Western U.P. Trail Report – Western U.P. Bureau – 12/27
Lake Gogebic Webcam
We have snow showers in the forecast for the next several days. Our temps will be in the 20’s and teens. Hopefully this will firm up some of our wet areas.
The Gogebic Range Trail Authority reports:
Tuesday 12/27/16 – Very icy conditions, need more snow
Overall Conditions: Trails are extremely icy due to ½” of sleet/freezing rain/rain on Christmas night. We did get some rain, but not quite as much as predicted. Overall trail condition is rated as marginal. Grooming efforts are stalled until more snow is seen, however the club will be out with equipment doing what they can to bring snow back on the trails.
Trail 2 from Hurley to Ramsay Crossing:
Overall rating: good condition.
Some thin spots due to traffic. CAUTION!! The Ramsay access trail to the Ore House/Keystone Bar has a large wet area that has been broken open and has large ice chucks refroze in. Please use extreme caution if traveling this route! The club is working to get temporary signs up to alert sledders. Last groomed 12/24
Trail 2 from Ramsay Crossing to Wakefield:
Overall rating: poor condition.
The ascent to Indianhead Mountain from Blackjack ski hill remains extremely icy, rough & thin. Due to the icing on the hill the club is only able to groom downhill. We are working weekly with Indianhead to bring in snow-loads for the club to push downhill to reestablish the base. As we get more snow this week this operation will resume. The descent from Indianhead to Wakefield is marginal – late season dirt work left part of it with minimal snow. Last groomed 12/23
Trail 2 from Wakefield to Marenisco:
Overall Rating: marginal condition.
The re-route is still active onto Great Lakes Road from the high-line. The marsh has not yet had snow pushed into it to freeze it, we expect to do that this week/weekend. Once you cross US HWY-2 snow conditions begin to thin on the rail bed towards Marenisco. Last groomed 12/17
Trail 8 from Bingo’s to Tula Crossing:
Overall Rating: good condition.
This unplowed county road fair’s well as it is our northern most trail and typically sees the most snow. Last groomed 12/24.
Trail 160 from Walmart to Montreal River (WI):
Overall Rating: CLOSED, Seeking volunteers to help open southern half of trail
The club is activly evaluating & planning the signing requirements as well as the brushing requirements to get the trail opened from Norlund Rd. & south. We hope to have the southern half of the trail opened by mid-January. The club is excited to send out the Bridge Replacement Project for bidding as all environmental stuides are complete and the project completely approved. The club is planning a project completion in Febuary. We need local members who use this trail to come forward to help sign and maintain it. It’s a lot of fun to meet new people and share the love for our sport with people from the area!
Trail 11N (Southboundary Rd) / 11S (Winchester, WI):
Overall Raiting: CLOSED for the season. Seeking volunteers to help open the trails!
The club is activly seeking help to get the trail evaluated and prioritized for opening 11S next summer. One of the areas most favorite trails was lost due to logging operations and an inability to reroute. Then, the task of getting the trail back open was hindered by beaver flooding issues and a lack of labor. We need volunteers to step up and help get this gorgeous trail open next season!
Lake Gogebic Area Groomer Report
Trail Condition: Poor
Last Groomed: December 23rd, 2016
Base: 5″
Past 24hr: 0″
Reported On: December 26th, 2016 @ 2:16pm
December 26th, 2016
Groomers are not out at the present, but this can change quickly with any changes to the weather/temps. The trails are in poor condition with sticks and some rocks showing and lots of wet areas. If you find yourself riding through a wet area it’s best to not stop, just keep going to get out of it quickly. The smoothest trail we have at this time would be the railroad grade (Trail 8 east) between Bergland and Ewen. However, you will encounter some wet spots on your connection to this trail from Bergland.
That’s all for now, keep checking back for more updates as conditions change. For additional information about our area please contact The Lake Gogebic Area Chamber of Commerce at 888.GOGEBIC or www.lakegogebicarea.com. You can also email us at info@lakegogebicarea.com. Have a safe ride!
U.P. Thunder Riders of Watersmeet Groomers Report:
Trail Condition: Fair
Last Groomed: December 24th, 2016
Base: 7″
Past 24hr: 1″
Reported On: December 26th, 2016
All trails were groomed 12/24 and are in fair condition. We received some snow with freezing rain Christmas night and warm temps early today but we are back in the 20’s and with very light traffic the trails should have held up. We really need more snow so keep your fingers crossed! The groomers will not go out tonight 12/26 but will run tomorrow
Use caution there will be some icy spots through out the system and there could be some wet areas, rocks, gravel and other obstacles that are not completely covered by snow yet.
Trail 3 North – Fair
Trail 3 south to WI – Fair
Trail 2 – Fair but needs more snow
Trail #13 south – Fair
THINK SNOW!
Please stay on trails, riding on unmarked trails can result is the clubls losing easement for the trail. So Please say on trails…..
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