Gaylord Area Trail Report – 12/24
Gaylord Bureau –
December 24, 2024
11:00 a.m.
We had an epic start to snowmobile season – the Gaylord area got hit with over 90 inches of snow to start out winter!
Fresh snow brought lots of smiles to the trails this week! After a busy stretch, conditions are currently fair. Our groomers are putting in the miles to keep things as smooth and rideable as possible. Enjoy the ride, and stay safe out there! Check out this live feed to see trail #7, just north of Gaylord.
A few things to remember about groomers:
– Groomers are out there to help you have a better riding experience and always have the right of way.
– Please move off the trail when groomers are coming and allow them to safely pass.
– If you approach a groomer from behind, kindly wait for the operator to signal you to pass.
– Grooming can take place at any time during the day or night.
– Have fun and stay safe!
Want to be ready? Get a free trail map delivered right to your mailbox and plan your adventure!
As always, check back with us for updates and weather reports.
http://www.gaylordmichigan.net/snowmobile-trail-report-114/
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Merry Christmas Eve to all. Its about 30 degrees here in Frederic this morning. A few sleds out and about but its going downhill from here. I ended up riding yesterday to Grayling and then one lap around Lake Margrethe for a total of a 40 mile ride. Ran into both Grayling groomers on trail 7 but snow on the trails is still light. The lake lap was perfect with a nice new untouched 5 inches or so on it. I would not encourage anyone to ride a lake unless they are familiar with it and I know lake margrethe very well and was only 20 feet off shore all the way around. The firsherman are saying there is about 5 to 6 inches of ice out there but that will probably change with the predicted warm up. It was a little mistiy when I left home this morning. A couple stopped in that came from Maine to ride. They started down in Leota yesterday and said they had a decent ride. Leota is way south and I would think that its thinner there than it is here but they were happy. They are around for at least another week and going to try different spots. I would love to go to Maine to ride. Years ago the Suttles crew that used to come in here and were road warriors driving up here 5 or 6 times a season to ride here from Demoplis, Alabama. They used to go to Maine every year to ride. Mr Suttles was the king of their group and he brought many people north to ride. We had way better snow way back then. Lets hope Santa has a surprise for us and covers us with snow tonight. Please ride safely. There was a fatal sled accident in Traverse City 2 days ago. Also pic of me laid out in the snow was from our ride yesterday and I slipped and fell on the ice under the snow.
http://frederic-mi.com/category/trail-conditions/
Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Accumulating snow continues across northern Michigan into tonight, bringing an additional 3-6” across far western parts of the area by Saturday morning. Slippery roads and reduced visibility will make for hazardous travel at times into this evening before snow begins to taper off tonight. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyAccumulating snow continues across northern Michigan into tonight, bringing an additional 3-6” across far western parts of the area by Saturday morning. Slippery roads and reduced visibility will make for hazardous travel at times into this evening before snow begins to taper off tonight.
JORDAN VALLEY AREA UPDATE via Jordan Valley Trails Council >> Trail Update:
Trails north of alba including the Jordan Valley are ice base with 1-2” of snow cover. Trails south and east are ice base with 3-4” of snow cover. All trails are pretty flat and everything has been groomed in the last 2 days.. #jordanvalley #gaylord #petoskey
FREDERIC - GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Sledheads of Frederic , Michigan Snowmobiling >> It’s a nice temp out there this friday morning with light snow in the air. We had about an inch and a half of lake effect overnight. It makes it nice and white but we could use a good stiff system snow to help us out. Its still very icy underneath and I have cones out around the front of my buildng cause its so slick out there. I need a huge amount of salt from the Detroit salt mines to cut down on the slippery stuff.
There were not many sleds around yesterday and it seems slow so far this morning. I have heard from several riders that say they are coming north but time will tell. PIcs below are from this morning. Thanks for checking in. Pete #gaylord #snowphotos
frederic-mi.com
Its a nice temp out there this friday morning with light snow in the air. We had about an inch and a half of lake effect overnight. It makes it nice and white but we could use a good stiff system s… WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> This is our last call snowfall outlook for FRIDAY ONLY, January 16th, 2026. Snow has begun across parts of the UP, and will begin for the rest of the state over the course of the next 12 hours.... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyThis is our last call snowfall outlook for FRIDAY ONLY, January 16th, 2026. Snow has begun across parts of the UP, and will begin for the rest of the state over the course of the next 12 hours.
A clipper will bring a mixture of synoptic snow and lake effect snow for the entirety of Michigan. This is the first of multiple clippers between now and Monday. Lake effect areas may see totals into the 4-8" zone, with localized heavier totals possible along the Porcupine Mountains in the western UP. We DO have ample moisture on our atmospheric profiles for tomorrow, but the forcing is still suspect, so a solid blanket of 1-4" of snow, with isolated higher totals close to half a foot should occur by the end of our day Friday. The greatest chance at an area underachieving is in... guess what... southeast Michigan. Monroe and Lenawee counties specifically were in the T-1" zone at first call, but with a more-moist profile expected tomorrow, all locations (in an ideal world) should at least hit 1". We are also watching for the development of freezing drizzle mixing in, primarily in the Lower Peninsula as low-level temperatures favor this phenomena. Now, drizzle would hinder totals, but significantly increase travel issues as roads get coated with both the drizzle and the wet snow. We will have a freezing drizzle accumulation map out tomorrow morning.
Winds gusting 25-35 mph at times, primarily out of the west. Some snow squalls will mix in, which for those who don't remember, snow squalls exist to only cause headaches. These narrow bands of snow drop visibility from open skies to mere feet in the matter of seconds, which is never good, especially on fast-moving roadways. A snow squall can put down as much as a quick inch in 15-30 minutes at their peak intensity. Both morning and evening commutes will be impacted by snow or drizzle. Let's hope we don't light up the MDOT drive map with 25 accidents this time around, so please take your time. Give yourself that extra hour to travel, especially in instances of forced slow downs.
-- Trusted Partner of the Day --
Rainbow Restoration | 616-583-1234, call today for all your restoration needs in the Grand Rapids regional area!
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Snow returns tonight west of I-75 before overspreading the rest of the area into Friday. Light accumulations expected for most, but areas near the Lake Michigan shore will see more snowfall… with some spots potentially seeing upwards of 8”+ by Friday evening. Following the system, rounds of lake effect snow are anticipated into next week with colder weather. Be sure to monitor the forecast for the latest updates! #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
FREDERIC - GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Sledheads of Frederic , Michigan Snowmobiling >> Its sunny and a chilly 12 degrees at 11:30 a.m. on thursday. It was nice and cold last night at 5 degrees and its supposed to stay cold with a small amount of snow the next few days. There were some sleds out and about yesterday and I havent seen any today. Still very icy out there and I expect that to stay so be careful... #gaylord #snowphotos
frederic-mi.com
Its sunny and a chilly 12 degrees at 11:30 a.m. on thursday. It was nice and cold last night at 5 degrees and its supposed to stay cold with a small amount of snow the next few days. There were som… WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Below zero wind chills continue this morning across most of Northern Michigan. Winds chills will be in the teens below zero or colder in parts of eastern upper and north central Lower Michigan. Be sure to bundle up!
A cold Thursday is ahead, though our weather will otherwise be relatively quiet with decreasing lake effect snow and decreasing winds. Another system will spread snow back into the area late tonight into Friday. Several inches of accumulation are possible near Lake Michigan in both peninsulas. This system will allow temperatures to briefly rebound early this weekend. However, Arctic air settles back in by Monday, with continued lake effect snow showers in the snowbelts. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers will continue into tonight across parts of northern Michigan. The highest amounts of additional snow are expected in areas near and southwest of Grand Traverse Bay, with 2-6” this afternoon through tonight.
Cold temperatures will impact the entire region with wind chills below zero this afternoon into Thursday morning. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
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WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Accumulating snow continues across northern Michigan into tonight, bringing an additional 3-6” across far western parts of the area by Saturday morning. Slippery roads and reduced visibility will make for hazardous travel at times into this evening before snow begins to taper off tonight. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyAccumulating snow continues across northern Michigan into tonight, bringing an additional 3-6” across far western parts of the area by Saturday morning. Slippery roads and reduced visibility will make for hazardous travel at times into this evening before snow begins to taper off tonight.
JORDAN VALLEY AREA UPDATE via Jordan Valley Trails Council >> Trail Update:
Trails north of alba including the Jordan Valley are ice base with 1-2” of snow cover. Trails south and east are ice base with 3-4” of snow cover. All trails are pretty flat and everything has been groomed in the last 2 days.. #jordanvalley #gaylord #petoskey
FREDERIC - GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Sledheads of Frederic , Michigan Snowmobiling >> It’s a nice temp out there this friday morning with light snow in the air. We had about an inch and a half of lake effect overnight. It makes it nice and white but we could use a good stiff system snow to help us out. Its still very icy underneath and I have cones out around the front of my buildng cause its so slick out there. I need a huge amount of salt from the Detroit salt mines to cut down on the slippery stuff.
There were not many sleds around yesterday and it seems slow so far this morning. I have heard from several riders that say they are coming north but time will tell. PIcs below are from this morning. Thanks for checking in. Pete #gaylord #snowphotos
frederic-mi.com
Its a nice temp out there this friday morning with light snow in the air. We had about an inch and a half of lake effect overnight. It makes it nice and white but we could use a good stiff system s…WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> This is our last call snowfall outlook for FRIDAY ONLY, January 16th, 2026. Snow has begun across parts of the UP, and will begin for the rest of the state over the course of the next 12 hours.... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyThis is our last call snowfall outlook for FRIDAY ONLY, January 16th, 2026. Snow has begun across parts of the UP, and will begin for the rest of the state over the course of the next 12 hours.
A clipper will bring a mixture of synoptic snow and lake effect snow for the entirety of Michigan. This is the first of multiple clippers between now and Monday. Lake effect areas may see totals into the 4-8" zone, with localized heavier totals possible along the Porcupine Mountains in the western UP. We DO have ample moisture on our atmospheric profiles for tomorrow, but the forcing is still suspect, so a solid blanket of 1-4" of snow, with isolated higher totals close to half a foot should occur by the end of our day Friday. The greatest chance at an area underachieving is in... guess what... southeast Michigan. Monroe and Lenawee counties specifically were in the T-1" zone at first call, but with a more-moist profile expected tomorrow, all locations (in an ideal world) should at least hit 1". We are also watching for the development of freezing drizzle mixing in, primarily in the Lower Peninsula as low-level temperatures favor this phenomena. Now, drizzle would hinder totals, but significantly increase travel issues as roads get coated with both the drizzle and the wet snow. We will have a freezing drizzle accumulation map out tomorrow morning.
Winds gusting 25-35 mph at times, primarily out of the west. Some snow squalls will mix in, which for those who don't remember, snow squalls exist to only cause headaches. These narrow bands of snow drop visibility from open skies to mere feet in the matter of seconds, which is never good, especially on fast-moving roadways. A snow squall can put down as much as a quick inch in 15-30 minutes at their peak intensity. Both morning and evening commutes will be impacted by snow or drizzle. Let's hope we don't light up the MDOT drive map with 25 accidents this time around, so please take your time. Give yourself that extra hour to travel, especially in instances of forced slow downs.
-- Trusted Partner of the Day --
Rainbow Restoration | 616-583-1234, call today for all your restoration needs in the Grand Rapids regional area!
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Snow returns tonight west of I-75 before overspreading the rest of the area into Friday. Light accumulations expected for most, but areas near the Lake Michigan shore will see more snowfall… with some spots potentially seeing upwards of 8”+ by Friday evening. Following the system, rounds of lake effect snow are anticipated into next week with colder weather. Be sure to monitor the forecast for the latest updates! #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
FREDERIC - GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Sledheads of Frederic , Michigan Snowmobiling >> Its sunny and a chilly 12 degrees at 11:30 a.m. on thursday. It was nice and cold last night at 5 degrees and its supposed to stay cold with a small amount of snow the next few days. There were some sleds out and about yesterday and I havent seen any today. Still very icy out there and I expect that to stay so be careful... #gaylord #snowphotos
frederic-mi.com
Its sunny and a chilly 12 degrees at 11:30 a.m. on thursday. It was nice and cold last night at 5 degrees and its supposed to stay cold with a small amount of snow the next few days. There were som…WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Below zero wind chills continue this morning across most of Northern Michigan. Winds chills will be in the teens below zero or colder in parts of eastern upper and north central Lower Michigan. Be sure to bundle up!
A cold Thursday is ahead, though our weather will otherwise be relatively quiet with decreasing lake effect snow and decreasing winds. Another system will spread snow back into the area late tonight into Friday. Several inches of accumulation are possible near Lake Michigan in both peninsulas. This system will allow temperatures to briefly rebound early this weekend. However, Arctic air settles back in by Monday, with continued lake effect snow showers in the snowbelts. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers will continue into tonight across parts of northern Michigan. The highest amounts of additional snow are expected in areas near and southwest of Grand Traverse Bay, with 2-6” this afternoon through tonight.
Cold temperatures will impact the entire region with wind chills below zero this afternoon into Thursday morning. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
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