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Trail Report – : Western UP, Michigan – March 3, 2020

Reporter:Western U.P. Snowmobile Report
Trail Conditions: Good
Snow Cover: 24-30
Date of Report: March 3, 2020
Area Report:

Western U P Snowmobile Trail Report— 3/03/2020

 

Gogebic Range Trail Authority – Snowmobile & ORV Club Trail Report

 

  • Trail Condition: Good
  • Last Groomed: March 02nd, 2020
  • Base Snowfall: 30″
  • Reported On: March 02nd, 2020 @ 9:55am

Groomer Report

Monday 3/2/2020 9:00 am CST Overall Story:   

Trails are starting to show signs of cancer, but rider reports from last weekend – even Sunday – were shockingly good.  In and around towns are snirty and icy.  Roads are bare but you’re thoughtful GRTA groomer operators are grooming road banks down for you to ride on.  Outside of town our trails remain in very good condition, which is typical this time of year.  No one can make your decision to come ride besides you.  John Dee is predicting some snows this week which will dramatically improve things.  Water hazards remain froze no worries there.  We’re continuing our efforts to provide a snow covered system for you to ride this up coming weekend.  We feel 160 will be a great ride out of Ironwood.

“Why are trails icy this time of year?”  As the trails melt from the top down the newly released water pools on the sheet of ice that makes up the bottom layer of the trail base.  This in turn builds a thicker and thicker ice base until the snow is gone and the ice is left.

WARNINGS AND NOTICES:   We are begging riders to ride off trail legally as there are 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.  CLICK THIS LINK FOR MAPS, scroll down to motor vehicle use maps. 

Trail 2 from Hurley to Ramsay US-2 Crossing:

Overall rating:  GOOD 

Last groomed 3/2/2020.    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 

Last groomed 3/2/2020.  This is a tight trail with tremendous amounts of traffic.  Corners will get icy along with the hill climbs in between grooming.  Snow finding operations went very well this week and the trail is once again in good to very good shape.  This trail features 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:  GOOD TO VERY GOOD

Last groomed 3/1/2020.  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: GOOD TO VERY GOOD

Last Groomed 3/1/2020.  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:  GOOD TO VERY GOOD

Last Groomed 2/27/2020.  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 2/25/2020.  Increased logging traffic is in the area for only 1/4 mile, 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 Report 3/03/2020

 

  • Trail Condition: Good
  • Last Groomed: February 18th, 2020
  • Base Snowfall: 36+”
  • Reported On: March 03rd, 2020 @ 10:14am

Groomer Report

March 2, 2020

Conditions in the Lake Gogebic Area remain good on the North end and fair to good on the South end of the Lake to the Wisconsin border.   It’s currently 28 degrees and snowing and we’re forecasted for more snow this week.   Snowfall this year is in excess of 140” and our trails still have a great base.   Groomers will be out nightly when temps are below freezing.    Riders are reporting good conditions and recommend to just ride early and plan your stop accordingly.    Mother Nature is not done with this season just yet and you know what they say when March comes in like a lamb….

  • 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 getting thin and reported to be in fair 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. There is about 1 mile of logging going on and this trail always gets a lot of traffic.
  • Trail 13 South is open, being groomed nightly and reported to be in good to Good condition.
  • Trail #13 South from 100 to Trail # 2 is reported to be groomed daily and is in good to fair condition.
  • Trail # 100 South end of Lake Gogebic is reported be groomed daily and is in good to Good condition.

Please stay on the trails, respect private property, do not drink and drive, and above all else, drive safely.

U.P. Thunder Riders Trail Report 2/26/2020

 

  • Trail Condition: Good
  • Last Groomed: February 25th, 2020
  • Base Snowfall: 24″
  • Reported On: February 25th, 2020 @ 11:53am

Groomer Report

Groomers are running nightly, trails are in good to very good shape. The warm up we had didn’t have much impact on the trails, but some road areas are now thin and icy.

Trail #3 from the Wisconsin border to Watersmeet good, 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