Houghton Lake 2000-2001 Trail Reports
Houghton Lake has over 200 miles of snowmobile
trails.
Photograph from 2/18/01. Snowmobile bridge over Muskegon River.
CHECK OUT THE LIVE WEBCAM BY CLICKING ON PICTURE OF CHALETS ON THE TOP LEFT
2000-2001 SEASON (ARCHIVED)
Update 4/01/01 9:30 am.
Snows gone for this year. Check us out next year for Houghton Lake Trail Reports see you when the snow flies!
Update 03/06/01 11:30 pm.
Not much new to report, the trails still look pretty much the same as the pictures. The weather has been cold so the snow we have is staying. We got 1-2 inches of fresh snow last night, but with all of the blowing today, not much of it stayed on the lake. Chance of snow on Thursday and Friday. The trails are still pretty icy, we will check them out tomorrow and post new pictures. The west Houghton Lake trails are still in the best shape. They are grooming the Grayling trails, We are not sure if the Higgins-Rosco groomers are running on the West Higgins Lake Trails. We will check those trails tomorrow also.
Update 03/01/01 12:30 pm.
Emery Rd. Pictures 03/01/01
Wolf Creek South Pictures 03/01/01
County Rd. #104 & 27
03/01/01 Update 9:30 am.
Trails are very hard packed
and icy. We have checked the trails in Prudenville, and the west shore trails.
Both are icy in corners with the west trails still in better shape. We will take some
new pictures this afternoon and post them today. The temps have been well below freezing
throughout the week, and the water that was on the lake has turned to ice. Very little
snow cover on the lake, mostly around the shoreline. The roads to the trails are not
covered very well, so getting to the Prudenville trail from the lake on Owens RD. is
a little rough. CO Rd 401 to Nestle is a better route, (By McDonalds). There is a good base
on the trails of 2-6 inches, but we need some snow to cover the icy spots, and give the
groomers something to work with. There were a lot of branches that have fallen on the
trails from the high winds last week and everyone riding can help by picking them up
when you see some. another update will be posted later today.
Update 02/25/01 06:30
PM Here's the update on the
trails. The temp is falling fast, currently it is 32 degrees, with 25-35 MPH
winds. The trails are very wet, with standing water in many corners and moguls.
No doubt that this water will freeze overnight producing some very icy and
slushy conditions. There is still 1-3 inches of very vet snow from shore
extending 20-50 yards into the lake. After that a lot of water. The lake
has 1-3 inches of water on it in various places. This will probably freeze
tonight with the 15-20 below zero wind chill factor. There is still a good base,
we just need some fresh snow. A few pictures are posted below. The temp is to
remain well below freezing over the next few days, with snow flurries predicted. Update 02/25/01 09:30
AM
Well, not such good news for the
trail report today. We got freezing rain from yesterday afternoon from about
4:30-7:30PM. It then changed to rain, and drizzled on and off through the night.
This morning it rained quite hard for a few minutes, but it passed through
quickly. We have about 1/4" to 1/2" of ice on all the side streets,
and a few small rain showers expected to pass through by 11:00AM. The current
temp is 45 degrees, but it is expected to drop rapidly by early afternoon. Snow
showers predicted for tonight, and high winds creating wind chills from 5-15
degrees below zero. We will check the trails after the temp drops, as right now
the conditions are rapidly changing. We will post again later this evening.
Update 02/23/01 11:30
AM
We received 2-3 inches of fresh snow
last night and the trails are in very good shape. Not much traffic on them this week
and the groomers have done a pretty good job. Some are still a little icy in heavy
traffic areas, but overall pretty good. Many people are commenting that the conditions
are the best they have seen in years. Still good snow coverage on the side streets from
the lake to the trails. Snow flurries predicted for today and tomorrow, with slightly higher
temps on Saturday and Sunday. Chance of freezing rain this weekend, hopefully temps will not
get to far above freezing.
Update 02/20/01 11:30
AM
We have an e-mail from deanwal@aol.com
from his Saturday trip to Dingmans (M72-near grayling). Here is his comments:
We rode the trail from North Shore to Dingmans. They were great
both going and coming back. We got back around 4:30. Have a great weekend,
DEAN.
We rode from Prudenville to Starvation lake and back on Sunday and the trails were excellent, although a little
bumpy North of M-72. We have reports from riders going from Prudenville to St. Helen and they said they were excellent. (Bubba and his crew). We
passed the groomers on the Prudenville trails and on the west Houghton Lake/Higgins lake trails. The trails were excellent behind the groomers. The trails are icy in some spots
but are in good condition overall. The west trails are still in better shape as there is more snow on them. The road from the lake, (Owens Road) has good snow coverage on the shoulders as do most of the side streets around the lake. More snow flurries expected. The pictures below were not updated as the trails still look pretty much the same.
Update 02/17/01 8:00
AM
We received 1/2 to 1" of snow
overnight and we passed the groomers on the Prudenville trails and on the west
Houghton Lake/Higgins lake trails. The trails were excellent behind the groomers.
The trails are icy in some spots but are in good condition overall. The west trails
are still in better shape as there is more snow on them. The road from the lake,
(Owens Road) has good snow coverage on the shoulders as do most of the side streets
around the lake. More snow flurries expected. The pictures below were not updated as
the trails still look pretty much the same.
Update 02/17/01 8:00
AM
We received 1/2 to 1" of snow
overnight and we passed the groomers on the Prudenville trails. The trails are
icy in some spots but are in good condition overall. The west trails are still
better shape as there is more snow on them. The road from the lake, (Owens Road)
has good snow coverage on the shoulders as do most of the side streets around the
lake. More snow flurries expected. The pictures below were not updated as the trails
still look pretty much the same.
Update 02/14/01 8:00
AM
Some trails are a little icy. We
rode from the Prudenville trails all the way around towards Leota, and the got
on the West Houghton Lake trails. The west trails were much in better shape as
the 12" of snow from last Thursday did not seem to get packed down as much.
It is 24 degrees outside right now with snow flurries. Temperatures expected to
stay well below freezing throughout the weekend, with snow flurries in the
forecast for almost every day this weekend. New pictures posted below. Total accumulation for the night
was around 2-3 inches. It is 14 degrees outside right now with snow flurries.
Trails are a little icy, but are in pretty good shape. The groomers should be
running today.
Update 02/09/01 11:30
PM
Cooler temps and high winds have frozen
the top layer of snow. Trails are hard packed and a little icy. So far 1-2
inches has fallen since about 7:00PM and this is setting on top of the hard
packed snow. A winter storm advisory is in effect for Roscommon county. The lake
is slushy around the shoreline, but overnight the winds and falling temps will
probable freeze the slush. Still plenty of ice 15-16 inches, and the ice
fisherman were out all day. Total accumulation for the night will be posted
tomorrow morning. Temperatures will remain well below freezing throughout the
weekend.
Update 02/09/01 10:00
AM
Rain fell last night and is continuing
into today. Cooler temps are expected tonight with rain turning to snow.
Additional accumulations of 1-2 inches expected for tonight and tomorrow. Trail
are very wet and snow becomes hard packed after riding on it. Cooler
temperatures will help, but trails may become icy. We will check the trails
later on today as the conditions are changing rapidly. An update will be posted
later on this afternoon.
Update 02/08/01 10:20
AM
We received between 10-12 inches of snow
and and it is still snowing. We have reports of people riding the trails last
night from Houghton lake to Meradith and they said they had a great ride. They
saw groomers on their way back to Houghton Lake. The groomers will be out as
conditions permit.
Update 02/08/01 7:30
AM
We received 8 inches of snow last light and it is continuing to snow
very hard right now. Additional accumulation of 2-4 inches expected between
7:30AM and 10:00AM. Highs today expected to reach the mid 30's so that shouldn't
have much affect on all this snow. Great chance to get out and ride on some
fresh powder. Pictures posted below. We received 1 to 2 inches of snow last light and it is continuing to snow today. Expected warmer temperatures this afternoon but hopefully these temps will not go any farther North than Mt.
Pleasant. We rode the Trails from Houghton Lake (got on near north shore lounge) all the way to Grayling. The groomers there ran Saturday and Sunday and the trails are very flat. The snow is a little brown in high traffic areas, but for the most part it was a very good ride. We talked with other riders who went as far as Frederick and Starvation Lake and they said it was a good ride. With the last few days of snowfall and cooler temps, the side
streets are getting covered once again. This is making travel around town much easier on the sleds. More snow expected throughout the week, into the weekend.
Update 02/01/01 09:30
AM We received 1 to 1-1/2 inches of snow last night so now there is a little fresh powder on the hard packed base of 4-6 inches. We don't know if the groomers will be running today, but when we find out we will post the info. The lake is still covered in most areas with 13-15 inches of ice, with a few areas of open water. As always, be careful out on the ice and ride at your own risk. Not much snow covering the side streets, so getting to a gas station and around town is a little rough, but not impossible. It is snowing now, and snow showers expected through the weekend and into next week. The information we have indicates the groomers ran last night in Grayling and we know more about that we will post it.
Update 01/30/01 10:30
PM We didn't get as much rain as southern Michigan, but the trails are very hard packed and icy. Rough ride from the Lake to the trails. More snow is desperately needed. Flurries expected every day throughout the remainder of the week.
Update 01/27/01 10:30
AM We had some light snow and we ran the Houghton Lake Trails from
Prudenville to the North Shore Lounge. The Trails a getting a little rough from all the Tip-Up-Town Festival traffic.
Update 01/24/01 10:30
AM The groomers are running today
on the Houghton Lake trails and really nothing new to report except that it is SNOWING.
Not much accumulation is expected but anything will help the trails. New
pictures will be posted this evening. Update 01/23/01
6:00 PM The groomers were running today
on the Houghton Lake trails and there is a 4-5" base. The trails are in
fair shape. The lake has 14-18" inches of ice with a few soft spots, mainly
near pressure cracks so as always use caution when driving on the lake. Update 01/21/01
9:00 PM We rode the trails between Houghton Lake and Grayling
and they in pretty good shape considering all the traffic from the Tip-Up-Town
festival. Many rumors are circulating about the Chamber of Commerce groomer that
broke through the ice. It didn't sink completely, went in about 6 feet of water
and the tires are probably five feet tall. The groomer had very minor
damage and will be back on the trails by Wed. Update 01/20/01
9:00 AM We talked to several riders
last night and this morning. The trails between Houghton Lake and Grayling were
groomed yesterday and were in good shape...very flat. The Prudenville trails and
the Prudenville loop are in fair-good shape. Groomers were out yesterday there
as well. The sharp corners are getting rough, not much snow left on them. We are
taking pictures and will be posting them tonight-tomorrow. Update 01/19/01
5:45 PM Not much new to tell, we didn't
get any new snow today. The temperatures are still well
below freezing, so the shoulders of the
roads are still partially covered and frozen. The trails haven't seen much
traffic over the last day or so and the trails are in fair shape. Low tonight
expected to be 0 degrees. New pictures are posted taken tonight at
5:00-5:30. Limberlost
from
Lake
Beginning of Prudenville trail
Five corners
Five corners Owens
Rd @ Five Corners
Prudenville Trail North
Five
Points
Trail Behind High School Update 01/17/01
6:45 PM Light snow accumulation
of 1-1 1/2 inches of snow fell overnight. The temperatures have fallen to well
below freezing, so the light snow has partially covered the shoulders of the
roads and frozen. The trails are getting a little icy in the corners, but are in
fair shape. The cooler temps are definitely helping. We have 5-6" of snow. Additional snow accumulations
expected over the next several days. Update 01/15/01
6:45 PM The trails are hard packed with
many rough spots. They are groomed and could use more snow, especially in the
corners. Presently we have 9-10" of snow. Additional snow accumulations
expected. Houghton Lake has about 14-18" of ice and is snow covered and a
little slushy in some areas. Update 01/13/01
4:45 PM All the warm weather is really messing up
the trails. We rode Prudenville trails, they are getting bad. The trails aren't
too bad after you get 3-5 miles from town. Seasonal roads are in good shape,
with pretty good snow cover. Trails to Leota are pretty good, but get a little
rough close to town. If you plan on getting from the lake to Owens road, might
want to use a trailer, the snow is really getting scarce. Most of the side
streets around town are down to pavement, with very little snow cover on the
shoulders. The cameras will be out tonight and tomorrow, with new pictures
posted tomorrow by afternoon. Snow is in the forecast for Sunday 70% chance.
Cooler temp are on the way....and none too soon. Update 01/10/01
11:45 PM We rode from from Prudenville to Grayling,
on the Prudenville trails then the west Houghton Lake trails. The trails are
getting a little rough, but we followed groomers a good part of the way back. We
definitely could use some more snow on the trails. Riding the lake is still
pretty good ride. Most side streets around town are still covered with
snow. Update 01/07/01
1:45 PM Snow showers began this morning at around
11:00 am and are fairly heavy at times. New pictures will be posted this
evening. Update 01/06/01
6:45 PM Light snow is continuing around Houghton
Lake and the groomers are running today. Updated pictures posted here today, a
quick run of the West Houghton Lake trails and trails leading to Prudenville.
Resort guests traveled north to Frederick and spotted groomers running on those
trails also. They indicated those trails are in decent shape. We have a base of
about 14", and 1-2 inches of fresh snow over the last 24-48 hours. Update 01/03/01
3:45 PM Light snow has fallen over the last 24
hours and the trails around Houghton Lake are in fair shape. The groomers
ran Tuesday and knocked off many of the high spots. Update 01/01/01
3:45 PM No snow has fallen since 12/29/00, but there is
still a good base of snow on the trails and on side streets. The groomers
ran yesterday and last night on many of the trails around Houghton
Lake. Update 12/29/00 11:55 PM We received 1 inch of snow so far tonight. Some of the
trails traveled most are getting a little rough with moguls every 5-10 ft . We
got on the trails near the North Shore lounge (Mead Rd) and traveled south. (The
west Houghton Lake trail). We took the trail all the way back to Houghton Lake
getting off at Owens Rd. The trails were the roughest near the crossing at M-55.
Areas where the trail widens or follows seasonal roads are in the best shape.
The snow was falling as we returned to Houghton Lake, so the light accumulation
will help the trails a little.
Update 12/27/00 11:05 AM We received 1 inch of snow over the last 24 hours. The
groomers ran yesterday and the trails are in excellent shape. People have been
riding across the lake, and starting to drive vehicles on it. Of course we have
to say "do this at your own risk" and please exercise caution. We rode
trails from the Muskegon River and Higgins Lake Rd. to Fletcher Rd. and
back.
Update 12/24/00 8:55 AM We received 3-4 inches of snow during the night. We rode
the trails starting from Owens Road last night . We traveled onto Waco,Townline,
W. Rollway then north through canoe camp. We crosssed back to Houghton Lake on
County Road 300. The trails are in excellent shape. There has been little
traffic on the trails probably due to Christmas falling on a Monday this
year.
Update 12/22/00 7:55 PM The trails have been groomed. There is a base of about 6" inches and 14" of fresh snow. Snow showers almost daily. The trail map links to a page which shows the trails that are groomed. Update 12/21/00 3:55 PM Since last night 4 inches of snow has fallen it is still coming
down hard, were expected another 2 inches by tomorrow morning. Weather
forecast through next Tuesday is 40-60% chance of snow every day. All side
roads are covered with snow. Update 12/18/00 12:30 AM A Winter Storm Warning is in
effect for the area surrounding Houghton Lake for tonight. As of now 4 inches of
snow has fallen and it is continuing to snow. Local weather station is
predicting 5-8 inches total accumulation for tonight. Snow showers predicted
every day through Friday. Trails are in excellent shape, although hard to tell
from pictures. Update 12/18/00 8:30 AM An additional 1 inch has fallen overnight, but with all
the light rain on Saturday the lake has turned to ice around the shoreline with
little snow coverage (bumpy ride). Approx.25-50 yards from shore the lake is
well covered with snow and a much better ride. The trails are a little icy from the rain but 3-6 inches is
expected for tonight. Update 12/14/00 1:30 AM An additional 4 inches has fallen tonight, and it is
continuing to snow and is expected to do so for several hours into the
night. The information we have indicates the groomers will be running on
Tuesdays. Update 12/12/00 There is about 10 inches of snow in the area
surrounding Houghton Lake. As of Tuesday 12/12/200, the owners of this site have
ridden about 400 miles of trails this season. The trails south of Houghton Lake,
taking you to Meredith and Elbow Lake have about 2-3 additional inches of snow,
as compared to Houghton Lake. We have also ridden to Grayling and snow
conditions there are about the same as Houghton Lake. The Lake is frozen, and
people have been riding across the lake for about a week. There is sufficient
snow to ride to the gas stations, stores etc. all around Houghton Lake on the
side of the roads (including M-55 through town). We have ridden from M-18 to Old
27 (without tearing up our sleds). Photo 12/31/00 11:45 PM "Jackson" Missing in Action Call American Oak Resort for more weather
information 
or toll free 1-866-366-6464
