Ontonagon Area Trail Report – 12/28
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via Scott’s Superior Inn – 12/28
🌨 Trail Update – Ontonagon 🌨
The recent days have been tough on the trails, with the warmer weather taking a toll. Trails close to the lakeshore are in rough shape, but you’ll find slightly better conditions in the higher elevations.
⛔️ We strongly recommend staying off the trails this weekend to let them recover and prevent further damage.
❄️ Good news ahead! Lane at Midwest Weather is anticipating a significant amount of snow in the forecast towards the end of this week. Fresh snow is on its way, and brighter days for riding are just around the corner!
We’ll keep you updated as conditions improve. Stay tuned and get ready to hit the trails when the snow comes through!
📸 (pictures are from 12/28/2024)
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ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP – 12/28
Ope, we’re suggesting you’se guys better not be adventuring out on the sled trails rights now. We’ve had light rain, 34*F temps, 39* high today, more light rain/drizzle through midday. Trails along road ditches will be very hazardous with ponding from the rain/melting. We did seem to get spared somewhat with the heaviest rain!! At the end of this post are google map locations of GIANT waterfalls to come visit in lieu of riding!
ARE TRAILS RUINED? NO! Trails along roadway ditches and in the swamps will need major attention once the flowing water subsides. Trails in the woods on good surfaces will rebound quickly with some fresh snow, much of our Porcupine Mountain trails remain WHITE! Early January riding is totally in the realm of reality as long as we get a good blast of snow.
Looking for other things to do today or tomorrow? How about a car ride Waterfall Tour!
Bond Falls – Paulding
PARK: https://maps.app.goo.gl/J29owxWtyGRcYxNz7
NOTES: The drive down to the parking area may be barricaded. I would still walk the road down if so, the trails in the woods will be treacherous.
Agate Falls – Trout Creek
PARK: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mXW34ShFnxGFCkMX6
Notes: The bridge above the falls is snowmobile trail 8.
Victoria Dam Falls – Rockland
PARK: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CFLvWVdN7MtcTfMz9
NOTES: You will walk past the yellow gate and to the RIGHT down the hill towards the falls/dam.
Thank you Hamilton’s North Coast Adventures for the image and Waterfall adventure planning! Visit The Porcupine Mountains to start planning your next adventure here!
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Visit North Country Snowmobile Club – UP Website >>>>
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Visit North Country Snowmobile Club – UP on Facebook >>>>
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Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
LAKE GOGEBIC AREA UPDATE via Gogebic Area Grooming >> Bergland Area Groomer's.. 12-13-25. Blizzard condition's the past 2 day's.
13n to Rockland getting it's first groom tonight. Gogebic Area Grooming ❄️❄️❄️ #lakegogebic #westernup #snowphotos
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Bitterly cold temperatures will hang on through tonight as wind chill values remain below zero across the U.P., coldest in the west near the WI border. Lake effect snow will also continue to impact the northwest wind snowbelts, especially across the east where a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through Sunday morning for Alger, Luce, and northern Schoolcraft Counties. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaBitterly cold temperatures will hang on through tonight as wind chill values remain below zero across the U.P., coldest in the west near the WI border. Lake effect snow will also continue to impact the northwest wind snowbelts, especially across the east where a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through Sunday morning for Alger, Luce, and northern Schoolcraft Counties.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers are expected downwind of Lake Superior through Sunday, impacting the northwest wind snowbelt areas. This snow will be very susceptible to blowing in the wind, resulting in localized visibility reductions below 1 mile at times. Make sure to drive with your headlights on, at appropriate speeds, and with extra room between yourself and other vehicles! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow showers are expected downwind of Lake Superior through Sunday, impacting the northwest wind snowbelt areas. This snow will be very susceptible to blowing in the wind, resulting in localized visibility reductions below 1 mile at times. Make sure to drive with your headlights on, at appropriate speeds, and with extra room between yourself and other vehicles! #906wx #miwx
MASS CITY AREA UPDATE via Adventure Motel >> It’s a snowy morning in Mass City, roughly 8” of snow last night. Great to see people taking advantage of the trail conditions! #masscity #westernup #keweenaw #snowphotos
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via Erika’s Trail Reports - Western UP/Porkies/Ottawa Forest/Ontonagon County >> 😍 GROOMING INSIDE A SNOW GLOBE 😍
❄️ WEEK 2 - ERIKA’S TRAIL REPORTS ❄️
(long post but worth the read)
While you were sleeping… 🌙
Our 1st official grooming (Team Trent & Erika) of the 2025-2026 season was MAGICAL!
With real feel of -15F and blizzard-like conditions, we groomed for 10 hours overnight (12/12-12/13) during heavy lake effect snow! North Country Snowmobile Club trail conditions have significantly improved thanks to the dedicated volunteers that have been cleaning the trails day and night for your enjoyment! We rated trails 101, 13 and 137 and unplowed forest roads tonight - EXCELLENT CONDITION!!! WOW, we can’t believe that it is only the 2nd week of December!
🚨 IMPORTANT REMINDERS 🚨
⚠️ Heavy lake effect snow going on all weekend: snow quickly accumulating on trails and with low visibility at times
⚠️ Trail 12 to Greenland has not been actively groomed yet;
⚠️ Trail 12/Norwich Road has not been actively groomed yet;
⚠️ Trails 1 and 11 (Porkies/Lake of the Clouds) are being worked on this weekend;
⚠️ Snow is deep and plentiful in the forest but lower accumulation near the lakefront
👏🏻 Many thanks to all the group of riders that we saw tonight for being mindful of the groomer. Let’s continue to enjoy snowmobiling in a responsible way and go home safely. #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotos
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A cold front will move across the U.P this evening. Light snow will accompany the front but generally less than an inch is expected. Behind the front temperatures will fall into the single digits above and below zero. This combined with gusty winds will bring wind chills down into the teens and twenties below zero. A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect for Gogebic and Iron counties tonight through Saturday morning. Lake effect snow will develop behind the front in the northwest wind snowbelts with several inches expected. Those headed outside tonight or traveling should be prepared for bitter cold and snow (in the northwest wind snowbelts). #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
LAKE GOGEBIC AREA UPDATE via Gogebic Area Grooming >> Bergland Area Groomer's update for 12-12-25.
We've been using one machine to open up trail's and the other to pan or groom what gets the green light to cover.
Trail 13 from the Root Cellar south to camp 6 Rd. Has been opened up with a Bully today but still needs work. 13 North of the Root Cellar is still impassable.
Work on 102 has been on going for the past 2 day's and we'll probably be running a machine that direction in the next day or 2.
8w to Wakefield we opened up with hopes of the cold weather and traffic packing it in.
We currently have a machine grooming 8e and 1n.
We are under a winter weather advisory with bitter cold temps and accumulating snow! We'll continue to update as progress is made. Gogebic Area Grooming ❄️❄️❄️ #lakegogebic #westernup #snowphotos
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Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links
- Paradise Area Trail Report – 12/14
- Baldwin Area Trail Report – 12/14
- Sault Ste. Marie Area Trail Report – 12/14
- Petoskey Area Trail Report – 12/13
- Grand Marais Area Trail Report – 12/13
- Lake Gogebic Area Trail Report – 12/13
- Newberry Area Trail Report – 12/13
- Keweenaw Peninsula Trail Report – 12/13
- Cadillac Area Trail Report – 12/13
- Drummond Island Trail Report – 12/13
- Gaylord Area Trail Report – 12/13
- Frederic / Gaylord Area Trail Report – Sledheads of Frederic – 12/13
- Ontonagon Area Trail Report – 12/13
- Harbor Springs Area Trail Report – 12/13
- Seney Area Trail Report – 12/12
- Traverse City Area Trail Report – 12/12
- St. Helen – Roscommon Trail Report – 12/12
- Ontonagon Area Trail Report – 12/12
- Newberry Area Trail Report – 12/12
- Gaylord Area Trail Report – 12/12
- Frederic / Gaylord Area Trail Report – Sledheads of Frederic – 12/12
- Petoskey Area Trail Report – 12/11
- Munising Area Trail Report – 12/11
- Watersmeet – Western U.P. Trail Report – 12/11
- Baldwin Area Trail Report – 12/11
- Lake Gogebic Area Trail Report – 12/11
- Benzie Area Trail Report – 12/11
- Sidnaw – Western U.P. Trail Report – 12/11
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