Is there enough snow anywhere in MI yet to ride at all?

Not enough to ride on the trails if thats what you mean.

Doesn't much matter, the trails in Mi are not open until Dec 1'st. and in many areas, not until Jan 1'st.
Not sure if the same applies to the U.P., but we already have land owner complaints pouring in.
We only got 4-6 inches on warm ground and idiots were out riding the trail.

Anyone know if the same applies to the U.P.?

Vman

I heard that the Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo areas got 8-10". It's probably mostly gone already though.

Originally posted by versatileman@Nov 29 2004, 12:58 AM
Doesn't much matter, the trails in Mi are not open until Dec 1'st. and in many areas, not until Jan 1'st.
Not sure if the same applies to the U.P., but we already have land owner complaints pouring in.
We only got 4-6 inches on warm ground and idiots were out riding the trail.

Anyone know if the same applies to the U.P.?

Vman
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What areas are not open until Jan 1st?

The U.P Trails are open Dec 1st.

In countys that allow it, you can run the roads before the trails are open.

Had 4 to 6 " in Flint area. Then it all melted.
I rode around the yard after I got my new track in, that's about it.

All Allegan area trails including the forest trails are not open till January 1'st.

Originally posted by versatileman@Nov 29 2004, 02:26 PM
All Allegan area trails including the forest trails are not open till January 1'st.
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Just so you know, I'm not doubting you.

Is there a web page or another source of information that you can send us to for trail opening schedules? MSA says Dec 1st and mentions nothing about some of the trails opening a month later. That kind of informatioin would be good to have if you were planning to travel to a new area over the Christmas Holidays, for example.

I just looked and was unable to find that info quickly.

Technically, a sled can ride any time of the year according to the DNR law. Even though the Trail systems are not open till Dec. 1st in most places, sleds can go anywhere they are allowed to go, any time of year (this does not apply to common sense)

From the DNR Website, under the topic A PERSON SHALL NOT OPERATE A SNOWMOBILE:

In an area open to public hunting during the November 15 - 30 firearm deer season from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.


I take this to say, that as long as it is not rifle season, you can ride anytime you want.

I think some private land owners reserve the right to keep the gates closed untill muzzle loader (half way through december) and/or bow season (end of december) are over. I've seen this in the U.P and the lower, and they've always had 'alternate routes' (bring extra carbides).

As far as public land is concerned, the tech editor is right, you can even ride during rifle season if you want, just not in the morning or the evening... I say unless it's just around the yard or something, it's easy to wait untill december 1st... The last several years there hasn't been enough snow before december 1st to have to worry whether I should be riding or not. As far as I know, this year will be the same. I don't think the snow's really sticking anywhere yet and December 1st is 2 days away...

Even if I could ride during rifle season I think I would pass, the shot from a long range rifle travels alot faster than I can ride. :)

I am in no way an expert in DNR law, but I am pretty sure the Dec 1'st refers to any state funded trail or maybe it is state aided, just know what rules govern our trails.
Most of our trails locally are on private land almost no state or federal land. Our lease agreements that come fron the DNR say something like Lease agreements are effective from Dec 1st - to Apr 1st according to state policy. (sorry, don't have one in front of me)
I know our land owners are only paid for land use durring these months.
I am sure Federal forest and forest roads are a diffrent story.

As for trail reports or info on many of Michigan's snowmobile clubs and activities try

www.fishweb.com
Click on the snowmobile link
Alot of the trail reports are sponsored by local clubs and have links to their web pages.

Vman

Even if it is a state trail, and it is before hunting season (I have rode here in October, once) you can ride on it. Honestly, the trail system never realy closes, other than where land is leased to ride on (private).

If it snowed in June, you could go riding. It won't be groomed, but you could LOL.

I have rode just about every year sometime during rifle season (not this year, I bought a new sled, of course!!) but we do tend to follow common sense. We unload about 9 at nite, and ride till 12 or so. We might go once or twice if that. We make sure we are not going to annoy anyone, and we dont rip down to the dirt, just cruise around and get the shake down run for the year out of the way.

On my drive down I-75 from St. Ignace to Flint today the only ridable snow was around the Gaylord-Waters area and that was in the fields. I wouldn't want to try to ride a sled in the bush. Nothing south of Grayling.

In the UP there was some snow along US #2 east of Manistique, but I don't think it was ridable.

[U]Originally posted by JasonF@Nov 29 2004, 10:05 PM
Even if I could ride during rifle season I think I would pass, the shot from a long range rifle travels alot faster than I can ride. :)
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Angle of deflection would have to pretty good. lol

well im not shure when you guys can or cant ride but in alaska theres about 4 ft. of snow and all or most trails are open to the public and to outsiders so i invite everyone to screw up the air in alaska with high emition gasses and then leave without even thinking about what will happen to the wild life . but by all means please go ahead and come up for a week.


tourist benefits run alaska.


bye the way im not saying that i dont screw the air up either be cause i do.

Originally posted by TwIsTeD_sLeDeR@Dec 1 2004, 02:14 AM
well im not shure when you guys can or cant ride but in alaska theres about 4 ft. of snow and all or most trails are open to the public and to outsiders so i invite everyone to screw up the air in alaska with high emition gasses and then leave without even thinking about what will happen to the wild life . but by all means please go ahead and come up for a week.
tourist benefits run alaska.
bye the way im not saying that i dont screw the air up either be cause i do.
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Guess I'll stay home. Wouldn't want to rile the locals.