KEWEENAW PENINSULA UPDATE via Keweenaw Trail Reports – 12/30
It was a great day to ride Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula!
White gold seemed to fall all day and the bridge was opened for snowmobile crossing! It was a beautiful winter wonderland and here are just a few photos trying to capture that beauty!
Trails were awesome for the majority of the day and we felt as though we were just floating on top of pillows as we were riding.
Groomer Operators were busy down in Houghton/Hancock all day getting the Portage Lake Lift Bridge opened, therefore trails north of Mohawk did not see grooming operations today. It was fun riding all the fresh champagne powder that fell last night and continued today. By late afternoon, all the traffic had taken a toll on the condition of the trails …….and it should be noted we still don’t really have a base. The return trip south was definitely a bit rougher and once again you were hearing the rocks hit your carbides in areas.
Copper Harbor was pretty busy with riders fueling up at Copper Harbor Fuel Stop
and then grabbing a bite to eat, beverage and meeting new friends while sharing stories around the fire pit at The Mariner North
.
These businesses are all trying their hardest to make the best possible experience for riders at their establishments.
It should be noted that where Trail 3 heading north splits at the “y” still has a locked gate, therefore you must go to the right at the “y” onto trail 134 to head into Copper Harbor. (See map in the photos)Groomer Operators have said the gate should be unlocked tomorrow sometime.
Also remember, Groomer Operators have not been able to get out to High Rock Bay and the same water hole at Union Creek that seems to be a problem each year is there now also.
Trails should still be considered early season conditions and extreme caution should be taken while riding.
We definitely still need more snow so keep the snow dances going. ❄️💃
KEWEENAW PENINSULA UPDATE via Western & Southern UP Trail Reports – 12/30
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KEWEENAW PENINSULA UPDATE via Keweenaw Trail Reports – 12/30
FRESH SNOW and the OPENING of the bridge! I’m doing my happy dance!
Groomer Operator/South End Trail Boss Glenn Rowe
shared this sneak peek photo of the process of opening the Portage Lake Lift Bridge for snowmobile traffic!
It’s going to be a great day to ride Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula! The Keweenaw Snowmobile Club Groomer Operators and City of Houghton are hard at work opening the bridge for crossing from Houghton to Hancock. The city is helping out with 3 trucks hauling in snow.
We received 6-8 inches of fresh champagne powder last night and Glenn said it has really helped the trails out. He noted there could still be some rock showing through in the Mohawk area.
Can’t wait to get out there and ride! Please feel free to share any photos you have of riding and trail condition reports!
PLEASE stay clear of the bridge today while they are preparing it to make their job go smoother! These guys work S❄ hard for all of us riders!
The last photo shows original usage of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge!
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Keweenaw Convention & Visitors Bureau
December 28
Snowfall & Weather
Houghton County has received a total of 61.4″ of snow for the season and Keweenaw County has received 48.3″ of snow for the season.*
Today: Winter weather advisory remains in effect until 7 pm for northern Houghton county. Lake effect snow of 2”-5”. High 21F. Low 10F. •
Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy/PM snow showers. Accumulations 1-3”. High 21F. Low 17F. •
Wednesday: Snow showers. Accumulation 1”. High 26F. Low 20F. •
Thursday: Cloudy. High 24F. Low 9F. •
Friday: Cloudy. High 27F. Low 23F.
Snowmobile Trail Conditions
Snowmobile trails are in early season condition throughout the Keweenaw. Groomers are out brushing and panning the trails. Up to 14 inches of snow on the ground. Watch out for rocks, wet spots and other impediments as snow levels are low. High Rock and Brockway Mountain are not open yet due to low snow.
MDNR Trail 133 is closed but has signed reroutes and MDNR Trail 134 to Copper Harbor is OPEN.
Trail Closures: The trail section from Dollar Bay to Lake Linden (a portion of Trail 3) and the Freda Trail (Trails 121 & 120) will be closed the entire season for repair.
FROM Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> I need to post this image again because WOW. I can't recall the last time nearly all of the United States was forecast to be below average. Before anyone gets on the "SEE CLIMATE CHANGE IS FAKE" train... one of these below average maps DOES NOT negate the other 500 above average ones. Trends, folks. Trends. Nothing is a straight line. The warming temperature trend line is full of peaks and valleys with an overall increasing trend. 🙂 #miweather #keweenaw#westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea#petoskey#gaylord#cadillac#traversecityI need to post this image again because WOW. I can't recall the last time nearly all of the United States was forecast to be below average.
Before anyone gets on the "SEE CLIMATE CHANGE IS FAKE" train... one of these below average maps DOES NOT negate the other 500 above average ones. Trends, folks. Trends. Nothing is a straight line. The warming temperature trend line is full of peaks and valleys with an overall increasing trend. 🙂 ... See MoreSee Less
After Thanksgiving, a large portion of the U.S. will likely see below normal temperatures into early December. And of course, there's southern Florida. 🌞
FROM The U.P. Superior Snowmobile Club >> Just wind and rain here in Mass City! 🙁 We wish to thank Jim F. for removing 5 large trees off of Trail 3 yesterday! Unfortunately there may be more after today's wind. #ontonagon #keweenaw#westernup #miweather ... See MoreSee Less
KEWEENAW PENINSULA UPDATE via Western UP Trail Reports >> Gassed up and ready to ride. So stop saying it's over when it's not over yet. Lol ☠️ Stretch #keweenaw#snowphotosGassed up and ready to ride. So stop saying it's over when it's not over yet. Lol ☠️ Stretch ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Here's a map of observed snow totals from the recent storm. Snow totals ranged from little to nothing along the Superior shoreline due to the warm lake temperatures, to 2 feet plus in the higher terrain of Marquette and Baraga Counties. Thank you to everyone who submitted reports! Text listing of reports: mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php... #miweather #keweenaw#westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaHere's a map of observed snow totals from the recent storm. Snow totals ranged from little to nothing along the Superior shoreline due to the warm lake temperatures, to 2 feet plus in the higher terrain of Marquette and Baraga Counties. Thank you to everyone who submitted reports!
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> The spring storm system weakens as it departs from the region today. Additional accumulations are expected around 1 to 4 inches, mainly in the high terrain of north central Upper Michigan. Dry and pleasant weather is on the way this weekend with temperatures trending to above normal by early next week. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaThe spring storm system weakens as it departs from the region today. Additional accumulations are expected around 1 to 4 inches, mainly in the high terrain of north central Upper Michigan. Dry and pleasant weather is on the way this weekend with temperatures trending to above normal by early next week. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> The ongoing spring storm will bring an additional 6-8" of wet snow to the Marquette and Baraga county highlands overnight tonight through Thursday morning. Travel could be tricky on unplowed roads or where blowing snow causes low visibility. Snow begins to taper off Thursday afternoon. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaThe ongoing spring storm will bring an additional 6-8" of wet snow to the Marquette and Baraga county highlands overnight tonight through Thursday morning. Travel could be tricky on unplowed roads or where blowing snow causes low visibility. Snow begins to taper off Thursday afternoon. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> The strong storm continues through tonight, bringing a combination of high winds and heavy wet snow. Marquette and Baraga counties remain under Blizzard Warnings with Winter Storm Warnings elsewhere. Widespread 20 to 25 mph winds with gusts up to 35 to 45 mph are expected across Upper Michigan. Gusts as high as 50 to 55 mph are possible along Lake Superior and in the Keweenaw. Widespread 4 to 12 inches of snow is expected, lowest in the east. Snow amounts in excess of 1 to 2 feet are expected across the high terrain of Marquette and Baraga Counties into Thursday morning. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea***Blizzard Warnings have expired***
The strong storm continues through tonight, bringing a combination of high winds and heavy wet snow. Marquette and Baraga counties remain under Blizzard Warnings with Winter Storm Warnings elsewhere. Widespread 20 to 25 mph winds with gusts up to 35 to 45 mph are expected across Upper Michigan. Gusts as high as 50 to 55 mph are possible along Lake Superior and in the Keweenaw. Widespread 4 to 12 inches of snow is expected, lowest in the east. Snow amounts in excess of 1 to 2 feet are expected across the high terrain of Marquette and Baraga Counties into Thursday morning. #906wx #MIwx ... See MoreSee Less
Are trail gates closed on Trail 5 from Champion up to Big Bay and other trails around there or can we still sneak out? With this much snow, we can probably can’t see the gates! Lol.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Winter Storm and Blizzard Warnings have been issued! Blizzard warnings are in effect for Baraga and Marquette Counties. Heavy wet snow will arrive later tonight into Thursday morning as a low pressure system lifts into the Great Lakes. Strong northerly winds are expected and blowing snow is likely. Widespread 8-12 inches are forecast; higher amounts in excess of 2 feet are forecast across the higher terrain of Marquette and Baraga Counties into Thursday morning. Note: A sharp gradient in snow totals is expected just inland from the Great Lake-especially along the Lake Superior shoreline in Baraga and Marquette Counties. Wet snow combined with strong northerly winds may cause sporadic power outages. A prolonged mix of rain and snow will enable lower snow totals over the eastern sections of the U.P. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea... See MoreSee Less
WINTER STORM WEATHER UPDATE via TV6 & FOX UP >> WINTER STORM UPDATE: Rain/snow begins moving into the Southern counties this afternoon. It becomes widespread wet snow tonight through tomorrow. You can expect sloppy roads and strong winds. For more impacts and the timeline check out the video... #miweather #keweenaw#westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaWINTER STORM UPDATE: Rain/snow begins moving into the Southern counties this afternoon. It becomes widespread wet snow tonight through tomorrow. You can expect sloppy roads and strong winds. For more impacts and the timeline check out the video. Forecast>www.uppermichiganssource.com/2024/04/02/hazardous-travel-spring-storm-will-bring-heavy-snow-stron...... See MoreSee Less
WINTER STORM WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Winter Storm Warnings have been issued! Heavy wet snow is expected tonight into Thursday morning as a low pressure system lifts into the Great Lakes. Widespread 8-12 inches are forecast; higher amounts in excess of 1-2 feet are forecast across the high terrain of Marquette and Baraga Counties into Thursday morning. Note: A sharp gradient in snow totals is expected between the lower amounts (up to a foot or more near Marquette County lakeshores) and the heavier accumulations in the higher terrain of the west. Widespread 20 to 25 mph winds with gusts up to 35 to 45 mph are expected across Upper Michigan. Gusts as high as 50 to 55 mph are possible along Lake Superior and in the Keweenaw causing blowing snow and reducing visibilities. Wet snow combined with strong winds may cause sporadic power outages. Continue to monitor the forecast for changes. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea... See MoreSee Less