Ontonagon Area Trail Report – 12/12
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP >> 12/12
NCSC would like to extend a special shoutout to the Michigan DNR!
Thank you to Ron Yesney, Carly Graff and John Codere for sharing DNR Rangers, Kristen, Dante and Corey with us for the past two days clearing our trails.
Thanks also to Hamilton’s North Coast Adventures for donating use of their rental sleds to our clean-up efforts.
Lastly, thanks to our own VP, Rick for his tireless efforts to ensure consistent forward progress on this trail clearing project.
TRAIL REPORT:
– We were able to clear our section of trail 13 from Norwich Rd to the junction with GAG’s trail 13 south.
– Tuesday night we were able to groom trail 137 and 13 from the groomer barn in Ontonagon and trail 101 to LP Walsh Rd. Shoutout to Steve and TJ for trail setting those trails.-
– Trail 12 still has many trees down through the power lines and along Norwich Rd. Trail 12 to Driess Creek remains closed due to downed trees.
– All our trails are still in need of TLC, however, Trail 12 between Potato Farm Road and Greenland is in dire need of attention, if anyone is so inclined to volunteer with chainsaws and strong backs.
PS – We would also like to thank the four snowmobilers, two from Minnesota and two from Wisconsin, for finding all our electric chainsaw batteries on trail 1 just south of White Pine.
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Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
BESSEMER - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Trails-North Powersports LLC >> 🥰 The trails were pretty decent from Bessemer to Bergland 🤟😊 a few wet areas and several low branches but really overall worth making the trip 🤟 Trails are definitely early season yet but for December 14th it sure is nice to be sleddin to lunch at Antonio's Bergland, MI ❤️💯🤟🌬️❄️❄️❄️ #bessemer #westernup #snowphotos
LAKE GOGEBIC AREA UPDATE via Gogebic Area Grooming >> Your Sunday evening 12-14-25 Groomer's report from the Bergland Area.
We received around 8"to 10" over the past 2 days from the latest storm. The snow and cold have been helping out tremendously!!
I was waiting to hear from one of our operators out currently who had just groomed 8w to see if thing's had improved but he hasn't replied. However 8w and 1n are currently being groomed.
Today we finally punched through 102. We'll let 102 set up for a day or 2 and run through her again without a drag.
Then 13 from Root Cellar north is the last section to open up along with access trail's. 🤞Mother Nature cooperates! We are moving forward and some sections are beautiful and other's just need time. Thanks everyone! Gogebic Area Grooming ❄️❄️❄️ #lakegogebic #westernup #snowphotos
LAKE GOGEBIC AREA UPDATE via Gogebic Area Grooming >> Bergland Area Groomer's.. 12-13-25. Blizzard condition's the past 2 day's.
13n to Rockland getting it's first groom tonight. Gogebic Area Grooming ❄️❄️❄️ #lakegogebic #westernup #snowphotos
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Bitterly cold temperatures will hang on through tonight as wind chill values remain below zero across the U.P., coldest in the west near the WI border. Lake effect snow will also continue to impact the northwest wind snowbelts, especially across the east where a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through Sunday morning for Alger, Luce, and northern Schoolcraft Counties. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaBitterly cold temperatures will hang on through tonight as wind chill values remain below zero across the U.P., coldest in the west near the WI border. Lake effect snow will also continue to impact the northwest wind snowbelts, especially across the east where a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through Sunday morning for Alger, Luce, and northern Schoolcraft Counties.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers are expected downwind of Lake Superior through Sunday, impacting the northwest wind snowbelt areas. This snow will be very susceptible to blowing in the wind, resulting in localized visibility reductions below 1 mile at times. Make sure to drive with your headlights on, at appropriate speeds, and with extra room between yourself and other vehicles! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow showers are expected downwind of Lake Superior through Sunday, impacting the northwest wind snowbelt areas. This snow will be very susceptible to blowing in the wind, resulting in localized visibility reductions below 1 mile at times. Make sure to drive with your headlights on, at appropriate speeds, and with extra room between yourself and other vehicles! #906wx #miwx
MASS CITY AREA UPDATE via Adventure Motel >> It’s a snowy morning in Mass City, roughly 8” of snow last night. Great to see people taking advantage of the trail conditions! #masscity #westernup #keweenaw #snowphotos
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via Erika’s Trail Reports - Western UP/Porkies/Ottawa Forest/Ontonagon County >> 😍 GROOMING INSIDE A SNOW GLOBE 😍
❄️ WEEK 2 - ERIKA’S TRAIL REPORTS ❄️
(long post but worth the read)
While you were sleeping… 🌙
Our 1st official grooming (Team Trent & Erika) of the 2025-2026 season was MAGICAL!
With real feel of -15F and blizzard-like conditions, we groomed for 10 hours overnight (12/12-12/13) during heavy lake effect snow! North Country Snowmobile Club trail conditions have significantly improved thanks to the dedicated volunteers that have been cleaning the trails day and night for your enjoyment! We rated trails 101, 13 and 137 and unplowed forest roads tonight - EXCELLENT CONDITION!!! WOW, we can’t believe that it is only the 2nd week of December!
🚨 IMPORTANT REMINDERS 🚨
⚠️ Heavy lake effect snow going on all weekend: snow quickly accumulating on trails and with low visibility at times
⚠️ Trail 12 to Greenland has not been actively groomed yet;
⚠️ Trail 12/Norwich Road has not been actively groomed yet;
⚠️ Trails 1 and 11 (Porkies/Lake of the Clouds) are being worked on this weekend;
⚠️ Snow is deep and plentiful in the forest but lower accumulation near the lakefront
👏🏻 Many thanks to all the group of riders that we saw tonight for being mindful of the groomer. Let’s continue to enjoy snowmobiling in a responsible way and go home safely. #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotos
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A cold front will move across the U.P this evening. Light snow will accompany the front but generally less than an inch is expected. Behind the front temperatures will fall into the single digits above and below zero. This combined with gusty winds will bring wind chills down into the teens and twenties below zero. A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect for Gogebic and Iron counties tonight through Saturday morning. Lake effect snow will develop behind the front in the northwest wind snowbelts with several inches expected. Those headed outside tonight or traveling should be prepared for bitter cold and snow (in the northwest wind snowbelts). #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
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BESSEMER - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Trails-North Powersports LLC >> 🥰 The trails were pretty decent from Bessemer to Bergland 🤟😊 a few wet areas and several low branches but really overall worth making the trip 🤟 Trails are definitely early season yet but for December 14th it sure is nice to be sleddin to lunch at Antonio's Bergland, MI ❤️💯🤟🌬️❄️❄️❄️ #bessemer #westernup #snowphotos
LAKE GOGEBIC AREA UPDATE via Gogebic Area Grooming >> Your Sunday evening 12-14-25 Groomer's report from the Bergland Area.
We received around 8"to 10" over the past 2 days from the latest storm. The snow and cold have been helping out tremendously!!
I was waiting to hear from one of our operators out currently who had just groomed 8w to see if thing's had improved but he hasn't replied. However 8w and 1n are currently being groomed.
Today we finally punched through 102. We'll let 102 set up for a day or 2 and run through her again without a drag.
Then 13 from Root Cellar north is the last section to open up along with access trail's. 🤞Mother Nature cooperates! We are moving forward and some sections are beautiful and other's just need time. Thanks everyone! Gogebic Area Grooming ❄️❄️❄️ #lakegogebic #westernup #snowphotos
LAKE GOGEBIC AREA UPDATE via Gogebic Area Grooming >> Bergland Area Groomer's.. 12-13-25. Blizzard condition's the past 2 day's.
13n to Rockland getting it's first groom tonight. Gogebic Area Grooming ❄️❄️❄️ #lakegogebic #westernup #snowphotos
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Bitterly cold temperatures will hang on through tonight as wind chill values remain below zero across the U.P., coldest in the west near the WI border. Lake effect snow will also continue to impact the northwest wind snowbelts, especially across the east where a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through Sunday morning for Alger, Luce, and northern Schoolcraft Counties. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaBitterly cold temperatures will hang on through tonight as wind chill values remain below zero across the U.P., coldest in the west near the WI border. Lake effect snow will also continue to impact the northwest wind snowbelts, especially across the east where a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through Sunday morning for Alger, Luce, and northern Schoolcraft Counties.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers are expected downwind of Lake Superior through Sunday, impacting the northwest wind snowbelt areas. This snow will be very susceptible to blowing in the wind, resulting in localized visibility reductions below 1 mile at times. Make sure to drive with your headlights on, at appropriate speeds, and with extra room between yourself and other vehicles! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow showers are expected downwind of Lake Superior through Sunday, impacting the northwest wind snowbelt areas. This snow will be very susceptible to blowing in the wind, resulting in localized visibility reductions below 1 mile at times. Make sure to drive with your headlights on, at appropriate speeds, and with extra room between yourself and other vehicles! #906wx #miwx
MASS CITY AREA UPDATE via Adventure Motel >> It’s a snowy morning in Mass City, roughly 8” of snow last night. Great to see people taking advantage of the trail conditions! #masscity #westernup #keweenaw #snowphotos
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via Erika’s Trail Reports - Western UP/Porkies/Ottawa Forest/Ontonagon County >> 😍 GROOMING INSIDE A SNOW GLOBE 😍
❄️ WEEK 2 - ERIKA’S TRAIL REPORTS ❄️
(long post but worth the read)
While you were sleeping… 🌙
Our 1st official grooming (Team Trent & Erika) of the 2025-2026 season was MAGICAL!
With real feel of -15F and blizzard-like conditions, we groomed for 10 hours overnight (12/12-12/13) during heavy lake effect snow! North Country Snowmobile Club trail conditions have significantly improved thanks to the dedicated volunteers that have been cleaning the trails day and night for your enjoyment! We rated trails 101, 13 and 137 and unplowed forest roads tonight - EXCELLENT CONDITION!!! WOW, we can’t believe that it is only the 2nd week of December!
🚨 IMPORTANT REMINDERS 🚨
⚠️ Heavy lake effect snow going on all weekend: snow quickly accumulating on trails and with low visibility at times
⚠️ Trail 12 to Greenland has not been actively groomed yet;
⚠️ Trail 12/Norwich Road has not been actively groomed yet;
⚠️ Trails 1 and 11 (Porkies/Lake of the Clouds) are being worked on this weekend;
⚠️ Snow is deep and plentiful in the forest but lower accumulation near the lakefront
👏🏻 Many thanks to all the group of riders that we saw tonight for being mindful of the groomer. Let’s continue to enjoy snowmobiling in a responsible way and go home safely. #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotos
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A cold front will move across the U.P this evening. Light snow will accompany the front but generally less than an inch is expected. Behind the front temperatures will fall into the single digits above and below zero. This combined with gusty winds will bring wind chills down into the teens and twenties below zero. A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect for Gogebic and Iron counties tonight through Saturday morning. Lake effect snow will develop behind the front in the northwest wind snowbelts with several inches expected. Those headed outside tonight or traveling should be prepared for bitter cold and snow (in the northwest wind snowbelts). #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
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Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links
- Ironwood – Western U.P. Trail Report – 12/15
- Sault Ste. Marie Area Trail Report – 12/15
- Newberry Area Trail Report – 12/15
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- Lake Gogebic Area Trail Report – 12/14
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- Frederic / Gaylord Area Trail Report – Sledheads of Frederic – 12/13
- Ontonagon Area Trail Report – 12/13
- Harbor Springs Area Trail Report – 12/13
- Seney Area Trail Report – 12/12
- Traverse City Area Trail Report – 12/12
- St. Helen – Roscommon Trail Report – 12/12
- Ontonagon Area Trail Report – 12/12
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- Frederic / Gaylord Area Trail Report – Sledheads of Frederic – 12/12
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