Ontonagon Trail Report – 03/11
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP – 3/11 Groomers were out trails are in great condition ride right and watch for tree branches <> <> Visit North Country Snowmobile Club – UP Website >>>> <> Visit North Country Snowmobile Club – UP on Facebook >>>> <> WATERSMEET - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via U.P. Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club >> UPDATE 3/13/26- We have received 8-10 inches with the last two snowfalls. Groomers will be out today and tomorrow! Enjoy it while it lasts! #watersmeet #westernup WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Although some areas in the UP are experiencing a lull in the snowfall this morning, we expect the snow to fill back into the area from west to east through early afternoon. Winds shift to N/NE, resulting in reduced visibility in snow and blowing snow, especially in open areas and along Lake Superior. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #sooAlthough some areas in the UP are experiencing a lull in the snowfall this morning, we expect the snow to fill back into the area from west to east through early afternoon. Winds shift to N/NE, resulting in reduced visibility in snow and blowing snow, especially in open areas and along Lake Superior. WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> A second, more significant winter storm is coming Sunday into Monday, and it still looks like a whopper. Confidence is increasing in the following: LAKE GOGEBIC UPDATE via Lake Gogebic News >> ❄️ Friday the 13th daylight view! WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Good morning, WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A strong Clipper system is looking to bring a round of heavy snowfall and blowing snow late tonight through Friday. Another winter storm will potentially impact the U.P. Sunday through Monday as well. Whiteout conditions are possible within both systems. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP >> Repairing, leveling and smoothing Trail 13 between Norwich Rd and Trail 137, 3/11/2026. Groomer Wyatt is very skilled with Pisten Bullies!!! #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotos WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Good morning, ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via Scott's Superior Inn and Cabins >> Winter is making its presence known tonight through Friday. ❄️ A significant snowstorm is expected, and travel could become difficult quickly. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Snowfall will generally end from west to east across the U.P. this evening. We are currently tracking a second system that will move across the U.P. Thursday night into Friday, and a third system that may move across the U.P. this weekend. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea SIDNAW - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Sno Valley Riders Snowmobile Club >> Groomer Report; ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP >> Please be careful if riding in the Ontonagon area right now. This picture is about 10 minutes old and a mile south of town. Until we get colder temperatures, you will be seeing water areas on trails 12 and 137. #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotos IRONWOOD - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Gogebic Range Trail Authority - ORV & Snowmobile Club >> 3.11.2026 Jared BESSEMER - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Big Powderhorn Mountain Resort >> 6” on the stick this AM & it keeps coming! Plan your trip north to Big Snow Country, where winter lasts longer! ❄️⛷️ Start here: bigpowderhorn.net #westernup #snowphotos WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Good morning, LAKE GOGEBIC AREA UPDATE via Gogebic Area Grooming >> Bergland Area Groomer's update for 3-10-26. Mike Chow <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
•More than a foot of snow for the UP and/or far northern lower Michigan
•Significant icing that may impact the power grid
•Wind gusts that could top 45mph
•Blizzard conditions
We plan to release our first call snow/ice/wind maps for this event later this afternoon. We encourage you to begin preparations as this event could be our biggest winter storm we’ve seen in quite some time. Stay tuned for further details. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyA second, more significant winter storm is coming Sunday into Monday, and it still looks like a whopper. Confidence is increasing in the following:
•More than a foot of snow for the UP and/or far northern lower Michigan
•Significant icing that may impact the power grid
•Wind gusts that could top 45mph
•Blizzard conditions
We plan to release our first call snow/ice/wind maps for this event later this afternoon. We encourage you to begin preparations as this event could be our biggest winter storm we’ve seen in quite some time. Stay tuned for further details.
❄️ We have significant drifting from the overnight winds- it’s fun! We have about 5” of new snow.
❄️ There are places with deep snow and other areas that are icy and wind-swept. The snow is heavy, but lighter than some of the other stuff we had last week.
❄️ The path is cleared to the sauna! Next video update… afternoon ride on the lake! #lakegogebic #westernup #snowphotos
A quick hitting, strong clipper continues to bring widespread moderate to heavy snow and high winds to the area this morning. After a brief lull in snow around daybreak, an increase in northerly winds and lake effect snow will return hazardous conditions to the north winds snowbelts this early afternoon.
Our attention then turns to a major winter storm set to impact the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region this weekend into early next week. Confidence is continuing to grow regarding significant snowfall accumulations (potentially record breaking) and blizzard conditions that may result in widespread impacts.
Please view this morning's informational briefing at the link below for additional details on both today's and this weekend's storm systems.
www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo
Round Two of a stretch of impactful winter weather is set to return tonight through Friday in the form of a quick hitting but strong clipper.
Please view this morning's informational briefing at the link below for additional details regarding snowfall totals, timing, and associated impacts. www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf
Additionally, confidence continues to grow regarding a major winter storm for the Upper Great Lakes region Saturday night through Monday, potentially rivaling the most recent December 28-29, 2025 blizzard event. Stay tuned for more details! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
If you must be on the roads, please drive carefully, give yourself extra time, and watch out for plows and emergency crews. Your safety—and the safety of others—comes first.
If you don’t have to travel, it might be a good time to stay in, stay warm, and let’s all talk this storm down together. ☕️
Let’s look out for one another and get through this safely. Stay warm and stay safe, everyone.. #ontonagon #westernupWinter is making its presence known tonight through Friday. ❄️ A significant snowstorm is expected, and travel could become difficult quickly.
If you must be on the roads, please drive carefully, give yourself extra time, and watch out for plows and emergency crews. Your safety—and the safety of others—comes first.
If you don’t have to travel, it might be a good time to stay in, stay warm, and let’s all talk this storm down together. ☕️
Let’s look out for one another and get through this safely. Stay warm and stay safe, everyone
Trail Condition: Fair
Last Groomed: March 01st, 2026
We will start grooming again this evening, it looks like we should be able to run for several days.
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 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. #westernup
Carter was out brushing part of Trail 160 yesterday, (3.10.2026) and after further inspection of Trail 160 and Trail 11s this afternoon by Charlie & Joe, both trails have quite a few water holes surfacing.’Hard to say how the water is flowing under the surface. Trial 8 also has water flowing on the trail.
We know everyone wants to get that “one last” ride in for the year, but at this point it maybe not be worth the risk. We understand everyone will ride during different trail conditions. What I call excellent or poor trails conditions, the next person may say otherwise, and so on.
For the time being, the only trail that will be getting groomed, (granted things stay the way they do), is Trail 2 from Ironwood to Marenisco.
Our main priority is keeping everyone safe.
We hope to see you this Saturday, March 14, 2026 for our Cure for Cabin Fever event.
AJ's Lodge and Oven is still having their Yooper Poker Run whether your on your sled or in your vehicle, don’t forget to stop by VFW Post 3673 Bessemer, MI to get your card punched.
Thank you to Longhini Property Management and General Insurance Agency for your donation towards our event!
Ride safe, friends!
Kami
GRTA Secretary #ironwood #westernup #snowphotos3.11.2026
Carter was out brushing part of Trail 160 yesterday, (3.10.2026) and after further inspection of Trail 160 and Trail 11s this afternoon by Charlie & Joe, both trails have quite a few water holes surfacing.’Hard to say how the water is flowing under the surface. Trial 8 also has water flowing on the trail.
We know everyone wants to get that “one last” ride in for the year, but at this point it maybe not be worth the risk. We understand everyone will ride during different trail conditions. What I call excellent or poor trails conditions, the next person may say otherwise, and so on.
For the time being, the only trail that will be getting groomed, (granted things stay the way they do), is Trail 2 from Ironwood to Marenisco.
Our main priority is keeping everyone safe.
We hope to see you this Saturday, March 14, 2026 for our Cure for Cabin Fever event.
AJ's Lodge and Oven is still having their Yooper Poker Run whether your on your sled or in your vehicle, don’t forget to stop by VFW Post 3673 Bessemer, MI to get your card punched.
Thank you to Longhini Property Management and General Insurance Agency for your donation towards our event!
Ride safe, friends!
Kami
GRTA Secretary
After a brief lull this early morning, widespread snowfall fills in by mid morning, then tapers off from west to east this afternoon. Moderate to heavy snowfall rates are possible this morning into the early afternoon, heaviest over northern Marquette county.
For additional details, please view the entire informational briefing at this link: www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
We received around 2 to 3" overnight which for the most part melted off by the end of the day.
After 7 days of mid 40°s and bluebird skys. The runoff has begun.
8w to Wakefield is not groomable.
1n was run on Saturday, that machine broke through the ice on our hard pack.
Our feeder trail to the corridor is almost underwater as well.
As I write this it's currently snowing with 4 to 5" so far. Temp is 24° with a low of 17°
If we groom it will be limited.
We would appreciate any feedback on what you guy's are seeing on the trail's, any hazards etc.. Gogebic Area Grooming ❄️❄️❄️ #lakegogebic #westernup