Snowmobiling in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula
December 09, 2025 – 12:45 pm update: – TUESDAY AFTERNOON – Winter weather continues this week with clippers bringing snow throughout the week to freshen up and strengthen the base for this weekend. Snowmobile clubs in the Western U.P. are still clearing the trails of brush and debris from the Thanksgiving storm. Hopefully most of the trails will be clear for the weekend and there should be enough snow for groomed trail riding.
Trails in the Eastern U.P. still need some more snow to get the conditions up to prime riding. There are still water problems in the swampy areas of the Eastern U.P. so be careful and watch out for open water areas in the Eastern U.P.
The base is still a little thin in Northern Lower Michigan, however, you can still find places to ride and conditions should improve going into the weekend.
Check the snow depth map for the areas the have the most snow.
Check back for updates…
Check the weather page for the latest weather updates
Check the snow depth map for the areas the have the most snow.
Here are the latest trail reports.
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Here’s the Snow Depth Map to help you find regions with the most snow.
Keweenaw Peninsula — Ironwood / Western U.P.
Also check out John Dee for the latest weather forecasts.
Check the weather page for the latest weather updates and click here for the latest photos.
Check the Snow Depth Map for areas with the best snow.
Here are the latest trail reports.
Check out John Dee and the John Dee Forecast Graphic for his take on this week’s weather.
Complete trailreport.com reports on the web, facebook and twitter:
FACEBOOK – http://www.facebook.com/TrailReport
TWITTER – http://www.twitter.com/TrailReport
Forecasts from Weather Undergound: (Ironwood Forecast) — (Marquette Forecast) — (Newberry Forecast) — (Cadillac Forecast) — (Gaylord Forecast) — (Traverse City Forecast)
NEW: Webcam Map – View webcams throughout Northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula on our interactive google map.
You can follow the week’s weather forecast at John Dee.
You can track some of the lake effect snow on the Radar Loop here and also get an educated guess on the best regions for snowfall on the Winter Storm Warning Map.
You can view the snow depth map here.
To check temperatures and trail conditions throughout Northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula click on our new google interactive trail report map
Featured Regions For The Winter of 2013 / 2014
 Cadillac |
 Gaylord |
 Traverse City |
 Drummond Island |
 Western U.P. |
Featured Regional Links
Western U.P. – Trail Reports – Webcams
Western U.P. Snowmobile Lodging
Ironwood – Hurley Lodging, – Montreal Haus Rental – Montreal, WI – Classic Motor Inn – Ironwood – Red Birch Haus – Iron Belt, WI – Comfort Inn – Ironwood – The Cedars Motel
Bessemer – Wakefield Lodging – Indianhead Mountain Resort – Regal Country Inn – Wildernest Chalet I & II – Wakefield – The Bluffs Inn – Bessemer – Big Powderhorn Lodging Association – Windsong Lodging – Bessemer – Powderhorn Northwoods Suite – Bessemer – SnowBlind Chalet 1-6 – Powder Hound Lodge
Lake Gogebic Lodging – AJ’s Walleye Lodge – The Timbers Resort – Root Cellar Resort – Bear’s Nine Pines Resort
Watersmeet Lodging – Jay’s Resort
Ontonagon – Porcupine Mountains Lodging – Mountain View Lodges – Scott’s Superior Inn – Superior Shores – Peterson’s Chalet Cottages – Rocky Shores Vacation Home – Porcupine Lodge – White Pine – Sunshine Motel – A Cabin & A Cottage Up North – Konteka Resort – AmericInn of Silver City – A Beach Retreat Cottage
Gaylord Area – Trail Reports – Webcams
Gaylord Snowmobile Lodging – Ray’s Retreat Country Inn – Pine Cone Accommodations – The Waters Inn – Treetops Resort – and more…
Gaylord Snowmobile Rentals – Alpine Snowmobile Rentals – DerMiner’s Parkside Market Snowmobile Rentals – Gaylord Dining
Harbor Springs Area – Trail Reports
Harbor Springs Snowmobile Lodging – Trout Creek Condominium Resort
Traverse City Area – Trail Reports
Traverse City Lodging – Ranch Rudolf – Honor Motel – Honor – Bayshore Resort – Pointes North Beachfront Resort Hotel – Cherry Tree Inn and Suites – Lake ‘N Pines Lodge – Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa – and more…
Traverse City Snowmobile Rentals – Blue Sky Snowmobile Rentals
Traverse City Dining – Peegeo’s – Ranch Rudolf
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Postings From Trail Report Pages On Facebook
CURTIS AREA UPDATE via Curtis Area Trail Association >> Trail update….
The Good
Trail 45 &457 (north )from (curtis) to Newberry fair to good condition. private land still gated but there is a reroute down Sandtown Rd.
South to Gould city/Naubinway
Trying to open up this afternoon if the swamp is froze…..
Remember, Trail 2
Hiawatha Sportsmans is still closed in the south next to the pipeline until December 15!
The Bad…..
Trail 43 to Germfask was opened up last night. The section south of McGann Road. Use Caution!!!!⛔️
We got a Groomer stuck in the swamp.
Got it out no problem, but it made a big mess! Please stay out of this area and allow it to freeze. See photos
It was a 10 hour run 4 men clearing downed trees/ brush.
The rest of this Trail opened up very nicely.. #curtis #newberry #snowphotos
IRONWOOD - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Gogebic Range Trail Authority - ORV & Snowmobile Club >> Carter was out last night grooming trail 8 out of Wakefield for the 1st time. Still lots of trees hanging over the trail. The Winter Weather Advisory we were in last night to this morning did not produce the snow like they said. But, it is snowing!
It will be a busy weekend with the Snocross races happening at Mt. Zion in Ironwood on the 12th & 13th. It’s been a great turn out every year!
Tomorrow night, December 11, Hurley will have their Red Light Rally Parade. Line up at 5:00, parade at 6:00.
Kami
GRTA Secretary #ironwood #westernup #snowphotos
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP >> ❄️Trail Report December 10th 2025
🥵Good Day from the trenches....
👀Trails remain hazardous and in early season conditions with wet areas, downed trees, and with some trails yet to be opened by grooming equipment. We seek snowmobiler's help riding trail 12 from Ontonagon to Greenland. The swamps between the highway and the railroad grade need traffic to help freeze them in so we can go fill in the rest of the water holes. Most of our trail system is enjoying 18-36" of snow, but areas near the lakeshore have limited snow (5"). 4-6" of fresh snow fell yesterday with more lake effect on-going today. IT IS SNOWY!!!!
🤘GROOMED LAST NIGHT: Trail 12 railroad grade from Ontonagon to Rockland. Groomer then went down 13 to 101 and back to staging at Hamilton's North Coast Adventures on trail 12. The ditch trails along Victoria Road and Potato Farm road have been cut in again after plowing. We had a hydraulic leak cut the night short, but we plan to work on trail 12 to white pine to put a few more wet areas to bed now that we have the Trail Setter drag on. Thank you TJ Toner of White Pine for giving his night up to train on the PistenBully with Steve.
🤞Once trail 13 from Bergland to our section of 13 is opened, you'll once again be able to ride directly from Hurley, WI to Houghton, MI. A by-pass using the 400 road, accessed via 13, can get you up to where 13 is groomed. You can also bypass the unopened trail via trail 1 to White Pine then east on trail 12 to 101 to 13. Riding without road or trail is permissible in the Ottawa National Forest if there is more than 6" of snow and the area is not Wilderness or protected (be smart, please...).
😍Great Snow exists up here with tremendous trailside stops waiting for you this weekend! Bring some brushing equipment and come on up! Give the trails 1, 2 hours of your time. You'll never believe how big of an impact 4 people with a purpose can make! #ontonagon #westernup
WATERSMEET AREA - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via U.P. Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club >> UPDATED 12/10/25-Crews will be out working the last few miles of blockages on our trail system. We should have a more clear trail report Friday.
If you are out on the trails please watch for work crews and small debris left on our trails. #watersmeet #westernup
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Northwest winds kick in later today, allowing for lake effect snow to return primarily for the areas drenched in shades of blue. A couple locations will pick up 1-3" or greater within the most intense bands. We are monitoring the Kalkaska county region the closest for potential upgrades, but this should be a good base forecast to get you through the end of the day on Thursday, December 11th. This forecast starts at 5 pm EST this evening when the advisories end for the system, while the lake effect bands begin coming on shore. A couple of squalls may produce blowing snow, reduced visibilities under half a mile, and a very miniscule chance for thundersnow. Areas without a color designation are not anticipated to benefit from the lake effect snow this time around.
We are watching for more snow chances Friday into Saturday. More details either later today, or first thing tomorrow. Keep it tuned in here at MSC! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyNorthwest winds kick in later today, allowing for lake effect snow to return primarily for the areas drenched in shades of blue. A couple locations will pick up 1-3" or greater within the most intense bands. We are monitoring the Kalkaska county region the closest for potential upgrades, but this should be a good base forecast to get you through the end of the day on Thursday, December 11th. This forecast starts at 5 pm EST this evening when the advisories end for the system, while the lake effect bands begin coming on shore. A couple of squalls may produce blowing snow, reduced visibilities under half a mile, and a very miniscule chance for thundersnow. Areas without a color designation are not anticipated to benefit from the lake effect snow this time around.
We are watching for more snow chances Friday into Saturday. More details either later today, or first thing tomorrow. Keep it tuned in here at MSC!
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WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow returns to the UP today through tomorrow for the north to northwest wind snowbelts. The greatest accumulations are expected east of Marquette. Gusty north to northwest winds may create areas of low visibility and blowing snow at times. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow returns to the UP today through tomorrow for the north to northwest wind snowbelts. The greatest accumulations are expected east of Marquette. Gusty north to northwest winds may create areas of low visibility and blowing snow at times.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Accumulating snow continues this morning as a system works across the state. An additional 1-2” is expected across northeast lower by early afternoon, resulting in slippery roads and reduced visibility for the morning commute. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyAccumulating snow continues this morning as a system works across the state. An additional 1-2” is expected across northeast lower by early afternoon, resulting in slippery roads and reduced visibility for the morning commute.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A quick batch of snowfall is expected tonight into Wednesday as a clipper system tracks to the south. Mainly 1 to 3 inches are expected area-wide. Light lake effect snow lingers in the north, then northwest wind belts Wednesday and Thursday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA quick batch of snowfall is expected tonight into Wednesday as a clipper system tracks to the south. Mainly 1 to 3 inches are expected area-wide. Light lake effect snow lingers in the north, then northwest wind belts Wednesday and Thursday.
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