Sault Ste. Marie Area Trail Report – 01/06
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/6/25 6:30 pm update on the water hole near the tunnel on city trail 49!
Pete and Jay formulated a plan to seal this bugger up, and I’d say it was a huge success! They met after work, grabbed the tractor from the barn, which is thankfully really close to where this hole was. They worked carefully to pack the hole with snow, then used the drag to smooth it over. Like it never even happened! Currently 15 degrees and going down to single digits tonight so it’ll freeze up nicely. We shouldn’t see this again til April.
Thanks guys! You rock!
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SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Old Soo Line Grade Lodge >> 01/06/25 – Staying cold!
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SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 01/06
1/6/25 – Had a few questions regarding the ice on the bay in Bay Mills/Brimley area. It is NOT safe. Please take trail 8. Thanks!
🚨🚨Please watch for the water hole near the tunnel on the city trails. It opened up again. Sleds were getting around it ok and we’ll do what we can to pack it and help it freeze. Just a heads up! 🚨🚨
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SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 01/05
1/5/25 8:30 PM update
Run down of where we are at. Like all of you, I’m a rider too and I try my best to give you accurate info. I realize everyone has a different perspective of what is good and bad. I feel like I’m pretty fair, and often times more critical of our trails because I want to be as honest as possible. So here we go-
The Soo definitely got the most out of the lake effect snow event from Thursday to this morning. Not as much west or south of us on our trail system.
Trail 8 from the Soo to Raco gets thinner as you head west to about a mile or two west of Irish Line, then sees a bit more coverage as you approach the 480 intersection. Open areas saw snow get blown off the trail, and our operators use the blade as best they can to pull snow in from the sides. There are some thin areas, most notably just west of 6 Mile where those doggone slag rocks are popping up for about 100 feet. I stop and toss them off when I see them. We’ll try to pick the drag up in that section to keep them from pulling up. More snow will bury them back up.
8 on the powerline to Ranger Rd had more snow on it than I expected and is great.
889 is also great.
Met some of our other volunteers for a ride today coming from Kinross. They took 472 to 480 to 8 and they said it was good. A few ruts left from some wheeled vehicles during the warm up. Nothing major.
Rider reports from 49 south of M80 and the 494 loop reported both as excellent.
The city trails, with the exception of 449 and the now closed Kewadin trail are also in good shape. Pete is out there now, and will have a report for us that I’ll share.
I’m going to pin the post about 449 and the Kewadin Trail for easy reference.
49 from Alberta Ln south of the DonDee Lanes (great food!) remains ungroomed. Lots of wet spots still. The cold weather should do the trick and allow it to freeze up nicely. We’ll run it as soon as it makes sense to do so. It is ungroomed from there to Gaines Hwy in Kinross. Sleds have been riding it, but you need to know it’s at your own risk, and is likely very rough.
Overall, we could use more snow to freshen up most areas, but things overall are good with some fair areas, and some excellent areas!
I hope that helps! Ride safe! ❄❄❄
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1/5/25
Good morning all!
Brimley Bill headed out very early this morning in the Bay Mills and Raco area on part of 480, the powerline, and 889. Here’s his report-
“I groomed the Powerline and the Mission Hill Loop early this morning. There’s still some wind, but not as strong as yesterday. Open areas still have some drifting.
I was able smooth out all the chatter from traffic and drifts.
I got out early enough so that the trail had some time to set up before any sled traffic.
The trails are in really good shape.”
Thanks Bill! Have a great ride everyone! ❄❄❄
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Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Facebook Page
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Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Here is your final look at snowfall totals over a 36-hour period from tonight, through midday Thursday, January 14th through 15th, 2026. NOTE, snow will start overnight for the UP, but later tomorrow morning into the afternoon for the LP.
Discussion
Lake effect snow is the rave with this one. Winds almost directly out of the north coupled with low-level DGZ and strong forcing will allow for many of the areas in dark blue, and especially pink pick up well over half a foot of fresh snow with this event. Hyper-localized banding is expected, which is when the span of 20 miles sees a difference in snow accumulation of 1", to perhaps 12-18". A 1° change in wind direction will help, or hurt your chances at significant snowfall if you're right along the lakeshore areas, especially SW Michigan.
Inland areas will only see under an inch within an initial snow squall and light lake effect afterward. We are not confident that the stretch from Lansing to Port Huron will get more than 1.5", but we put 1-3" just in case. Lake Huron will also show off lake effect snow, with parts of Huron county seeing 4-8". To the north, northwest lower Michigan will see 2-5" and 4-8", with a localized swath of 6"+ near Manistee and points surrounding. Lastly, the UP will see its highest totals along the higher elevation areas of the central portion of the peninsula.
Wind gusts up to 30 mph, even 40-45 mph are likely with this snow, and as a result, near-zero visibilities and drifted roads may occur near each lakeshore. Allow extra travel time when driving on Wednesday in the 4-8", or 6-12"/6-18" zones. We will have radar, weather camera, and traffic updates coming tomorrow as the snow comes down, so drop a follow here at Michigan Storm Chasers for coverage. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyHere is your final look at snowfall totals over a 36-hour period from tonight, through midday Thursday, January 14th through 15th, 2026. NOTE, snow will start overnight for the UP, but later tomorrow morning into the afternoon for the LP.
Discussion
Lake effect snow is the rave with this one. Winds almost directly out of the north coupled with low-level DGZ and strong forcing will allow for many of the areas in dark blue, and especially pink pick up well over half a foot of fresh snow with this event. Hyper-localized banding is expected, which is when the span of 20 miles sees a difference in snow accumulation of 1", to perhaps 12-18". A 1° change in wind direction will help, or hurt your chances at significant snowfall if you're right along the lakeshore areas, especially SW Michigan.
Inland areas will only see under an inch within an initial snow squall and light lake effect afterward. We are not confident that the stretch from Lansing to Port Huron will get more than 1.5", but we put 1-3" just in case. Lake Huron will also show off lake effect snow, with parts of Huron county seeing 4-8". To the north, northwest lower Michigan will see 2-5" and 4-8", with a localized swath of 6"+ near Manistee and points surrounding. Lastly, the UP will see its highest totals along the higher elevation areas of the central portion of the peninsula.
Wind gusts up to 30 mph, even 40-45 mph are likely with this snow, and as a result, near-zero visibilities and drifted roads may occur near each lakeshore. Allow extra travel time when driving on Wednesday in the 4-8", or 6-12"/6-18" zones. We will have radar, weather camera, and traffic updates coming tomorrow as the snow comes down, so drop a follow here at Michigan Storm Chasers for coverage.
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WEATHER UPDATE via Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> SNOW TIME!! Lake effect areas, you're about to be buried in some locations! This is purely lake effect that kicks in Wednesday morning and lasts through Thursday afternoon. Thursday afternoon the lake effect subsides as another clipper system moves in.
Temperatures are warmest Wednesday morning then drop significantly into the late afternoon and evening. Many will have wind chills below zero.
Snow will be fluffy and BLOWING. Gusts near 40mph can be expected. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #munising #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Old Soo Line Grade Lodge >> 🎉❄️ TRAIL 480 IS OFFICIALLY REOPENED! ❄️🎉
The bridge is in, the trail is groomed, and Trail 480 is back in action in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula! 💨 This is a HUGE win for riders and a key connection for our local trail system.
A big THANK YOU goes out to the Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association for their tireless work grooming and advocating for our trails, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for their coordination and support, and the contractor who delivered a solid bridge that will serve riders for years to come. 👏👏👏
This project took teamwork, patience, and dedication—and it shows. We’re proud to see riders safely crossing once again and enjoying everything the U.P. has to offer.
If you’re riding through the area, fuel up, ride safe, and enjoy the fresh trail!
** There is still exposed stone at the bridge …. Please see the updates on the associations page!
Stay Safe …
📍 Trail 480 | Eastern U.P.
🏁 Open • Groomed • Ready to Ride #soo🎉❄️ TRAIL 480 IS OFFICIALLY REOPENED! ❄️🎉
The bridge is in, the trail is groomed, and Trail 480 is back in action in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula! 💨 This is a HUGE win for riders and a key connection for our local trail system.
A big THANK YOU goes out to the Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association for their tireless work grooming and advocating for our trails, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for their coordination and support, and the contractor who delivered a solid bridge that will serve riders for years to come. 👏👏👏
This project took teamwork, patience, and dedication—and it shows. We’re proud to see riders safely crossing once again and enjoying everything the U.P. has to offer.
If you’re riding through the area, fuel up, ride safe, and enjoy the fresh trail!
** There is still exposed stone at the bridge …. Please see the updates on the associations page!
Stay Safe …
📍 Trail 480 | Eastern U.P.
🏁 Open • Groomed • Ready to Ride
#Trail480 #UPSnowmobiling #BackOnTheTrail #SaultSnowmobile #OldSooLineGrade #RideTheUP #SnowmobilingMichigan #ThankYouGroomers #MIDNR
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/13/26
Good morning everyone! 23” in the Soo currently with snow showers. Temps are a little higher than we’d like, just above freezing, but that changes drastically tomorrow night.
Here’s what I know-
❄️ Trail 8- Soo to Raco- good to excellent
❄️ ‼️ City Trails - part of 49, 449, 497, and the I500 trail- good with with the exception of 449 right by the 497 intersection with 449, and 497 is very, very wet. It’s a dead end trail to the high school, but worth mentioning for our locals especially!
❄️Trail 49- Soo to Kinross- fair to good. All water holes are packed and panned. Do not get off of the trail as you will encounter water in spots if you do.
❄️ Trail 49 south of M80 and the 494 loop- excellent
❄️ Trail 472 west of Kinross to Tilson Rd- good
🔔 Trail 472 to 480 to the Raco gate- please see the pinned post. We HAVE groomed it, and we’re awaiting the DNR inspection of the new bridge to be able to officially give the green light🙌🏼
❄️ 480 from the Spile Dam turnaround to the Raco Powerline ( trail 8 ) - excellent
❄️ Raco Powerline- excellent
❄️ Trail 889 The Mission Hill Loop- excellent
Remember, we are on Groomer Tracker!
Ride safe everyone!
***to join or donate, please visit www.sootrails.org*** #soo #sooo113 #snowphotos
www.sootrails.org
It has been a great season so far. For the most part, trails are in excellent condition but we do still have a few problem areas. To see what's been happening since the trails opened and for complete up to date information, please follow us on facebook.BRIMLEY - SAULT STE. MARIE ARE UPDATE via Old Soo Line Grade Lodge >> 01/13/26 - looks like it’s staying cold for a while!
Stay safe … #soo #snowphotos
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Two forecasts for today, January 13th, 2026, and Wednesday, January 14th, 2026, regarding system snow, then lake effect snow.
Graphic #1
A clipper moves through today, bringing rain/freezing drizzle to portions of northern Michigan and the UP, especially north of M-55, with some light rain as far south as I-94. This will change over to a rain/snow mix later this afternoon and evening. Brief accumulation amounts will generally be in the T-1" range, although a couple spots could exceed 1", which are areas highlighted by the 1-3" zone. Air temperatures today will generally be at or above freezing in the UP, but evaporative cooling will still keep the ground cooler than the air.
Graphic #2
Lake effect snow ramps up beyond midnight tonight, heading into tomorrow, the 14th. Early indications are that the central UP will see the most with flow directly out of the north. Areas of 2-5" and 4-8" have been displayed as a result for much of the Lake Superior shoreline region to account for this flow. The LP is still a little on the uncertain side for overachievers tomorrow. We are watching the usual Gaylord region, but also immediate shoreline areas of Lake Michigan from Traverse City down to New Buffalo, and the thumb, as continued flow out of the north seems like on Thursday. For now, totals will remain as shown, and our last call for tomorrow will be out early in the morning. Inland areas in the T-1" zone may also see slight improvements if balloon launch data today continues to trend in the right direction.
Timing for both days is for the entirety of both days, as precipitation will be on-and-off throughout the next 48 hours. Travel concerns will generally be on the mild side of things, but don't let that fool you. Drive with care no matter what's falling out there. Follow us here at Michigan Storm Chasers for updates throughout the next couple days as the snow falls. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #munising #newberry #soo #gaylord
WEATHER UPDATE via Pictured Rocks Marine Weather Conditions >> Here's the updated 3-day snowfall forecast through 7am Friday morning. This includes some system snow today, then lake-effect snow starting tonight and lasting into Thursday morning, followed by more system snow late Thursday into Friday. Temperatures will be relatively warm today, but will plummet overnight tonight. Back to winter! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Mixed precipitation, mainly of rain and snow, will spread west to east across the UP tonight into tomorrow morning. Pockets of freezing rain could also mix in at onset and lead to a light glaze of ice on roadways for the Tuesday morning commute. Heavy lake effect snow will then be reinvigorated with a secondary cold front Tuesday night into Wednesday morning across the N and NW wind snow belts. This will combine with northerly winds of 40 to 50 mph, resulting in blowing snow and near zero visibilities for the Wednesday morning commute. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaMixed precipitation, mainly of rain and snow, will spread west to east across the UP tonight into tomorrow morning. Pockets of freezing rain could also mix in at onset and lead to a light glaze of ice on roadways for the Tuesday morning commute. Heavy lake effect snow will then be reinvigorated with a secondary cold front Tuesday night into Wednesday morning across the N and NW wind snow belts. This will combine with northerly winds of 40 to 50 mph, resulting in blowing snow and near zero visibilities for the Wednesday morning commute.
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/12/26
Early morning ride along with Turbo and Diane.
Thanks for the video guys! Looking flat and fantastic! #soo #soo0112b #snowphotos
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/12/26
Good evening everyone! We had on and off snow showers in the Soo today and picked up another couple of inches.
Turbo and Diane were out in the Pisten Bully today on the 889 loop, the powerlines, and 480 north of M28. Here’s what Turbo had to say-
“Howdy everyone! Turbo here. Wanted to give a little trail update. I woke up early and told Mrs. Turbo I would like to take her out for a romantic breakfast. Little did she know we had to grab our Pisten Bully and a Dubie first. We groomed trail 480, the power lines, and the 889 loop, then down to Bay Mills where we had a very good breakfast before heading back on the trail. This was our first time grooming the loop this year, and I just have to say the crew has been doing a great job while we weren't here. I would have to say it is better than anytime last year already. So, if you're thinking about coming up, make some plans, load the sleds, call off work and get up here!! That's all I have today. Turbo”
Looking awesome! Thank you Turbo and Diane! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0112a #snowphotos
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