NEWS - Grooming Routes, Trail Info and Staging Areas Updated

Notes
Grooming RoutesHeadlights Speed Limits/Curfew Permits Trail System Staging Areas
Grand Marais Crazy 8's:
#8West | #8East | #88 | #888 | #89 | #443 | #8 eh | Town Access

Club News

5/1/08 Sno-Trails Recieved some great feedback from the DNR - read it here - DNR Letter 2008

Closing of Trail #88 from M-77 to Adams Trail

The club was informed that the roads that Trail #88 uses (Kellogg Road and Schoolcraft County Road #471) will no longer be available for use from M-77 to Adams Trail. The logging company has asked us to re-route the trail. Since they grant us access to their property, we have no choice but to comply. The DNR will be working with us this summer to find a new trail through this area.

Headlight covers banned
In March 2004, the State of Michigan enacted a law banning colored headlight covers on all snowmobiles less than 25 years old.

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Traveling into and through Grand Marais ~ Trail, Speed Limit, Curfew, etc…
Please note that there is NO trail THROUGH Grand Marais along H-58 ~ signs are posted on both sides of town. Also, there is a 10 mph snowmobile speed limit on all roads in town and they are only open to snowmobiles to access lodgings and business. The township is looking at posting NO Snowmobile signs....Please, please, please...use the trail....

There is a 10 mph speed limit within the village of Grand Marais at all times. Riders are permitted to travel surface streets in accordance with state laws as they pertain to the operation of a snowmobile and at a rate of speed no more than necessary to provide forward motion of the snowmobile.

The Woodland Park Trail is the ONLY DNR authorized route into Grand Marais. Despite several trail maps that indicate otherwise, there is NO TRAIL ALONG H-58 THROUGH Grand Marais. Snowmobile traffic is only permitted on the right of way of H-58 and surface streets to access local business and accommodations. Riders must obey the 10 mph speed limit and travel WITH the flow of traffic once east of the US Post Office to access lodgings on the east side of Grand Marais!

Snowmobiles are not permitted on the beach as property owners own to the waters edge. Snowmobiles are allowed on the frozen surface of the Great Lakes, at your own risk, of course.

There is no official snowmobile "Curfew" in Grand Marais; however a noise ordinance is in effect between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. within the village of Grand Marais. Riders are strongly urged to honor the speed limit and use the Woodland Park Trail to minimize the impact of noise to residents.

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Trail Permits - Michigan Trail permits for the 2007/2008 season remain at $25.00
This is to remind everyone that a Michigan Trail Permit must be permanently affixed to and properly displayed on all snowmobiles or risk a costly ticket. Several tickets are issued every season for lack of or improper placement of the trail permit. Trail Permits are NOT transferable, so don't think you can get away with keeping it in your wallet and using it on another snowmobile. Funds from the sale of permits are paid out to grooming clubs across the state and is a small price to support our trail system and avoid that ticket. There are 300 outlets selling trail permits or you can order them direct from the Michigan Snowmobile Association, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources or at DNR Operations Service Centers. Retailers in Grand Marais are Bayshore Market (gas station) and Superior Hardware.

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The Grand Marais Trail System ~ 123 Miles of Designated Trails

Home of the Crazy 8's, eh!

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Grand Marais Trail #8 West - 23 Miles
This scenic trail runs West from Grand Marais through the Pictured Rocks National Park along county roads H-58, the Rhody Creek Truck Trail and the Hurricane River Truck Trail. Sites along the way include Sable Falls, Grand Sable Lake and Grand Sable Dunes. This trail is perhaps the most heavily traveled being the quickest route to Munising and points West. It has tight winding sections as well as open areas. Upon entering the National Park, riders are required to stay on the trail or risk fines of up to $5000.

Beginning at the junction of Trail #443 and Trail #8 East crossing M-77 to the 4 corners @ William Hill Road and H-58 on Trail #8 West, a section runs next to a plowed road open to vehicular traffic with many driveways along the way. A 25 mph speed limit is in force on the trail. Riders must remain on alert and stay on the trail. Don't risk being ticketed for exceeding the speed limit, traveling on the road instead of the trail, and failure to heed stop signs. Sleds passing cars on both sides and far exceeding the posted speed limit have been reported. Mind your P's and Q's on this stretch and remember to stop and look before crossing the highway.

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Woodland Park Trail- Trail #8 Spur - 3 Miles - Route into Grand Marais
This trail was officially added in the 2003/2004 season as the only designated route into Grand Marais, beginning at the junction of Trails #8 East and West (Corner of H-58 and William Hill Road). This trail runs along the side of H-58, which is partially plowed with several driveways, and by several areas of private property. Please remain on the groomed trail to avoid trespassing on private property. The speed limits vary from 25 mph to 10 mph along this stretch. During the 2007/2008 Season, this trail has been re-routed along Brazel Street just south of Woodland Park campground due to ongoing electrical work within the park. Several workers, equipment, deep ditches and electrical wires are present. Please stay out of the park.

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Lake Superior Trail #89 - 12 Miles
This trail is still our best kept little secret and is the only area where motorized travel along the lake shore in the Pictured Rocks National Park is possible; offering breathtaking views of Lake Superior from as high as 300 feet above the water. It wanders through magnificent stands of jack pine and white birch forests where abundant wild life has been spotted. This trail also takes on Lake Superiors worst winter storms, building drifts up to 12 foot high. If you want a nice relaxing ride and are not in a hurry to get to the next stop, bring a picnic lunch, camera, and take advantage of the awesome views this trail has to offer.

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Rhody Creek Trail #888 - 7 Miles
Added in the 2002/2003 season, Trail #888 is the easiest short-cut from Seney to Grand Marais! It is a popular "short-cut" that includes winding trails through forests of Maple, Beach, and pines and traverses steep hills through forest management areas with new growth buried under deep snow. Please remain on the trail and help conserve the new trees for the future.

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East-West Connector Trail #88 - 18 Miles
This trail links #443 on the East side of M-77 to Trail #8 West and is the most direct route from East to West passing through a variety of terrain from swamp lands, to virgin forests, to open plains.

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North-South Connector Trail #443 - 17 Miles
Trail #443 was rerouted off the Old Seney Road in the 2003/2004 season. It provides the quickest route to the Seney Trail #431 toward Newberry and Seney passing through logging areas, with some very sharp curves, and into the Danaher Plains. Just North of the intersection at #431, is the Hot Dog Stand where riders often stop for a quick bite, hot chocolate or coffee, and to share a few laughs along the way.

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Grand Marais Trail #8 East - 43 Miles
This trail remains the most popular route between the Reed and Green Bridge near Rainbow Lodge and Grand Marais and is our longest section of the Upper Peninsula Trail System. No where else can you find such variation in terrain or diversity in riding conditions, and experience the impact of weather conditions than along this 43 mile section of trail. If the winds kick up, riders can expect a lot of drifting and whiteout conditions so take care and be observant.

Beginning at the junction of Trail #443 and Trail #8 East crossing M-77 to the 4 corners @ William Hill Road and H-58 on Trail #8 West, a section runs next to a plowed road open to vehicular traffic with many driveways along the way. A 25 mph speed limit is in force on the trail. Riders must remain on alert and stay on the trail. Don't risk being ticketed for exceeding the speed limit, traveling on the road instead of the trail, and failure to heed stop signs. Sleds passing cars on both sides and far exceeding the posted speed limit have been reported. Mind your P's and Q's on this stretch and remember to stop and look before crossing the highway.

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The Blue Trail #8A or should we call it "8, eh?"
NOT OPEN - See Trails above

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Staging Areas

Early and late season riders, the following staging areas put you at trail heads.

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