Frederic / Gaylord Area Trail Report – Sledheads of Frederic – 01/25
FREDERIC / GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Sledheads of Frederic – 01/25 YOU BIG DUMMY, thats what Fred G Sanford would have called me yesterday for continuing my ride. It was 17 miles of snow and snirt up to the Hideaway yesterday and I should have turned around there and came back, but I kept going, There were about 6 sleds at the hideaway and I went on to Alba where there were zero sleds at Green Lantern and a very dirty trail along 131. Actually the 12 miles of the Jordan Valley loop were not that bad but after coming out on the north end of it and up to Larrys in Elmira it was back to bad and zero sleds at Larrys. That should have told me something. I headed east back towards Gaylord and did much more road riding and pavement riding than I wanted to. I definetly need to check my slides and carbides. When I finally made it back to the trail 7 at the north end of otsego lake it was snirty but at least with snow mixed in it. The best snow the whole trip was from when I hit the crawford county line all the way back to frederic. From that line all the way back to sledheads it was still coated with that nice white 3 inches of new stuff that we got that night. Moral of the story was I should have stayed within 10 miiles of Frederic. But hey I did get to do jordan valley and got 85 miles in. It was so slow going as I was trying to keep my sled in any snow I could find. Things arent looking good for the next few days. Its about 10:30 thursday morning and 35 degrees right now . At least I know a guy that sells carbides and slides. Thats my story for riding yesterday but I just had 2 guys in that rode 125 miles yestserday and they passed me on the jordan valley trail. They said they had a good ride so thats great for them. I should have stuck with them. Also if anyone lost a bag off their sled near frederic on monday or tuesday night I know where it is. Give me a call if your missing a bag….Thanks for checking in. Pete <> <> Visit Sledheads of Frederic on Facebook >>>> <> FREDERIC - GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Sledheads of Frederic , Michigan Snowmobiling >> Its misty rain and 37 degrees on this thursday morning in downtown Frederic. Roads are wet. I finally did see some sleds out and about yesterday, 4 at the Frederic Inn and 5 at Bear Lake Inn and a few guys that drove in here this morning they said they stopped by here after I left yesterday. They had rode up to the bridge and back as they were from Ohio and staying here in Frederic. There is still alot of snow in the woods but things are getting slushy. Pics below are from this morning. Its supposed to drop in temp tonight but they are showing 30s on some of next week. Thats the best I can tell you. Thanks for checking in. Pete #gaylord #snowphotos frederic-mi.com WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Lake effect totals through Friday afternoon, December 19th, 2025 have been updated slightly to account for latest shifts in atmospheric conditions. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> After a mild and occasionally rainy day today, much colder temperatures arrive this evening through Friday. Temperatures are expected to fall a good 10-20 degrees this evening through tonight. leading to a potential flash freeze of wet roads. Renewed snow chances will accompany this colder air with several inches of accumulation, especially in the snow belts of northern lower & eastern upper. In addition, strong winds upwards of 35-45 mph late tonight into Friday will lead to blowing snow. All said, travel will become hazardous later this evening through Friday across much of northern Michigan. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey JORDAN VALLEY AREA UPDATE via Jordan Valley Trails Council >> Current condition’s are 32* and drizzle. Today’s warmup is melting/settling the snow quickly. We’ll regroup Friday as temps drop and hope the snowfall comes back. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Chances tonight for light drizzle/ freezing drizzle with temperatures warming into Thursday. Rain is likely Thursday before sharply colder air moves in Thursday night into Friday, leading to a quick refreeze and snow. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyChances tonight for light drizzle/ freezing drizzle with temperatures warming into Thursday. Rain is likely Thursday before sharply colder air moves in Thursday night into Friday, leading to a quick refreeze and snow. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> We trend milder into midweek with drizzly / damp periods. Rain is likely Thursday before sharply colder air builds Thursday night into Friday, bringing potential for more lake effect snow and a quick refreeze. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyWe trend milder into midweek with drizzly / damp periods. Rain is likely Thursday before sharply colder air builds Thursday night into Friday, bringing potential for more lake effect snow and a quick refreeze. GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Heart Lake Resort Cottages - Gaylord, MI >> Walkin’ in a winter wonderland🤍 #gaylord #snowphotos FREDERIC - GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Sledheads of Frederic , Michigan Snowmobiling >> STAY OFF THE ICE & LAKES Once again 2 more sledders fell thru and drowned. That makes 4 this season, the first 2 were just walking on the ice and went thru and these next 2 were riding. Please be aware of where you are at. We had about 2 inches of new fluffy overnight again. Riders that were in yesterday were having a good time and the snow is holding pretty good. Lets see how this week goes. They are callilng for warmer temps later in the week. Thanks for checking in. Pete... #gaylord frederic-mi.com <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
Discussion
As temperatures fall early Friday, moisture pools back in, mixed with colder air over the warmer lakes, turning on the lake effect machine for both of the Great Lakes that influence our normal lake effect zones. A respectable 1-3" to 2-5" is possible in the fairly typical areas shown on the map. The narrow lane of higher elevation across the Keweenaw Peninsula and Porcupine Mountains are most-likely to experience totals exceeding 6". You may have noticed our one main change was the expansion of T-1" over to the east side of the state just as a general precaution to any snow squalls that make it across the state. Not everyone will get a rogue snow squall, but it is in the odds for nearly everyone. A snow squall is a thin, but intense band of quick snow that can produce at least half an inch of snow in minutes time, while knocking visibility down from 10 miles, to a quarter mile in moments time. Additionally, a quick coating of snow may hide any ice that was able to form from the freeze later tonight. Lake effect snow and snow squalls are poised to start later this evening around 8 pm EST (earlier for the western UP), and run primarily through 1 pm EST Friday. A couple lake effect bands may last through 6 pm across northern Michigan near Gaylord, and the central UP near Munising.
Each area is never guaranteed the totals shown on the screen. This is why we call it a prediction. The totals that are shown however do have the greatest odds of occurring. Yes, we are still trying to find that crystal ball, but no luck to this point. Follow us here at Michigan Storm Chasers for forecast updates, and a little humor on the side, throughout the next few days, and as always, 365 days a year! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyLake effect totals through Friday afternoon, December 19th, 2025 have been updated slightly to account for latest shifts in atmospheric conditions.
Discussion
As temperatures fall early Friday, moisture pools back in, mixed with colder air over the warmer lakes, turning on the lake effect machine for both of the Great Lakes that influence our normal lake effect zones. A respectable 1-3" to 2-5" is possible in the fairly typical areas shown on the map. The narrow lane of higher elevation across the Keweenaw Peninsula and Porcupine Mountains are most-likely to experience totals exceeding 6". You may have noticed our one main change was the expansion of T-1" over to the east side of the state just as a general precaution to any snow squalls that make it across the state. Not everyone will get a rogue snow squall, but it is in the odds for nearly everyone. A snow squall is a thin, but intense band of quick snow that can produce at least half an inch of snow in minutes time, while knocking visibility down from 10 miles, to a quarter mile in moments time. Additionally, a quick coating of snow may hide any ice that was able to form from the freeze later tonight. Lake effect snow and snow squalls are poised to start later this evening around 8 pm EST (earlier for the western UP), and run primarily through 1 pm EST Friday. A couple lake effect bands may last through 6 pm across northern Michigan near Gaylord, and the central UP near Munising.
Each area is never guaranteed the totals shown on the screen. This is why we call it a prediction. The totals that are shown however do have the greatest odds of occurring. Yes, we are still trying to find that crystal ball, but no luck to this point. Follow us here at Michigan Storm Chasers for forecast updates, and a little humor on the side, throughout the next few days, and as always, 365 days a year!
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Prior to this warmup, trails had 2-5” of compacted snow on them, which should give us a good solid base going forward.
In just 2 days, snow has dropped 2+” according to the National Weather Service snow gauge. The Antrim County Snowmobile Club snow gauge is sitting at 4” #jordanvalley #gaylord #snowphotos