Ironwood Trail Report – 02/19
IRONWOOD / WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Gogebic Range Trail Authority – ORV & Snowmobile Club – 2/19 Groomers are out tonight doing the rail bed trail 2 from Bessemer to Hurley and back. <> <> <> Report via Gogebic Range Trail Authority Website <> Report via Gogebic Range Trail Authority on Facebook <> ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP >> NCSC would like to extend a special shoutout to the Michigan DNR! WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Impactful winter weather returns this weekend in the form of moderate to heavy lake effect snow and dangerous wind chills. A cold front brings light snow to the U.P. before lake effect snow ramps up across the northwest wind snowbelts this afternoon, persisting into Sunday. Frigid temperatures and gusty winds will result in wind chills falling far below zero for much of the interior west and central. 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. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A cold front will push through the area on Friday bringing a period of light snow across the U.P Friday afternoon and early evening. Lake effect snow will develop Friday night and continue into Saturday for the northwest wind snowbelts. Windy conditions and cold temperatures will result in wind chills in the -10s and -20s Friday night into Saturday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA cold front will push through the area on Friday bringing a period of light snow across the U.P Friday afternoon and early evening. Lake effect snow will develop Friday night and continue into Saturday for the northwest wind snowbelts. Windy conditions and cold temperatures will result in wind chills in the -10s and -20s Friday night into Saturday. WEATHER UPDATE via Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> SNOW TIME!! WATERSMEET - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via U.P. Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club >> UPDATED 12/11/25- Crews finally pushed through and cleared all the trails on Wednesday and we sent our two groomers out today (Thursday) and were able to pan everything. Still had a few more trees come down and small stuff to clear but they are all groomed. This is early season and with the storm damage don’t expect things to be great. We have a good start to building a base but it is thin now that everything is packed down. So time for some normal snow. Early season conditions, Ride Right , stay safe and again a HUGE THANK YOU to all the crews with there equipment and the snowmobilers who helped with the cleanup. #watersmeet #westernup #snowphotos LAKE GOGEBIC AREA UPDATE via Gogebic Area Grooming >> 🚨Lake Gogebic Area Trails Update 🚨 DNR-designated snowmobile trails (PUBLIC) midnr.maps.arcgis.com SIDNAW - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Sno Valley Riders Snowmobile Club >> Groomer Report: WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow weakens today, though a couple of inches of fluffy snow is still possible over the east today. The next system to bring widespread snow arrives Friday, with snow totals near 3 inches of the east and for the Copper Country with totals around an inch elsewhere before NW wind lake effect snow resumes. Look for low temps to fall to near 0 in the interior west Friday night! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow weakens today, though a couple of inches of fluffy snow is still possible over the east today. The next system to bring widespread snow arrives Friday, with snow totals near 3 inches of the east and for the Copper Country with totals around an inch elsewhere before NW wind lake effect snow resumes. Look for low temps to fall to near 0 in the interior west Friday night! WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Northwest lake effect snow showers continue, mainly over the eastern U.P. through Thursday night. Cold temperatures persist with lows in the single digits to low 20s, coldest interior west, and highs on Thursday in the 20s. Expect single digit wind chills during the overnight periods. The next round of widespread light snowfall arrives on Friday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaNorthwest lake effect snow showers continue, mainly over the eastern U.P. through Thursday night. Cold temperatures persist with lows in the single digits to low 20s, coldest interior west, and highs on Thursday in the 20s. Expect single digit wind chills during the overnight periods. The next round of widespread light snowfall arrives on Friday. IRONWOOD - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Gogebic Range Trail Authority - ORV & Snowmobile Club >> Carter was out last night grooming trail 8 out of Wakefield for the 1st time. Still lots of trees hanging over the trail. The Winter Weather Advisory we were in last night to this morning did not produce the snow like they said. But, it is snowing! ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP >> ❄️Trail Report December 10th 2025 WATERSMEET AREA - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via U.P. Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club >> UPDATED 12/10/25-Crews will be out working the last few miles of blockages on our trail system. We should have a more clear trail report Friday. WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Northwest winds kick in later today, allowing for lake effect snow to return primarily for the areas drenched in shades of blue. A couple locations will pick up 1-3" or greater within the most intense bands. We are monitoring the Kalkaska county region the closest for potential upgrades, but this should be a good base forecast to get you through the end of the day on Thursday, December 11th. This forecast starts at 5 pm EST this evening when the advisories end for the system, while the lake effect bands begin coming on shore. A couple of squalls may produce blowing snow, reduced visibilities under half a mile, and a very miniscule chance for thundersnow. Areas without a color designation are not anticipated to benefit from the lake effect snow this time around. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow returns to the UP today through tomorrow for the north to northwest wind snowbelts. The greatest accumulations are expected east of Marquette. Gusty north to northwest winds may create areas of low visibility and blowing snow at times. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow returns to the UP today through tomorrow for the north to northwest wind snowbelts. The greatest accumulations are expected east of Marquette. Gusty north to northwest winds may create areas of low visibility and blowing snow at times. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A quick batch of snowfall is expected tonight into Wednesday as a clipper system tracks to the south. Mainly 1 to 3 inches are expected area-wide. Light lake effect snow lingers in the north, then northwest wind belts Wednesday and Thursday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA quick batch of snowfall is expected tonight into Wednesday as a clipper system tracks to the south. Mainly 1 to 3 inches are expected area-wide. Light lake effect snow lingers in the north, then northwest wind belts Wednesday and Thursday. ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP >> Please enjoy the video our operator Jay Ripp from Cross Plains, WI and his buddy Quincy from Saturday night while they groomed from Ontonagon to LP Walsh Road Saturday into Sunday Morning. Hit and miss grooming is on-going as we continue to work on trails. LAKE GOGEBIC AREA UPDATE via Gogebic Area Grooming >> Bergland Area Groomer's 12-9-25. <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>
The other groomer will be out in the ski hills trail 2 and then trail 8 to Tula and back. With the blowing snow and strong wind I urge riders to ride with caution, we have seen trees falling along the roadways!Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
Thank you to Ron Yesney, Carly Graff and John Codere for sharing DNR Rangers, Kristen, Dante and Corey with us for the past two days clearing our trails.
Thanks also to Hamilton's North Coast Adventures for donating use of their rental sleds to our clean-up efforts.
Lastly, thanks to our own VP, Rick for his tireless efforts to ensure consistent forward progress on this trail clearing project.
TRAIL REPORT:
- We were able to clear our section of trail 13 from Norwich Rd to the junction with GAG's trail 13 south.
- Tuesday night we were able to groom trail 137 and 13 from the groomer barn in Ontonagon and trail 101 to LP Walsh Rd. Shoutout to Steve and TJ for trail setting those trails.-
- Trail 12 still has many trees down through the power lines and along Norwich Rd. Trail 12 to Driess Creek remains closed due to downed trees.
- All our trails are still in need of TLC, however, Trail 12 between Potato Farm Road and Greenland is in dire need of attention, if anyone is so inclined to volunteer with chainsaws and strong backs.
PS - We would also like to thank the four snowmobilers, two from Minnesota and two from Wisconsin, for finding all our electric chainsaw batteries on trail 1 just south of White Pine. #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotos 
For additional information, including expected snowfall totals and an hourly breakdown of temperatures, winds, and windchills, please view the full briefing packet found here: www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf
Stay safe! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
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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Posted December 11th at 7pm.
This is for Friday night, AND Saturday, AND Sunday. Don't come at me Saturday morning and tell me I'm wrong. Read, please!
Lake effect kicks in after a weak clipper system Friday night into Saturday morning for those in the U.P. and Northern Lower. Lake effect goes most of Saturday in a west northwest wind.
Sunday, that wind is more north. That'll keep the lake effect coming off Lake Superior for the U.P., but confine it to the shoreline areas of the Lower Peninsula.
IT. WILL. BE. COLD. Therefore, we'll have some intense lake effect bands. Some of the smaller lake effect bands in between the bigger ones that develop won't make it very far inland in the cold, dry air. Highs on Saturday will be in the single digits in the West U.P. and 10s every where else. Wind chill will be sub-zero all day long.
Sunday will warm a tad, but still be cold and windy.
I'll post daily maps individually over the next 24hrs. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
We currently have multiple trail closures throughout the system. Please watch for and respect all posted signs — they are in place for everyone’s safety.
‼️ Trail 1 is TEMPORARILY CLOSED.
PLEASE STAY OFF this trail — active logging operations are taking place. To clarify, Trail 1 is closed from the south end of Lake Gogebic where it meets Trail 100, all the way up to M-28 where it connects with Trail 8.
‼️ Trail 102 is TEMPORARILY CLOSED.
Storm Clean up
‼️ Trail 13S from Root Cellar South is TEMPORARILY CLOSED.
Storm Clean up and working on a reroute on south end of Lake Gogebic
We appreciate your cooperation as we work to get everything opened safely. #lakegogebic #westernup
Trail Condition: Fair
Last Groomed: December 10th, 2025
Our trails took a hit with the storm on the 26th of November.
We have been clearing fallen trees and limbs on the trails since the storm.
Our part of trail 8 from Ewen to Sidnaw is open and groomed as well as trail 174 and 3 south of the railroad grade.
Trail 3 north from Bruce Crossing to near Rockland is still not groom able, there are crews working on it every day.
If anyone would like to lend a hand clearing the trails it would be greatly appreciated.
Please ride on the RIGHT side of the trail and STOP at the stop signs!
Stay on the trail, if you don’t we could lose trail permissions on private property.
Groomers have the right of way on the trails, pull over and stop to let them safely pass!
We now have Groomer Tracker installed in our groomers.
We groom every day that the weather conditions and equipment allow. Unforeseen circumstances may prevent us from going out, like a major blizzard and being snowed in at our homes or equipment breakdowns. #sidnaw #westernup #snowphotosGroomer Report:
Trail Condition: Fair
Last Groomed: December 10th, 2025
Our trails took a hit with the storm on the 26th of November.
We have been clearing fallen trees and limbs on the trails since the storm.
Our part of trail 8 from Ewen to Sidnaw is open and groomed as well as trail 174 and 3 south of the railroad grade.
Trail 3 north from Bruce Crossing to near Rockland is still not groom able, there are crews working on it every day.
If anyone would like to lend a hand clearing the trails it would be greatly appreciated.
Please ride on the RIGHT side of the trail and STOP at the stop signs!
Stay on the trail, if you don’t we could lose trail permissions on private property.
Groomers have the right of way on the trails, pull over and stop to let them safely pass!
We now have Groomer Tracker installed in our groomers.
We groom every day that the weather conditions and equipment allow. Unforeseen circumstances may prevent us from going out, like a major blizzard and being snowed in at our homes or equipment breakdowns.
It will be a busy weekend with the Snocross races happening at Mt. Zion in Ironwood on the 12th & 13th. It’s been a great turn out every year!
Tomorrow night, December 11, Hurley will have their Red Light Rally Parade. Line up at 5:00, parade at 6:00.
Kami
GRTA Secretary #ironwood #westernup #snowphotos
🥵Good Day from the trenches....
👀Trails remain hazardous and in early season conditions with wet areas, downed trees, and with some trails yet to be opened by grooming equipment. We seek snowmobiler's help riding trail 12 from Ontonagon to Greenland. The swamps between the highway and the railroad grade need traffic to help freeze them in so we can go fill in the rest of the water holes. Most of our trail system is enjoying 18-36" of snow, but areas near the lakeshore have limited snow (5"). 4-6" of fresh snow fell yesterday with more lake effect on-going today. IT IS SNOWY!!!!
🤘GROOMED LAST NIGHT: Trail 12 railroad grade from Ontonagon to Rockland. Groomer then went down 13 to 101 and back to staging at Hamilton's North Coast Adventures on trail 12. The ditch trails along Victoria Road and Potato Farm road have been cut in again after plowing. We had a hydraulic leak cut the night short, but we plan to work on trail 12 to white pine to put a few more wet areas to bed now that we have the Trail Setter drag on. Thank you TJ Toner of White Pine for giving his night up to train on the PistenBully with Steve.
🤞Once trail 13 from Bergland to our section of 13 is opened, you'll once again be able to ride directly from Hurley, WI to Houghton, MI. A by-pass using the 400 road, accessed via 13, can get you up to where 13 is groomed. You can also bypass the unopened trail via trail 1 to White Pine then east on trail 12 to 101 to 13. Riding without road or trail is permissible in the Ottawa National Forest if there is more than 6" of snow and the area is not Wilderness or protected (be smart, please...).
😍Great Snow exists up here with tremendous trailside stops waiting for you this weekend! Bring some brushing equipment and come on up! Give the trails 1, 2 hours of your time. You'll never believe how big of an impact 4 people with a purpose can make! #ontonagon #westernup
If you are out on the trails please watch for work crews and small debris left on our trails. #watersmeet #westernup
We are watching for more snow chances Friday into Saturday. More details either later today, or first thing tomorrow. Keep it tuned in here at MSC! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyNorthwest winds kick in later today, allowing for lake effect snow to return primarily for the areas drenched in shades of blue. A couple locations will pick up 1-3" or greater within the most intense bands. We are monitoring the Kalkaska county region the closest for potential upgrades, but this should be a good base forecast to get you through the end of the day on Thursday, December 11th. This forecast starts at 5 pm EST this evening when the advisories end for the system, while the lake effect bands begin coming on shore. A couple of squalls may produce blowing snow, reduced visibilities under half a mile, and a very miniscule chance for thundersnow. Areas without a color designation are not anticipated to benefit from the lake effect snow this time around.
We are watching for more snow chances Friday into Saturday. More details either later today, or first thing tomorrow. Keep it tuned in here at MSC!
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‼️BE ALERT‼️
We have had some calvary arrive today to help us brush!😍 We will update you on their progress and plans when they get out of the bush. We are very grateful for our Presidents today, VP Ricky Bailey is taking the crew out after President Mac got them all scheduled. It takes a village!
We will post a more complete trail report tomorrow once we get more time on the trails.
Follow along our page, Gogebic Area Grooming, Erika’s Trail Reports - Western UP/Porkies/Ottawa Forest/Ontonagon County, and Keweenaw Trail Reports for the best, most up to date information! COME ON UP and give back to the trails that have given you so much. We really need people out riding with saws in the woods helping to reopen trails!
THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS! #ontonagon #westernup #keweenaw #snowphotos
8w to Wakefield was opened up today and is safe to run. You will come across a lot of twiggy brush and wet spots but it is opened up. Follow signs and expect early season conditions. We'll send a drag down it tomorrow evening. The guy's will attempt to get 13n opened up tomorrow. Thanks everyone Gogebic Area Grooming ❄️❄️❄️ #lakegogebic #westernup #snowphotos