Clubs Begin Trail Grooming
National Weather Service Optimistic About Snowfall
By Ryan Schlehuber

Local snowmobile clubs are grooming the snowmobile trails in the Eastern Upper Peninsula, beginning Monday, December 3. Meteorologists are optimistic about this year's winter snowfall so far.

Last year, a strong snowstorm covered trails for the opening of December for both the Straits Area Snowmobile Club and the Les Cheneaux Snowmobile Club, however, by New Year's Day, the amount of snow had declined drastically.

"Usually we rack up about 10,000 to 12,000 grooming miles throughout the winter," said Neil Hill of St. Ignace, vice president of the Straits Area Snowmobile Club. "Last year, we only drove 1,100 miles. After we lost that first snow, we didn't have much."

This year, predictions are that temperatures and snowfall will stay around, said Jeff Zoltowski, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Gaylord.

The Straits area, according to the National Weather Service, typically ranges from normal temperature highs in the upper 30s and normal lows in the 20s at this time of year.

"It looks like we're not going to lose snow, but we may not gain more than the average [for the Eastern Upper Peninsula] area, either," said Mr. Zoltowski. "Temperatures may fall below normal, but nothing drastic. Basically, it should be a decent, typical Michigan winter."

Weather for the rest of December will provide a better indication of what outdoor enthusiasts can expect for the rest of the winter, said Mr. Zoltowski.

Snowmobile clubs have said this season's compressed snow has been great for trails.

"Normally, any snow after December 10 sticks around for the remainder of the winter, though last year was an exception," said Mr. Zoltwoski.

The Straits Area Snowmobile Club tends to trails around St. Ignace, including near the Mackinac Bridge along I-75, Trout Lake, Rexton, and the Cut River area, a total of 101 miles of trails.

Les Cheneaux Snowmobile Club grooms a total of 109 miles, which includes the areas of Cedarville, Hessel, DeTour to the west of I-75, and north through Pickford.

In the Upper Peninsula, there are 13 snowmobile clubs that groom trails. There are 69 in the entire state.

Each club receives funding from the state to purchase necessary equipment, manpower, and signs, equipment maintenance, and fuel.