter system passes through this afternoon, bringing some snow showers, some of which could be heavy at times. Be prepared for wintry driving conditions later today! We then briefly trend warm Friday. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryDry with some peeks of sun to start today. Another quick-hitter system passes through this afternoon, bringing some snow showers, some of which could be heavy at times. Be prepared for wintry driving conditions later today! We then briefly trend warm Friday. #MIwx SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 2/25/26 Wow! That's a ton of snow! Just one more good snowfall and the measuring stick disappears 🙂 SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 2/24/26 WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Snow and gusty winds return through the day today, with hazardous travel conditions likely this afternoon into the evening. Heaviest snowfall is expected across eastern upper Michigan, with travel impacts likely along US 2 west of St. Ignace due to gusty southerly winds. For northern lower, the heaviest snowfall generally favors spots along and north of M-32. Activity will transition to lake effect snow tonight. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberrySnow and gusty winds return through the day today, with hazardous travel conditions likely this afternoon into the evening. Heaviest snowfall is expected across eastern upper Michigan, with travel impacts likely along US 2 west of St. Ignace due to gusty southerly winds. For northern lower, the heaviest snowfall generally favors spots along and north of M-32. Activity will transition to lake effect snow tonight. #MIwx WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A strengthening Clipper low brings a 2-to-6-hour period of moderate to heavy snowfall to the UP today, with the greatest snow totals in the east. In addition, gusty winds will bring areas of blowing snow along the lakeshores. Expect at least hazardous travel today. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA strengthening Clipper low brings a 2-to-6-hour period of moderate to heavy snowfall to the UP today, with the greatest snow totals in the east. In addition, gusty winds will bring areas of blowing snow along the lakeshores. Expect at least hazardous travel today. #906wx #miwx WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Here's our last call snowfall outlook regarding the system starting today, February 24th, and finishing up Wednesday, February 25th, 2026... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyHere's our last call snowfall outlook regarding the system starting today, February 24th, and finishing up Wednesday, February 25th, 2026. <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>
Last one for the day, I think.
On our return to the Soo, 8 from Brimley east had the typical chatter bumps after a weekend day. We need a bit more snow, another groom, and it’ll be much better.
The base we do have is pretty thick and flat. The Ashmun Bay access trail ( Trail 8 )is in fine shape all the way to the staging area. Trail 49 from the tracks into town is in good shape, and the hills between the tunnel and the airport are good! The rest of 49 is in good shape as well all the way to 3 Mile.
The warm temps and amount of rain last week definitely hampered our trail building efforts. 449 is pretty good most of the way. There are definitely some soft wet areas approaching Seymour and going to Kewadin. I stayed on the drier side of the trail and avoided opening up any water holes, but riders beware that the water and slush is there! The trails are very icy with a little fluffy powder on top. The sugary snow and powder don’t really setup well, so use caution on turns.
497, the trail to the High School, is a mess. Tons of water. I made it a couple hundred yards in, and it was a mess. I did a 30 point turn and went back out. I could see significant water holes and nastiness inside the tree line and decided not to make it worse. Plus I was worried about getting stuck, with water hole depth unknown. That trail should be avoided for a couple days until the very cold returns and we get some heavy snow. I would not expect this trail to be groomed again for a few days. Picture is provided to show the conditions.
-Groomer Pete”
I’ll follow up with a couple more reports from the day in a bit.
497 to the high school picturedPostings From Regional Pages On Facebook
Temperatures will plummet tonight, setting up a seasonably cold weekend with some light lake effect snow for the northwest wind belts. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea 
Good morning all!
We didn’t end up with as much new snow as we wanted out of the system, but lake effect is lingering a bit. I show about 4” of new snow here in the Soo. It looks like just west us (Brimley/Raco) got a little more.
Once operators are out rolling and send me updates, I’ll be sure to share!
Thank you! #soo #soo0225 #snowphotos2/25/26
Good morning all!
We didn’t end up with as much new snow as we wanted out of the system, but lake effect is lingering a bit. I show about 4” of new snow here in the Soo. It looks like just west us (Brimley/Raco) got a little more.
Once operators are out rolling and send me updates, I’ll be sure to share!
Thank you!
Updated warning and forecast. Be safe but also…. bring it on!!🤘🏼❄️🙌🏼 #soo #soo0224
Discussion
The only significant changes to the map shown since yesterday are the addition of a 6-12" zone to focus on the back-side lake effect snow through the end of the day on Wednesday that will bump up totals across the eastern Upper Peninsula, and a slight shift south of the 1-3" zone towards Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor. Besides a few wobbles, the 2-5" and 4-8" zones remain largely the same. The entire Upper Peninsula now has winter alerts issued for this incoming snow. Notice, we've added a dashed green line to denote that areas south of it will deal with greater uncertainty in higher snowfall totals due to daytime temperatures above 32°F, plus the presence of low-level dry air filtering into the state. There should still be enough time to give everyone a solid half inch across the state, but for those primarily south of I-94, that may be all.
For timing, truthfully, not everyone will see the peak of precipitation by the end of the day. The front will be taking its time as it crosses the state this morning and afternoon. Upper Peninsula west of Newberry, you'll see your snow beginning by noon. After the noon timeframe, it'll be everyone else across the state. Last to see the precipitation start today will be southeastern Michigan, where flurries/light rain may not start until after 10 pm EST. Remember, gusty winds are possible within this passing winter storm, and as such, travel will become difficult at times as visibility drops to under a half a mile within the highest snowfall rates. Travel with care, and make sure to turn on headlights AND taillights when driving in any snow squall. Snow will finish by noon Wednesday, but continue as lake effect for the Upper Peninsula through the end of Wednesday, as denoted by the circled yellow area.
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