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Trail Report – : Western UP, Michigan – February 19, 2020

Reporter:Western U.P. Snowmobile Report
Trail Conditions: Good
Snow Cover: 36-24
Date of Report: February 19, 2020
Area Report:

Western U P Snowmobile Trail Report— 2/19/2020

Gogebic Range Trail Authority – Snowmobile & ORV Club Trail Report

  • Trail Condition: Excellent
  • Last Groomed: February 17th, 2020
  • Base Snowfall: 30″
  • Reported On: February 17th, 2020 @ 9:06am

Groomer Report

WARNINGS AND NOTICES:   We are begging riders to ride off trail legally as there is 1-million acres of public land east of Wakefield to off trail ride on – please only ride legal areas!  The Ottawa National Forest is 990,000 acres and much of it open to cross-country riding (no trail/road) if there is 6″ or more of snow.  Several restricted areas, contact the forest for further information.  Call 906-932-1330.

Trail 2 from Hurley to Ramsay US-2 Crossing:

Overall rating:  VERY GOOD TO EXCELLENT

Last groomed 2/17/2020.    Please do not ride on sidewalks near Holiday and try to keep noise down in town.

Trail 2 from Ramsay Crossing to Wakefield:

Overall rating:  FAIR TO EXCELLENT

Last groomed 2/17/2020.  This is a tight trail with tremendous amounts of traffic.  Corners will get icy along with the hill climbs in between grooming.  We’re going to do some snow finding grooms later this week to add fresh snow into the base to help it hold for the weekend.   This trail is featuring a brand new section to enjoy this season, the club eliminated Prospect road route and moved the trail completely into the woods eliminating 1.5 miles of road route.  PLEASE STAY ON THE TRAIL AND RESPECT THESE LANDOWNERS!

Trail 2 from Wakefield to Marenisco:

Overall Rating:  EXCELLENT

Last groomed 2/17/2020.  Also in the best shape of the season.  The section from Wakefield east to Highway 2 needs additional passes to finish cutting the deep inside corner bumps and widen the trail.  We expect to get to that this week yet.

Trail 8 from Wakefield to Tula Crossing:

Overall Rating: EXCELLENT

Last Groomed 2/17/2020.  In excellent condition, be aware of a new traffic pattern on the northern end due to a plowed section.  Please follow the new route for the remainder of this season.

Trail 160 from Walmart to Montreal River (WI):

Overall Rating:  EXCELLENT

Last Groomed 2/17/2020.  There is logging about 1/2 way north on the trail, YIELD TO LOGGERS AND GIVE THEM RESPECT – IT’S THEIR LAND!   STAY ON THE TRAIL!!!!!!   This is our most scenic trail and is a treat to ride!  Stay on the trail in the farm fields.  Over 25 landowners are involved to make this trail a reality, please respect them and ride responsibly.  There are several scenic vistas on the trail:

Bald Mountain “NORTH” lookout viewing Madeline Island/ mouth of the Chequamegon Bay of Lake Superior

Bald Mountain “SOUTH” lookout viewing Gogebic Range (Powderhorn, Copper Peak)

Montreal River Gorge look out

Superior Falls Waterfall Complex.

11S (Wakefield, MI to Winchester, WI):

Overall Rating:  EXCELLENT

Last Groomed 2/17/2020.  Increased logging traffic is in the area,  PLEASE YIELD TO ANY AND ALL LOGGING TRAFFIC.  There is a short section of dual use the landowner (Keweenaw Land) has graciously approved us to use along with them.  It is private land and we are guests, please act like it. 

11N (Wakefield, MI to South boundary Rd/White Pine):  Closed due to off trail riding.  Seeking local community support with ideas on how to reopen it.  200 yards of private property closed this 25 mile trail

GOGEBIC AREA GROOMERS 2/17/2020

President’s Weekend was super busy in the Lake Gogebic Area, however, all trails remain in good to excellent condition.    The snow we received over the weekend was certainly welcomed, and today we woke up to about 2” of overnight snow.  As of noon on Tuesday it’s still snowing and it doesn’t look like it’s letting up anytime soon.   C-c-cold below temps move Wednesday, which is perfectly fine considering our forecasted weekend warm up that is looking more favorable on our end as we get closer in.    Even if temps get into mid-30’s – they only hover there for a few hours, and the nightly temps are drop into the teens and 20’s, giving groomers an opportunity to get out at night and clean things up.    We’ve received almost 140” of snow this season and currently trails have more than a 2’ base.    Groomers got this – and they recommend that you just get out and ride early before the snow gets soft and starts moving around.  

  • Trail # 1N:       from Bergland to White Pine is being groomed nightly and reported to be in good condition.
  • Trail # 1 South:  Towards Marenisco from Trail # 8 (Ethelwood Grade) is being groomed nightly and is reported to be in good condition.
  • Trail # 1 south from Marenisco to Wisconsin Border is being groomed daily and it is reported to be in good condition.
  • Trail # 8 East from Bergland to Ewen is being groomed daily and it is reported in good condition.
  • Trail # 8W: from Bergland to Wakefield. is being groomed nightly and it is reported to be in good condition.
  • Trail 102 from Bergland to Trail #11 is being groomed nightly and it is reported to be in good condition.
  • Trail # 13 North from Bergland to 101 is being groomed nightly and it is being reported to be in good condition.
  • Trail 13 South is open, being groomed nightly and reported to be in good to excellent condition.
  • Trail #13 South from 100 to Trail # 2 is reported to be groomed daily and is in good to excellent condition.
  • Trail # 100 South end of Lake Gogebic is reported be groomed daily and is in good to excellent condition.

A congratulatory shout out to the Team at Timberline Sports who just received 2020 ski-doo NATIONAL DEALER OF THE YEAR!     What a great honor for them as well as for all their customers who have helped them to achieve this great status!    Who-hoo to Timberline for National Recognition!!.

U.P. Thunder Riders Trail Report 2/19/2020

  • Trail Condition: Good To Excellent
  • Last Groomed: February 17th, 2020
  • Base Snowfall: 24″
  • Reported On: February 17th, 2020 @ 1:11pm

Groomer Report

Groomers are running nightly, trails are in good to very good shape. Groomers run once a day and typically at night, so towards the end of the day with lots of traffic the trails are going to be rough until the groomer goes out again

Trail #3 from the Wisconsin border to Watersmeet good but lots of traffic very  hard to hold a groom, Watersmeet to Paulding good.

Trail #2 east of Watersmeet to Trail #107, good but lots of traffic hard to hold the groom

Trail #13 south to Cisco Chain, good