I went for a quick ride to see what things are like. This mirrors my post from a couple weeks ago with the previous warm up
Along cr407 to the river the trail is shot but you can ride between the road and trail. Watch for hazards
Trail 8 has spots where it’s good and it has spots that are bare for several hundred feet and you have to skirt the edge. It’s the worst in the clear cuts
The seasonal roads and fire lanes are good still.
It’s spring riding conditions that are way early this year. You need to trailer up to get into the snow. Towns will be bad to terrible to access.
If you want to do a ton of miles stay home. As I’ve been telling everyone if you want to ride some and not afraid to take the seasonal roads etc you can do 75 to 100 miles and have some fun. Ride the trails long enough to get off of them
The pictures are from today they start from leaving pine stump and working my way up to trail 8 west and then looping back on seasonal roads and fire lanes
Trail 9 towards wolf inn will be similar. Some crap and some that’s not so bad.
In the clear cuts are where things are the worst. I’m sure the burned out area towards paradise is terrrible
Chic from the hotdog stand stopped with a group yesterday. She had good riding coming across on the seasonal roads etc. check out her page
It’s supposed to be cold this weekend with a chance of 1-3 inches of snow tomorrow. Boy would the few inches of snow be a blessing at this point. We just need to get past the warm day today let’s hope some clouds roll in
For most riders this could be the end if we don’t get some March storms. Typically we get some good storms in March so let’s hope
Go for a ride and if you get bored jump in the truck and visit all your favorite places. Make sure to visit the local businesses while your up they’d love to see you
I’m all booked up but feel free to trailer up here. There’s also the holland lake lot up the road a couple miles
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 ... See MoreSee Less
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! ... See MoreSee Less
NEWBERRY AREA UPDATE via TASA Tahquamenon Area Snowmobile Association >> Trail Update 12/30-12/31 All 3 Groomers are out: Groomer Ed is headed north on Trail 9 Groomer Chad is headed down Trail 45 to the Falls and Groomer Jimmy and Matthew are headed down the South Trail to Epoufette... #newberry #snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A clipper low will bring widespread light snow to the U.P today with generally less than an inch of snowfall. The exception will be in the northwest wind snowbelts where up to 4” of dry fluffy snow is possible. It will be cold for New Years Eve and those headed out should dress accordingly; temperatures in the single digits and breezy conditions will result in sub zero wind chills. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA clipper low will bring widespread light snow to the U.P today with generally less than an inch of snowfall. The exception will be in the northwest wind snowbelts where up to 4” of dry fluffy snow is possible. It will be cold for New Years Eve and those headed out should dress accordingly; temperatures in the single digits and breezy conditions will result in sub zero wind chills. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via TV6 & FOX UP >> Lake effect snow continues in Alger County this morning. Then, a clipper system brings slight snow by the afternoon followed by more lake effect snow tomorrow! #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea... See MoreSee Less
SENEY AREA UPDATE via Seney Snowmobile Association >> Well, that was one heck of a storm we got yesterday! We currently have two machines heading to the bear trap to try and get that back into shape. We will be working on 440 also today. It’s going to take us a few days to get all the trails cleared. If your out riding today be careful out there lots of snow drifts. If you see a tree down and you can help move it please lend a hand we can use all the help we can get. #seney #newberry ... See MoreSee Less
GRAND MARAIS AREA UPDATE via Grand Marais Sno-Trails Assoc. >> The forecast did not disappoint. Lots of wind and snow. It will take a few days to get the trails cleaned up. Ride with caution as there are trees down and big drifts. 2 drivers are headed east to groom and clean up. 2 drivers will be heading west to groom and clean up shortly North and South routes to follow. #grandmarais #newberry ... See MoreSee Less
NEWBERRY AREA UPDATE via TASA Tahquamenon Area Snowmobile Association >> The cool thing about this video is when I left to groom 9 Sunday night, we were still praying for the snow to hit, and I was just working on trail repair, before I got back from this 16hr 91.5 mile run, THIS is what I was working with!! 16 hours included cutting two downed 12-14" pines trees completely across and many other smaller and wind blown debris, lots of stops. I left green ribbons hanging in the spots I cut the two pines, worried about what I may have missed under the snow. Just careful. #newberry #snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
NEWBERRY AREA UPDATE via Halfway Lake Cottages, LLC >> Trail Update 12/30/25. Things are slightly calmer then yesterday. Estimates for snowfall are north of 18 inches of fluff but it was hard to tell will all the drifting. Clubs are getting back onto the trails. Most in the area have started grooming again but caution to watch for down trees and drifts for the next couple of days. 1 report comming in from Grand Marais saying there is a tree across 8 halfway to Pine Stump. Paradise is out working on knocking drifts down on 9 out in Siberia along with opening up 452/453. Tomorrow thwy plan on sending two groomers down 45 to see if they can work some magic. We are currently under another winter storm watch with totals saying around 7 inches to fall by tomorrow. So far its looking like an epic week. We still have availabilty in Janurary starting Janurary 3rd. Cally and book today 810 531 1344 #newberry #snowphotosTrail Update 12/30/25.
Things are slightly calmer then yesterday. Estimates for snowfall are north of 18 inches of fluff but it was hard to tell will all the drifting.
Clubs are getting back onto the trails. Most in the area have started grooming again but caution to watch for down trees and drifts for the next couple of days.
1 report comming in from Grand Marais saying there is a tree across 8 halfway to Pine Stump.
Paradise is out working on knocking drifts down on 9 out in Siberia along with opening up 452/453. Tomorrow thwy plan on sending two groomers down 45 to see if they can work some magic.
We are currently under another winter storm watch with totals saying around 7 inches to fall by tomorrow. So far its looking like an epic week.
We still have availabilty in Janurary starting Janurary 3rd. Cally and book today 810 531 1344 ... See MoreSee Less
EASTERN U.P. UPDATE via Mackinac County Snowmobile Association >> Tuesday December 30 We really got the snow yeaterday. Cut river area seemed to be the winner with claims to 36 inches. St ignace received a foot or more and Trout lake closer to 2ft. With all that snow comes the fun stuff. We did pan what we could last night but had to turn around and could not make it into St ignace do to down trees. We will need a few days to get this storm cleaned up. It is passable to St Ignace by sled but ungroomed until clean up is done. So much snow came at once it will take several passes to get a good hard base again so please be patient with us for a few days while we get things in order. Use extreme caution while riding in our area as there still is branches in the trail. We will update as soon as conditions change. Thank you #soo #straitsarea #newberry #snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
GRAND MARAIS AREA UPDATE via Grand Marais Outfitters Michigan >> ❄We made it to the other side of the blizzard. ☃ The 20 or so inches of new snow is something to behold! ❄Power's been restored and we are digging out - See you soon!❄ 🏠N14277 Lake Ave., Grand Marais MI 49839 💻grandmaraisoutfitters.com – the online store! 📲(906) 494-3333 ⏰ open Mon-Wed 10-3; Thurs 10-6; Fri 10-7; Sat 9-7; Sun 9-2 #grandmarais #newberry #snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
PARADISE AREA UPDATE via Paradise Area Night Riders www.paradiseareanightriders.org >> 12/30/25 14 degrees this morning and partly cloudy. About all I can say about the last couple days is HOLY WAH...did we ever get hammered with snow and wind!!!! Its impossible to say how much snow cause of all the wind but I`ll just say plenty! Everyone spent all day yesterday clearing snow and today we are hittin the trails wide open. Here`s what we have planned for the next couple days....... All 3 machines will be out today. We are sending 2 of them on the Point Trails #452 & #453. One will have a drag and the other will be helping clear trees down, we have reports of several down. The other machine will make its way down the Pine Stump trail #8. I can only imagine the drifting in "Siberia". Tomorrow we are sending 2 machines, one with a drag the other clearing trees, south on trail #8. We will be skipping the swamp for now and just starting at the river mouth. Not sure right now on the other machine duties. If all goes well we will start working on the Falls trail #45 and then go into the swamp south of town. It looks like the weather is gonna finally cooperate and its supposed to stay cold and snowy for at least a week or more. We are supposed to get another 6" plus tonight. I tend to not believe the forecast any more than a week out....LOL. Sooooooo......with all the snow and cold we are gonna run full blast! It may take a day or two to get everything in shape but we`ll try our best!!! If we can get the swamps filled in we`ll be golden....wish us luck. LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Groomer Chris #paradise #newberry ... See MoreSee Less
TROUT LAKE AREA UPDATE via The Rail House-Trout Lake MI >> Attempt #2... we made the entire loop around the lake. Use caution as there is a downed tree on the backside of the lake. We did not have a chainsaw and were unable to move it on our own. Visibility is better and there are a lot of sleds out. The snow is DEEP. If I had to guess I would say we got 20"+ of snow. Be safe. Be prepared and do not ride alone. Buckhorn, Trout Lake is open and so is the gas station Special thanks to RAD Rentals! Our family from Florida is enjoying the snow and their lessons in being a Yooper. Check them out for snowmobile and gear rentals!! #troutlake #newberry #snowphotosAttempt #2... we made the entire loop around the lake. Use caution as there is a downed tree on the backside of the lake. We did not have a chainsaw and were unable to move it on our own. Visibility is better and there are a lot of sleds out. The snow is DEEP. If I had to guess I would say we got 20"+ of snow. Be safe. Be prepared and do not ride alone.
Buckhorn, Trout Lake is open and so is the gas station
Special thanks to RAD Rentals! Our family from Florida is enjoying the snow and their lessons in being a Yooper. Check them out for snowmobile and gear rentals!! ... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 02/21
2/21 5:30 PM update. Ok guys, sun is going down and it’s cooling off a bit but we for sure lost a lot of snow cover today. I plan to drive and look down the trails, and I’ll report what I see. For those that are already here, or are coming no matter what, these are my suggestions on where to stage at to avoid a ton of road riding, or thin trails.
Option 1- Wild Bluff Golf Course at Bay Mills Resort and Casino. The trail is just to the north of the lot, maybe a 1/4 to 1/2 mile. It’ll be a little rough along the road, but it’s a short stretch to the trail. From there, you can hit the 889 loop, be sure to stop and take in the amazing view at Mission Hill Overlook. There are a ton of forest service roads all back in there and all the way through Raco and Strongs. Be sure to stop in to Sacy’s Restaurant for an excellent breakfast or dinner, and also Back Bay Grill and Games for lunch or dinner. It’s a quick walk right across the street from Wild Bluff.
Option 2- Park at Waboose Ski Trail head off of Ranger Rd, 2.5 miles north of M28. This is where the ORV route comes in, and again, tons of two tracks and forest service roads all back in there.
Option 3- there is a small parking area on the north side of M28, east of Strongs Corner. That is right on trail 47 which I have heard is not good (rocks mixed with snirt) but again, the forest service roads are also right there. There’s a place a little further down on M28 where you can cross over to south of M28 and hit all of those forest service roads too.
For maps, you’re on your own. You can see most of them on the Polaris Ride Command app. I’m sure also on VV Mapping, or similar. Also the Hiawatha National Forest website. This is the Sault Ste Marie sector.
Cell service can be spotty out there. Please download the what3words app and start it before you head out. Doing so should allow you to still pull up the 3 words that are assigned to your location in the event of an emergency. You can also text 911 with very little signal.
Please be mindful of signs that say no snomobiles or private property, and don’t trespass. Also be mindful of forest plantations.
Last but certainly not least, before or after you ride, please stop in and support the local businesses that have been here for all of us, snow or no snow. Who knows if this is the end of the season or not, but it’s been a very, very tough winter for area businesses.
Please be safe! It’s spring conditions for sure as of today, mixed with early season little to no base on the trails.
Let us know if you have questions and we’ll try to help.
Oh and if you appreciate what we do, we’d be so grateful for a donation! You can do so at www.sootrails.org. We are all unpaid volunteers. Thanks guys!
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2/21 mid afternoon update- it’s 45 degrees and sunny today. Boo! I’m not out riding so I can’t tell you what the trails look like, but I would bet they are getting soft and burning down in the thin areas. The icicles on my house are rapidly melting. I still show 9” of snow here at my house (down from 14” on Sunday) If you’re out riding our area today, please comment on this post or message us so that we can help others know what’s going on out there. Thanks!
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2/21 – good morning all! This is from yesterday, but I just got it. Our newest groomer recently retired after he sold his John Deere dealership in Ohio, so his nickname is Tractor Tim😉 He headed out yesterday on the power lines, also 889, and part of 480. Here’s what he had to say-
“Yesterday, we groomed 480 to the Spile Dam turnaround , 8 from Brimley turn off to Ranger rd (the power lines), & the Mission Hill loop (889) down to Bay Mills resort. The power lines are thin but very rideable . All of the other trails are good to very good . Big Thanks to Trainer Raco Dave , Turbo and my wife Melissa for riding shotgun”
Thanks for your time Tim! We are happy to have you aboard!
Videos in the comments.
I will update you all later. Grooming has been suspended until further notice, as things are about as good as they can get with the minimal snow we have and warmer temps today.
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 ... See MoreSee Less
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! ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A clipper low will bring widespread light snow to the U.P today with generally less than an inch of snowfall. The exception will be in the northwest wind snowbelts where up to 4” of dry fluffy snow is possible. It will be cold for New Years Eve and those headed out should dress accordingly; temperatures in the single digits and breezy conditions will result in sub zero wind chills. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA clipper low will bring widespread light snow to the U.P today with generally less than an inch of snowfall. The exception will be in the northwest wind snowbelts where up to 4” of dry fluffy snow is possible. It will be cold for New Years Eve and those headed out should dress accordingly; temperatures in the single digits and breezy conditions will result in sub zero wind chills. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via TV6 & FOX UP >> Lake effect snow continues in Alger County this morning. Then, a clipper system brings slight snow by the afternoon followed by more lake effect snow tomorrow! #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea... See MoreSee Less
EASTERN U.P. UPDATE via Mackinac County Snowmobile Association >> Tuesday December 30 We really got the snow yeaterday. Cut river area seemed to be the winner with claims to 36 inches. St ignace received a foot or more and Trout lake closer to 2ft. With all that snow comes the fun stuff. We did pan what we could last night but had to turn around and could not make it into St ignace do to down trees. We will need a few days to get this storm cleaned up. It is passable to St Ignace by sled but ungroomed until clean up is done. So much snow came at once it will take several passes to get a good hard base again so please be patient with us for a few days while we get things in order. Use extreme caution while riding in our area as there still is branches in the trail. We will update as soon as conditions change. Thank you #soo #straitsarea #newberry #snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/30/25 11 AM Attention local riders. While we are not asking you to go out, if you are out riding today, please report what you are seeing and any hazards so we can warn others. As we get to all routes, we will also update. As a reminder, the only trails that have been groomed since the storm hit are trail 8 from the Soo to Brimley, and the city trails (49 to Alberta lane and the Don Dee, the I500/ Holiday Inn trail, 449 to Kewadin, and the high school trail). I just spoke with Bruce who will be hitting the 494 loop south of Kinross, and he’s going to also head north to 12 mile on 49 if he’s able to safely. I’m still working on getting someone for 49 from the Soo to 12 mile. The Pisten Bully is still at the Soo barn, so 8 west of Brimley, the Raco powerline, 480 to the Spile Dam gate, and the 889 loop have not been touched. I know that there are monster drifts out that way. Possibly downed trees too. Even very experienced riders are getting stuck across the UP after this strom. PLEASE be very careful! Again, please see the pinned post about 472/480 construction. Thank you! #soo ... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/29 Last one for tonight! Whew! What a day! I need to talk with the groomer bosses to find out the game plan for the remaining areas. My earlier video is the best I know right now. Pete had an excellent run on the city trails, and Jay and I had a great run on 8 from the Soo to Brimley tonight. Temps were perfect for setting things up. We still had heavy snow squalls at times, and drifting will continue overnight, I’m sure. Thank you for your patience as we try to get to all areas. I know that 49 between the soo and kinross is on everyone’s minds, just as it is mine. I’ll get the scoop tomorrow, now that hopefully most of our volunteers have been able to dig out. Goodnight! #soo #soo1229b#snowphotos... See MoreSee Less