March 4, 2015 – With temps expected to rise into the 30’s and even 40’s next week you’d better head up this weekend if you want to get in any more snowmobiling. Hopefully it will only be a quick warm up and then head back into winter conditions (as it usually does in March) but with the high levels of water in the woods it just might signal an early end for this year’s snowmobiling. We just received about 6-inches of new snow yesterday with more expected today and Saturday with some very cold temps for today (-20 tonight) and tomorrow before we start to see the temps head into the low 30’s for highs. The groomers are out on all trails and they’re reporting excellent conditions.

I just have to say it again…please slow down on the trails! We’ve had a number of incidents this winter throughout the U.P. of snowmobilers either riding side-by-side or going too fast for conditions (or both) where it has resulted in an accident – unfortunately some even fatal. It just isn’t worth it, so PLEASE SLOW DOWN and ride single file on the trails at all times! We want you all to have a great time up here but we also want you to have a safe trip, as well.

Just a quick word of warning; DNR and police are ticketing anyone riding the highway, all highways, in our area along with riding on the railroad tracks or anywhere you know you’re not supposed to be. This includes riding through Bergland on the highway between JW’s and the gas station or riding from the gas station north along the highway to get to the trail connect. This is why I continually warn snowmobilers to stay on the marked trails. It’s dangerous for you and others to be riding along the highway…and will now be expensive, as well.

***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 these trails, 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 map of this reroute you can go to www.lakegogebicarea.com – trail reports.

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.

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 as well as a safe ride.

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Lake Gogebic Area Chamber of Commerce –

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