Sault Ste. Marie Trail Report – 12/21
SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 12/21 12/21- winter solstice city trail groom! Jay and I headed out to hit the city trails, some sections for the very first time this season. Temps ranged from 5 to -1 while we were out, and that worked in our favor in the wet areas. The couple of spots that we busted through should freeze up nicely, and already were on our return trip. We did not go to Kewadin Casino or the high school. Sounds like sleds are now getting through OK, but it’s still too wet for the Tucker and the drag. There is a side road near Kewadin that you can use if you want to avoid the trail until we can get in there. Remember, most city streets are legal to ride. We made 2 passes in the areas where we had not been previously. It’s still bumpy, but much better than it was. We’ll need at least 2 more passes to get it flat, I’d say. We are supposed to get a few inches of snow tomorrow into Monday, then we slowly warm up and the potential for rain after Christmas looks likely👎🏼 But, hopefully it’s short lived, and the work we’ve put in to help pack a base will pay off. We stopped at the I500 track to check their progress. It’s looking great! Especially for 12/21! There are some frozen ice balls from the city plows near road crossings, and we did what we could to bust ‘em up. You just have to use caution as it is still early season after all. As always, we’ll keep you posted as things change. Remember to subscribe to Groomer Tracker to see where we’ve been, and to help support the club. Thank you to all who support us! ❄️❄️❄️ <> <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Facebook Page <> WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Freezing drizzle, fog and freezing fog is possible into the overnight hours across the central sections of Upper Michigan. Hazardous driving conditions are possible, particularly on snow covered and untreated surfaces away from the Great Lakes. Higher terrain locations away from the Great Lakes may remain below freezing tonight where a light glaze may form. Areas of dense fog are expected in the central sections of the U.P., with Dense Fog Advisories hoisted into early Friday morning. Low temperatures mostly in the 30s are expected for the next few days with high temperatures ranging from the 30s to lower 40s. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaFreezing drizzle, fog and freezing fog is possible into the overnight hours across the central sections of Upper Michigan. Hazardous driving conditions are possible, particularly on snow covered and untreated surfaces away from the Great Lakes. Higher terrain locations away from the Great Lakes may remain below freezing tonight where a light glaze may form. Areas of dense fog are expected in the central sections of the U.P., with Dense Fog Advisories hoisted into early Friday morning. Low temperatures mostly in the 30s are expected for the next few days with high temperatures ranging from the 30s to lower 40s. SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Old Soo Line Grade Lodge >> 12/26/24 - We’ll let you figure out Friday and Saturday. Please share your outlook, forecast and provide insight for everyone here. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Warmer air and increasing moisture will lead to low clouds and areas of fog for the next couple of days. Some drizzle will develop this afternoon and evening across central and eastern Upper MI. Ground temperatures will still be subfreezing in some areas, so icy spots may develop on untreated roads, sidewalks and parking lots across portions of interior central Upper MI this afternoon and tonight. Scattered rain showers on Friday will then become widespread during Friday night into Saturday morning. A few showers may linger into Sunday over eastern Upper MI. Expect low temperatures mostly in the 30s for the next few days with high temperatures in the 30s to lower 40s. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaWarmer air and increasing moisture will lead to low clouds and areas of fog for the next couple of days. Some drizzle will develop this afternoon and evening across central and eastern Upper MI. Ground temperatures will still be subfreezing in some areas, so icy spots may develop on untreated roads, sidewalks and parking lots across portions of interior central Upper MI this afternoon and tonight. Scattered rain showers on Friday will then become widespread during Friday night into Saturday morning. A few showers may linger into Sunday over eastern Upper MI. Expect low temperatures mostly in the 30s for the next few days with high temperatures in the 30s to lower 40s. SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> Heads up for this beaver that apparently does not care about snowmobile traffic LOL. A rider sent a pic of him the other day, and I saw him in the same area today. Trail 8 between Brimley and Raco, near the ponds… go figure😉🦫 #soo #snowphotos His home. We are the trespassing ones.. ♥️ SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/25 evening update SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/25- Merry Christmas everyone! Zach Tusek WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A warming trend starts today with temperatures climbing 5 to 15 degrees above normal into the weekend. Highs exceeding 40 degrees are even possible this weekend. Rain showers will accompany the warm conditions by late Thursday with patchy fog at times over melting snowpack. Ice on inland lakes and ponds may become unstable with prolonged periods of above freezing temperatures. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA warming trend starts today with temperatures climbing 5 to 15 degrees above normal into the weekend. Highs exceeding 40 degrees are even possible this weekend. Rain showers will accompany the warm conditions by late Thursday with patchy fog at times over melting snowpack. Ice on inland lakes and ponds may become unstable with prolonged periods of above freezing temperatures. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A significant warm up is poised to impact the region beginning on Christmas Day and continuing through the weekend. Daily high temperatures will range from the 30s to the 40s. Well above normal temperatures combined with increasing chances for rain will likely degrade the ice conditions on area lakes and ponds. Check out this ice thickness safety graphic from the Minnesota DNR. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA significant warm up is poised to impact the region beginning on Christmas Day and continuing through the weekend. Daily high temperatures will range from the 30s to the 40s. Well above normal temperatures combined with increasing chances for rain will likely degrade the ice conditions on area lakes and ponds. Check out this ice thickness safety graphic from the Minnesota DNR. SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/24 well Merry Christmas to Jake! Lucky rider to hit this beauty of a ribbon tonight on trail 8 back to the Soo💙❄️🎄 #soo #snowphotos12/24 well Merry Christmas to Jake! Lucky rider to hit this beauty of a ribbon tonight on trail 8 back to the Soo💙❄️🎄 Justin Burich SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Old Soo Line Grade Lodge >> 12/24/24 - Picked up a few inches of accumulation in last 24 hours! #soo #snowphotos What a disgusting forecast. We will be lucky to have any snow left after this Junior Barkdull WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A break from the winter weather can be expected today with high pressure over the area. Then a warming trend starts Christmas day with temperatures climbing 5 to 15 degrees above normal into the weekend. Also, rain showers will accompany the warm weather by late Thursday with patchy fog at times over melting snowpack. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA break from the winter weather can be expected today with high pressure over the area. Then a warming trend starts Christmas day with temperatures climbing 5 to 15 degrees above normal into the weekend. Also, rain showers will accompany the warm weather by late Thursday with patchy fog at times over melting snowpack. SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/24- trail 49 Soo to Kinross report from Steve. Always an adventure on this historic route! WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers off Lake Michigan and a Clipper system will combine for wet snow accumulations today. The highest snowfall accumulations in the U.P. are expected from Manistique eastward through the Mackinac Bridge with 2" to 5" inches of wet snow possible. Slippery road conditions are expected. Allow for some extra commuting time this morning; especially along the M-28 and US-2 runs. If traveling to or from the Lower Peninsula, plan for additional travel time as there is greater chance for 4" to 6" inches of wet snowfall across much of the northern L.P. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #newberry #soo #straitsarea #petoskey #gaylordLake effect snow showers off Lake Michigan and a Clipper system will combine for wet snow accumulations today. The highest snowfall accumulations in the U.P. are expected from Manistique eastward through the Mackinac Bridge with 2" to 5" inches of wet snow possible. Slippery road conditions are expected. Allow for some extra commuting time this morning; especially along the M-28 and US-2 runs. If traveling to or from the Lower Peninsula, plan for additional travel time as there is greater chance for 4" to 6" inches of wet snowfall across much of the northern L.P. WEATHER UPDATE via Great Lakes Weather & Climate >> We crunched some data and wanted to share our snow totals forecast through 7 AM EST on Christmas Eve (12/24). SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Old Soo Line Grade Lodge >> 3” to 4” of fresh snow on Tilson Road! #soo #snowphotos SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE >> 12/23 update! WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers off of Lake Michigan and a Clipper system will combine for light snow accumulations through Monday. A south to north oriented lake effect snow band may boost snowfall totals in the Manistique area today into the 2 to 4 inch range. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow showers off of Lake Michigan and a Clipper system will combine for light snow accumulations through Monday. A south to north oriented lake effect snow band may boost snowfall totals in the Manistique area today into the 2 to 4 inch range. I am very interested in your contribution. I am deeply fascinated by your contribution. I look forward to your sharing more contributions. <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
Safe riding and travels! #soo #snowphotos
We hope you all had a great Christmas
and also happy 1st night of Chanukah to those who celebrate! We hope you got to spend some time on the trails!
With warm temps coming, grooming will be on hold. With the hard work we’ve put in, they’re pretty darn flat, and we feel we’ve done all we can to pack and preserve a good base.
I’ll for sure still be updating as we move through this little warm spell. I don’t think it’s going to be as bad as many are fearing.
Tomorrow should be another great day to ride.
Get out while you can❄️❄️❄️ #soo
This morning, we took a ride and I can tell ya that Bill’s groom last night is holding up awesome! Here’s his report-
“Tonight on this Christmas Eve I took our Pretty Red Sleigh out on the Powerline, Trail 8 from Raco to Brimley, and Trail 480 part way down Spile Dam Road. I made some nice ribbons 🎀 in the snow for all the good boys and girls to enjoy.
Earlier today I was able to go out for my first snowmobile ride. I rode the trails around Mission Hill, after Raco Dave groomed them to perfection.
Hopefully the mild temperatures over the next week won’t have too much of a negative impact on the hard work of Raco Dave and his Trail Grooming Elves!”
Enjoy the day and get out and ride! 🎄❄️🥶 #soo #snowphotos
“Tonight Passenger Chris and I made a run from the Soo to Kinross on Trail 49.
We worked our way through the city trails and crossed 3 Mile and headed south.
From town to about 6 Mile Rd, there is a couple feet of snow on top of standing water. The warm ground and warm water is melting the trail from the bottom up.
Our goal tonight was to try and get the trail leveled and compacted with hopes it will freeze quicker during the next cold spell.
It was one of the roughest runs I’ve had in a long time. The trail had one to two foot bumps all the way to Kinross.
The fresh snow today was awesome. I was able to load up the drag all night with snow and fill in low spots.
We went into the swamp south of 12 Mile and hoped for the best. We hit some open water not too far south of the gate. It is about 100-150 yards long.
We climbed out of it and stayed on top of the snow and ice all the way to Gaines Hwy.
Watching in the mirrors I could see the trail was leveling up really nice. I could also see we were pushing water up to the surface which was what we really needed.
We bounced our way all the way to the gas station in Kinross where we took a breather and called our groomer boss Mike with a report.
We decided to not go back through the swamp on the return trip. The trail had one pass that turned out really good. I was pretty sure the water I pushed up would soften the base and wouldn’t support the groomer if we went through again.
The drag I was using was a different one than I normally pull. I had trouble getting it to track straight. I made adjustments all night but never really got comfortable with it. The erratic behavior caught up with me on the bridge by Walmart. I couldn’t get it to follow the groomer and had a slow speed impact with the guard rails and damaged two of them. We stopped and put them back in place the best we could.
Groomer Dennis was waiting for us at Walmart and took the last hour of the run.
Chris and I had over five hours of bouncing around the cab and were both exhausted. Thank you to Dennis for relieving us.
The trail is starting to take shape but still needs more work and colder weather.
I was really happy with what we accomplished tonight.
Steve Lawson”
I’m always so impressed by Steve’s willingness to be the first guy to brave it, and Chris has been along with him many times which can be just as stressfull. Big thanks to them!
While it’s not quite ready yet, we are ahead of schedule compared to most years.
Stay tuned! #soo #snowphotos
As stated with our earlier posts, the precip types should be a snow/sleet mix as you head north of the I-96 corridor. The Saginaw Bay, Thumb and northern half of the lower peninsula should remain all snow.
The tricky part is the snow and freezing rain potential south of I-96, including the I-94 corridor. As of this post, icy roads have shut down portions of I-94 west of Jackson.
Please take your time on the roads today and be ready for rapidly changing road conditions. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberry #straitsareaWe crunched some data and wanted to share our snow totals forecast through 7 AM EST on Christmas Eve (12/24).
As stated with our earlier posts, the precip types should be a snow/sleet mix as you head north of the I-96 corridor. The Saginaw Bay and Thumb region will see some freezing rain befofe transitioning to all snow this evening. The northern half of the lower peninsula should remain all snow.
The tricky part is the snow and freezing rain potential south of I-96, including the I-94 corridor. As of this post, icy roads have shut down portions of I-94 west of Jackson.
Please take your time on the roads today and be ready for rapidly changing road conditions.
Good morning all! It’s snowing pretty good here in the soo! I’d love snow reports from Brimley, Raco, Strongs and Kinross from our followers in those areas.
Sounds like this time snow is coming from the south. Our trails are in pretty good shape, except for behind Kewadin Casino and the high school on the city trails, and 49 from the Soo to Kinross. More on that in a minute.
Trails were getting thin in spots, so this little bit of snow will help freshen them up. We do have a nice base over the majority of our 103 miles.
Sounds like we are going to poke around on 49 tonight to see if the cold snap helped tighten things up. Sounds like sleds have been riding it which helps pack it. There was one troublesome water hole that I’m aware of south of 12 mile, but maybe it’s frozen up now. I’ll update you as soon as I hear on that.
Yes, we know there’s a warm spell coming and the potential for a 4 letter word that starts with an R. I’m not going to say it. Lol
That doesn’t mean that we just throw in the towel and give up. We’re doing all we can now to preserve what we’ve worked so hard to achieve.
Get out and ride as long as you can!
As always, we’ll be here to keep you posted! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo