Sault Ste. Marie Trail Report – 03/31
SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 03/31 3/31- Good morning everyone! Happy Easter! <> <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Facebook Page <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Trail Report on MSA <> SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/21/25 Groomer Warren
We were the first sleds
On 889 this morning!!
You are a true craftsman in your machine!! What you
Left behind was better
Than 1-75 in my truck!!
Thank you much appreciated 🏁🇺🇸🏁🇺🇸 WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Arctic air persisting over the area will result in max temps only reaching into the single digits below zero today over the west half with highs near zero expected over the east half. Dangerously cold wind chills of 25 below to 45 below this morning will persist at around 25 below zero this afternoon into this evening. Temperatures will slowly rebound closer to normal from the middle to the end of the week. Lake effect snow and blowing snow with occasional whiteouts will persist over the Keweenaw Peninsula into this afternoon before the lake effect snow lifts north out over Lake Superior late in the day. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaArctic air persisting over the area will result in max temps only reaching into the single digits below zero today over the west half with highs near zero expected over the east half. Dangerously cold wind chills of 25 below to 45 below this morning will persist at around 25 below zero this afternoon into this evening. Temperatures will slowly rebound closer to normal from the middle to the end of the week. Lake effect snow and blowing snow with occasional whiteouts will persist over the Keweenaw Peninsula into this afternoon before the lake effect snow lifts north out over Lake Superior late in the day. #906wx #miwx SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/21/25 BRRR! WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Bitter cold temperatures across the area early this morning. Wind chill values were several degrees colder than these actual observed temperatures. Try to stay warm today! #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #straitsarea #soo #newberryBitter cold temperatures across the area early this morning. Wind chill values were several degrees colder than these actual observed temperatures. Try to stay warm today! WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Tonight will be the coldest night of the season with subzero temperatures for most across the U.P. into Tuesday and wind chills down to between -20 and -45. Also due to this cold air, lake effect snow will be a fine and powdery type snow which is highly effective at reducing visibility. Expect frequent white out conditions in the northwest becoming west wind snow belts this evening through Tuesday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaTonight will be the coldest night of the season with subzero temperatures for most across the U.P. into Tuesday and wind chills down to between -20 and -45. Also due to this cold air, lake effect snow will be a fine and powdery type snow which is highly effective at reducing visibility. Expect frequent white out conditions in the northwest becoming west wind snow belts this evening through Tuesday. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Dangerous winter weather continues into the work week as Arctic air settles into the Upper Great Lakes. Temperatures today will range from the single digits below zero west to single digits above zero east. Lows tonight will range from 5 below to 25 below zero but could dip near 30 below for isolated spots of the interior west. The dangerous cold will continue into Tuesday with subzero temperatures persisting. SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/19/25 <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>
Yesterday, we had the opportunity to gather about half of our groomer operators together for our groomer appreciation dinner. We did it a little earlier than normal so that those who don’t live here year round could attend.
Thanks so much to all who donated so that we could do this for these volunteers! We had a wonderful dinner, lots of laughs, and got to check out the latest addition to our fleet- a brand new 2024 Tucker!
It also just so happened to be Turbo’s birthday, and Dennis P’s birthday 2 days before. Happy birthday guys!
While we all wish this season was a whole lot better, we are so grateful for all of our volunteers that were ready to go the few times that we received enough snow to groom. This season, it was impossible to stick to a grooming schedule. We had to be ready when and if it snowed, and many times that meant asking a volunteer to come in on an “off” day, or at an off time. These guys were always ready and willing to adjust, many times missing out on their own opportunity to ride so that they could make the trails great for others.
As always, we had volunteers doing many things behind the scenes. Buck is one of our unsung heroes, always in the barn working on something to help improve our operations. Our president, Tom, does so much in our community, donating his time to many organizations that help strengthen our relations in the community. Mike and Dave are our groomer bosses, and they have to make some hard decisions, and deal with many scheduling conflicts and maintenance issues. Alicia is our treasurer and manages all of the finances. An extra tough task in a season like this where there’s still a lot outgoing, but not a lot of incoming funds. Steve, Ryan, Pete and a few others are out most weekends in the off season working on signage, and other trail improvements. Dave, Pete, and Chris have worked on creative ways to help raise funds such as shirt sales, the I-500 booth, and our annual Dice Run fundraiser. Special shout out to Warren and Steve L for clearing a crazy amount of trees after the last big snow fall came earlier this March.
We so appreciate all of the support from our volunteers throughout the year! And we couldn’t do it without the support of our members, and all who contribute in any way that you can! We are especially thankful to all of the amazing landowners who allow access for our recreation!
We look forward to putting together some brushing events, and some fundraisers in the off season so that we are ready to rock again when old man winter shows up next season.
Thank you all! If you’d like to join or donate to our 100% volunteer, 501c3 association, you can do so at www.sootrails.org
Stay tuned for our off season updates!Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
Good morning again! Some beautiful shots from Groomer Warren this frigid morning on his run on part of 8, part of 480, and 889 in the Raco and Bay Mills areas.
Looking awesome Warren! Thank you for your time! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #snowphotos 
Good morning everyone! It’s a chilly one here today at -6 with a -17 windchill🥶
Our operators have been out all hours to make things as good as can be for all of you.
Here’s Steve’s report from his (and others!) run down 49 to Kinross last night.
“Last night we made the run from the Soo to Kinross on Trail 49. With the recent cold weather we were able to safely make it through the swamp south of 12 Mile and stay on top of the ice.
Last night's run was a team effort with many club members involved. The run takes five hours if everything goes perfect.
We decided to spend some time on the courtesy trail to Chippewa Motors again before leaving town. We also wanted to swap out groomers in Kinross and bring one back to the barn for normal maintenance. These added tasks make for a long night. Thankfully, we have a great group of volunteers who work great together.
The courtesy trail is a tricky stretch until we get the trail set. We have had some confusion with where exactly the trail should be. We were able to set the edges again last night.
Thank you to Groomer Nathan for starting the run early and following the map we provided to Chippewa Motors. He made it through fine and only pushed up water in one spot.
I then took control of the groomer and headed south towards Kinross. Had a wiper fall off just south of town. I made a temporary repair and it stayed on for another six miles. It then fell off again and I ran over it with the groomer. I did retrieve it but I am not sure it can be saved.
I made my way to Kinross and worked my way to the groomer staged down there. Thank you to Groomer Lane who followed me on Groomer Tracker and met me when I got there. He had the groomer warmed up and ready to go for me. Temperature was right around zero and it is much appreciated.
I made my way north and met groomer Dennis at Walmart where he made the last hour or so of the run.
Including our Trail Boss Mike who coordinated the run, there were five volunteers who made this one trip happen. It is nice to share once in a while what happens in the background on a regular basis keeping our trails maintained.
Overall, I was happy with how the trails turned out. It was so cold the snow was chunky and hard to work with. I knocked down the bumps and leveled out the drifts that formed over the weekend. From the Soo to 10 Mile, there was plenty of new snow to work with. It thins out the further south we go.
I hit heavy snow squalls on the return trip. Not sure if it accumulated but it certainly reduced visibility.
The trail is still in great shape in my opinion. Hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy it.
Steve Lawson”
Thank you to all involved!
Stay warm if you head out. Be sure to be prepared for a breakdown and don’t ride alone in this bitter cold. Please download the what3words app in case of an emergency to help first responders locate you.
Ride safe, ride right, ride sober! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #snowphotos
Meanwhile, lake effect snow and considerable blowing snow will persist for the W to WNW snowbelts, creating localized whiteout conditions north of M-28 in the east, and over M-26 and US-41 across the Copper Country.
As always, find our expected snowfall forecasts at weather.gov/mqt/winter #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaDangerous winter weather continues into the work week as Arctic air settles into the Upper Great Lakes. Temperatures today will range from the single digits below zero west to single digits above zero east. Lows tonight will range from 5 below to 25 below zero but could dip near 30 below for isolated spots of the interior west. The dangerous cold will continue into Tuesday with subzero temperatures persisting.
Meanwhile, lake effect snow and considerable blowing snow will persist for the W to WNW snowbelts, creating localized whiteout conditions north of M-28 in the east, and over M-26 and US-41 across the Copper Country.
As always, find our expected snowfall forecasts at weather.gov/mqt/winter
Groomer Pete just finished the city trails and calls them excellent! This is part of 8, part of 49, 449, and 497, as well as the courtesy trail to the Holiday Inn. He got an extra treat and had zero sleds come through the entire time, so he got to see his work on the way back. The only tracks were from a Snowshoe Hare lol.
He also completely packed and smoothed out the Kewadin trail. You’d never know there was a water hole in there just a few days ago, or that this section had been completely impassable just 2 weeks ago.
Nice work Pete! On a side note- Pete is from NY and a big Bills fan. We are happy for him that his team won while he was spending his time in the groomer!
We got some nice snow last night and more is falling tonight.
Enjoy and please stay safe and warm if you head out. ❄️🥶❄️🥶
Video in the comments #soo #snowphotos