The Keweenaw Snowmobile Club was feeling festive as volunteers worked to lock the Portage Lake Lift Bridge in place. Outfitting one of the club’s Piston Bullies with Christmas lights when flattening the lift bridge’s snowmobile crossing. With the official go-ahead from the U.S. Coast Guard and the Michigan Department of Transportation, KSC works with the city of Houghton to move over 30 tons of snow onto the bridge.
President Ryan LaPorte adds the club, as many clubs in the region are, still has work to wrap up after the Thanksgiving storm. Keweenaw Snowmobile Club still has about 50 miles of trail to open across the system, and hopes to complete repairs by Christmas.
“I’ve got an outstanding team that’s working every day on it,” LaPorte said. “They are working hard to get through this.”
All the main trail system is open, but the club is working on spurs and some outlying areas, he said. LaPorte said visitors planning to come up over the next few weeks for the holidays can expect the club to be back to full force.
“Please ride safe,” LaPorte said. “Those piles of snow that look like they might be fun to jump, along the side of the trail, are likely snow-covered brush and very dangerous.”
LaPorte urged riders to stay on the trail and watch for hazards. He said to expect tough early season conditions, as it will take a few more weeks of regular grooming, cutting and clipping to make the trail safe.
“We want everybody to go home safe and sound,” he said.
LaPorte says Michigan DNR’s Ride Right campaign has made a significant impact on the number of fatalities and emergencies on the trails. Throughout the season snowmobilers will see reminders to Ride Right at gas stations, local bars and restaurants, shops, and on social media shared by club and media partners. Stay up to date on trail conditions by following your local snowmobile club online.
Ride Right means keeping your snowmachine to the right side of the trail to allow for easier passing between groups. Keep to a speed you, and your group, are comfortable with. As well as make sure to stay in sight of your group when riding on the trails. Keeping within sight of other snowmobilers improves the chances, in an emergency, that first responders are contacted quickly.
In most emergency situations the cause of an accident determined by officials finds speed plays a significant factor.
While the trails do not have an official speed limit, snowmobile clubs, Michigan DNR, and first responders encourage riding at a safe speed. The Department of natural Resources also encourages snowmobilers travel sober, always wear a properly fitted helmet, and keep your headlights on, even during the day.
Learn more about the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Ride Right campaign here. Those interested in staying up to date on trail conditions should download the Groomer Tracker App. Subscribing to the service provides $10 dollars of the fee to local trails clubs to support maintenance, expansion, and operations. Many clubs in the western Upper Peninsula do use the Groomer Tracker to update trail conditions and receive support from the service fees.
Learn more about snowmobiling in the Keweenaw Peninsula here. Learn more about the Keweenaw Snowmobile Club here. Becoming a member of a snowmobile club can support local projects and offer opportunities to meet like-minded hobbyists to join on trial rides or plan out adventures.
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