The snowmobile trails from Twin Lakes to Copper Harbor are officially open. The groomers are out checking and working on the trails. Early season to fair conditions.

Any trail usage should be done with extreme care until we have better snow cover as there are rocks, stumps, branches and wet areas not covered by snow and hazards that have not been identified.

The protective mat on the Portage Lift Bridge between Houghton and Hancock will not be installed until the middle of December. Please drive carefully on the metal grating until the mat is installed….do NOT use the ice.

Remember to watch out for the groomers when you’re out on the trails, they have the right of way!!

The Keweenaw Convention & Visitors Bureau asks that you stay on the trails, STAY OFF THE ICE, respect private property, do not drink and drive, and above all else, please, drive safely. The signs on the snowmobile trails are there for the riders’ safety. Please, DO NOT remove or destroy these signs.

Please be aware that if you snowmobile on U.S. Coast Guard property you could face federal trespass charges.

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We’ve got more snow than the record books have ever shown coming this early so there’s no problem there. Unfortunately, as you early snowmobilers know, we do have to deal with wet conditions in certain trail areas this early in the season – even though we’ve been getting some pretty cold temps. It will take a lot of packing the trails down and then freezing to get the wet areas good and frozen. Trail 8W has some extremely wet areas you must avoid!!!! Watch for signs and “dark” areas indicating water under the snow. The groomers have been out on trails where they could go, but I hesitate to say the base is hardened at this time. Trails 8 E and 1N will be in the best shape this early on with the driest conditions. Also, remember to stay on the trails so as not to jeopardize our land easements where the trails cross private property.

Trail 13 S will be completely open as of December 1st where it was always closed due to muzzle loading hunting. I guess there’s too much snow for them to go hunting this year. However, this trail will be very wet and has not been packed by the groomers yet due to hunting over the last half of November.

Please check back often as reports will be updated. When you come up, please support those businesses that display the Gogebic Area Grooming Supporter decal as they stand with us in local grooming efforts. Please ride safe.