We have a wind chill warning for today until noon today. For the next few days we will have bitter cold temps. Once again this cold weather will help with our water problems. Groomers in all areas are doing with they can to get the trails to where they are suppose to be.

The Gogebic Range Trail Authority Report:
Trail 11: south is closed again due to logging on Keweena

Ironwood: was groomed this morning and is in very good condition

Trail 2: was groomed this morning Jan. 02 and in very Good/Excellent condition, there still some areas of water on the side of trail in spots but the trail is in good shape.

Trail 160: was groomed this morning on Jan. 02, there are a couple of wet spots open so be careful and there is some logging going on as well, good to very good condition.

11 north: has been groomed this morning Jan. 02 with one large water hole trail is very good condition.

We have had reports of signs being removed from the trails. If anyone sees someone removing the signs please report them. The signs are there for a reason so please leave the signs in place. This is for the safety of the riders..

Lake Gogebic Groomer’s Report:
Ok, where do I start? Very wet conditions along with holiday crowds can wreck havoc on trials. Please remember that most of our trail system runs through the Ottawa National Forest. Not paved sidewalks or roads. We are experiencing problems that we have never seen before. Trail 102 is still closed due to lots of water (where we have never seen water before). We hope to get some more culverts in this week and try to get it open. Trail 8 west is being groomed today, however the groomer is taking the trail a bit off where it usually runs in an attempt to avoid…yes, you guessed it…more water. All other trails have seen improvement but the amount of sleds crossing our trails this last week wouldn’t allow the trails to remain in great shape for more than a few hours. All other trails are mostly good to fair with some rough spots to look for on 13 north.

We received about 5-inches of new snow over last night and it’s been snowing all day. We’re entering into a very cold snap for this upcoming week through next weekend with more snow in the forecast almost every day. That’s the good news. We’ve also started to see a slowdown in traffic today which will help the trails as well. We apologize to anyone who was disappointed in the trails this last week. Again, I can only tell you that we had a very wet fall followed by 90-inches of snow in November (a record) which insulated the ground and wouldn’t let it freeze. Then once December hit it warmed up and we actually saw rain one day. The same people who’ve been involved with the work on the trails are still at the helm for over 20 years and we’ve never dealt with these conditions before. Please have patience and know that we are working hard to get our trails back to the award winning condition we’ve offered in the past.

You can legally ride any county road that does not get plowed, but check with the Forest Service for a map to these roads. They have a waterproof one for $10.00. Call 906-932-1330 or go to www.fs.usda.gov/ottawa for more info.

The new snowmobile maps are out and available at most local businesses. Please remember that only money put into the wooden map money boxes with the photo of the groomers on it goes back to the trails – so please be aware of this and watch for this.

The Watersmeet Groomer’s report:
Groomers are running daily and the trails are in good to very good condition. There are areas with wet spots where caution is still needed!

Please follow the orange barrels and stay on trail going across Cisco Chain.
JUST ONE MORE REMINDER: PLEASE STAY ON MARKED TRAILS. RIDING ON UNMARKED TRAILS CAN RESULT IN THE CLUBS LOSING EASEMENT FOR THAT TRAIL AND IT CAN ALSO RESULT IN A POSSIBLE TICKET FOR YOU.

Call our snowmobile report at 800-522-5657 anytime.

RATED #1 SNOWMOBILE DESTINATION BY READERS OF AMERICAN SNOWMOBILER!

Each Western U.P. snowmobiling adventure is unique and exciting, as there are over 2000 miles groomed trails, unplowed logging roads, secluded National Forest trails throughout our area. Explore a Western U.P. winter and share the experience of a Western U.P. snowmobiling vacation with your family and friends. This is what snowmobiling is all about. Because when natural beauty, brilliant exhilaration and good times come together, the sensation is Pure Michigan. Big Snow Country is a Snowmobiler’s Paradise. This heavy snowfall gives you, the rider, the very best conditions and trails.

Our new website is www.explorewesternup.com We moved to a new location 405N Lake St. Ironwood, MI 49938.