Snowmobile Trail Conditions

We headed out early this morning joined by Brook, another member of our snowmobile club. He drove up last night and wanted to get some miles on since the snow back home has been weak at best. We gassed up, got a sticker for Brook and we were on our way. After taking trail 1 north to trail 2 we headed east. It was a chilly morning and we made our way into Watersmeet, MI. After gassing up we grabbed some food at big mama’s cafe. Then we hit trail 2 east to Iron River and fueled up again. Trail 2 was in perfect shape, freshly groomed and we cut the first tracks for most of the way.

I do have one “rant” about this ride. We got behind a group that was riding 30mph on the flat straight sections. If that is the speed you feel comfortable at, great do not ride faster! The problem is, when you turn around 5 times and look me in the face, even at stop signs, what is the point of that if you won’t move over? I mean, if you want to pretend someone isn’t behind you, why even turn around? We had a guy that did this for over 7 miles. If someone wants to get around me, by all means, go ahead! I’ll move over as soon as I know you are there.
Any how, we doubled back to trail 15 and rode that up to Sidnaw and then into Kenton. We grabbed some food at Hoppy’s. Then we took trail 107 back to trail 2 into Watersmeet. We fueled up again and then headed for Marenisco to grab a drink at Bam Bam’s. After leaving Bam Bam’s we headed south on trail 1 to Presque Isle and topped off the tanks.
For all the complaining people were doing this week about lack of snow or poor trail conditions we put on over 1,000 miles in 5 days. We saw 98% snow covered trails and after a few snow storms the trails were perfect.

Overall Trail Rating: 9 out of 10
Distance: 245
Previous: 1,812
Season Total: 2,057

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We got an early start today and were on the trail by 7. After heading north on trail 11 we ran into the logging area. Fortunately we got 4″ of fresh snow last night which helped this area considerably. After getting through that area it was smooth sailing.

We took trail 2 east into Marinesco and got some breakfast at the wild river cafe. Then we continued east on trail 2 and gassed up in Watersmeet. We headed south on trail 3 into Land O Lakes and then back north on trail 3 to trail 2 east.

We took trail 2 east all the way to iron river. After getting gas there we headed back west on trail 2 and took trail 13 south to Bents Camp for lunch. After a delicious lunch we went north on trail 13 and west on trail to and south on trail 1 back home. The trails were in great shape today and it was the best riding of the week. It certainly helped that we got going early!

Overall Trail Rating: 9 out of 10
Distance: 225
Previous: 1,587
Season Total: 1,812

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Today ended up being a short trip, but a longer day. We rolled out and took 11 north towards Marenisco.

After arriving in Marenisco for lunch I noticed the rear wheel on one of the sleds was missing. Fortunately my brother took the day off from riding and was able to bring us the truck. We loaded up the sleds and trailered the broken one to the dealer and grabbed another machine to ride. After unloading at the dealer we headed north on trail 1 to White Pine.

We didn’t ride very many miles today (due to the break down) but the trails were still great.

I will be uploading the videos later today. Our internet connection here is very slow!

Overall Trail Rating: 7 out of 10
Distance: 80
Previous: 1,507
Season Total: 1,587

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My pilot buddies (Cale and Rob) showed up last night. We were all excited to hit the trails. Everyone was still complaining today about how bad the trails are. When we got to trail 2, we were the first sleds on it, obviously it was perfect!

We then took trail 13 north to Lake Gogebic and then rode into town. After gassing up we took trail 13 to Rockland and made a stop at Henry’s Never Inn.

We left there and made our way south on trail 3. It was a little rough through that section, but when we got on trail 8 east it was freshly groomed. We took that to Kenton and rode trail 107 south to trail 2 then into Watersmeet. After fueling up we took trail 2 west and trail 1 south. Overall the trails were 98% snow covered. The trails were bare in all the usual places (anywhere that gets a lot of sun).

Overall Trail Rating: 7 out of 10
Distance: 220
Previous: 1,287
Season Total: 1,507

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Today was a special day. Last week I got in touch with Nick Keller from www.snowballcancer.org and set up a day to ride with him.  Nick is the “iron man” of snowmobiling.  In the last 2.5 seasons he has ridden 51,000+ miles on the same sled.  (that’s NOT a typo, 51,000+)  He is doing it all for the foundation he started with his family to raise money for cancer awareness.  We met up in Marenisco around 10am and immediately hit the trail.  We rode trail 2 east to Watersmeet and then gassed up.  Then we headed north with our sights set on Greenland.

After a short stop at Pat’s Yamaha and a quick bite to eat we were back on the trail.  We did a loop that started on trail 13 and then made our way back home.  It was pretty neat to see all of the excitement everywhere we stopped.  No matter if we were at the dealer or at the gas station someone was always coming up asking about the sled “Mary Jane” or why Nick does what he does.  We met a lot of really great people and learned a lot about them.  For the last few days a lot of people had been complaining how bad the trails are.  We put on 315 miles today and it was pretty decent.  It wasn’t the best conditions I’ve seen, but definitely not the worst either!  If you would like to donate to Nick’s cause, please visit his website here:

http://www.snowballcancer.org/

Overall Trail Rating: 7 out of 10
Distance: 315
Previous: 972
Season Total: 1,287

Check us out on Facebook:
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