Paradise Michigan Snowmobile Trail Report

TRAIL REPORT

1/19/25

4 degrees this morning and snowing. Its been a bit windy so its hard to tell how much snow we got last night but I`ll call a solid 6″. I do have drifts almost knee high on my deck. Here`s what went on yesterday……

Groomer Mike C. hit the Falls trail #45 with the drag yesterday. First time this year! He said it turned out good but there are a couple of wet spots you have to be careful of. They are easy to get around but just be smart. These next few days of really cold weather will tighten everything up nicely.

Groomer Keith ran the Pine Stump trails 8/9 and said they turned out good. Be aware of drifting in “siberia”.

I ran the South trail #8 and it turned out good. Still a couple of wet spots but you can get around them easy.

We didn`t have power all day yesterday so I didn`t wander in the barn to look at the schedule so not sure what`s going on fer today. I`m thinking tho we`ll run the Point trails and da Stump again. I do know we`ll stay off the Falls trail today to give it a chance to tighted up, same as the South trail. Thinking we`ll get into the swamp south of town either tomorrow or Tuesday.     That`s it

LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Groomer Chris

1/18/25

19 degrees this morning and cloudy with a stiff NW wind. I got about an inch of snow overnight on my deck. Here`s what went on yesterday and what`s going on today………

Groomer Ben ran the Point trails yesterday. He didn`t really give me a rating but said he did kick up a lot of snirt and everything is gettin pretty brown. He didn`t run the Doe Lake Rd section cause of the thin snow up that way.

Groomer Keith ran the Stump trail and called it good. There are a few thin spots but nuttin to worry about.

I`m heading South on trail #8 this morning and Groomer Mike C. ? is gonna hit the Falls trail #45 with a drag for the first time this year.

Things are looking better everyday. Just need a little more snow and it looks like its coming!!!!!

LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Groomer Chris

1/17/25

28 degrees this morning and cloudy with a stiff SE wind. Got just a heavy dusting of snow in the last 24 hrs. The temps are gonna get into the upper 30`s today and then drop like a rock with lots of LE “they” are telling me. Got really good news today so lets get to it……

Groomer Mike C. spent ALL DAY yesterday working on trail #45 to the Falls. He busted his butt and got it passable!!!!!! We are gonna open the gates this morning!!!! It is NOT groomed yet. We will stay off of it today cause of the warm temps and will groom it tomorrow. Now, keep in mind, it is ridable but you will find a few wet spots and a few muddy spots so take it easy in there and ride smart. We plan on going into the South swamp on Monday for the second time and see what we got. With these cold temps coming we should be able to make good headway in there.

We plan on runnin the Stump trail and the Point trails today. We are gonna skip the South trail #8 until tomorrow cause of the water holes and the warm temps today.

Sooooo……we`re gettin there, just be a little more patient, the temps will help a bunch. By next weekend all trails should be good to go!!!!

LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1/16/25

21 degrees this morning and cloudy. I picked up about 2″ of fresh snow on my deck last night, looks like more is coming for the next few days too!! Here`s what went on yesterday……

Groomer Dave ran the South trail #8 and called it fair-good. There are still a few thin spots and the water at the south end of the power line is gettin smaller and easy to get around. The Federal Forest section is really thin for snow and the water holes at the south end are still pretty big. You can get around them but its tough. A better option is head out to M-123 down Curley Lewis and ride the ditch until you can pick up the trail about a half mile down.

Groomer Ben ran the Point trails and called them good with a couple of minor thin spots to deal with on the Doe Lake Rd. section.

Groomer Keith ran the Pine Stump trail and called it good with just a couple of minor thin spots but they are gettin better every day.

Groomer Mike C. was gonna head into the Falls trail #45 last night to work on it as soon as a machine became available. Haven`t heard from him this morning yet so can`t give ya`s any details.

All in all our trail system is in good shape sans a couple of swampy areas. We are working on them VERY hard and hope to get them open soon!!!! I heard the Paradise area is gettin a bad rap. We don`t deserve it!!!! We have a lot of swampy areas that we have to deal with and we can`t do nutin about it. We can`t just run reroutes around everything and cut new trails like some of these knuckle heads are suggesting!!! The snow and COLD temps I see coming will help tremendously.

LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Groomer Chris

1/15/25

13 degrees this morning with a light snow falling. We picked up about 5″ of really fluffy LE in the last 24hrs. Here`s whats been going on the last couple days with the trails…..

We made it thru the swamp south of town yesterday and as expected it is muddy in der. With the expected cold temps for the next couple days then a slight warm up then really cold temps next week we are hopeful we can get it opened up by the following weekend.

Today we are runnin the Pine Stump trail, the Point trails and the South trail #8 but skipping the swamp. Once one of these machines get back we will run into the Falls trail #45 this evening.

So there you have it…………LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Groomer Chris

1/13/25

23 degrees this morning and snowing. Its hard to say how much snow we got in the last 24 hrs cause of the wind but I`ll say 3-4″ here at my place. The wind has switched to the NW and “they” are calling for more snow for the next few days with the temps gettin good and cold too!!

I was the only one to run yesterday. I hit the South trail #8 and will call it just fair. The snow is a bit thin in many spots. The good news is the water holes at the south end of the power line are gettin smaller and you can get around them easy. The bad news is the water holes at the south end of the Federal Forest section aren`t gettin much better. You can get around them but it is tough cause its so tight in there. We do plan on going into the swamp south of town tomorrow and see what its like in there.

We will hit the Pine Stump trail and the Point trails today.

LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Groomer Chris

1/12/25

28 degrees this morning, cloudy and very windy out of the SE. No new snow in the last 24 hrs but the weather guessers are calling for some for the next few days, lets hope they are right, sure could use it as the guys are saying some spots are still pretty thin for snow…..like this……

Groomer Dave ran the Point trails yesterday and reported it turned out good +. He did not run the Doe Lake rd ridge cause its so thin on snow.

Groomer Keith ran the Pine Stump trail and said it turned out good but there are some thin spots also. He told me he had alot of trouble with riders following him around and tearing up his fresh groom. This is one reason we don`t believe in the groomer tracker (aka: groomer chaser) thing. These people just wreck it for everyone else!

I am runnin the South trail #8 today and I think I`ll be the only one out, but not 100% sure on that one.

In other than trail news………We have a bunch of trail maps if any of the local businesses need any. Just get ahold of one of us, ya`ll know who we are.

I want to give a HUGE thank-you to Dan and Monica Millikan for all the groomer snacks, pop and the 30 rack. MUCH appreciated!!!!!!!!

LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!                sure could use it

Groomer Chris

1/11/25

25 degrees this morning and cloudy. I woke up to a nice surprise this morning, a fresh 4″ of snow on my deck!!! Didn`t see that coming!

OK, here`s some info you may not know, or even care about. I write this report on our official Night Riders page and then copy and paste it to the MISORVA page and to our FB page. So sometimes I`ll refer to a comment on our FB page or video on there. I bring this up because we have some nice video on our FB page from yesterday's run to the Falls. If you don`t have FB just let me, say the Gates are still closed on the Falls trail #45, it's going to be a bit yet. You can get from the upper falls to the lower for fuel but past the lower to Paradise is still UGLY in some spots.

Today we are going to run the Pine Stump trail #8/9 and the Point trails #452/453. I think I will jump in a machine this morning and hit the town trail and freshen that up a bit too. We are thinking this Tuesday to go into the swamp south of town.

LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Groomer Chris

1/10/25

27 degrees this morning and cloudy. No new snow in the last 24 hrs, sure could use some. The weather guessers are calling for some during the next few days, lets hope they are right. Lots of good news today so lets get rollin…..

Groomer Keith hit the Pine Stump trail #8 and called it fair to good. He told me the corners are starting to get a little dirty and he`s hittin some rocks here an there, but still good to go.

Groomer Ben ran the Point trails #452 and #453 and called them good. He even ran the ridge on Doe Lake rd. that we have been skipping and said that area is a little thin but ridable.

Me and Groomer Dave (not trainee anymore) ran the south trail #8. The good news is we were able to open the gates in the Federal Forest section! It still has a couple of wet spots in there but not bad. On the south end of the power line there is a section of about 100 yards that is ugly but you can shoot out towards the road and avoid it, just be careful. To answer all the questions I`m gettin about the swamp section. We will get in there next week and check it out. For now you can ride the UNPLOWED section of M-123 from the river mouth to town to get in from the south.

Today, me and Groomer Mike C. are gonna head down trail #45 to the Falls with 2 machines and no drags and see what we got. Wish us luck!

All fer now. I`ll let ya`ll know how the Falls trail looks tomorrow morning.

LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Groomer Chris

1/8/25

5 degrees this morning under a clear sky. I have picked up about 2″ of fresh snow in the last 24 hrs. here at my place. I need to start out with an apology for yesterdays report. I messed up the days we are runnin. We hit the high ground trails yesterday and taking today off for maintenance, sorry, so here we go……

Groomer Mike H. ran the Point trails #452 and #453 yesterday and called them good +. The thin spots are gettin better but he did skip the ridge along Doe Lake road cause thats still pretty thin, but still ridable, you`ll hit a lot of roots so be careful.

Groomer Keith ran the Pine Stump trail #8 and called that good with the thin spots gettin better also. The rest of yesterday report still holds.

With these colder temps I have high hopes we can start freezing in the wet areas so keep checking back.

All I have fer today.

LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Groomer Chris

1/7/25

15 degrees this morning under partly cloudy skies. No new snow to speak of in the last couple days, don`t really see any coming in the next few days either….bummer.

I was talking with da boss yesterday and we came up with a grand plan for the next few days. We will take today off and do a little maintenance on the machines. Tomorrow we will run the high ground trails, Pine Stump and the Point trails. Thursday I am gonna take a machine and a drag and go check out trail #8 south then Friday we will take 2 machines and check out the water situation on the Falls trail #45 then Saturday hit the high ground trails again. We will go by what the Falls trail looks like before we even think about going into the swamp south of town.

Just an FYI. The water levels in the wet area`s are the highest we have ever seen cause of all the snow we had early in December and then it all melted. This is the reason we are having such a hard time in the Falls trail and the trail south of town, even in the Federal forest section where that is really flooded in there. We are hoping the last few days have drained some of the water and the cold temps have froze some of it in. Now ya`ll know what da plan is, soooo……….

LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Groomer Chris

1/6/25

17 degrees this morning and cloudy. We only picked up about an inch of snow from yesterday and last night. Sure wish that storm thats hittin south would have swung this way! We sure could use the snow!!!! Here`s what went on yesterday for the trails……..

Groomer Mike H. hit the Point trails #452 and #453 and called them fair to good. Still some thin spots here an there and he said a little snirt is kicking up in some corners.

Groomer Keith hit the Pine Stump trail #8 and called that one good with some thin spots also.

The other groomer was out and about touching up the trails close to town. Not sure who was operating it tho. Will have to get with da boss today and see what his plans are for the Falls trail #45 and the swamp south of town.

All fer now

LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Groomer Chris

1/4/25

19 degrees this morning with a stiff NW wind. Heavy LE blowing in and out again, same as yesterday. Its hard to tell how much snow we got last night what with the wind but I`ll call it 6″, I`ve got drifts about knee high in my parking lot! On to the trails…….

Just got off the phone with groomer Mike C. that ran the Stump trail #8. He also brought along trainee Dan. Mike called the trail fair to good. There is only about an inch or two of base on most of it so they hit a lot of gravel and rocks but overall not too bad.

Talked to groomer Kevin last night who did the Point trails #452 and #453. He also brought along Ben. He used to groom for us way back when but now re-joined after spending his last 9 winters in a warmer climate. Kevin reported that the trails were in pretty good shape but the ridge along Doe Lake is awful thin as far as snow goes.

I took off down trail #8 south with another rookie Dave. Some of that trail was good while some of it was down right ugly. I was surprised by how much water was on the south end of the power line south of the river mouth. The Federal Forest section had a ton of water on it also so the gates on that section remain closed. We will not run this trail again for a few days to give it a chance to freeze up some.  I can only imagine the water and mud problems on the Falls trail #45 and the swamp south of town. We are gonna give it a few more days to freeze before we attempt to run in there.

Soooo…..trail #8 to Pine Stump is good and the Point trails are good with some thin spots but the trails thru wet lands need a bit more time to freeze up.

I was gonna address the logger issue but ya`ll covered it pretty good on our FB page. They are about done anyways. I do want to say I support the loggers, they have to make a living too.

LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Groomer Chris

1/3/25

19 degrees this morning with heavy LE bands blowing in and out. Sometimes I can`t even see across my parking lot! We picked up a good 6″ between yesterday and last night!

Now that the weather is cooperating we are hittin the trails wide open! All three of our machines will be rolling this morning. We are running trail #8 south (skipping the swamp for now), trail #8 to Pine Stump and trails #452 and #453. I`ll have a detailed report on how everything goes tomorrow morning, including what the loggers are up to, they are (were) running on 3 sections of our trail system. We are gonna wait a few days for the cold temps to start to freeze up our swampy areas….ie the Falls trail #45 and the swamp south of town.

All I have fer now…..I`m heading out the door to go grooming!

LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Groomer Chris

1/1/25

HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone!

32 degrees this morning with a light snow falling. We just survived a long stretch of above freezing temps but now it looks like the pattern is gonna change. We had a solid 3′ on the ground but now its down to a foot +/-. There is still riding to be had but the roads are down to bare pavement and the dirt roads we use as trails are pretty much mud. Everything is starting to freeze back up and “they” are calling for a bunch of LE coming our way!! We are eager to get rockin again!!!

Just thought I would jump on here and let ya`ll know we survived the warm up and we are ready to go. Keep checking back and I`ll keep ya`ll informed on whats UP.

LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Groomer Chris

12/27/24

37 degrees this morning and raining. Looks like the next couple of days are supposed to be the same, or even warmer and more rain. We sure were off to a good start and then it turns to chit. I hate you Mother Nature! I can`t take this anymore. My business can`t take this either!

Here`s an idea. I know most of you have the week off. Why not just come on UP and get away from the rat race down there? Come and enjoy all the peace and tranquility the U.P. has to offer. There are other things to do other than ride. Check out the Falls in the winter or check out the Locks over in the Soo. The freighters are still sailing. ALL the businesses will welcome you with open arms!

It looks like the weather pattern will change by the end of next week. I sure hope so. I think I`ll get an early start and go cry in my beer now.

Later

Groomer Chris

12/20/24

19 degrees this morning with a light snow. We picked up about an inch last night and about 4-5 inches Wed. night. The weather is supposed to be cold the next few days then warm up for a few starting next week. Here`s what went on yesterday…….

We took 2 machines without drags and 4 guys and headed down trail #45 to the Falls, mainly to clear trees and check out the water situation. There were quite a few small trees down but nothing too big but the water levels were as we expected……DEEP. Got one groomer buried in a deep mud hole but was able to pull her out with the other machine. We did make our goal to the upper falls. The trail is 90% ridable but the 10% that is not is UGLY. Therefore, we left the gates shut, don`t go around them, you WILL be sorry.

Today, groomer Keith is gonna take a run to Pine Stump on trail #8.

Thats all I got fer today

LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Groomer Chris


12/18/24
28 degrees this morning with a light snow falling. We picked up about an inch of wet snow yesterday and about an inch and a half last night. Its supposed to be nice and cold the next few days so things are looking UP!

We just endured about 72 hrs. of above freezing temps and that really took a hit on the snow levels. We went from a good 3′ on the ground to about a foot and a half….bummer! As far as grooming goes….here`s what`s been going on…….

Groomers Mike H. and Dan ran the Point trails yesterday. Mike reported to me that they turned out just fair. A lot of thin spots but ridable. Thats all we did yesterday, not sure if anything is going to happen today but tomorrow we are gonna take 2 machines and head into the Falls trail #45. With all the recent snow melt we are kind of worried about the elevated water levels, I`m sure we`ll find out soon enough! I`ll let y'all know Friday how that goes.

That`s all I have for ya`s for now.

LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!            and stay cold

Groomer Chris

12/15/24

36 degrees this morning and windy. Looks like the next few days are gonna be above freezing, even at night, this is a bummer. We are forced to park `em for now. Here`s how it went yesterday……

Me and new guy Dave did take a machine with drag and headed south. Everything groomed up pretty good except for the far south end of the power line. There is about a 100 yard section of open water. It is only about a foot deep. You can get around it but be careful. In the Federal Forest section there is another 100 yard section of water that you can`t get around. Its closer to 2 feet deep so, sorry to report, we had to keep the gates closed.

Soooo……like I said above…….we are gonna park the machines for now and wait out good ole Mother Nature. Looks like next Wed. or Thurs. the temps are supposed to drop……this sucks.

LET `ER SNOW……..and get cold…….darn it

Groomer Chris

12/14/24

First off, let me apologize for no reports the last few days. Been crazy busy.

OK, with that outa the way here we go.

26 degrees this morning, cloudy, and pretty windy. Its been snowing for a week straight. We picked up close to 2′ since my last report! Supposed to warm up into the low 30`s the next few days then cool back down. Here`s what`s been going on the last few days as far as grooming goes…….

We had to reset the town trail a couple days ago cause of all the snow. Took 2 machines, one bob tail and one with a drag and got `er done, looks good now.

Groomer Keith ran trail 8&9 out to da Stump yesterday and said it turned out great.

Groomers Mike H. and new guy Dan hit the Point trails #452 & #453 yesterday also. Mike reported they also turned out great. He told me the snow is DEEP out der! Waist to chest high off trail!!!!!

Me and new guy Dave are taking off this morning and heading south on trail #8. Gonna skip the swamp for now and check out the water situation on the power line and in the Federal Forest section. I`ll let ya know how that goes and if we can open up the gates in there.

Within the next couple days we will head to the Falls on trail #45 and see what the water looks like in there. Depends on the temps. After that we will head into da swamp south of town and check that out.

All for now……keep checking back.

LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Groomer Chris

12/9/24

28 degrees this morning with a 30 mph wind outa the SE and freezing rain…..kinda sucks. Its been in the low 30`s for temps the last couple days too……really sucks. Here`s the scoop on whats been going on since my last report.

We took a machine with a drag on trail #8 to Pine Stump. Groomer Mike C. said it turned out pretty good. The only problem is the loggers have CR 414 (trail #9) plowed down from the East branch of the Two Heart all the way to da Stump. Not sure how long they will be in there but we`ll find out.

Groomers Kevin and Luke took a machine around the Point trails mainly to clear trees. They got `er done and said its ready to be groomed. There is some logging being done on trail #452 but are supposed to be outa there by the end of the week.

Groomers Gerald, Dan (new guy), Dave (also new guy) and myself took 2 machines and headed south of the river mouth. The power line was pretty wet and the Federal Forest section was wet also. We left the gates locked in there. Don`t go around them, you WILL come out WET.

I think we will let things settle for a couple days and wait for the cold temps to return before we get back at it. All I gots fer now.

LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Groomer Chris

12/4/24

26 degrees this morning and snowing……still. It hasn`t quit since my last report a few days ago! We now have a solid 3 feet on the ground and we are under a winter storm warning till tomorrow night….oh boy…..I`m hoping the wind don`t pick up like they are saying!

We have had the groomers out. Groomer Mike C. took a machine with a drag and ran up to Chic`s corner to clear trees, he ran the North and South loops outa town also. He was surprised at how many trees were down and quite a bit of water under the snow too. I took just a machine and ran into town and set the town trail.

We had a drivers mtg. last night and came up with a plan, so here it is…..With this storm coming we are gonna stay outa the woods till Friday then we will take a machine out trail #8 to Pine Stump to clear trees and pack it in. We will also take a machine around the Point trails #452 & #453 and do the same. Sunday we will take 2 machines and head south on trail #8. We are gonna skip the swamp just south of town and start at the river mouth. The reason for skipping the swamp is it looks like we have a slight warm up coming for next week and with the ground not froze yet we would do more damage than good, same for trail #45 to the Falls, we will get on these trails as soon as the weather lets us.

If you decide to come UP for the weekend I say GO FOR IT!!!! Tons of powder to play in, just a couple of sections not quite ready. Keep a sharp eye for trees down and some water under the snow.

OK, ya`ll got the skinny for the next few days!

LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!       please don`t warm up too much

Groomer Chris

12/1/24

25 degrees outside and snowing pretty hard…..WELCOME TO OPENING DAY!!!!!!! In fact, its been snowing since last Wed. I can`t remember ever seeing this much snow on the ground on the 1st of Dec. I would say AT LEAST 2 1/2-3 foot. I have a picnic table in my front yard and I can only see the top of it…..HOLY WAH!!!

OK, ya`ll get the point. Is it wrong to say we maybe have too much all at once? I haven`t talked to da boss to see what his plan is yet but I`ll get with him. The snow is so deep we might have a hard time gettin the groomers thru it. The more riders that come UP the better to help us get things packed down….so…..come on UP!!!! You powder guys will have a BLAST. Please don`t go around the closed gates as there are swampy areas back in there and we don`t know how deep the water is yet. Our high ground trails will be epic tho!!! In case you don`t know, those are trails #452 & #453 and trail #8 out to Pine Stump.

OK, thought I would jump on here on opening day and let ya`ll know this season is gonna be epic. Keep checking back and I`ll keep you informed on our progress.

LET `ER SNOW……..but maybe give us a couple day break to catch up….LOL

Groomer Chris