Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
It’s December 1st, and that means snowmobile trails are for sled heads only. Groomers and others maintaining the network steer clear of the woods until the end of hunting season normally, but there are two factors limiting what is traditionally a festive day in the Keweenaw.
The first is weather. Mild temperatures are again going to be well above freezing, leading to a thaw of the little snow on the ground throughout Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. Fewer than ten inches were in place, as lake effect snows have generally fallen in the upper elevations to the south so far this season.
Another issue according to Keweenaw Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Brad Barnett is construction on the Lift Bridge.
Work is expected for another week and a half at least. While it is ongoing, the movable portion is in the raised position, with cars using the lower deck. Eventually motor vehicles will cross on the upper level, with snowmobiles having access below.
Barnett says downhill skiing and snowmobiling are the two main economic drivers in the winter time. He says they draw distinctly different types of people to the area.
Barnett also notes the excitement over coming repairs to the trail network from Hancock to Lake Linden. That will not be started until next year, though. The stretch got washed out by the Father’s Day Flood in 2018.
