Trail Grooming Kept Up in U.P.

The state has extended snowmobile grooming contracts to Upper Peninsula snowmobile clubs through Sunday, April 6, enabling clubs to keep trails in riding condition one week longer than usual. The season normally ends March 31.

"Our trails are still in great condition," reported Neil Hill of the Straits Area Snowmobile Club at St. Ignace Friday, March 28.

Dense snowpacks, lingering cold conditions, and excellent trail maintenance by snowmobile clubs have kept trails in unusually good condition for this time of year, Ann Wilson of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) told The St. Ignace News.

"Go ahead and keep on riding," said Ms. Wilson.

Trails are especially good along Lake Superior and at the eastern and western ends of the U.P., she said, but there are a few areas in the middle-southern portions of the U.P. that are not in prime condition. Therefore, anyone interested in traveling a particular trail should contact the local chamber of commerce, the DNR, or snowmobile club and inquire about conditions there.

To ride on state land, snowmobilers must display a $25 DNR sticker. The money generated from sticker sales is administered to snowmobile clubs that groom trails.