3/1/24

6 pm and 44 degrees here at my place. I saw 48 today and the sun was out all day. We have been getting a lot of grief from a couple of the businesses and a few locals about "why haven`t you guys been out grooming" after that last little snow storm (a solid foot) Wednesday night. Its been bad enough now we feel like we have to  defend ourselves. I don`t like it, so I`ll try the best I can.

First of all, the trail boss (Mike C.) has been doing this for 29 yrs. I have been doing this for 22 yrs., a lot of the other guys have 10+ yrs. We know what we are doing!  This has been a sucky winter. In fact, I heard today on 9&10 news that it is the warmest winter on record for UP here.

We`ve had people say "why aren`t you out at least panning", the other clubs are. Well, our trail system is entirely different. It consists mostly of low wet areas and regular trails. The other clubs are mainly forest roads and old RR grades and old logging roads. We can`t even get in the wet areas and the trails are just bumpy from summer use. We had zero base before this last little snow storm and the trails were down to mud. It would do no good to go out, plus beat the heck outa our machines to just go out and pan. To try and groom would just bring up dirt and the trail would be gone in a day. If we do nothing at least the trail would last a few days. We watch the weather forecast VERY close and we saw the temps into the 40`s for the next few days so we decided to keep the groomers parked. We are in contact with our DNR contact on a daily basis and he agrees with us.

We would really love to be out grooming everyday, believe me, its been boring as hell around here. I own the Saunders Sunrise Cabins and have had only 4 snowmobiliers here all winter, this is my living! Its hard to believe the couple businesses in town bashing us! We do this for you!!!!! We don`t see you at our meetings or helping out at the barn. All are welcome at our meetings....businesses and locals alike. Come on out and get involved so you understand better before you "keyboard warrior" us!

The long term forcast looks like crap. We are probably done for this season except for a miracle to happen. I`ll be the first to let ya know if it does.

Its been 2 crappy seasons in a row now. Lets pray for a pattern change.

Groomer Chris

2/29/24

10 degrees this morning and snowing.....alot. We picked up a foot plus last night!!! Figures, winter decides to start the last day of Feb. I see I haven`t been on here to give ya`ll a report since the 18th, thats cause we haven`t had winter and I had nothing to report. Our trails were all down to just mud and we had only a couple inches on the ground. My, how things change in a hurry. The weather is supposed to change again by the weekend and be back to above normal temps so I`m thinking come on UP this weekend. Ya`ll will have a blast in the fresh powder!!

Groomer Chris