Harbor Springs Area Trail Report – 03/18
HARBOR SPRINGS AREA UPDATE via Harbor Springs Snowmobile Club >> >> We had all three groomers out last night and groomed from the groomer barn in Harbor Springs to Alanson, down the railroad grade to Pellston & back. This loop typically takes one tractor 4 hours and last night it took 9 with two & then a third to go back down the grade & behind the airport to widen things out. A large portion of our grooming team also plows snow, which has really limited who’s available to get out and groom right now. Everyone has been working around the clock since the storm. The crew that went out last night had planned to head back out again tonight, but after running on about three hours of sleep before heading into their full-time jobs today I’m not sure they will be up for it. Temperatures are heading in the upward direction starting today which is also going to make grooming difficult. As soon as we have a solid plan we will let everyone know. If you are out riding on the non groomed sections please be aware that the drifts are huge and there is a very good possibility you will get stuck. Unless you have the capability of digging yourself out or some good friends to come help stay off the trails!! We have not had time to plow out the parking lot at our groomer barn so at this time there is NO parking there. <> <> <> <> PETOSKEY AREA UPDATE via Petoskey Snowmobile and ORV Club >> Groomer Tracker App Report March 18 2026... #petoskeyGroomer Tracker App Report March 18 2026 PETOSKEY AREA UPDATE via Petoskey Snowmobile and ORV Club >> Grooming Report March 17 2026 HARBOR SPRINGS AREA UPDATE via Harbor Springs Snowmobile Club >> We had all three groomers out last night and groomed from the groomer barn in Harbor Springs to Alanson, down the railroad grade to Pellston & back. This loop typically takes one tractor 4 hours and last night it took 9 with two & then a third to go back down the grade & behind the airport to widen things out. 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. 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. PETOSKEY AREA UPDATE via Petoskey Snowmobile and ORV Club >> Groomer Tracker app Report March 16 2026... #petoskeyGroomer Tracker app Report March 16 2026 PETOSKEY AREA UPDATE via Petoskey Snowmobile and ORV Club >> Grooming Report March 16 2026 HARBOR SPRINGS AREA UPDATE via Harbor Springs Snowmobile Club >> Mother Nature sure decided to send winter out with a bang! Since Friday morning we’ve received at least 3 feet of snow and the high winds have created some unbelievable drifting. In some areas, drifts have reached well over 7 feet tall. We haven’t seen conditions like this in 10-15 years. <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
Groomer Tom reported it was the 13th when it was the 17th into the 18th. It's winding down, so get out and ride while you have a chance. Kyle... #petoskey #snowphotos
A large portion of our grooming team also plows snow, which has really limited who’s available to get out and groom right now. Everyone has been working around the clock since the storm. The crew that went out last night had planned to head back out again tonight, but after running on about three hours of sleep before heading into their full-time jobs today I’m not sure they will be up for it.
Temperatures are heading in the upward direction starting today which is also going to make grooming difficult. As soon as we have a solid plan we will let everyone know.
If you are out riding on the non groomed sections please be aware that the drifts are huge and there is a very good possibility you will get stuck. Unless you have the capability of digging yourself out or some good friends to come help stay off the trails!!
We have not had time to plow out the parking lot at our groomer barn so at this time there is NO parking there. #harborsprings #petoskey #snowphotos
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.
Josh groomed the big loop parts of trails 76 and 765. #petoskey #snowphotos
Our first groomer will be heading out on the grade tomorrow morning & we have a pair headed out in the woods tomorrow evening BEFORE dark. If you are out riding, please be aware of the groomers and give them plenty of space.
We appreciate everyone’s patience while we work to get things opened back up. #harborsprings #petoskey #snowphotos