Western U.P. Trail Report – Western U.P. Bureau – 01/12
More fresh snow has our Big Snow Country official Season Snowfall to date: 110.5" THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW MAP ERROR ABOUT THE ICE: Check out web cams throughout the area to see the snow amounts for yourself. Find links on our website at westernup.info
Overall, you’re going to find some mighty good riding just about anywhere here in the far western end of the U.P. All groomers are out. For the most part we’re sticking with overall conditions Good to Very Good. There are just a few exceptions where the riding will be fair.
Gogebic Range Trail Authority: Grooming is ongoing. 11 N is now groomed-Still expect to run into some wetness on the west side going north, but it’s marked with signs.
NOTE: Watch for Logging Trucks ON 11S-there is a quarter-mile narrow stretch and the Trucks have the Right of Way. Signs are posted in that area…the Trail is freshly groomed. Trails 2-8 and 160 are all snow covered and groomed.
From the Lake Gogebic Area-everything is freshly groomed and in good shape. IMPORTANT: There are Logging Trucks in the vicinity of the junction of 102 AND 8-W. You MAY NOT ride plowed roads-you MUST observe the snowmobile trail signs. (Have heard they may be issuing tickets.) Stay on the trails and if you see a logging truck, pull over immediately.
Watersmeet groomers reporting all trails being groomed daily and conditions are now good to very good.
IN ALL AREAS:
After a number of close calls, you need to be aware groomers can be out any time of the day or night, so PLEASE pull over or at least slow down and wait for the operator to signal you by whenever you see them.
We want you to have lots of fun and a great time…therefore, your safety is our #1 priority.
There are errors regarding the location of Paulding, MI, which is a new advertiser on this year’s Trail Map. The red dot (#85)was mistakenly placed 1/2" south of where it should be and there also should be a GAS icon at Paulding. Snowmobile access to Paulding is via plowed County Rd-shoulders only.
It’s time for our usual caution. There is no such thing as "safe ice" due to underwater currents. If you plan to go out, be sure you talk to locals where you intend to ride for information about the ice depth and other factors…be aware you will be riding at your own risk.