Sault Ste. Marie Area Trail Report – 01/21
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 01/21
1/21/25
Good morning everyone! It’s a chilly one here today at -6 with a -17 windchill🥶
Our operators have been out all hours to make things as good as can be for all of you.
Here’s Steve’s report from his (and others!) run down 49 to Kinross last night.
“Last night we made the run from the Soo to Kinross on Trail 49. With the recent cold weather we were able to safely make it through the swamp south of 12 Mile and stay on top of the ice.
Last night’s run was a team effort with many club members involved. The run takes five hours if everything goes perfect.
We decided to spend some time on the courtesy trail to Chippewa Motors again before leaving town. We also wanted to swap out groomers in Kinross and bring one back to the barn for normal maintenance. These added tasks make for a long night.
Thankfully, we have a great group of volunteers who work great together.
The courtesy trail is a tricky stretch until we get the trail set. We have had some confusion with where exactly the trail should be. We were able to set the edges again last night.
Thank you to Groomer Nathan for starting the run early and following the map we provided to Chippewa Motors. He made it through fine and only pushed up water in one spot.
I then took control of the groomer and headed south towards Kinross. Had a wiper fall off just south of town. I made a temporary repair and it stayed on for another six miles. It then fell off again and I ran over it with the groomer. I did retrieve it but I am not sure it can be saved.
I made my way to Kinross and worked my way to the groomer staged down there. Thank you to Groomer Lane who followed me on Groomer Tracker and met me when I got there. He had the groomer warmed up and ready to go for me. Temperature was right around zero and it is much appreciated.
I made my way north and met groomer Dennis at Walmart where he made the last hour or so of the run.
Including our Trail Boss Mike who coordinated the run, there were five volunteers who made this one trip happen. It is nice to share once in a while what happens in the background on a regular basis keeping our trails maintained.
Overall, I was happy with how the trails turned out. It was so cold the snow was chunky and hard to work with. I knocked down the bumps and leveled out the drifts that formed over the weekend. From the Soo to 10 Mile, there was plenty of new snow to work with. It thins out the further south we go.
I hit heavy snow squalls on the return trip. Not sure if it accumulated but it certainly reduced visibility.
The trail is still in great shape in my opinion. Hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy it.
Steve Lawson”
Thank you to all involved!
Stay warm if you head out. Be sure to be prepared for a breakdown and don’t ride alone in this bitter cold. Please download the what3words app in case of an emergency to help first responders locate you.
Ride safe, ride right, ride sober! ❄️❄️❄️
<>
<>
Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Facebook Page
<>
Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Accumulating lake effect snow will continue tonight for parts of eastern upper and the NW lower snowbelt. An additional 1-4 inches is expected for parts of the county with localized amounts in excess of 8 inches possible near Sault Ste. Marie and Brimley. In the NW lower snow belts, additional snow of 2-4 inches in some spots is possible as well tonight. Snow covered roads and quick drops in visibility will lead to hazardous travel at times into tonight. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryAccumulating lake effect snow will continue tonight for parts of eastern upper and the NW lower snowbelt. An additional 1-4 inches is expected for parts of the county with localized amounts in excess of 8 inches possible near Sault Ste. Marie and Brimley. In the NW lower snow belts, additional snow of 2-4 inches in some spots is possible as well tonight. Snow covered roads and quick drops in visibility will lead to hazardous travel at times into tonight.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Happy New Year, northern Michigan! Accumulating lake effect snow will continue today into tonight, mainly across Chippewa county. An additional 2-4” is expected for parts of the county with localized amounts of 6”+ possible near Sault Ste. Marie. Snow covered roads and quick drops in visibility will lead to hazardous travel at times into tonight. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryHappy New Year, northern Michigan! Accumulating lake effect snow will continue today into tonight, mainly across Chippewa county. An additional 2-4” is expected for parts of the county with localized amounts of 6”+ possible near Sault Ste. Marie. Snow covered roads and quick drops in visibility will lead to hazardous travel at times into tonight.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A chilly day is expected for the first day of 2026, with highs mainly in the teens and light lake effect snow continuing for the west to northwest wind snow belts through tonight. Another 2-4” is expected in the eastern UP, though some locally higher amounts up to 6” are possible. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA chilly day is expected for the first day of 2026, with highs mainly in the teens and light lake effect snow continuing for the west to northwest wind snow belts through tonight. Another 2-4” is expected in the eastern UP, though some locally higher amounts up to 6” are possible.
BRIMLEY - EASTERN U.P. UPDATE via Old Soo Line Grade Lodge >> 01/01/26 - HAPPY NEW YEAR
24” minimum on the ground just off Trail 8 in Brimley, MI with more on the way!
Snow and cold temps in the forecast.
Stay safe #soo #newberry #snowphotos
Time for a taller gauge😅
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers persist over the northwest wind snow belts through New Year's Day, with an additional 3-6" in the east (locally up to 8"). As winds turn gusty, blowing and drifting snow will be possible. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow showers persist over the northwest wind snow belts through New Year's Day, with an additional 3-6" in the east (locally up to 8"). As winds turn gusty, blowing and drifting snow will be possible.
BRIMLEY AREA UPDATE via Old Soo Line Grade Lodge >> Snow keeps coming .. drive safe and Happy New Year! #soo #snowphotos
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/31
It’s a mixed bag of nuts around here. Where things are good, they are REALLY good! We just need to get to all areas and we are making progress.
Beautiful images from Pat on the 494 loop this morning.
Thank you, Pat! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo1231 #snowphotos
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/31
Happy New Years Eve!
Snow is ongoing in our area. I show around 3-4” new snow in the Soo so far, reports in Brimley of at least 7” new snow.
A word of caution- we do not like to send groomers out during the day, but sometimes we do not have a choice. Kenny and Jim will be headed out to tackle 889 in the Bay Mills area around noon today. There are many trees down and heavy drifting. It will undoubtedly be a long run for them, and the main goal is to get things opened up.
Pat is out early south of Kinross on 494. 472 west to Tilson should also be done today. As a reminder, we cannot groom past Tilson Rd on 472 due to construction equipment.
Please be on the lookout for the groomers, and if you’re able to move small branches safely, we appreciate the help!
Subscribe to Groomer Tracker to see where the groomers are in real time.
Thank you! #soo
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers persist over the northwest wind snow belts through tonight, with the highest totals - potentially up to 4 to 7 inches - in the eastern UP. As winds turn gusty, blowing and drifting snow will be possible. Temperatures turn quite chilly tonight, with wind chills falling well below zero. Bundle up before you head out to celebrate the new year! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow showers persist over the northwest wind snow belts through tonight, with the highest totals - potentially up to 4 to 7 inches - in the eastern UP. As winds turn gusty, blowing and drifting snow will be possible. Temperatures turn quite chilly tonight, with wind chills falling well below zero. Bundle up before you head out to celebrate the new year!
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Accumulating lake effect snow continues today into Thursday, focusing across the typical snow belts of northern Michigan. Wind gusts of 30-40+ mph this afternoon and evening will lead to low visibility and patchy blowing snow, especially across open areas – leading to hazardous travel conditions at times. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryAccumulating lake effect snow continues today into Thursday, focusing across the typical snow belts of northern Michigan. Wind gusts of 30-40+ mph this afternoon and evening will lead to low visibility and patchy blowing snow, especially across open areas – leading to hazardous travel conditions at times.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Lake effect snow continues tonight through Wednesday with additional accumulations of 4-8" across the snow belts. Locally higher amounts will be possible. Attached is a timing and intensity animation that depicts the heaviest snow this evening into the early overnight, and then again through the day on Wednesday. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberry
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers persist over the northwest wind snow belts through tonight, with the highest totals - potentially up to 4 to 7 inches - in the eastern UP. As winds turn gusty, blowing and drifting snow will be possible. Temperatures turn quite chilly tonight, with wind chills falling well below zero. Bundle up before you head out to celebrate the new year! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow showers persist over the northwest wind snow belts through tonight, with the highest totals - potentially up to 4 to 7 inches - in the eastern UP. As winds turn gusty, blowing and drifting snow will be possible. Temperatures turn quite chilly tonight, with wind chills falling well below zero. Bundle up before you head out to celebrate the new year!
Load more
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Accumulating lake effect snow will continue tonight for parts of eastern upper and the NW lower snowbelt. An additional 1-4 inches is expected for parts of the county with localized amounts in excess of 8 inches possible near Sault Ste. Marie and Brimley. In the NW lower snow belts, additional snow of 2-4 inches in some spots is possible as well tonight. Snow covered roads and quick drops in visibility will lead to hazardous travel at times into tonight. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryAccumulating lake effect snow will continue tonight for parts of eastern upper and the NW lower snowbelt. An additional 1-4 inches is expected for parts of the county with localized amounts in excess of 8 inches possible near Sault Ste. Marie and Brimley. In the NW lower snow belts, additional snow of 2-4 inches in some spots is possible as well tonight. Snow covered roads and quick drops in visibility will lead to hazardous travel at times into tonight.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Happy New Year, northern Michigan! Accumulating lake effect snow will continue today into tonight, mainly across Chippewa county. An additional 2-4” is expected for parts of the county with localized amounts of 6”+ possible near Sault Ste. Marie. Snow covered roads and quick drops in visibility will lead to hazardous travel at times into tonight. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryHappy New Year, northern Michigan! Accumulating lake effect snow will continue today into tonight, mainly across Chippewa county. An additional 2-4” is expected for parts of the county with localized amounts of 6”+ possible near Sault Ste. Marie. Snow covered roads and quick drops in visibility will lead to hazardous travel at times into tonight.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A chilly day is expected for the first day of 2026, with highs mainly in the teens and light lake effect snow continuing for the west to northwest wind snow belts through tonight. Another 2-4” is expected in the eastern UP, though some locally higher amounts up to 6” are possible. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA chilly day is expected for the first day of 2026, with highs mainly in the teens and light lake effect snow continuing for the west to northwest wind snow belts through tonight. Another 2-4” is expected in the eastern UP, though some locally higher amounts up to 6” are possible.
BRIMLEY - EASTERN U.P. UPDATE via Old Soo Line Grade Lodge >> 01/01/26 - HAPPY NEW YEAR
24” minimum on the ground just off Trail 8 in Brimley, MI with more on the way!
Snow and cold temps in the forecast.
Stay safe #soo #newberry #snowphotos
Time for a taller gauge😅
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers persist over the northwest wind snow belts through New Year's Day, with an additional 3-6" in the east (locally up to 8"). As winds turn gusty, blowing and drifting snow will be possible. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow showers persist over the northwest wind snow belts through New Year's Day, with an additional 3-6" in the east (locally up to 8"). As winds turn gusty, blowing and drifting snow will be possible.
BRIMLEY AREA UPDATE via Old Soo Line Grade Lodge >> Snow keeps coming .. drive safe and Happy New Year! #soo #snowphotos
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/31
It’s a mixed bag of nuts around here. Where things are good, they are REALLY good! We just need to get to all areas and we are making progress.
Beautiful images from Pat on the 494 loop this morning.
Thank you, Pat! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo1231 #snowphotos
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/31
Happy New Years Eve!
Snow is ongoing in our area. I show around 3-4” new snow in the Soo so far, reports in Brimley of at least 7” new snow.
A word of caution- we do not like to send groomers out during the day, but sometimes we do not have a choice. Kenny and Jim will be headed out to tackle 889 in the Bay Mills area around noon today. There are many trees down and heavy drifting. It will undoubtedly be a long run for them, and the main goal is to get things opened up.
Pat is out early south of Kinross on 494. 472 west to Tilson should also be done today. As a reminder, we cannot groom past Tilson Rd on 472 due to construction equipment.
Please be on the lookout for the groomers, and if you’re able to move small branches safely, we appreciate the help!
Subscribe to Groomer Tracker to see where the groomers are in real time.
Thank you! #soo
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers persist over the northwest wind snow belts through tonight, with the highest totals - potentially up to 4 to 7 inches - in the eastern UP. As winds turn gusty, blowing and drifting snow will be possible. Temperatures turn quite chilly tonight, with wind chills falling well below zero. Bundle up before you head out to celebrate the new year! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow showers persist over the northwest wind snow belts through tonight, with the highest totals - potentially up to 4 to 7 inches - in the eastern UP. As winds turn gusty, blowing and drifting snow will be possible. Temperatures turn quite chilly tonight, with wind chills falling well below zero. Bundle up before you head out to celebrate the new year!
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Accumulating lake effect snow continues today into Thursday, focusing across the typical snow belts of northern Michigan. Wind gusts of 30-40+ mph this afternoon and evening will lead to low visibility and patchy blowing snow, especially across open areas – leading to hazardous travel conditions at times. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryAccumulating lake effect snow continues today into Thursday, focusing across the typical snow belts of northern Michigan. Wind gusts of 30-40+ mph this afternoon and evening will lead to low visibility and patchy blowing snow, especially across open areas – leading to hazardous travel conditions at times.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Lake effect snow continues tonight through Wednesday with additional accumulations of 4-8" across the snow belts. Locally higher amounts will be possible. Attached is a timing and intensity animation that depicts the heaviest snow this evening into the early overnight, and then again through the day on Wednesday. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberry
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers persist over the northwest wind snow belts through tonight, with the highest totals - potentially up to 4 to 7 inches - in the eastern UP. As winds turn gusty, blowing and drifting snow will be possible. Temperatures turn quite chilly tonight, with wind chills falling well below zero. Bundle up before you head out to celebrate the new year! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow showers persist over the northwest wind snow belts through tonight, with the highest totals - potentially up to 4 to 7 inches - in the eastern UP. As winds turn gusty, blowing and drifting snow will be possible. Temperatures turn quite chilly tonight, with wind chills falling well below zero. Bundle up before you head out to celebrate the new year!
<>
Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links
- Gaylord Area Trail Report – 01/01
- Frederic / Gaylord Area Trail Report – Sledheads of Frederic – 01/01
- Grand Marais Area Trail Report – 01/01
- Ontonagon Area Trail Report – 01/01
- Newberry Area Trail Report – 01/01
- Keweenaw Peninsula Trail Report – 01/01
- Cadillac Area Trail Report – 01/01
- Paradise Area Trail Report – 01/01
- Harbor Springs Area Trail Report – 01/01
- Sault Ste. Marie Area Trail Report – 01/01
- Ironwood – Western U.P. Trail Report – 12/31
- Watersmeet – Western U.P. Trail Report – 12/31
- Lake Gogebic Area Trail Report – 12/31
- Sidnaw – Western U.P. Trail Report – 12/31
- Baldwin Area Trail Report – 12/31
- Newberry Area Trail Report – 12/31
- Ontonagon Area Trail Report – 12/31
- Benzie – Manistee Area Trail Report – 12/31
- Harbor Springs Area Trail Report – 12/31
- Traverse City Area Trail Report – 12/31
- Keweenaw Peninsula Trail Report – 12/31
- Munising Area Trail Report – 12/31
- Petoskey Area Trail Report – 12/30
- Lake Gogebic Area Trail Report – 12/30
- Baldwin Area Trail Report – 12/30
- Traverse City Area Trail Report – 12/30
- Newberry Area Trail Report – 12/30
- Watersmeet – Western U.P. Trail Report – 12/30
<>