Ironwood – Western U.P. Trail Report – 01/18
IRONWOOD / WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Gogebic Range Trail Authority – ORV & Snowmobile Club – 01/18 1/18/2023 The area has received light rain rather than forecasted snow for several days. Groomers have been off the trail to preserve the snow and allow the rain to drain. We have a tremendous base of snow and from road inspections we can see 24" corner berms and no dirt in the bottom of the berm. Nor are there ponds. Now, the wet areas have collected even more water, so expect issues at the normal spots. Cold temperatures ahead should help reset these areas, but please ride slowly! We did see freezing rain and snow yesterday loading damaged trees with even more weight. If we get winds more tree tops, limbs and full trees could come down. Help your fellow riders out, bring some trail marking tape (available at Steiger’s Ace Home Center) with you on the trails and hang ribbons ahead of hazards. Please ride very cautiously and help each other out! Trails will get icy after the freeze, but lots of fresh snow in the forecast should help bury the memory of this rain soon. Trail Boss will get the team together and plans laid out to resume grooming as soon as they feel we won’t damage the snow, our snow bridges. Riders yesterday said trails were surprisingly ok, slushy in spots near roads, but they were happy to be riding. A full detailed report will come in once we get back out. If riders have reports or pictures to share regarding conditions, leave them in the comments. Thank you! <> <> <> Report via Gogebic Range Trail Authority Website <> Report via Gogebic Range Trail Authority on Facebook <> WATERSMEET - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via U.P. Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club >> TRAIL REPORT- 1/29/27 Riders and Groomers are reporting excellent conditions throughout are trail system. Groomer Gary is out grooming the west run which is trail 2 and 13s. Groomer Jeff is grooming trail 3 Land o Lakes to Bonds Falls and trail 2 east. Picture is from West run on trail 2 to Presque Isle turn around. #watersmeet #westernup #snowphotos WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Expect lake effect snow showers today in the north to northwest wind snowbelts. Temperatures will start out cold with wind chills below -20F in the far eastern U.P. Frostbite can occur in as little as 30 minutes on exposed skin in these conditions. Stay warm and drive slow on ice and snow! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via Scott's Superior Inn and Cabins >> ❄️🛷 Honest question… where have all the snowmobiles gone? WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect continues tonight, with the heaviest snow likely to focus into the Munising area overnight. Dangerous cold conditions are also expected across the eastern U.P. tonight into Thursday morning. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via Hamilton's North Coast Adventures >> You know what goes good with Snow? More snow! Wowie! It won't stop! Another 6-10" in the last 36 hours up by White Pine! Very few sleds are available the first two weeks in February! End of the month and March are wide open. We look forward to a late riding season, so get your self together and head for da North Coast! Video from this morning 🇺🇲❄️ #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotos ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP >> TRAIL UPDATE: The groomer and drag are recovered off Trail 1 North of White Pine. Please ride the West side before the highway cross over with caution as the recovery equipment left some snow piles and rough trail areas. We will fix it ASAP and hope to have the Big Blue Tractor back running tomorrow night. #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotosTRAIL UPDATE: The groomer and drag are recovered off Trail 1 North of White Pine. Please ride the West side before the highway cross over with caution as the recovery equipment left some snow piles and rough trail areas. We will fix it ASAP and hope to have the Big Blue Tractor back running tomorrow night. WEATHER UPDATE via Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> Additional snowfall Tuesday, Jan 27th! SIDNAW - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Sno Valley Riders Snowmobile Club >> Groomer Report; WATERSMEET - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via U.P. Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club >> TRAIL CONDITIONS 1/27/26- Trails are in excellent condition with several inches of base. Grooming daily weather permitting. RIDE RIGHT AND RIDE SAFE. #watersmeet #westernup #snowphotos WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Another quickly-moving Clipper will bring a round of widespread, light snow beginning this evening, followed by lingering lake effect snow across the NW wind snow belts for Tuesday. Totals of an inch or less are expected for most of the UP, but where lake effect snow occurs, up to 2-5in of snow is possible tonight through Tuesday evening. As winds pick up early Tuesday, patchy blowing snow may contribute to reduced visibility in the NW wind snow belts. Take care during your morning commute! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaAnother quickly-moving Clipper will bring a round of widespread, light snow beginning this evening, followed by lingering lake effect snow across the NW wind snow belts for Tuesday. Totals of an inch or less are expected for most of the UP, but where lake effect snow occurs, up to 2-5in of snow is possible tonight through Tuesday evening. As winds pick up early Tuesday, patchy blowing snow may contribute to reduced visibility in the NW wind snow belts. Take care during your morning commute! <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>
TRAIL REPORT:
TRAILS RATED FAIR – EXPECT HAZARDS – GROOMING IS PAUSED, BUT THE SNOW REMAINS!Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
We’ve got deep snow, incredible coverage, and trails that are as good as they’ve been in years. This kind of setup doesn’t come around often, and right now everything is dialed in.
If you’ve been on the fence, now’s the time to pack up and head north. The extra drive is 100% worth it.
Need a place to stay? Scott’s Superior Inn & Cabins puts you right on the trails with cozy cabins, warm rooms, and everything you need to fuel up and ride again the next day. 🛷❄️ #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotos
Winds will gust 30-40mph at times blowing around new slow and fluffy snow already on the ground. Expect ground blizzards at times (wind driven, brief, white outs). #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsare #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyAdditional snowfall Tuesday, Jan 27th!
Winds will gust 30-40mph at times blowing around new slow and fluffy snow already on the ground. Expect ground blizzards at times (wind driven, brief, white outs).
Trail Condition: Excellent
Last Groomed: January 26th, 2026
There are logging operations happening about two miles west of Kenton, use caution.
We are grooming our regular schedule, every day.
The trails are excellent.
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