Keweenaw Peninsula Trail Report – 12/30
KEWEENAW PENINSULA UPDATE via Keweenaw Trail Reports – 12/30 It was a great day to ride Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula! White gold seemed to fall all day and the bridge was opened for snowmobile crossing! It was a beautiful winter wonderland and here are just a few photos trying to capture that beauty! Trails were awesome for the majority of the day and we felt as though we were just floating on top of pillows as we were riding. Groomer Operators were busy down in Houghton/Hancock all day getting the Portage Lake Lift Bridge opened, therefore trails north of Mohawk did not see grooming operations today. It was fun riding all the fresh champagne powder that fell last night and continued today. By late afternoon, all the traffic had taken a toll on the condition of the trails …….and it should be noted we still don’t really have a base. The return trip south was definitely a bit rougher and once again you were hearing the rocks hit your carbides in areas. KEWEENAW PENINSULA UPDATE via Western & Southern UP Trail Reports – 12/30 <> <> <> KEWEENAW PENINSULA UPDATE via Keweenaw Trail Reports – 12/30 FRESH SNOW and the OPENING of the bridge! I’m doing my happy dance! Groomer Operator/South End Trail Boss Glenn Rowe It’s going to be a great day to ride Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula! The Keweenaw Snowmobile Club Groomer Operators and City of Houghton are hard at work opening the bridge for crossing from Houghton to Hancock. The city is helping out with 3 trucks hauling in snow. We received 6-8 inches of fresh champagne powder last night and Glenn said it has really helped the trails out. He noted there could still be some rock showing through in the Mohawk area. PLEASE stay clear of the bridge today while they are preparing it to make their job go smoother! These guys work S❄ hard for all of us riders! The last photo shows original usage of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge! <> Keweenaw Convention & Visitors Bureau December 28 Snowfall & Weather Houghton County has received a total of 61.4″ of snow for the season and Keweenaw County has received 48.3″ of snow for the season.* Today: Winter weather advisory remains in effect until 7 pm for northern Houghton county. Lake effect snow of 2”-5”. High 21F. Low 10F. • Snowmobile Trail Conditions Snowmobile trails are in early season condition throughout the Keweenaw. Groomers are out brushing and panning the trails. Up to 14 inches of snow on the ground. Watch out for rocks, wet spots and other impediments as snow levels are low. High Rock and Brockway Mountain are not open yet due to low snow. MDNR Trail 133 is closed but has signed reroutes and MDNR Trail 134 to Copper Harbor is OPEN. Trail Closures: The trail section from Dollar Bay to Lake Linden (a portion of Trail 3) and the Freda Trail (Trails 121 & 120) will be closed the entire season for repair. <> Keweenaw Trail Reports on Facebook >>>> <> WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Bitterly cold temperatures will hang on through tonight as wind chill values remain below zero across the U.P., coldest in the west near the WI border. Lake effect snow will also continue to impact the northwest wind snowbelts, especially across the east where a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through Sunday morning for Alger, Luce, and northern Schoolcraft Counties. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaBitterly cold temperatures will hang on through tonight as wind chill values remain below zero across the U.P., coldest in the west near the WI border. Lake effect snow will also continue to impact the northwest wind snowbelts, especially across the east where a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through Sunday morning for Alger, Luce, and northern Schoolcraft Counties. KEWEENAW PENINSULA UPDATE via Keweenaw Trail Reports >> Brrrrrr….. 🥶it was definitely a cold day to ride the Keweenaw, but Jason Kremer definitely wasn’t complaining! WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers are expected downwind of Lake Superior through Sunday, impacting the northwest wind snowbelt areas. This snow will be very susceptible to blowing in the wind, resulting in localized visibility reductions below 1 mile at times. Make sure to drive with your headlights on, at appropriate speeds, and with extra room between yourself and other vehicles! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow showers are expected downwind of Lake Superior through Sunday, impacting the northwest wind snowbelt areas. This snow will be very susceptible to blowing in the wind, resulting in localized visibility reductions below 1 mile at times. Make sure to drive with your headlights on, at appropriate speeds, and with extra room between yourself and other vehicles! #906wx #miwx MASS CITY AREA UPDATE via Adventure Motel >> It’s a snowy morning in Mass City, roughly 8” of snow last night. Great to see people taking advantage of the trail conditions! #masscity #westernup #keweenaw #snowphotos WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A cold front will move across the U.P this evening. Light snow will accompany the front but generally less than an inch is expected. Behind the front temperatures will fall into the single digits above and below zero. This combined with gusty winds will bring wind chills down into the teens and twenties below zero. A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect for Gogebic and Iron counties tonight through Saturday morning. Lake effect snow will develop behind the front in the northwest wind snowbelts with several inches expected. Those headed outside tonight or traveling should be prepared for bitter cold and snow (in the northwest wind snowbelts). #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea KEWEENAW PENINSULA UPDATE via Fletchy’s Otter Belly Lodge >> Imagine this: it’s 9pm & 10 degrees out on a crystal clear night in the Keweenaw. You’re on a narrow trail in the middle of the woods. Hundreds of miles of untouched trails ahead of you. It’s time to ride! <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>
Copper Harbor was pretty busy with riders fueling up at Copper Harbor Fuel Stop
and then grabbing a bite to eat, beverage and meeting new friends while sharing stories around the fire pit at The Mariner North
.
These businesses are all trying their hardest to make the best possible experience for riders at their establishments.
It should be noted that where Trail 3 heading north splits at the “y” still has a locked gate, therefore you must go to the right at the “y” onto trail 134 to head into Copper Harbor. (See map in the photos)Groomer Operators have said the gate should be unlocked tomorrow sometime.
Also remember, Groomer Operators have not been able to get out to High Rock Bay and the same water hole at Union Creek that seems to be a problem each year is there now also.
Trails should still be considered early season conditions and extreme caution should be taken while riding.
We definitely still need more snow so keep the snow dances going. ❄️💃
shared this sneak peek photo of the process of opening the Portage Lake Lift Bridge for snowmobile traffic!
Can’t wait to get out there and ride! Please feel free to share any photos you have of riding and trail condition reports!
Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy/PM snow showers. Accumulations 1-3”. High 21F. Low 17F. •
Wednesday: Snow showers. Accumulation 1”. High 26F. Low 20F. •
Thursday: Cloudy. High 24F. Low 9F. •
Friday: Cloudy. High 27F. Low 23F.
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Keweenaw Convention & Visitors Bureau Website >>>>
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Jason and crew headed out today from the Ramada in Hancock and rode up to Copper Harbor for the Winter Wonderfest & Park
Lighting Event! (Checkout the video Jason shared with us in the comments!)
Jason is a frequent rider of the Keweenaw and today definitely didn’t disappoint! Jason shared these photos and said, “You definitely need to tode to Copper Harbor tomorrow! Trails are not freshly groomed but they are flat and fast! The only slightly bumpy part was the trail up Brockway, but not bad for a Saturday in the Kee! There is zero traffic today, only met one group of sledders all the way from Hancock to Copper Harbor. Having a blast, will send you pics when I get service. Maybe we will run into a groomer on the way back!”
Well, as you can see from one of Jason’s photos, they did come across a groomer on the way back from Copper Harbor!
We hope you all enjoyed your Saturday as much as Jason did!
Please note as of right now the, The Portage Lake Lift Bridge is not yet open for snowmobile crossing. That means you can not cross from Houghton to Hancock…. yet.
The Coast Guard needed to close the shipping lanes and then the Keweenaw Snowmobile Club and the city need to coordinate laying the snow mat for sled crossing…. Hopefully, very soon!
Thanks as always for sharing, Jason! #keweenaw #snowphotos
Throttle to the bars. Like a rocket ship you accelerate forward. Pines shimmer in your headlights. You and your sled become one. Every worry melts away.
You let off and come to a stop. You shut it down. Absolute silence. Moon above. Stars dancing. NOTHING BEATS THIS!
Had my first ride of the year tonight and it NEVER gets old ❄️
12/12/26 Trail report in the comments! #keweenaw #snowphotosImagine this: it’s 9pm & 10 degrees out on a crystal clear night in the Keweenaw. You’re on a narrow trail in the middle of the woods. Hundreds of miles of untouched trails ahead of you.
Throttle to the bars. Like a rocket ship you accelerate forward. Pines shimmer in your headlights. You and your sled become one. Every worry melts away.
You let off and come to a stop. You shut it down. Absolute silence. Moon above. Stars dancing. NOTHING BEATS THIS!
Had my first ride of the year tonight and it NEVER gets old ❄️
12/12/25 Trail report in the comments!