1/05/2026

MERCER - Mercer and surrounding area residents interested in learning how to cross country ski are invited to register for lessons courtesy of the FE University course taught by Chad McGrath on Mondays and Wednesdays in January, starting today. MECCA Trails will be the site of the class; rental skis are available. MECCA Trails Owl Prowl Snowshoe with the North Lakeland Discovery Center is scheduled for this Friday. All ability levels are invited, and snowshoes are available for rent. Otherwise, the event is free. More information on both events can be found at meccatrails.com/events

SNOWMOBILE TRAIL REPORT

WHITE THUNDER RIDERS

The White Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club in Northern Iron County Reporting that All their trails are 100% OPEN, and groomed just in time for the weekend. 

GOGEBIC AREA GROOMING

Crews out working hard and all of the trails in our area are in good shape overall. There are still many low branches and whips, it’s getting better but a slow process. Here is the trail by trail update:

Trail 1-Groomed smooth heading south between Trail 2 and Presque Isle. A few branches and whips but getting better. Trail 1 between Marenisco and Trail 100 same condition. Trail 1 heading west and north from the 1/100 intersection is still closed due to logging. 

Trail 2-Groomed and smooth through Marenisco to the groomer turnaround.

Trail 13-Rerouted from the 13/100 intersection to head north to Camp 6 road and then east/southeast to the Trail 13/2 intersection.  Groomed and fairly smooth with a couple water hole/hazard section. Also a few sections with many low branch’s/whips so use caution. Trail 13 is closed heading southeast from the 13/100 intersection due to logging and has not been groomed or brushed.

Trail 100-Groomed and pretty smooth with a couple of minor rough sections and one minor water hole. Some low branches/whips but overall in good condition for this time of the year.

GOGEBIC RANGE TRAIL AUTHORITY

We are unfortunately down one machine. The Tucker is down until we get a new track.

Good news is we have Carter and Jeremiah spending their New Year’s out grooming.

Trail 2 from the Wisconsin/Michigan boarder to Marenisco. We heard from a club member that trail 2 through Morgan Mine is holding up so we will hit that another night!

Trail 8 will also get done!

11s is still unsafe for any groomer to go down. PLEASE ride with caution!

MERCER SNO-GOERS

Trail Report 12/31/2025

8- Open/ Groomed

8a- Open/ Partially Groomed, has soft spots

9- Open/ Groomed

9a- Open/ Groomed

10- Open/ Groomed

10a- Open/ Groomed

10e- Open/ Groomed

11- Open/Groomed

12- Open from 13 to 12B intersection/Groomed. Closed from 12B intersection to Swamp Creek Rd.

12a- Open/ Groomed

12b- Open/ Groomed

14- Open/ Groomed

17n- Open/ Groomed

17s- Open/ Groomed

19-  RR #2 is Open/ Groomed, 19S to Vilas Open/Groomed, Lazy ace to CTY J- Closed

19b- Closed/ Partially Groomed

20-  Open/ Groomed

21- Open/ Groomed

51e- Open/ Partially Groomed

182b- Open/ Groomed

182- Open/ Groomed

Closed = Impassable, trees & Brush or trails leading to lakes.

Partially Groomed = Wet Swamps, no access with Tractors yet.

Trails are overall in Good-Great condition. We still are unable to groom across numerous swamps so they could be wet and bumpy.

Our crew is still working on trails 12 and 19. These trails are especially difficult as they are mostly swamp and the trees and brush from the storm that have fallen have made things incredibly difficult to navigate.

The Turtle Flambeau Flowage and Lake of the Falls have been fully marked, please ride next to the stakes and be careful. Conditions can change rapidly.

Please be patient with us, after the near 2 feet of fresh snow and the amount of holiday traffic we have, our base didn't fully set up which will lead to moguls on the trails. Be rest assured our entire fleet will be out all day every day to stay on top of it.

As always ride right, ride smart, and ride sober.

1/02/2026

IRONWOOD - Michigan lawmakers are debating the cancellation of over $600 million in approved work projects, including a $1.2 million grant for Labor and Delivery Services at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital. Republican Senator Ed McBroom noted that most canceled funding was already spent. He added that Aspirus Ironwood declined their grant after a nearby facility closed, but didn’t inform lawmakers. House Speaker Republican Matt Hall defended the cancellations, blaming the grant-holding department. McBroom confirmed the Ironwood funds are still available but require a law change for reallocation to other Upper Peninsula health providers. Governor Whitmer’s Press Secretary, Stacey LaRouche, called the House Republicans’ actions “cruel” cuts that “will kill jobs and raise costs.”