Sault Ste. Marie Area Trail Report – 02/04
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 02/04 2/4/25 “Last night was another group effort on the run from the Soo to Kinross on Trail 49. Groomer Nathan started early and groomed from the club barn to the substation just south of 3 Mile Rd. I took over from there and headed south. I struggled a bit early trying to carry the right amount of snow with me. I just couldn’t get a good feel for it. Made it to Kinross and turned around for the return trip. Immediately, I realized the drag was digging in deeper than I like. I made lots of adjustments but I could not correct it. I stopped and called Groomer Dennis to see if he had any suggestions. He had me look over the drag but didn’t see anything obvious. I proceeded on and went another couple hundred yards and stopped again. The left rear corner of the drag was digging in and leaving a depression in the center of the trail. I wasn’t able to cover my tracks and was really disappointed with the finished product. I then called Groomer Mike and he had me check a whole list of things he could think of that might be causing it. After laying in the snow looking underneath the drag, I was getting very wet and cold. I could not find anything out of place. I proceeded on and did the best I could. Dennis met me earlier than normal and took over the route to eliminate me from the equation. He had the same issue but maybe not to level I was seeing. Overall, the trail is in great shape. I knocked down a lot of bumps and drifts and leveled the best I could. Unfortunately, there is a clear step between both passes in the trail. Trail is soft so it will settle quickly with sled traffic. We think the conditions may have played a big part in the finished product last night. Our crew will take a look at the drag today once it is thawed out and see if we have any mechanical issues. I felt like the drag had a twist in it that I could not adjust out. Finally, I may have had an off night. I felt comfortable behind the controls but never was happy with what I was seeing in the rear-view mirrors. We didn’t leave a white ribbon last night but the trail is still almost perfect. Please get out and enjoy it while the conditions are this good. I too, feel that this drag is off. We are very hopeful that we will be eligible for a new drag next season, as this one has run its course. We’ve repaired it and replaced parts but it’s just not doing as good a job as it once did. Thank you Steve and all volunteers! A bit of snow is on the way again ahead of the weekend! ❄️❄️❄️ <> <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Facebook Page <> SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 11/9/2025 FROM US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers will increase in coverage late tonight into Monday morning. The heaviest snow showers will be near the Marquette/Alger County line and the higher terrain of Marquette County. Travel could be difficult for the morning commute on Monday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow showers will increase in coverage late tonight into Monday morning. The heaviest snow showers will be near the Marquette/Alger County line and the higher terrain of Marquette County. Travel could be difficult for the morning commute on Monday. FROM US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Here is a look at snowfall reports for the lake effect snow since last night. Expect amounts to go up with another round late tonight into Monday. Did you get lake effect snow? If so, please send us your reports on Facebook or X. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaHere is a look at snowfall reports for the lake effect snow since last night. Expect amounts to go up with another round late tonight into Monday. Did you get lake effect snow? If so, please send us your reports on Facebook or X. FROM Great Lakes Weather & Climate >> 📡 Statewide radar loop through 10 AM today (11/9) shows our two distinct snowmakers in progress. FROM TV6 & FOX UP >> FIRST ALERT: Higher snowfall is now expected for portions of Marquette and Alger counties. It comes in rounds of lake effect snow starting this evening and goes through Monday evening. Plan for moderate to heavy snow, hazardous roads, and limited visibility at times. Warnings could be issued. Another update with the latest changes comes this afternoon! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaFIRST ALERT: Higher snowfall is now expected for portions of Marquette and Alger counties. It comes in rounds of lake effect snow starting this evening and goes through Monday evening. Plan for moderate to heavy snow, hazardous roads, and limited visibility at times. Warnings could be issued. Another update with the latest changes comes this afternoon! bring it on winter!!!!😂😂😂😂🤪🤪🤪 FROM US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> The first widespread lake effect snow event of the year is set to kick off tonight and last through Monday. The heaviest snowfall across the central U.P. will be highly contingent on where the strongest lake effect snowbands persist. Expect sharp snowfall gradients and rapid changes in road conditions impacting weekend travel and Monday commutes. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #newberry #seney #soo #straitsareaThe first widespread lake effect snow event of the year is set to kick off tonight and last through Monday. The heaviest snowfall across the central U.P. will be highly contingent on where the strongest lake effect snowbands persist. Expect sharp snowfall gradients and rapid changes in road conditions impacting weekend travel and Monday commutes. FROM TV6 & FOX UP >> FIRST ALERT: Accumulating snow between Sunday and Monday. Highest amounts subject change based on where snow bands set up. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Quiet weather is expected today as highs climb into the 40s with increasing clouds through the day. A cold front will bring light showers to the area tonight, with a wintry mix of precipitation types possible, but not much snow or ice accumulation is expected as lows fall near 30. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaQuiet weather is expected today as highs climb into the 40s with increasing clouds through the day. A cold front will bring light showers to the area tonight, with a wintry mix of precipitation types possible, but not much snow or ice accumulation is expected as lows fall near 30. <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>
Good morning everyone! Steve sent me a detailed report of his run last night, so let’s get to it!
Steve Lawson”Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
Good evening everyone! We received our first measurable snow overnight, and thanks to Pete, Ryan, and all who have helped them this fall, our trail signing is complete!!🙌🏼
Here’s Pete’s report from today-
“November 9th 2025
Trail report:
Volunteers: Two
Total time: 10hrs
Miles traveled: 5
Holes dug: 42
New posts put up: 39
Wildlife: 4 deer
Times stuck in mud: no comment
Weather: clear, 29 degrees
Ryan and I couldn’t wrangle up any help today, so we finished our trail signing alone today. We started early and headed across town to start on trail 449. We put up 18 posts in the first 1/2 mile. The trail leading to the Kewadin Casino is VERY wet. Glad to report how well the Polaris winch worked today! On a good note, that trail has been worked on and riders should find it in better shape early in the season. We strategically worked our way through the wet areas and completed signing on 449 and 497. The only place we couldn’t get to was the hill between Ashmun Creek and the I-75 tunnel. The thick red clay muck was too much, and our prayers to the Gods of traction went unanswered. It was a rough day and we are completely worn out. I am
glad to report that the trail brushing is going to greatly improve early season riding!
The new Culver’s restaurant is coming along AWESOME. The trail runs right next to the parking lot. I imagine we will be able to get a ButterBurger this season.
The trails open in 22 days! We will report to the DNR that we are ready for our trail audit, and then fix any problems they find. Other than that, we are ready to RIDE!
Trail Guru Pete”
As always, thank you to our awesome volunteers, and to ALL who help support our efforts!
❄️❄️❄️You can join or donate at www.sootrails.org❄️❄️❄️
Thank you! #soo #snowphotos 
The first one is the synoptic (aka "system") snow associated with a low that is moving east through southern Ohio. The counterclockwise flow around the low is shown over Metro Detroit as moisture interacts with decreasing temps, leading to this morning's snowfall.
Over the U.P. and Lake Michigan, the north winds are ushering in the coldest air of the season, which activates lake effect snow and transitions to the second portion of this snow event. Counties in the corner of southwest lower Michigan, northern Indiana and Illinois are set to receive a firehose of lake effect over the next 24-36 hrs, resulting in accumulations that could push one foot.
Portions of northern lower Michigan and the Saginaw Bay region are also set to receive lake effect snowfall through this evening, with amounts of 3-6 inches possible, with isolated higher amounts. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #traversecity #petoskey
Forecast>https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2025/11/07/first-alert-winter-blast-bring-accumulating-snow/ #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #newberry #soo #straitsareaFIRST ALERT: Accumulating snow between Sunday and Monday. Highest amounts subject change based on where snow bands set up.
Forecast>www.uppermichiganssource.com/2025/11/07/first-alert-winter-blast-bring-accumulating-snow/