Your Online Trail and Travel Guide for Snowmobiling the U.S. & Canada

Reports

Trail Report: Keweenaw Peninsula / Houghton-Hancock, South Range, Copper Harbor, Michigan – March 20, 2017

Trail Conditions: Early Season

Snow Cover: 6″-18″

Date of Report: March 20, 2017

Area Report:

I say early season, but really mean late season conditions.  The trails through Houghton and Hancock are not really ridable.  It is completely pavement all the way through Hancock and the lower trail is muddy with bare spots and rocks. Once you get outside of town, there is still snow on the trails and they aren’t bad.  The trail from Houghton to South Range is light to bare with rocks and mud.  Once you get to South Range, there is snow on the trails and its not bad.  The groomers are not going out because of the warm temps, but are on standby and will continue grooming until the end of March as weather permits. 

Trail Report: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan – March 17, 2017

Trail Conditions: Good

Snow Cover: 4 Inch Base

Date of Report: March 17, 2017

Area Report:

Groomer Report

Trails are in good to excellent shape.  Groomers are running daily. Temperatures look good through the weekend with a gradual warm up from now until Monday. Temperatures are below freezing overnight, but starting Thursday are to going to get to the mid-thirties. There are now road shoulders, but if the sun comes out it will disappear fast.

Trails are icy anywhere out in the open, and with the wind, watch for downed trees.

We are grooming all the way to Lakeshore Dr. on Trail #8 west of Raco, as Paradise can’t get through the swamp.

 

Check our Facebook page for pictures.

There’s a big reroute around Raco this year.

There is a change in the Soo to Kinross trail, also.

 

We have a newly-plowed parking area at the beginning of Trail #8 under the International Bridge, which now has an all-season Porta-John.

 

If you are staying in the Sault, please look at our list of supporters on our web page and give them your business.  Please do that in all the towns you visit.  The grooming entities are all made up of volunteers who want you to support those who support us!

 

We now have a marked trail that will be groomed on occasion to get to parts and service at Chippewa Motors.  It comes into the back of their lot from the east side of M-129 when you come out of the woods.

 

Remember, trail base is the amount of snow between your track and the ground below, not the amount of fluff piled up in the woods.  Six inches of snow compresses to less than an inch on the trail.

 

Sault Ste. Marie to Brimley, Trail #8 –

Base 2- 5 inches -Trail is in fair to good condition.  

 

Brimley to Raco, Trail #8 –

Base 2 – 6 inches -Trail is in fair to good condition.  The trail is back to normal where the collapsed building was. When going across the bridge in Brimley, make sure you go with the flow of traffic!  Blowing and drifting occurs when you first leave Brimley.

 

Raco to Naomikong Trail #8 [where Paradise meets us], Trail #8 –

Base 3 – 8 inches – Trail is in good to excellent condition.

 

Sault Ste. Marie City Trail, Trails #497, #449, parts of #8 & #49 –

Base 1- 4 inches – Trail is in fair to good condition. 

 

We now have a marked and groomed trail going to Chippewa Motors.  It starts once you come out of the woods east of M-129 off #449.  It comes into their parking lot from behind if you need parts or service.

 

City curfew is from 1 am – 6 am. Remember, most City streets are open to traffic 20mph, stop at all intersections, and ride on the right-hand side of street, not on sidewalks. Watch for closed streets that are posted, mainly around the hospital, university, and state trunk lines.

 

Sault Ste. Marie to Kinross, Trail #49 –

Base 1 – 4 inches – Trail is in fair to good condition.  It’s icy in any open areas, as snow blows across with nothing to stick to. In wooded areas, trails are good. Make sure you follow the reroute once you cross the bridge going south at 7 Mile Road. Wet areas have reopened.

When the trail is running along roads, make sure you go with the flow of traffic on the right side of the road.

 

Kinross Loop & south to Pickford, Parts of Trail #49, #472, and #494 –

Base 2 – 4 inches – Trail is in fair to good condition.  Watch for trucks on the trail.

 

Kinross to Raco & Rudyard, Parts of Trail #472 & #480 –

Base 2 – 4 inches – Trail is in fair to good condition.  Watch for reroute signs just west of Kinross.  Road shoulders are bare.

The Downtown Trail is signed, but snow and barrels on the Portage Ave. Bridge have been removed! 

Join us on Facebook, too!

www.sootrails.org

 

Courtesy of the Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – Groomer Report 

  • We now have a marked trail that will be groomed on occasion to get to parts and services at Chippewa Motors.  It comes into the back of their lot from the east side of M-129 when you come out of the woods.
  • Remember, the trail base is the amount of snow between your track and the ground below, not the amount of fluff piled up in the woods.  Six inches of snow compresses to less than an inch on the trail.
  • We have a new, plowed parking area at the beginning of Trail #8 under the International Bridge, which now has an all-season Porta-John.

 

Online Safety Course 

Local Safety Course 

 

Snowmobile Information:

Courtesy of the Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association

The Sledder’s Pledge

  • I will obey the rules and laws of the state or province I am visiting.
  • I will be careful when crossing roads, and always cross at a right angle to traffic.
  • I will keep my machine in top shape and follow a pre-op check before each ride.
  • I will wear appropriate clothing, including gloves, boots and a helmet with a visor.
  • I will let family or friends know my planned route, my destination and my expected arrival time.
  • I will treat the outdoors with respect. I will not litter or damage trees or other vegetation.
  • I will respect other peoples’ property and rights, and lend a hand when I see someone in need.
  • I will not snowmobile where prohibited.

Trail Report: Ely, Minnesota – March 16, 2017

Ely, MN Chamber of Commerce

Trail Conditions: Poor

Snow Cover: 3 inches

Date of Report: March 16, 2017

Area Report:

Ely Area Lakes & Trails: (Local Groomers report):  Grooming on all area trails has been suspended and trails will have icy stretches and areas of exposed ground.  With warming weather predicted, standing water up to 18 inches may exist in low lying and wetland portions of the trail.  Lake travel by snowmobile is not recommended.  Area snowmobile clubs have pulled staked trails from lakes.  Reports by local groomers say the lake ice is in poor condition near current areas and constriction points.  Warming weather may create standing water areas, which can cause dangerous ice conditions.  Please use caution when riding area trails. 

Taconite Trail: Snow – 5-15” depth  Base – 0-4”  Groomed – yes  Condition – poor  

Arrowhead Trail: Snow – 8-18” depth  Base – 0-4”  Groomed – yes  Condition – poor 

Putnam-Fishing Lakes Trail: Groomed – yes  Condition – poor

Lake Vermilion State Park and Soudan Underground Mine State Park: closed for season

Taconite Spur Trails and Stony Spur Trails: Base – 0-4”  Groomed – yes  Condition – poor   

Trail Report: Kane County, Illinois – March 15, 2017

Trail Conditions: Closed

Snow Cover: 0

Date of Report: March 15, 2017

Area Report:

“Officially” closed as of today. Thanks for a great two weeks in December, Mother Nature. Better luck next year!

Please continue to support your local snowmobile clubs! 
See ya next year!