Sault Ste. Marie Trail Report – 01/05
SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 01/05 Update 1/5- <> Good evening! Finally got my sled back for a little test ride. We met up with our rookie Zeke and Raco Dave on trail 8 between Raco and Brimley. On our way out this section was in rough shape. Zeke is doing a fabulous job with what we have to work with! Still warmer than it should be and the evidence of a week above freezing is definitely out there. Watch for one water hole in this stretch. Hoping it’ll have time to freeze up overnight. We need colder temps to really help them set up but this should hold up ok through tomorrow before lots of traffic hits it. <> <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Facebook Page <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Trail Report on MSA <> 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! 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. 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. 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*** 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 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. Too little too late isn't it? Eric Owen Michael Sirianni 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 Go figure after sled season is over and my truck goes in the shop SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 3/31- Good morning everyone! Happy Easter! I’m from Moose Country and didn’t get to groom one time WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Mostly cloudy skies will prevail into early next week with a few chances for rain and snow showers across the east today and central/southeast Tuesday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaMostly cloudy skies will prevail into early next week with a few chances for rain and snow showers across the east today and central/southeast Tuesday. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Light snow continues to spread eastward this morning, but will end from west to east through the afternoon hours with most of the area having picked up around 1 to 2 inches of snow. Some freezing rain is possible along the MI/WI state line, potentially leading to slippery roadways. Expect highs in the 30s to lower 40s. Skies stay cloudy the rest of the weekend, though temperatures should come in slightly warmer on Sunday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLight snow continues to spread eastward this morning, but will end from west to east through the afternoon hours with most of the area having picked up around 1 to 2 inches of snow. Some freezing rain is possible along the MI/WI state line, potentially leading to slippery roadways. Expect highs in the 30s to lower 40s. Skies stay cloudy the rest of the weekend, though temperatures should come in slightly warmer on Sunday. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Temperatures turn warmer today compared to the last couple of days with highs generally ranging in the 40s under sunny skies. Temperatures should stay in the 30s closer to the Superior shoreline. These pleasant conditions will be short-lived though as another round of snow moves in tonight through Saturday along with cooler temperatures. There is a chance for some pockets of freezing rain along the WI/MI border. Snow comes to an end Saturday evening, but clouds hang on for Sunday. Expect total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. Use caution if driving, slippery roads possible late tonight through Saturday morning. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaTemperatures turn warmer today compared to the last couple of days with highs generally ranging in the 40s under sunny skies. Temperatures should stay in the 30s closer to the Superior shoreline. These pleasant conditions will be short-lived though as another round of snow moves in tonight through Saturday along with cooler temperatures. There is a chance for some pockets of freezing rain along the WI/MI border. Snow comes to an end Saturday evening, but clouds hang on for Sunday. Expect total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. Use caution if driving, slippery roads possible late tonight through Saturday morning. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow will gradually taper off late this afternoon across the Copper Country. Nonetheless, an additional 2 to 4 inches will be possible until then with low visibility in blowing snow. Next chance for widespread precipitation follows Friday night into Saturday. <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>
Good evening! Here’s the scoop on what I know for now-
Trail 8 – Soo to Brimley, groomed this morning. I’d rate it good on my ride back just now. A few wet spots but nothing major.
Trail 8- Brimley to Raco, groomed tonight. Excellent! One water hole to watch for in the eastbound lane. Hopefully it’ll freeze up after Groomer Zeke smoothed it over tonight.
Trail 889- groomed today, good to excellent. Not really any hazards here other than the washout on the way to Bay Mills Resort and Casino. Please use the shoulder here. It’s a small section but that area is very poor.
Trail 49- part of the city trail, down to Kinross. Mix of fair, poor, and good. Groomer Mike P was out there tonight and turned around north of the beaver pond which is north of Gaines Hwy. It’s still in really rough shape in spots due to water holes. This is what he had to say, “I didn’t go down 49 from 3 mile to 5.5 due to the water hole. 5 1/2 Mile to 7 Mile is great, 8 Mile to 9 Mile open water holes, 9 Mile to 10 Mile open ditch, 11 mile to 12 mile open ditch, 12 mile to the Beaver Pond, lots of open water. Riders need to watch out for ice chunks that got pulled out of the holes. We need single digits for a week.” Use caution and be prepared for water holes if you choose to ride south of the Soo!
City Trails- fair to good in places. Water hole between the tunnel hill and Ashmun Creek is still an issue. We have been grooming the bypass around it so just follow that. Be sure to yield in case others go around it. The city trails will be groomed tomorrow again.
Trail 480 and the powerlines from 889 to Raco to the Spile Dam turnaround- good to excellent. Being groomed right now
480 east of the Raco groomer turnaround, 472, and Kinross south- poor. Lots of water holes and has not been touched in several days. The groomer that was down with a bad track is back out there but the guys haven’t been out yet due to water holes.
We have such a variety of terrain on our trail system and these photos really show that. We’re doing the best we can with what mother nature has dealt us. We appreciate your patience as we battle through it.
Ride safe, ride right, ride sober and have a great time out there! ❄️❄️❄️
Sharing our other updates and observations in the next post.
Great job Zeke! We appreciate your time and efforts! Welcome aboard!Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
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!
Text listing of reports: mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=PNSMQT&e=202404041634 
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
Forecast>www.uppermichiganssource.com/2024/04/02/hazardous-travel-spring-storm-will-bring-heavy-snow-stron...
Yesterday, we had the opportunity to gather about half of our groomer operators together for our groomer appreciation dinner. We did it a little earlier than normal so that those who don’t live here year round could attend.
Thanks so much to all who donated so that we could do this for these volunteers! We had a wonderful dinner, lots of laughs, and got to check out the latest addition to our fleet- a brand new 2024 Tucker!
It also just so happened to be Turbo’s birthday, and Dennis P’s birthday 2 days before. Happy birthday guys!
While we all wish this season was a whole lot better, we are so grateful for all of our volunteers that were ready to go the few times that we received enough snow to groom. This season, it was impossible to stick to a grooming schedule. We had to be ready when and if it snowed, and many times that meant asking a volunteer to come in on an “off” day, or at an off time. These guys were always ready and willing to adjust, many times missing out on their own opportunity to ride so that they could make the trails great for others.
As always, we had volunteers doing many things behind the scenes. Buck is one of our unsung heroes, always in the barn working on something to help improve our operations. Our president, Tom, does so much in our community, donating his time to many organizations that help strengthen our relations in the community. Mike and Dave are our groomer bosses, and they have to make some hard decisions, and deal with many scheduling conflicts and maintenance issues. Alicia is our treasurer and manages all of the finances. An extra tough task in a season like this where there’s still a lot outgoing, but not a lot of incoming funds. Steve, Ryan, Pete and a few others are out most weekends in the off season working on signage, and other trail improvements. Dave, Pete, and Chris have worked on creative ways to help raise funds such as shirt sales, the I-500 booth, and our annual Dice Run fundraiser. Special shout out to Warren and Steve L for clearing a crazy amount of trees after the last big snow fall came earlier this March.
We so appreciate all of the support from our volunteers throughout the year! And we couldn’t do it without the support of our members, and all who contribute in any way that you can! We are especially thankful to all of the amazing landowners who allow access for our recreation!
We look forward to putting together some brushing events, and some fundraisers in the off season so that we are ready to rock again when old man winter shows up next season.
Thank you all! If you’d like to join or donate to our 100% volunteer, 501c3 association, you can do so at www.sootrails.org
Stay tuned for our off season updates! #soo
If you measured snow this morning, please let us know how much snow fell at your location. If you have the time period over which the accumulation occurred, include that as well. Thanks. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #sooLake effect snow will gradually taper off late this afternoon across the Copper Country. Nonetheless, an additional 2 to 4 inches will be possible until then with low visibility in blowing snow. Next chance for widespread precipitation follows Friday night into Saturday.
If you measured snow this morning, please let us know how much snow fell at your location. If you have the time period over which the accumulation occurred, include that as well. Thanks.