Michigan Trail Report


Traverse City Trail Report – 02/18

TRAVERSE CITY AREA UPDATE via Grand Traverse Snowmobile Club – 02/18

Trail report 2/18/2021

The bright sunshine Yesterday dried out the roads but did not have much effect on the trails since the temps stayed in the low 20’s. The snow is looking dirty due to all the grooming we have been doing but overall the trails are in good- great condition. I rode out of my house and picked up the trail at Broomhead road. I rode down thru Ranch Rudolph and down to the bridge at the South end of the trail. The snow gets a little thinner down there but trails were still decent. I wanted to see how rough the trail got by the bridge since I groomed it on Monday. This section of trail that comes of the bridge seems to always be rough. After grooming it I know why. To groom it properly you have to turn the groomer around and back it into the trail and all the way down to the bridge. It adds a lot of time to your groom so it doesn’t always get done. When I groom down there I will make it a priority to spend some time by the bridge and smooth it out. I will also try and do a better job restocking the free maps at all the major trail intersections. Did you know that there were free maps at the Supply road trail head? The box is on the backside of the big wooden sign. If you have never ridden our trail system this might be the perfect weekend to give it a try. Trails are in the best shape of the season so far. Are you from down state or from another state. Stay at Ranch Rudolph for the weekend and you will be right in the middle of some great trails and you can ride right out of your room. Park the trailer and ride all weekend from your room!

I also noticed that Blue Sky rentals was renting snowmobiles out of Peegeos parking lot. Don’t have a sled but want to ride? Give them a call.

Hope everyone gets out this weekend and enjoys our trail system. With the extra traffic expected this week I hope everyone remembers to stay on the right side of the trail. STAY SAFE!!!

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TRAVERSE CITY AREA UPDATE via Ranch Rudolf – 02/13

2/13/21
Trails in great shape. Groomers running all week. Counter service for food and beverage 12pm-4pm on Saturday and Sunday. Lodging available. Winter hayrides booked for this weekend but we are taking reservations for the weekend of Feb 20/21. 231-947-9529. Enjoy the winter weekend ❄️

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Saturday December 13th, 2025 - 10:46 am

Michigan Snowmobile Trail Report

WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Accumulating lake effect snow continues across northern Michigan today into Sunday. Gusty winds will lead to blowing and drifting snow, leading to quick drops in visibility – especially across open areas. Wind chills look to stay below zero today into tonight. Cold temperatures may also lead to freezing of wet roads this morning, contributing to potentially hazardous travel conditions for the first half of the weekend. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyAccumulating lake effect snow continues across northern Michigan today into Sunday. Gusty winds will lead to blowing and drifting snow, leading to quick drops in visibility – especially across open areas. Wind chills look to stay below zero today into tonight. Cold temperatures may also lead to freezing of wet roads this morning, contributing to potentially hazardous travel conditions for the first half of the weekend. ... See MoreSee Less

WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Accumulating lake effect snow continues across northern Michigan today into Sunday. Gusty winds will lead to blowing and drifting snow, leading to quick drops in visibility – especially across open areas. Wind chills look to stay below zero today into tonight. Cold temperatures may also lead to freezing of wet roads this morning, contributing to potentially hazardous travel conditions for the first half of the weekend. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey

Saturday December 13th, 2025 - 1:03 am

Michigan Snowmobile Trail Report

WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Accumulating snow returns to the Northwoods later this afternoon into Saturday as a cold front swings across the area, ushering in a much colder air mass for the weekend. Several inches of snow is expected across parts of northwest lower and the eastern U.P. by Saturday morning with additional lake effect snow continuing through Saturday. Below zero wind chills are expected for most areas late tonight through Saturday. Wind gusts of 25-35+ mph will lead to patchy blowing/drifting snow, especially across open areas. Quickly dropping temps tonight may freeze wet roads by Saturday morning. Combination of snow, winds, and temperatures will lead to hazardous travel conditions across parts of the area through Saturday morning. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyAccumulating snow returns to the Northwoods later this afternoon into Saturday as a cold front swings across the area, ushering in a much colder air mass for the weekend. Several inches of snow is expected across parts of northwest lower and the eastern U.P. by Saturday morning with additional lake effect snow continuing through Saturday. Below zero wind chills are expected for most areas late tonight through Saturday. Wind gusts of 25-35+ mph will lead to patchy blowing/drifting snow, especially across open areas. Quickly dropping temps tonight may freeze wet roads by Saturday morning. Combination of snow, winds, and temperatures will lead to hazardous travel conditions across parts of the area through Saturday morning. ... See MoreSee Less

WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Accumulating snow returns to the Northwoods later this afternoon into Saturday as a cold front swings across the area, ushering in a much colder air mass for the weekend. Several inches of snow is expected across parts of northwest lower and the eastern U.P. by Saturday morning with additional lake effect snow continuing through Saturday. Below zero wind chills are expected for most areas late tonight through Saturday. Wind gusts of 25-35+ mph will lead to patchy blowing/drifting snow, especially across open areas. Quickly dropping temps tonight may freeze wet roads by Saturday morning. Combination of snow, winds, and temperatures will lead to hazardous travel conditions across parts of the area through Saturday morning. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey

Saturday December 13th, 2025 - 12:31 am

Michigan Snowmobile Trail Report

TRAVERSE CITY AREA UPDATE via Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club >> Trail Update:
The entire trail system has been panned and the groomers are now in a holding pattern until we get more snow. The trails are rideable but need more snow. Corners are thin and there are some snirty areas. There is a winter weather advisory for 3-6+ in effect until Saturday P.M., fingers crossed. #traversecity #snowphotos
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TRAVERSE CITY AREA UPDATE via Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club >> Trail Update: 
The entire trail system has been panned and the groomers are now in a holding pattern until we get more snow.  The trails are rideable but need more snow.  Corners are thin and there are some snirty areas. There is a winter weather advisory for 3-6+ in effect until Saturday P.M., fingers crossed. #traversecity #snowphotosImage attachmentImage attachment

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Friday December 12th, 2025 - 11:50 am

Michigan Snowmobile Trail Report

WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Accumulating snow returns to the Northwoods later this afternoon into Saturday as a cold front swings across the area, ushering in a much colder air mass for the weekend. Several inches of snow is expected across parts of northwest lower and the eastern U.P. by Saturday morning with additional lake effect snow continuing through Saturday. Below zero wind chills are expected for most areas late tonight through Saturday. Wind gusts of 25-35+ mph will lead to patchy blowing/drifting snow, especially across open areas. Quickly dropping temps tonight may freeze wet roads by Saturday morning. Combination of snow, winds, and temperatures will lead to hazardous travel conditions across parts of the area through Saturday morning. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryAccumulating snow returns to the Northwoods later this afternoon into Saturday as a cold front swings across the area, ushering in a much colder air mass for the weekend. Several inches of snow is expected across parts of northwest lower and the eastern U.P. by Saturday morning with additional lake effect snow continuing through Saturday. Below zero wind chills are expected for most areas late tonight through Saturday. Wind gusts of 25-35+ mph will lead to patchy blowing/drifting snow, especially across open areas. Quickly dropping temps tonight may freeze wet roads by Saturday morning. Combination of snow, winds, and temperatures will lead to hazardous travel conditions across parts of the area through Saturday morning. ... See MoreSee Less

WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Accumulating snow returns to the Northwoods later this afternoon into Saturday as a cold front swings across the area, ushering in a much colder air mass for the weekend. Several inches of snow is expected across parts of northwest lower and the eastern U.P. by Saturday morning with additional lake effect snow continuing through Saturday. Below zero wind chills are expected for most areas late tonight through Saturday. Wind gusts of 25-35+ mph will lead to patchy blowing/drifting snow, especially across open areas. Quickly dropping temps tonight may freeze wet roads by Saturday morning. Combination of snow, winds, and temperatures will lead to hazardous travel conditions across parts of the area through Saturday morning. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberry

Friday December 12th, 2025 - 11:48 am

Michigan Snowmobile Trail Report

WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> The switch is being flipped into the "on" position for lake effect snow this weekend. Much of what you see won't fall today, but as our extremely cold air mass pushes in late tonight, flurries will begin to fly. Much of the higher totals begin beyond 8 pm EST tonight. Lakeshore areas should prepare for travel delays primarily after this time beginning tonight. Heavy lake effect snow will continue on Saturday thanks to a west-northwest wind, which hints at a shift to out of the northwest by Sunday.
There are concerns with dry air, however the favorable zone for dendrites (snowflakes) to form is essentially on the ground with how cold it'll be. Air temperatures on Saturday alone in the UP may just barely be in the positive single-digits. Wind gusts this weekend may jump to 30-35 mph too, so some of this lake effect snow will push further inland. Totals of 1-3" & 2-6" is a safe bet for much of west and southwest Michigan. Some places may jump above 6" where the heaviest of banding sets up. Further north, our typically higher terrain in the Gaylord region will likely see snowfall totals over 6". Into the UP, much cooler temperatures exist here, and snowfall rates may exceed 1" per hour at times. Totals closer to the one foot mark are likely. The western UP does exhibit a decent chance at totals crossing into the 12-24" category. At the current time, totals are leaning on the lower end of the 12-24" category, but those hotspots where microclimate factors come into play could easily push the upper-bounds of this category. SE Michigan... life carries on once more. Being so far away from the lake effect zones, it's expected that you all will get an inch at most. Isolated hotspots of 1-2" are possible, but don't get your hopes up unless you're close to the Ohio border.
Why 1-3" at the border? Well, we do have a clipper passing to our south Saturday, hence the added 1-3" zone that runs along the MI/IN/OH border. Stay tuned here at MSC for updates this weekend on the lake effect snow AND cold that's set to impact us through Monday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyThe switch is being flipped into the "on" position for lake effect snow this weekend. Much of what you see won't fall today, but as our extremely cold air mass pushes in late tonight, flurries will begin to fly. Much of the higher totals begin beyond 8 pm EST tonight. Lakeshore areas should prepare for travel delays primarily after this time beginning tonight. Heavy lake effect snow will continue on Saturday thanks to a west-northwest wind, which hints at a shift to out of the northwest by Sunday.

There are concerns with dry air, however the favorable zone for dendrites (snowflakes) to form is essentially on the ground with how cold it'll be. Air temperatures on Saturday alone in the UP may just barely be in the positive single-digits. Wind gusts this weekend may jump to 30-35 mph too, so some of this lake effect snow will push further inland. Totals of 1-3" & 2-6" is a safe bet for much of west and southwest Michigan. Some places may jump above 6" where the heaviest of banding sets up. Further north, our typically higher terrain in the Gaylord region will likely see snowfall totals over 6". Into the UP, much cooler temperatures exist here, and snowfall rates may exceed 1" per hour at times. Totals closer to the one foot mark are likely. The western UP does exhibit a decent chance at totals crossing into the 12-24" category. At the current time, totals are leaning on the lower end of the 12-24" category, but those hotspots where microclimate factors come into play could easily push the upper-bounds of this category. SE Michigan... life carries on once more. Being so far away from the lake effect zones, it's expected that you all will get an inch at most. Isolated hotspots of 1-2" are possible, but don't get your hopes up unless you're close to the Ohio border.

Why 1-3" at the border? Well, we do have a clipper passing to our south Saturday, hence the added 1-3" zone that runs along the MI/IN/OH border. Stay tuned here at MSC for updates this weekend on the lake effect snow AND cold that's set to impact us through Monday.

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WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> The switch is being flipped into the on position for lake effect snow this weekend. Much of what you see wont fall today, but as our extremely cold air mass pushes in late tonight, flurries will begin to fly. Much of the higher totals begin beyond 8 pm EST tonight. Lakeshore areas should prepare for travel delays primarily after this time beginning tonight. Heavy lake effect snow will continue on Saturday thanks to a west-northwest wind, which hints at a shift to out of the northwest by Sunday.
There are concerns with dry air, however the favorable zone for dendrites (snowflakes) to form is essentially on the ground with how cold itll be. Air temperatures on Saturday alone in the UP may just barely be in the positive single-digits. Wind gusts this weekend may jump to 30-35 mph too, so some of this lake effect snow will push further inland. Totals of 1-3 & 2-6 is a safe bet for much of west and southwest Michigan. Some places may jump above 6 where the heaviest of banding sets up. Further north, our typically higher terrain in the Gaylord region will likely see snowfall totals over 6. Into the UP, much cooler temperatures exist here, and snowfall rates may exceed 1 per hour at times. Totals closer to the one foot mark are likely. The western UP does exhibit a decent chance at totals crossing into the 12-24 category. At the current time, totals are leaning on the lower end of the 12-24 category, but those hotspots where microclimate factors come into play could easily push the upper-bounds of this category. SE Michigan... life carries on once more. Being so far away from the lake effect zones, its expected that you all will get an inch at most. Isolated hotspots of 1-2 are possible, but dont get your hopes up unless youre close to the Ohio border.
Why 1-3 at the border? Well, we do have a clipper passing to our south Saturday, hence the added 1-3 zone that runs along the MI/IN/OH border. Stay tuned here at MSC for updates this weekend on the lake effect snow AND cold thats set to impact us through Monday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
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