Sault Ste. Marie Area Trail Report – 02/04
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 02/04 2/4/25 “Last night was another group effort on the run from the Soo to Kinross on Trail 49. Groomer Nathan started early and groomed from the club barn to the substation just south of 3 Mile Rd. I took over from there and headed south. I struggled a bit early trying to carry the right amount of snow with me. I just couldn’t get a good feel for it. Made it to Kinross and turned around for the return trip. Immediately, I realized the drag was digging in deeper than I like. I made lots of adjustments but I could not correct it. I stopped and called Groomer Dennis to see if he had any suggestions. He had me look over the drag but didn’t see anything obvious. I proceeded on and went another couple hundred yards and stopped again. The left rear corner of the drag was digging in and leaving a depression in the center of the trail. I wasn’t able to cover my tracks and was really disappointed with the finished product. I then called Groomer Mike and he had me check a whole list of things he could think of that might be causing it. After laying in the snow looking underneath the drag, I was getting very wet and cold. I could not find anything out of place. I proceeded on and did the best I could. Dennis met me earlier than normal and took over the route to eliminate me from the equation. He had the same issue but maybe not to level I was seeing. Overall, the trail is in great shape. I knocked down a lot of bumps and drifts and leveled the best I could. Unfortunately, there is a clear step between both passes in the trail. Trail is soft so it will settle quickly with sled traffic. We think the conditions may have played a big part in the finished product last night. Our crew will take a look at the drag today once it is thawed out and see if we have any mechanical issues. I felt like the drag had a twist in it that I could not adjust out. Finally, I may have had an off night. I felt comfortable behind the controls but never was happy with what I was seeing in the rear-view mirrors. We didn’t leave a white ribbon last night but the trail is still almost perfect. Please get out and enjoy it while the conditions are this good. I too, feel that this drag is off. We are very hopeful that we will be eligible for a new drag next season, as this one has run its course. We’ve repaired it and replaced parts but it’s just not doing as good a job as it once did. Thank you Steve and all volunteers! A bit of snow is on the way again ahead of the weekend! ❄️❄️❄️ <> <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Facebook Page <> WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Light to moderate lake effect snow will persist through much of the day before diminishing early Wednesday morning. Take caution if traveling along M-28 today. Gusty winds and lake effect snow could reduce visibility at times, especially during this morning's commute. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Lake effect snow lingers across the eastern U.P. today ahead of more widespread precipitation expected late Wednesday into Thursday. This system could bring a wintry mix, especially late Wednesday/ early Thursday, so stay tuned to the latest forecast! #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryLake effect snow lingers across the eastern U.P. today ahead of more widespread precipitation expected late Wednesday into Thursday. This system could bring a wintry mix, especially late Wednesday/ early Thursday, so stay tuned to the latest forecast! #miwx SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 2/4/25 WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Scattered LES across the NW wind snow belts will bring light snow accumulations through tomorrow before diminishing and becoming confined to mainly eastern portions of Upper Michigan Tuesday night. Additional snow accumulation is expected Wednesday night with windy conditions over the Keweenaw on Thursday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaScattered LES across the NW wind snow belts will bring light snow accumulations through tomorrow before diminishing and becoming confined to mainly eastern portions of Upper Michigan Tuesday night. Additional snow accumulation is expected Wednesday night with windy conditions over the Keweenaw on Thursday. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Some lingering lake effect snow showers are in store for tonight, especially in the eastern U.P., where minor accumulations are more likely. Following a brief “lull” on Tuesday, our next system moves in later Wednesday into Thursday, bringing another wintry period of weather to the region. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #straitsarea #newberrySome lingering lake effect snow showers are in store for tonight, especially in the eastern U.P., where minor accumulations are more likely. Following a brief “lull” on Tuesday, our next system moves in later Wednesday into Thursday, bringing another wintry period of weather to the region. #MIwx WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Hazardous travel is expected during the morning commute today for Menominee County where 3 to 5 inches of snow is possible close to the Wisconsin border. Otherwise, mostly quiet weather with little to no snowfall is expected northward. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaHazardous travel is expected during the morning commute today for Menominee County where 3 to 5 inches of snow is possible close to the Wisconsin border. Otherwise, mostly quiet weather with little to no snowfall is expected northward. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Moderate to heavy snow at times moves into the southern sections of the U.P. late tonight and continues into Monday morning. Hazardous travel conditions are expected for the Monday morning commute! The heaviest snowfall is expected over Menominee County. Lesser snowfall amounts are forecast for the north half of the U.P. and the Keweenaw should remain dry. Gusty westerly winds remain possible over the Keweenaw tonight. Allow for some extra travel time on Monday morning; especially over the southern half of the U.P. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaModerate to heavy snow at times moves into the southern sections of the U.P. late tonight and continues into Monday morning. Hazardous travel conditions are expected for the Monday morning commute! The heaviest snowfall is expected over Menominee County. Lesser snowfall amounts are forecast for the north half of the U.P. and the Keweenaw should remain dry. Gusty westerly winds remain possible over the Keweenaw tonight. Allow for some extra travel time on Monday morning; especially over the southern half of the U.P. SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 2/2/2025 <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>
Good morning everyone! Steve sent me a detailed report of his run last night, so let’s get to it!
Steve Lawson”Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
Otherwise, after a fairly quiet Wednesday, active weather returns during the late week.
As always, view our expected snowfall forecasts at weather.gov/mqt/winter #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLight to moderate lake effect snow will persist through much of the day before diminishing early Wednesday morning. Take caution if traveling along M-28 today. Gusty winds and lake effect snow could reduce visibility at times, especially during this morning's commute.
Otherwise, after a fairly quiet Wednesday, active weather returns during the late week.
As always, view our expected snowfall forecasts at weather.gov/mqt/winter 
Good morning everyone! Steve sent me a detailed report of his run last night, so let’s get to it!
“Last night was another group effort on the run from the Soo to Kinross on Trail 49.
Groomer Nathan started early and groomed from the club barn to the substation just south of 3 Mile Rd. I took over from there and headed south.
I struggled a bit early trying to carry the right amount of snow with me. I just couldn't get a good feel for it. Made it to Kinross and turned around for the return trip.
Immediately, I realized the drag was digging in deeper than I like. I made lots of adjustments but I could not correct it. I stopped and called Groomer Dennis to see if he had any suggestions. He had me look over the drag but didn't see anything obvious.
I proceeded on and went another couple hundred yards and stopped again. The left rear corner of the drag was digging in and leaving a depression in the center of the trail. I wasn't able to cover my tracks and was really disappointed with the finished product.
I then called Groomer Mike and he had me check a whole list of things he could think of that might be causing it. After laying in the snow looking underneath the drag, I was getting very wet and cold. I could not find anything out of place.
I proceeded on and did the best I could. Dennis met me earlier than normal and took over the route to eliminate me from the equation. He had the same issue but maybe not to level I was seeing.
Overall, the trail is in great shape. I knocked down a lot of bumps and drifts and leveled the best I could. Unfortunately, there is a clear step between both passes in the trail. Trail is soft so it will settle quickly with sled traffic.
We think the conditions may have played a big part in the finished product last night. Our crew will take a look at the drag today once it is thawed out and see if we have any mechanical issues. I felt like the drag had a twist in it that I could not adjust out.
Finally, I may have had an off night. I felt comfortable behind the controls but never was happy with what I was seeing in the rear-view mirrors. We didn't leave a white ribbon last night but the trail is still almost perfect. Please get out and enjoy it while the conditions are this good.
Steve Lawson”
I too, feel that this drag is off. We are very hopeful that we will be eligible for a new drag next season, as this one has run its course. We’ve repaired it and replaced parts but it’s just not doing as good a job as it once did.
Thank you Steve and all volunteers!
A bit of snow is on the way again ahead of the weekend! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #snowphotos
Light snow falling today, and a much quieter day on the trails than yesterday. We double and sometimes triple groomed yesterday to keep up with traffic. Sounds like everything really held up well! The trails were like concrete on my way to the track yesterday LOL. Thank you to Mike and Paula for coming in super early, all the way from Barbeau to get the city trails done before 7 am. I was the first sled on them and they were flat as could be!
Today, I got a report from Brimley Bill after his run. Things are looking excellent!
“I groomed the Mission Hill Route this morning (part of 8, part of 480, and all of 889). The extra grooming yesterday really made a difference. For the morning after the I-500, the trails were not too beat up. I was able to get everything real smooth, even the twisty corners on trail 889.”
Thank you again to all of our operators, scheduling coordinators, and our mechanics for keeping our trails and equipment in tip top shape! We were humbled to be awarded snowmobile club of the year, and it’s because of the team that we have.
Also a shout out to our neighboring clubs who kept things smooth beyond our trail system. The I500 brings a lot to the entire area, and they were prepared to deal with the extra traffic as well.
Great job everyone! Riders, we hope you enjoyed your time here!
Some pics from Bill today❄️❄️❄️ #soo #snowphotos