February 20, 2015 – Due to additional snowfall combined with subzero temperatures our trails are in excellent condition with groomers out every single day. The colder temps help hold a groom longer and stand up to traffic better. We’re already seeing very heavy traffic for this weekend which started on Thursday. Sunday looks to be the coldest day of this weekend with a high of only 6 below, with highs in the teens for Friday and Saturday. However, nighttime temps will be below zero and precautions should be made when riding in these conditions. Keep skin from being exposed as frostbite will occur, dress in layers and keep a full tank of fuel when at all possible. Traveling with a buddy is recommended in case of a break down when riding far from a town. We’re expecting more snow today and Saturday with some pretty cold temps seeing us all the way through to the end of the month.

***VERY IMPORTANT – EFFECTIVE JANUARY 26TH THROUGH MARCH*** -The big news is a reroute over the area where trails 1, 102 and 8 west meet, north of Merriweather and west for about 5 miles. Please watch for changes and new signing (and there is plenty of it) in this area and heed all trail signage. There will be many pipeline workers plus a lot of heavy equipment in the area formally used for trails in this area so for their safety as well as yours please heed the new signing and don’t take any “short cuts”. This reroute will be in effect for most of the remainder of the snowmobile season, but we will post any changes as they occur. You will also want to top off your gas if headed north through this area as the reroute will add on an extra 10 miles (there and back) to your trip with no gas stops between Lake Gogebic and Silver City. YOU CAN NOT USE THIS AREA FOR ANY RIDING.

For a detailed map of the trail reroute please go to www.lakegogebicarea.com, trail reports. The reroute is also shown on the map below.

Keep in mind that we continue to groom our trails typically until the last day of March. Of course that depends a great deal on the weather as we’ve had years where we had to stop prior to that date but then again we’ve had years where, after receiving special permission from the DNR, we groomed as late as April 8th! There’s a lot to be said for snowmobiling that late in the season!

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.

That’s all for now from Carolyn at the Hoop! Keep checking back for more updates as conditions change. For additional information about the Lake Gogebic area please visit the chamber website at www.LakeGogebicArea.com or call them at 1-888-464-3242 (888-GOGEBIC). Have a great day and a great ride!

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Lake Gogebic Area Chamber of Commerce –

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