Good morning to all! It's been awhile since I've posted and I have no good excuses. Just wanting to let you all know it's snowing great and all trails in our area have been either panned or groomed. The extended forecast looks great. Looks like maybe one day of warmup which will be good for settling the excellent amount of snow we already have. I believe last winter mourned the loss of JD thus not snowing ,and now JD is looking over us and sending us the white gold!
Extended Forecast Looking Great.
- Thread starter kip
- Start date
ZRMadness
New member
I thought I saw mid December on FB but unfortunately cannot find the FB post. Canal must be frozen before they lock the bridge down.
According to my brother at the very earliest the mat will go down on the 16th. MDOT has control of it until the 15th and they like to milk the clock unfortunately. I figure a lot of us feel that way Gary
I honestly think all the way from West to East in the U.P. will be good riding. I've had a few through and it's nothing but smiles! Groomers were ready to rip as soon as the snow hit. Hit me up with any questions on conditions you guys. Thanks!
I honestly think all the way from West to East in the U.P. will be good riding. I've had a few through and it's nothing but smiles! Groomers were ready to rip as soon as the snow hit. Hit me up with any questions on conditions you guys. Thanks!
bayfly
Active member
Thanks Kip. I’m usually the guy that plans the ride for our group. But frankly, I’m feeling uncertain with an early season ride out of Twin Lakes. I am leading 2 or 3 relatively inexperienced OGs next week. By the time we get set up at Krupps, we will only have a few hours to ride on Tuesday. We will ride Wednesday but have to head home by 4:00 p.m. Does anyone have suggestions on routes for either or both days? I’m expecting not much more than 150 miles on Wednesday. I’ve ridden the area many times over the years, but not at all last year. I’m also concerned about unfrozen low areas. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance!
indy_500
Well-known member
Eek. I’ve been following snowfall and condition reports with a microscope since the snow started falling. Unless you enjoy running up and down trail 3 from Mass City to Houghton you’re going to be greatly disappointed. 13 loop is closed, I heard rockland gets thin with water spots, ontonogan is extremely thin, Bergland is too thin, etc and can’t really go south of trail 3 either. Could maybe run from Mass to the Rousseau bar and maybe venture down the newly reopened trail 109 to Alston from Twin Lakes but that’s about it. Freda loop is still closed, and can’t get across the bridge/canal in houghton.
If you’re looking to put on 150 miles I’d head to the eastern UP. Pretty much everything north of M28, east of Munising and west of M123 has plenty of snow cover. Could put on 100’s of miles if you covered every trail. Haven’t heard of any water issues that way… yet! I’m heading up there Saturday.
Keep in mind there is more snow on the way between now and Friday and could help change a lot of what I mentioned, but there is a slight warm up coming Sunday/Monday as well.
mezz
Well-known member
The first 2 snows we received were not blower snow, it was fine like sugar. Keep in mind, the ground warmth is settling the snow with a sticky base. There is over 2' in the highlands of Calumet. The Lift Bridge cannot be locked down until December 15th or when the canal freezes.
Groomers were sent out on Dec 1st. Trail 124 is currently closed due to logging & may open around Christmas. Trail 133 is closed until Dec 15th due to privately owned land & muzzle loading season. It's early regardless, tread lightly no matter where you decide to ride.
Groomers were sent out on Dec 1st. Trail 124 is currently closed due to logging & may open around Christmas. Trail 133 is closed until Dec 15th due to privately owned land & muzzle loading season. It's early regardless, tread lightly no matter where you decide to ride.
bayfly
Active member
Thanks Indy! I guess that I will set my sights to the east. We rode that area a few times last year, so I was hoping to ride further west. But I will go where the snow is. A report on your weekend ride would be most appreciated (I know you usually do post).
cobalt_502
Active member
I rode the East opening day in whiteout conditions, we have been going early December since the late 80's, it's the best for early season riding due to the amount of trails that are roads. The trails up there will be amazing tons of good snow! We are going back up on the 11th-15th, I am sure it will be busy lol. Years ago, we wouldn't see anyone up there early December, now it's like midseason traffic!