Sault Ste. Marie Area Trail Report – 01/14
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 01/14 1/14/25 trail 49 update- We have a couple of days of warmer temps coming, then back to a deep freeze. This will freeze up solid in the coming days, but we wanted to get the word out for our weekday riders. <> 1/14/25 “Last night Passenger Chris and I headed out to groom Trail 49 from the Soo to Kinross. There was light snow falling and we had some recent snow to work with. It was setting up to be a nice night. We stopped at the M-28 crossing to check things over and clean off the drag. Chris tripped on something while walking behind the drag and we realized we were tangled in a bunch of old fencing and dragging a stop sign. We were not able to undue the mess so we set it all on top of the drag and continued on. Things went well until we dropped into the swamp south of 12 Mile. The same couple hundred yard stretch we have been battling all winter opened up again and is open water. We made our way through working with the little bit of snow we had leveling up the best we could. Trail is rough but is getting better. There are thin spots with dirt showing. We crossed Gaines Hwy and headed towards our turnaround in Kinross. I did not realize it, but while crossing the Hwy, I dropped some snow and large ice chunks off the drag. I apologize to the vehicles that hit the mess. Overall, the trail is coming along good. It is still a work in progress. The ditches are still showing water and the snow is thin in places. We are working with what we have and just need some more cold weather. The ground is still melting the trail base from the bottom up in our bad spots. Hopefully we keep making improvements as we go along. Steve Lawson <> <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Facebook Page <> WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Ice and snow forecasts for tomorrow, April 2nd, 2026... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Winter Storm Watches remain in effect across the entire U.P. for tonight into Thursday. There is the potential for significant snow, sleet and freezing rain (ice) accumulations. The combination of ice on trees/powerlines and wind could result in power outages. At this time, there has been a significant decrease in snow amounts and a trend toward higher ice accumulations. For more details please see our latest weather briefing, www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #sooWinter Storm Watches remain in effect across the entire U.P. for tonight into Thursday. There is the potential for significant snow, sleet and freezing rain (ice) accumulations. The combination of ice on trees/powerlines and wind could result in power outages. At this time, there has been a significant decrease in snow amounts and a trend toward higher ice accumulations. For more details please see our latest weather briefing, www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Winter Storm Watches have been issued across the entire U.P. for Wednesday night into Thursday. There is the potential for significant snow, sleet and freezing rain (ice) accumulations. The combination of ice on trees/powerlines and wind could result in power outages. At this time the best chance for accumulating snow is over the northern and western U.P. For more details please see our latest weather briefing, www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Tonight, isolated to scattered rain showers are expected across the south and east, with maybe a few thunderstorms across the south. Across the north-central, drizzle and freezing drizzle may occur. Tuesday, conditions evolve mainly to a mix of rain and snow before we see a mostly dry Wednesday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #sooTonight, isolated to scattered rain showers are expected across the south and east, with maybe a few thunderstorms across the south. Across the north-central, drizzle and freezing drizzle may occur. Tuesday, conditions evolve mainly to a mix of rain and snow before we see a mostly dry Wednesday. WEATHER UPDATE via MLive.com >> Here's a look at this winter's snowfall totals so far at some of the bigger cities across Michigan. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey Season snowfall totals in Michigan might really surprise you, high and low www.mlive.com SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 3/30/26 Thank you to all whom helped . It is greatly appreciated!!!!! WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Cloud cover increases today ahead of the next batch of wintry precipitation that moves in this evening into the night. By tomorrow, the wintry precipitation will become more confined to the north, while showers and thunderstorms sneak into the southern counties. A few of these storms could even become strong at times with large hail. Further out, snow is expected to return from Wednesday night through Thursday morning, eventually transitioning to a wintry mix again by Thursday afternoon. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #sooCloud cover increases today ahead of the next batch of wintry precipitation that moves in this evening into the night. By tomorrow, the wintry precipitation will become more confined to the north, while showers and thunderstorms sneak into the southern counties. A few of these storms could even become strong at times with large hail. Further out, snow is expected to return from Wednesday night through Thursday morning, eventually transitioning to a wintry mix again by Thursday afternoon. SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 3/28/26 I'm sure your efforts were greatly appreciated 👍 WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> After light snow wraps up this evening, expect partially clearing skies overnight while temperatures fall back mainly into the 20s. Clouds increase Sunday, with a milder day ahead as temperatures climb into the 40s and 50s. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #sooAfter light snow wraps up this evening, expect partially clearing skies overnight while temperatures fall back mainly into the 20s. Clouds increase Sunday, with a milder day ahead as temperatures climb into the 40s and 50s. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> AM lake effect snow showers will diminish across the east, but additional snow showers will be possible this afternoon across the northern U.P. After warm and dry days Sunday and Monday, incoming rainfall is expected by late Monday afternoon. High temperatures will top off in the 40s and 50s by Sunday and Monday. The exception will be the northernmost portions of the Keweenaw where upper 30s will linger. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #sooAM lake effect snow showers will diminish across the east, but additional snow showers will be possible this afternoon across the northern U.P. After warm and dry days Sunday and Monday, incoming rainfall is expected by late Monday afternoon. High temperatures will top off in the 40s and 50s by Sunday and Monday. The exception will be the northernmost portions of the Keweenaw where upper 30s will linger. SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 3/28/26 <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>
🚨🚨As you can see, there are some areas that opened back up. This is on 49 between 12 mile and Gaines Hwy. Please use extreme caution!!!
Thanks all! Be safe!
Hello everyone! Steve, Chris, and Dennis ran the Soo to Kinross route on 49 last night. I always look forward to Steve’s reports, and it’s always an adventure on this trail!
Here’s what he had to say-
Before leaving town, we opened up the courtesy trail to Chippewa Motors. We made one pass and panned the powerline where all the recent utility work has been done. Snow is thin but the trail is useable.
We then headed south and made use of our Limbmasher in places that needed trimming. We took down a lot of limbs on our way through.
We made the return trip and had plans to meet Groomer Dennis at the 7 Mile Rd crossing to help remove the wire from the drag. We had the stop sign we were dragging labeled with the road name so we knew where it had to be reinstalled. We were able to replace the stop sign and get the wire removed from the drag.
Dennis continued from there back to the barn. His return trip was uneventful.
Chippewa Motors, Inc.”
Definitely always a story on trail 49. We sure will be grateful when this trail receives the approval from the state for much needed permanent improvements to mitigate the water issues. Still way ahead of where we normally are on that stretch in early January👍🏼Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
Hello everyone!
It’s 41 degrees here in the Soo today with warm sunshine. The melt is definitely on.
It’s heard to believe that we were still grooming as of yesterday! What a season!
The Tucker that sits in Kinross was brought back to the Soo barn yesterday, and the Pisten Bully just came in to the Soo barn this morning from Raco.
It’s so bittersweet as we have SO MUCH snow still on the trails, but our operators deserve some well earned rest, and all good things must come to an end.
Tonight, we’re holding our groomer appreciation dinner and I’ll get some pics and maybe some Q & A with some of our operators for you about this season.
Once I have all of the March paperwork completed, I’ll also share some stats from the season.
We’ll be getting gates closed after the 31st, and some are still really buried in snow, so please know where you are riding after 3/31 and stay off of private property. Trails on state and federal lands do not close but will not be groomed. Be safe if you still choose to ride and be alert to rapidly changing conditions such as water holes opening up. It’s going to be one heck of a mud season this year!
As of today, we still have 30” of snow on the ground, with a trail base of over 2’ in many areas🤯
Thank you to all who visited our area, rode our trail system, supported our local businesses, donated to or joined our club, who follow us on Groomer Tracker and here on Facebook, the DNR for finding additional grooming dollars to get us through March, our incredible volunteers and members, and most importantly, the AMAZING landowners who allow us to have the wonderful trail system that we have!
Best season ever!!! ❄️❄️❄️
PS- there’s rumor of a big snowstorm late this week😅😂 #soo #soo0330 #snowphotos
Good evening!!
It was Turbo and Diane’s last run for the season on 889. And they made it a double due to someone thinking they could drive a truck on the trail😔
Here’s what they had to say-
“This morning was a little bittersweet, as it was our last groom of the season on trails 480, 8 and 889. I really appreciate what Groomer Mark left for me this morning. The trails were nice and flat and smooth. They need very little to touch them up. Honestly, I believe these trails today are better than they were mid-season. It's really a shame that the season ends April 1st. It snowed the whole time. We got about 4" of new snow. This was our first groom this whole season, where I left a perfect ribbon from start to finish. Not one sled track the whole way.
So about 6pm tonight we were driving down Plantation road because Mrs. Turbo saw an eagles nest along the courtesy trail to Bay Mills this morning, and we saw a rescue vehicle sitting on the road just past the beginning of trail 889. So we stopped and waited for the rubber tracked skid loader pulling out a pick up truck. I asked him what they were doing driving on the trail and he said they were going to the Mission Hill overlook. I asked him how bad he tore up the trail getting stuck, and he said it was pretty bad. He tried to turn around and ended up getting stuck. I believe he could have driven the whole trail and been fine. The trails are so hard packed, we couldn't hardly see any tire tracks. So Mrs. Turbo and I went home and got our grooming clothes on and went back out to go fix it. Thankfully, it wasn't as bad as he told us it was. As beautiful as the trails were this morning, we must have had a lot of traffic today, because it was pretty tore up. So, it was actually a good thing we went out. We saw many sleds. All in all, it was a pretty good day. We hope everyone had a great day of riding. Enjoy, these last few days of the season. Remember, ride right, ride safe and ride sober.
Turbo”
Thank you so much for your extra efforts today, and all season!! Beautiful job!!❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0328b #snowphotos
Turbo and Diane hit the 889 loop very early this morning as fresh snow was falling.
Looking awesome guys! More to come from their run a little later❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0328 #snowphotos