Western U.P. Trail Report – Western U.P. Bureau – 02/24
We have snow in the forecast daily through the weekend. Temps will be in the 30’s with lows in the teens and 20s. Grooming is on-going, weather permitting. The fresh snow has helped to cover the dirt. Expect icy corners and some bare spots around towns. Trails with a southern exposure will be poor. GOGEBIC RANGE TRAIL AUTHORITY-Overall conditions range from poor to fair to good. Trails 2, 8, 11N, 11S and 160 are all being groomed. Trail 2 from Ironwood to Wakefield is poor to fair and icy in spots. Trails 2 & 8 out of Wakefield are in fair conditon. Trail 160 from the lookout to the Wisconsin border has marginal snow. 11N is fair, use caution around the water spot, signs are posted and again closer to the lake snow is marginal. 11S conditons are fair. Closer to the Wisconsin border where the logging is ongoing conditons are poor. LAKE GOGEBIC AREA GROOMERS – Trail 8 going west from Bergland is in fair condition. 102 and 13N are fair to good. Trail 100 to Marenisco is not good, and Trail 8 from Bergland to Ewen on the railroad grade is not good. Trails 1 and 13N on each side of Lake Gogebic are good. Around town expect some bare spots and please use caution on corners as they are very icy. U.P.THUNDER RIDERS OF WATERSMEET-Reports grooming has stopped due to the weather. We need more snow for groomers to go out. Trails 2 & 3 conditions are fair with poor spots. Expect thin spots and icy. Trail 3 is in good shape with icy corners. Please use caution… Keep in mind the groomers will be out day and night, so watch for them, and PLEASE pull over or at least slow down and wait for the operator to signal you by whenever you see them. Please use caution on corners in all areas they may be icy.. ABOUT THE ICE: Here are a few gas station updates. The gas station in Paulding is closed so plan ahead for filling up. On the up side the gas station in Marenisco is now open.
LOGGING IS PLANNED OFF SOUTH BOUNDARY ROAD SO WATCH FOR SIGNS AND PLOWED AREAS. This section is poor.
It’s time for our usual caution. There is no such thing as "safe ice" due to underwater currents. If you choose to go out, be sure you talk to locals where you intend to ride for specific information about the ice depth and other factors…be aware you will be riding at your own risk.