After starting the day out taking Sparky to the vet for surgery, we finished breakfast and finally got out on the trail! Fun.

We headed out on trail 7 down to Waters to get gassed up. Trail 7 was good, a little rough spots right along where the sledding hill is just before Waters. Then we headed back on trail 7 north to catch trail 4. Rode trail 4 over to The Settings. This entire ride on trails 7 and 4 was excellent conditions.

The trails were groomed and smooth. Only 2-3 corners were a bit sloppy. What fun!

Any part of the trail that is running along the highway, or crosses alot of roads the trail is ‘dirty/snirty’ or whatever. Nowhere did we hit any part of the trail that was down to dirt. Plenty of snow. Anywhere it was in the woods or aways off the roads it was white enough you couldn’t see exactly where the trail was.

Found more snow as we got further west, definitely more snow in Lakes of the North.

If you want to enjoy good riding, I recommend this ride. A room just came in and they continued on over to Jordan Valley and say it was great riding all over there too.

We’d love to see some of that snow that is downstate, but even without it we had a fun day on the trail.

I highly recommend enjoying the trails during the week. Give us a call if you want a good place to stay directly on the trail. If you need a sled to ride, we can help you with that too. We’re renting ski doo snowmobiles too.

989-732-2703 or 989-732-4914.

Benzie-Manistee Snowmobile Club – 01/07
There’s 11-14 inches ground cover on north end, with 4 of it being ice and 4 being snow; excellent condition but icy. On the South end we have 6-8 inches ground, base 4 inches ice 2 in snow 1/4 inch ice, excellent condition. Bear Lake loop will NOT be groomed. Will report when that resumes. The trail on Highbridge Rd. from Old House Rd into the woods on River Rd is mogulley. Slow going there. The trails are ICED over. We had our first casuality. So REMEMBER RIDE FOR THE CONDITIONS, SLOW DOWN!!!! Don’t forget our Snowmobile Safety class next Saturday; plan to join us ages 12 and up or just refresh you it’s FREE. Because of the safety class being at the Club House, we will have an open house at the Old House Road, Sat from 11 – 4pm. Come and join in the fun. Weather forecast is for 1-3 inches the next 48 hours , temps in 20’s to teens, winds are drifting the snow. All lake effect. Dry and fluffy. Ray Bradley is 2009 Groomer of the year. Way to go Ray!! We wish you all a Happy New Year. Ski slopes are open and ready for your arrival. Hope your sleds are tuned up gassed up and ready for the snowmobile season. Support your winter sport don’t forget to buy your trail permit for 2010 season here. We sell permits through our members or at local merchants in this area and remember to get our trail map. More info on our web about who to contact www.benziemanisteesnowbirds.com

BENZIE BUREAU – 01/04
Hi all! Happy NEW YEAR! Well we have been pounded the last few days! We have gotten anywhere from 6 – 12 inches PLUS! Lots of fluff though and some wind so you are seeing deep deep snow in some spots with drifing. Base is holding up under several inches of fluff. Its a bit warmer wetter snow coming down today which should help pack the fluff down some. Groomers are out but the Bear Lake loop is not being groomed for the moment, when I hear that resumes, I’ll let ya know. Remember the groomers are volunteers out there for you, so if ya see one, get outta their way and give them a thumbs up. Grooming is done 4 days a week, by 3 groomers at different parts of the trail every Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat. nights, plus "as needed". FYI – Snowmobile Safety class at the Snowbirds Clubhouse is coming up this Saturday, January 9, 2010, 8am start, ages 12 and up. Free, & Lunch is provided. So, drop me a note that you are out there! I love hearing your stories and reports! This report is all of us working it together! BE SAFE, BE SMART, and I’ll SEEYA on the trails! Carol B — Benzie Bureau