Mancelona Trail Report
Jordan Valley Trails Council
Updated: 12/08/10
Current Trail Conditions: Fair

Heavy lake effect snow last couple of days on parts of our trail system so the trails are getting better but need some nice heavy system snow to make them good. The groomers have been out trying to pack it down some. The North 10 trail had about a foot and a half of snow before the groomer packed it down to 4 or 5 inches on the trail today. The Valley was panned on Friday and has about 6 to 8 inches of non packed snow that people said today was a good ride, the groomer is scheduled to go over it tomorrow. The groomer out of Mancelona was out yesterday and again today doing what can be done with only lake effect snow. The trail north of the Valley towards East Jordan and Charlevoix has the least amount of snow and with the soft and wet spots between the Valley and EJ and low snow towards Charlevoix It would be hard to recommend that for a ride at this time. From M-66 East through the Valley and over towards Lakes of the North the riding is OK with still some bare spots along 131 with the wind blowing the snow off the trail. Compared to last weekend the trails are good but not as good as they will be if the weather holds in our favor.

Petoskey Snowmobile Club – 12/06
Current Trail Conditions: Fair

We have been getting some lake-effect snow over the last week. Some areas have accumulated almost a foot while other areas only have a couple inches. We have started doing a little "panning" to start packing down the snow and building a base. Riders are starting to get out there. No base to speak of yet. We need more snow across the entire trail system before we can really say we have a base.

We have to be careful about taking the groomers out when there is a lack of snow. The groomer tracks would only serve to chew up a lot of sand, sticks and rocks. It’s better to let a few snowmobiles pack it down a little bit first, then let it freeze.