Trail Report

Thursday February 4, 2021 7:20AM

Good overall conditions

No snowfall

3 general warnings

4 trail warnings

WINTER STORM WARNING – LETS HOPE THIS IS A GOOD ONE!

No changes as of yet but we are under a Winter Storm Warning starting today with 7 to 14 inches of snow forecast. Lets hope we are lucky and its on the heavy side. For now Trails are in overall Good groomed and Riding conditions across a majority of our trail system but snow is soft with a thin base. North of Shingleton was flattened out but hard and thin with little to work with closer to Shingleton, expect to see some gravel mix in areas. We also have a logging issue up there (see General Warning below). Some tight corners are getting icy throughout our area so ride with caution. Trail 422 has vehicles still driving on Miners Castle Road. Trail 419 between Munising and Wetmore is rough with a challenging creek crossing and no snow to work with, ride with caution. Trail 418 has little snow with a gravel mix along the big lake near AuTrain. Please respect residential property owners and STAY ON THE TRAIL, No Snowmobile Signs mean just that. Please continue the snow dances and Stay Tuned for updates as this storm approaches!

Past 24 hour Grooming Operations: Trail 8 from 7 miles North of Shingleton West to Trail 417, Trail 7 from Christmas South to CR440, Trail 418, Trail 419 from Trail 8 into Wetmore, Trail 419 West, Trail 422 and Wetmore Spur   (reference map below for trail locations)

24 hour Forecast: Winter Storm Warning, Snow, 27º F, Winds S 15 to 20 mph, Gusts to 30 mph, 4 to 8 inches accumulation
Currently: Cloudy, 32º F, Winds S 13 mph

Photos: Trail 8, 419 (cover: Trail 419 West)

TRAIL 419 WATER CROSSING

- There is an open water creek crossing on Trail 419 between Munising and Wetmore. We do not have enough snow to install a temporary culvert yet. PLEASE ride/cross with extreme caution as each side is built up and icy. Trail segment is rough.

TRAIL 8 NORTH LOGGING

- At the Alger SORVA / Seney intesection near the Bear Trap 7 miles North of Shingleton there is a 1/4 mile section from the intersection heading South that is dozed down to dirt. Logging trucks have recently been stuck in there so trail is very rough. Ride with extreme caution and watch for logging trucks and equipment.

IMPORTANT National Forest Closure Notice!

- STAY ON GROOMED TRAILS in the Stevens Lake F-16 crash site area. These are Trails 7 to the North and East, Trail 2 to the South and Trail 411 to the West. Order in effect through September 30, 2021. Notice from the National Forest important for those who venture off-trail: "Just a heads up to remind riders to stay on trails especially around or near the crash site they can be fined or imprisoned if caught inside perimeter thanks" (Order and Map in images below shows area)

Trail Conditions

8 East - Shingleton

Good

No new snow, fairly flat with 4 to 5 inch base. Groomed 2/3/2021

8 West - Chatham

Good

No new snow, fairly flat with 4 to 5 inch base. Groomed 2/3/2021

7 South - CR440

Good

No new snow, fairly flat with 4 to 5 inch base. Groomed to CR 440 2/2/2021, Groomed to 2 miles south of Doe Lake Road 2/3/2021

Just south of Doe Lake Road there is a large depression from underlying trail conditions. Keep the speed down and ride with caution in that area.

7 North - Christmas

Good

No new snow, fairly flat with 4 to 5 inch base with some icy corners closer to Christmas. Groomed 2/3/2021

419 East - Wetmore

Fair to Good

No new snow, minimal base, Good from Trail 8 North into Wetmore. More snow needed to fill and shape trail between Munising and Wetmore, very rough there. Groomed from Trail 8 into Wetmore 2/1/2021, Trail setting started with tractor only between Wetmore and Munising on 1/21/2021.

Open Creek crossing between Munising and Wetmore. Not enough snow for culvert yet. Trail setting started between Munising and Wetmore but much more snow is needed - ride with extreme caution, especially along M-28 and at creek crossing.

419 West - Munising

Good

No new snow, fairly flat with 1 to 2 inch base. Some icy corners, Groomed 2/3/2021

418 - Au Train

Fair to Good

No new snow, fairly flat with minimal base. Gravel mix near AuTrain River, Groomed 2/3/2021

417 - Brownstone Jnct.

Fair to Good

No new snow, very rocky with minimal base. Attempted a groom but much more snow is needed to return with grooming equipment. Groomed 01/23/2021

Large Rocks, ride with caution - needs more snow.

422 - Miners Castle

Good

No new snow, 4 to 5 inch base. 2 mile stretch along H-58 has minimal snow cover along guard rail sections. Groomed 2/3/2021

WATCH FOR CARS/TRUCKS With low snow conditions vehicles are still traveling out the the Miners Castle overlook. Stay alert for vehicles once you enter the groomed section of Miner Castle Road.

Wetmore Spur

Good

No new snow, fairly flat with 2 to 3 inch base. 2/2/2021