UP trail closing date

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Hoosier

Well-known member
Not that it has been an issue the past couple years, but do the trails still technically close on March 31 in the UP? Looking at a small possibility of squeezing in a last minute weekend trip late in March.
 
Admin

Admin

Administrator
Staff member
Yep, trails close March 31. In rare instances when there is enough snow, the DNR will extend the season for some areas, but this is a special case scenario and will not automatically occur if there is enough snow.

-John
 
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buddah2

Member
polarisrider1 said:
If they are your woods. Trails close for the entire state at midnight March 31.
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Actually that's not quite correct.......they quit grooming on March 31 but except for the areas that are gated off, I have never heard of anyone being hassled for using the trails regardless of when it was.....and I've lived here 10 yrs now.

About 3 or 4 yrs ago they actually extended grooming until April 10th but that's the exception rather than the rule.....
 
Admin

Admin

Administrator
Staff member
buddah2 said:
Actually that's not quite correct.......they quit grooming on March 31 but except for the areas that are gated off, I have never heard of anyone being hassled for using the trails regardless of when it was.....and I've lived here 10 yrs now.
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Actually, it is correct for all trails that use private property. The DNR gets easements to use the privately owned land for snowmobile trails from Dec 1-March 31. So unless the easements and grooming season are extended beyond March 31, or you are riding on private property with the owners permission, it is not legal. If you are riding on land owned by the state and designated as an ORV trail, then you can ride any time you want (4th of July if you dare!), with the exception of firearm deer season from Nov 15-31.

Just because folks do it and are not "hassled", does not make it legal.

-John
 
goofy600

goofy600

Well-known member
I want to know who is hunting nov 31. Lol sorry John if I didn't someone else would!
 
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Admin

Admin

Administrator
Staff member
ranlam said:
Darnit I was gonna use that " 4th of July on an ORV trail thing" you beat me to it. LOL
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And those doing it do not need to buy any pyrotechnics to celebrate the 4th either! Do it long enough on a liquid cooled sled and there could be some really good fireworks!

-John
 
goofy600

goofy600

Well-known member
John you could get me on my spelling but I caught it! Wish I were in the UP instead of reading this stuff for fun.
 
H

Hoosier

Well-known member
So which one of you guys decided to schedule Easter on March 31 this year??? I was thinking I had a chance to get away that weekend, but it's not going to happen on Easter weekend. Maybe I can figure out something for the weekend before.
 
B

buddah2

Member
Administrator said:
Actually, it is correct for all trails that use private property. The DNR gets easements to use the privately owned land for snowmobile trails from Dec 1-March 31. So unless the easements and grooming season are extended beyond March 31, or you are riding on private property with the owners permission, it is not legal. If you are riding on land owned by the state and designated as an ORV trail, then you can ride any time you want (4th of July if you dare!), with the exception of firearm deer season from Nov 15-31.

Just because folks do it and are not "hassled", does not make it legal.

-John
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You are, of course, correct.......I didn't explain it well.......the comment about the gates applies to most of the private land(s) in the central U.P......"most" of our trails are on public land and therefor can be used even after they stop grooming......I understand that is not the case in many other areas.....we have to go roughly 40 mi. before hitting any of the gated or marked private land from where I am....sorry for the confusion.
 
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polarisrider1

New member
Hoosier said:
So which one of you guys decided to schedule Easter on March 31 this year??? I was thinking I had a chance to get away that weekend, but it's not going to happen on Easter weekend. Maybe I can figure out something for the weekend before.
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Easter is on my Birthday. cool.
 
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polarisrider1

New member
Snowmobile trails in Michigan are open from December 1st through March 31st.
The Michigan Snowmobile Association is a volunteer organization dedicated to the
improvement of the sport of snowmobiling in Michigan. Any questions contact them. www.MSAsnow.org
No and, if's or but's. Only one time ever that I know of has the season been extended one week (due to fantastic late season snow).
 
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polarisrider1

New member
More cool info: Michigan is known by snowmobilers nationwide for its unique combination of abundant and dependable snow, exciting terrain and extensive trail network.
More than 6,200 miles of designated snowmobile trails are located throughout the state of Michigan forests, three national forests and many acres of privately owned lands. Michigan is one of only three states that offer a large system of interconnected snowmobile trails. Approximately 50% of the snowmobile trail system is located on Private lands; 20% Federal; 25% State; and 5% Other Public.
More than 150 grooming tractors are used by more than 65 grant program sponsors to groom the 6,200-mile trail system.
 
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