Ironwood Trail Report – Gogebic Range Trail Authority – 12/24
IRONWOOD / WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Gogebic Range Trail Authority – ORV & Snowmobile Club – 12/24 Trail 2 has been groomed from Ironwood to Wakefield. In the woods where we had fresh dozer work snow is thin after grooming. Overall conditions this weekend we would call fair to poor. It’s good to very good in spots now, but this is our first snow and spots are thin. Overtime the packed base will be eaten at from underneath by water, the rain yesterday is showing itself. While wet spots aren’t exposed today, they will open up this weekend due to traffic. This is early season conditions with rocks, ruts, and shaved stumps as trail hazards. We are rolling trail 2 from Wakefield to Marenisco. 160 and 11S closed. Some riders are on them packing them down for groomers. This is a great start with some deep lake effect in spots (16″+) and 10-12″ in others. If you are afraid of snirt, next weekend is your weekend. Trails are very rideable, but again hazards exist. Please help us clear brush! Our neighbors in MI to the east are grooming right now as well! Lakes are pretty solid! <> Someone asking for snow? WOW! Ride with a hand saw this weekend. 12-16″ down as of 7am. Blowing and dumping. Roads are ice. Trails are…well…pretty damn good! As of right now the trail 2 is being groom from Hurley to Wakefield. More notice to come ASAP. <> 12/22 1 maybe 2 inches over night. We are not grooming yet. We could use a hand in the barn today/tomorrow, shoot us a message. BUT WE BELIEVE WE WILL BE GROOMING RIGHT AROUND CHRISTMAS! <> Report via Gogebic Range Trail Authority Website <> Report via Gogebic Range Trail Authority on Facebook <> SIDNAW - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Sno Valley Riders Snowmobile Club >> We would like to thank EVERYONE that helped us clean the trails from the Thanksgiving storm. We finally got Trail 3 north out of Bruce Crossing fully cleared and groomed today - this was the last section of our trail system that needed to be cleared. #westernup #snowphotosWe would like to thank EVERYONE that helped us clean the trails from the Thanksgiving storm. We finally got Trail 3 north out of Bruce Crossing fully cleared and groomed today - this was the last section of our trail system that needed to be cleared. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Another system brings a quick round of light to moderate snowfall late tonight into early Saturday. A widespread 1-3 inches of snow is expected, possibly locally higher up to 3-4in in the eastern UP. A change over to lake effect snow is expected in the NW wind snow belts Saturday afternoon, lingering into Sunday. Winds turn gusty for Saturday, with gusts as high as 40-45mph possible over the Keweenaw, where a Wind Advisory is in effect Saturday afternoon and evening. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaAnother system brings a quick round of light to moderate snowfall late tonight into early Saturday. A widespread 1-3 inches of snow is expected, possibly locally higher up to 3-4in in the eastern UP. A change over to lake effect snow is expected in the NW wind snow belts Saturday afternoon, lingering into Sunday. Winds turn gusty for Saturday, with gusts as high as 40-45mph possible over the Keweenaw, where a Wind Advisory is in effect Saturday afternoon and evening. LAKE GOGEBIC AREA UPDATE via Gogebic Area Grooming >> Good Friday evening! Bergland Area Groomer's update. BESSEMER - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Trails-North Powersports LLC >> 🥰 Sledders are rollin in today ❤️ Take advantage of the fresh POW 💯🌬️❄️❄️❄️ #bessemer #westernup #snowphotos🥰 Sledders are rollin in today ❤️ Take advantage of the fresh POW 💯🌬️❄️❄️❄️ KEWEENAW - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Erika’s Trail Reports - Western UP/Porkies/Ottawa Forest/Ontonagon County >> ❄️ FRESH SNOW ALERT ❄️ WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow ends over the north-northwest wind snow belts today. A couple more fluffy inches and some blowing snow is still expected over the north central and eastern U.P. this morning. A quick hitting system looks to bring 1 to 4 fluffy inches of snowfall tonight through Saturday morning. West to northwest winds as high as 45 mph are expected to make a return over the Keweenaw on Saturday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow ends over the north-northwest wind snow belts today. A couple more fluffy inches and some blowing snow is still expected over the north central and eastern U.P. this morning. A quick hitting system looks to bring 1 to 4 fluffy inches of snowfall tonight through Saturday morning. West to northwest winds as high as 45 mph are expected to make a return over the Keweenaw on Saturday. LAKE GOGEBIC AREA DINING UPDATE via Root Cellar Resort >> Good morning, good morning! ☀️ BESSEMER - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Trails-North Powersports LLC >> 🥰 What a way to kick off a Friday with a fresh 6 inches of ❄️❄️❄️ couldn't resist a morning ride💯❤️ The lake effect machine is blessing us 🌬️❄️❄️❄️ and more on the way 🤟💯 #westernup #snowphotos LAKE GOGEBIC AREA UPDATE via Bergland Outfitters Bait Shop & Motel >> My personal trail report.. Trails are very ridable you're going to find thin spots you're going to hit a few rocks it's early season riding. Trail 8 the grade is thin after the rain today.. We are forecasted tonight 3-5 inches of snow . WATERSMEET - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via U.P. Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club >> UPDATED 12/18/25-Well Mother Nature is not cooperating with us at the moment. We will not be doing any more grooming until the weather changes and we can get more snow. We will be limiting grooming through Christmas and hopefully weather permitting be able to get on a more regular schedule starting the day after. Hopefully things change soon and everyone can get here to enjoy our trails. Remember Ride Right and stay Safe. #watersmeet #westernup WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Lake effect totals through Friday afternoon, December 19th, 2025 have been updated slightly to account for latest shifts in atmospheric conditions. ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via Scott's Superior Inn and Cabins >> Out on the snowmobile trails today with Jamis doing a little trimming and cleanup—and it really hits you just how much work has already been done by the amazing volunteers from our local zone clubs. LAKE GOGEBIC AREA UPDATE via Gogebic Area Grooming >> Bergland Groomer's heading out. 8w, 13n, 8e and 1n will all be covered today. Gogebic Area Grooming ❄️❄️❄️ #lakegogebic #westernup #snowphotos ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP >> Busy days here at NCSC! The storm was a real tough blow but we are continuing to open up our system. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Active weather is expected for the remainder of the work week. Winds pick up tonight, gusting to 25-45mph (highest in the western and north-central UP), falling back into Thursday morning. Light rain and patchy mixed precipitation return Thursday morning, transitioning over to widespread snow late Thursday into Thursday night before tapering off to light lake effect snow Friday. The heaviest snow accumulations will be across the far western UP. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea <> Visit Gogebic Range Trail Authority Website >>>> <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
Current Temp's are around 12° rain changed over to snow around 6pm Eastern time yesterday. We received around 4". Not what we were hoping for, but it definitely helped.
Today we took 2 machines up 102 and it had it's first groom of the season. Definitely not perfect but a step in the right direction. We did encounter a water hole (pictured) but it was filled with snow and 💯 passable. Trail 13 to Root Cellar will be opened up tomorrow and it will get it's first groom of the season.
The trail's survived and surprisingly, we saw a lot of traffic today.
We'll update on progress made with 13 tomorrow. Thanks everyone. Gogebic Area Grooming ❄️❄️ #lakegogebic #westernup #snowphotos
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#joinasnowmobileclub
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The Western UP is getting fresh accumulating snow from yesterday until this weekend! The cold temperatures have also returned for the weekend. You should only trust reliable sources of information! Do not cancel your trips, businesses need your support! Follow snowmobile club pages for updates (listed below) and download the Groomer Tracker app. Grooming has been limited but you can still ride! The woods are your best option! #keweenaw #westernup❄️ FRESH SNOW ALERT ❄️
The Western UP is getting fresh accumulating snow from yesterday until this weekend! The cold temperatures have also returned for the weekend. You should only trust reliable sources of information! Do not cancel your trips, businesses need your support! Follow snowmobile club pages for updates (listed below) and download the Groomer Tracker app. Grooming has been limited but you can still ride! The woods are your best option!
North Country Snowmobile Club UP
Gogebic Area Grooming
Gogebic Range Trail Authority - ORV & Snowmobile Club
Baraga County Convention & Visitors Bureau
The U.P. Superior Snowmobile Club
U.P. Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club
Keweenaw Snowmobile Club
Sno Valley Riders Snowmobile Club
Safe Rides,
❄️ #ErikaTrailReports ❄️
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Lake Gogebic ice report
Lots of water on the ice after this warm up and rain .are a few people fishing yes did a few sleds hit the lake yes BUT I don't recommend a machine on the lake right now . If you want to fish walk and SPUD your way out... #lakegogebic #westernup #snowphotosMy personal trail report.. Trails are very ridable you're going to find thin spots you're going to hit a few rocks it's early season riding. Trail 8 the grade is thin after the rain today.. We are forecasted tonight 3-5 inches of snow .
Lake Gogebic ice report
Lots of water on the ice after this warm up and rain .are a few people fishing yes did a few sleds hit the lake yes BUT I don't recommend a machine on the lake right now . If you want to fish walk and SPUD your way out
Discussion
As temperatures fall early Friday, moisture pools back in, mixed with colder air over the warmer lakes, turning on the lake effect machine for both of the Great Lakes that influence our normal lake effect zones. A respectable 1-3" to 2-5" is possible in the fairly typical areas shown on the map. The narrow lane of higher elevation across the Keweenaw Peninsula and Porcupine Mountains are most-likely to experience totals exceeding 6". You may have noticed our one main change was the expansion of T-1" over to the east side of the state just as a general precaution to any snow squalls that make it across the state. Not everyone will get a rogue snow squall, but it is in the odds for nearly everyone. A snow squall is a thin, but intense band of quick snow that can produce at least half an inch of snow in minutes time, while knocking visibility down from 10 miles, to a quarter mile in moments time. Additionally, a quick coating of snow may hide any ice that was able to form from the freeze later tonight. Lake effect snow and snow squalls are poised to start later this evening around 8 pm EST (earlier for the western UP), and run primarily through 1 pm EST Friday. A couple lake effect bands may last through 6 pm across northern Michigan near Gaylord, and the central UP near Munising.
Each area is never guaranteed the totals shown on the screen. This is why we call it a prediction. The totals that are shown however do have the greatest odds of occurring. Yes, we are still trying to find that crystal ball, but no luck to this point. Follow us here at Michigan Storm Chasers for forecast updates, and a little humor on the side, throughout the next few days, and as always, 365 days a year! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyLake effect totals through Friday afternoon, December 19th, 2025 have been updated slightly to account for latest shifts in atmospheric conditions.
Discussion
As temperatures fall early Friday, moisture pools back in, mixed with colder air over the warmer lakes, turning on the lake effect machine for both of the Great Lakes that influence our normal lake effect zones. A respectable 1-3" to 2-5" is possible in the fairly typical areas shown on the map. The narrow lane of higher elevation across the Keweenaw Peninsula and Porcupine Mountains are most-likely to experience totals exceeding 6". You may have noticed our one main change was the expansion of T-1" over to the east side of the state just as a general precaution to any snow squalls that make it across the state. Not everyone will get a rogue snow squall, but it is in the odds for nearly everyone. A snow squall is a thin, but intense band of quick snow that can produce at least half an inch of snow in minutes time, while knocking visibility down from 10 miles, to a quarter mile in moments time. Additionally, a quick coating of snow may hide any ice that was able to form from the freeze later tonight. Lake effect snow and snow squalls are poised to start later this evening around 8 pm EST (earlier for the western UP), and run primarily through 1 pm EST Friday. A couple lake effect bands may last through 6 pm across northern Michigan near Gaylord, and the central UP near Munising.
Each area is never guaranteed the totals shown on the screen. This is why we call it a prediction. The totals that are shown however do have the greatest odds of occurring. Yes, we are still trying to find that crystal ball, but no luck to this point. Follow us here at Michigan Storm Chasers for forecast updates, and a little humor on the side, throughout the next few days, and as always, 365 days a year!
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If you love riding these trails, consider becoming a club member or lending a hand whenever you can. Every hour volunteered and every membership makes a real difference.
Let’s take pride in these trails and help keep them in tip-top shape for our kids and for generations of riders to come. ❄️🏁 #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotos
Due to our current weather conditions we will not be grooming for a minimum of 24 hours.
We had a lot help from Team Scott's Superior Inn and Cabins clearing brush on Trail 12, thank you!!!!
We also need to give a big shout out to our Michigan Department of Natural Resources Rangers, Kristin, Cory and Dante for all of the assistance the last week.
We have been from Greenland on Trail 12 to the junction with Trail 137. This section has many wet areas and one large hole adjacent to a beaver dam between Woodspur Rd. and Trail 137.
We have also opened up our original trail configuration along Trail 12 from our clubhouse in Ontonagon to Stimac Rd. to get us off of the Norwich Rd. shoulder. This section has water holes along the section adjacent to The Ontonagon County Airport.
We will continue to brush on Trail 12 along Norwich Road to where it runs onto the powerline and brush that as well.
Trail 12 from Greenland to Potato Farm road is in early season condition and extreme caution should be exercised when riding.
THANK YOU for riding The 906!!! #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotosBusy days here at NCSC! The storm was a real tough blow but we are continuing to open up our system.
Due to our current weather conditions we will not be grooming for a minimum of 24 hours.
We had a lot help from Team Scott's Superior Inn and Cabins clearing brush on Trail 12, thank you!!!!
We also need to give a big shout out to our Michigan Department of Natural Resources Rangers, Kristin, Cory and Dante for all of the assistance the last week.
We have been from Greenland on Trail 12 to the junction with Trail 137. This section has many wet areas and one large hole adjacent to a beaver dam between Woodspur Rd. and Trail 137.
We have also opened up our original trail configuration along Trail 12 from our clubhouse in Ontonagon to Stimac Rd. to get us off of the Norwich Rd. shoulder. This section has water holes along the section adjacent to The Ontonagon County Airport.
We will continue to brush on Trail 12 along Norwich Road to where it runs onto the powerline and brush that as well.
Trail 12 from Greenland to Potato Farm road is in early season condition and extreme caution should be exercised when riding.
THANK YOU for riding The 906!!!