I wish I had updated this sooner...but I was TOO BUSY SNOWMOBILING! We got the snow they were calling for...with some to spare! We were in the 1-3" range for a good portion of the day last Friday. Around 1:30 PM the snow started falling at a pretty good clip. It continued all the way through Saturday morning...leaving us with about 13" of new snow at the house. I have pictures to prove it...I will save those for later though. We took a 50+ mile trip through the HSSC trails on Saturday afternoon. Pretty sweet riding! It continued to snow through a good portion of the day...and through Sunday at a lighter rate. So on Sunday we had around 16" of new snow that had fallen...16" atleast 24 hours settled when I checked. Last night we received about another 3" of new powder. So I would guess that would have close to 18" of new snow since Friday. It was, in most spots, up to or past my knees back in the woods.
Currently we are under a LES advisory. It does not soundl ike anything too crazy...but we will surely see some more snow. This is all leading up to the possibility of a far above average temperature week starting around the 10th of January. There have been a few indications that temps COULD approach 50 on some of those days. How miserable! We get all of this snow...just in time for it all to melt.
Anyway, I will post more pictures possibly in the next day or so.
Oh! There is also potential for a winter camping event in the UP with a friend and some of this buddies from suvival.com. I am not sure if I will be able to make it to a trip in the UP...but certainly if I get some gear I will be game for something a bit more local.
If you are reading...please leave a comment! I take suggestions. ;)
Derek
Monday, December 31, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
Heavy Snow Warning!
Now, as usual, I am probably getting my hopes up. We are currently under a heavy snow warning issued by NWS. The largest amounts of snow are still to hit south of here. Probably in a line from Ludington to Alpena. That seems to be the trend. HOWEVER, we are supposed to get 1-2 inches during the day today. 2-4 inches overnight. Additional snow showers on Saturday. We'll take a break on Sunday, but Sunday night fires up the snow again into the new year. We MIGHT get some good snowmobiling in afterall before the.....well.....I hate to say it...severe continuous thaw. Some of the extended forecasts are showing that by mid-January we will see temps NEARING 50 degrees. That is a long way out and no one should take it to heart...but that is what the models are showing right now. Doh!
We did some riding on Wednesday. I forgot my camera again...but the trails were miserable. Most of them were layered in ice and earth. Not a good time. With my new slides put on...I believe without the lubrication from the snow they were melting a bit and causing my track to stick mildly. There was absolutely no snow to kick up onto the cooling system...so my sled got a bit a couple times. It was also nearing 40 degrees. 40 degrees+no new snow+icy trails = overheating sled. BUT I packed my foot wells full of snow and we got some more riding in. I'm curious whether or not I should have someone check the cooling system to ensure it is pumping properly...and also check out the sensor that determines whether it is overheating or not. It would probably also be good to have the jets calibrated again to make sure they are where they need to be.
If anyone around knows of a good Yamaha guy...please let me know!
As always, if you are reading this, please leave a comment! I would love to know what people think about my ramblings...include things you would like to see too!
Good morning from Northern Michigan!
Derek
We did some riding on Wednesday. I forgot my camera again...but the trails were miserable. Most of them were layered in ice and earth. Not a good time. With my new slides put on...I believe without the lubrication from the snow they were melting a bit and causing my track to stick mildly. There was absolutely no snow to kick up onto the cooling system...so my sled got a bit a couple times. It was also nearing 40 degrees. 40 degrees+no new snow+icy trails = overheating sled. BUT I packed my foot wells full of snow and we got some more riding in. I'm curious whether or not I should have someone check the cooling system to ensure it is pumping properly...and also check out the sensor that determines whether it is overheating or not. It would probably also be good to have the jets calibrated again to make sure they are where they need to be.
If anyone around knows of a good Yamaha guy...please let me know!
As always, if you are reading this, please leave a comment! I would love to know what people think about my ramblings...include things you would like to see too!
Good morning from Northern Michigan!
Derek
Sunday, December 23, 2007
I hate to say I told you so...
I nailed this one right on the head. All of our local weather people were saying we were going to be impacted...we were even under a winter storm watch. Potential for 6 to 9 of new snow. Haha! We are now in the range for lucky if we see 3 inches. Boy am I good! I should be a weather man! ;)
I even put new slides on my sled yesterday in preparation of the storm. Sadly, they probably will not get much use. The upside is maybe I can get little more greasing done on it before we actually do get some more snow. A somewhat (not extremely) reliable source for weather information indicates that we may see a good arctic wave trend come through and stay for a while. That would be great considering we're down to about an average of 5-6" of snow...compared to last weeks 10-12" of snow. The rain and warm over the past few days killed our accumulation...and ruined the snowmobile trails.
Anyway...enough griping for now.
Good morning from Northern Michigan!
Derek
I even put new slides on my sled yesterday in preparation of the storm. Sadly, they probably will not get much use. The upside is maybe I can get little more greasing done on it before we actually do get some more snow. A somewhat (not extremely) reliable source for weather information indicates that we may see a good arctic wave trend come through and stay for a while. That would be great considering we're down to about an average of 5-6" of snow...compared to last weeks 10-12" of snow. The rain and warm over the past few days killed our accumulation...and ruined the snowmobile trails.
Anyway...enough griping for now.
Good morning from Northern Michigan!
Derek
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
A snow storm?
It really depends on who you talk to when it comes to the snow storm that is possibly headed our way beginning next week. There are SO many different stories. Some say we will be in the direct path...others are saying it will head north of us. Who do you believe? I am not really sure. Like most big storms that run around here...I would say the bulk of it will miss us. The news channels hype up the weather to try to promote tourism up here. If news guys are saying 12+ inches of snow...people come up here with their sleds and skis. They get here and suddenly the forecast has changed. "Oh...did we say 12+ inches? We meant 1+2...around 3 inches...if we are lucky."
It does look like snowmobiling through the remainder of the week and weekend will probably be shot though. The trails were already thin over last weekend...imagine if we get rain. Yuck!
This post is starting to lose focus...it is getting too late to be writing. :P I will try again tomorrow with some good content...possibly something intellectual! :)
Good night from Northern Michigan!
Derek
It does look like snowmobiling through the remainder of the week and weekend will probably be shot though. The trails were already thin over last weekend...imagine if we get rain. Yuck!
This post is starting to lose focus...it is getting too late to be writing. :P I will try again tomorrow with some good content...possibly something intellectual! :)
Good night from Northern Michigan!
Derek
A warm up...to Christmas.
Well crap. Even though we have a bunch of snow right now, about 16 inches at the house, it looks like it is going to warm up for the rest of the week. The NWS is saying that we'll see above freezing temps, ice, and rain today (the "wintry mix") and further toward Friday/Saturday. The rest of the time cloudy and warmer. The ONLY good thing about the weather is the clouds. It should keep the sun at a minimum and our snow should be minimally affected. So for the rest of the week, as I mentioned, we will see mid-30s and cloud. Tonight there is a possibility of some ice...tomorrow some snow...and then on Friday night into Saturday some snow/rain mix. Whoo!
After that...there is some chance of a decent winter storm popping up into our neck of the woods. Most are predicting that it will track north of here. We can always be hopeful that they are wrong correct? :P There would be absolutely nothing wrong with a bit more snow, I do know that. I am really interested to see what January holds for us. There is usually the "January Thaw"...but this year it seems it is happening in the end of the December. We had been below freezing for a number of days...and even got a cold spell earlier in November...so maybe this warm up will be the last for a while.
This new work schedule is really odd. I do not have any time for outdoor activities...because it is dark when I get home. However, on Wednesdays when I get out at noon, things look up. I was really hestitant about keeping this schedule...and I was going to to make it a hot topic at my review...but I think it will grow on me. ANYTHING beats working in a kitchen until 1 AM again! *laugh*
Anyway, I need to get ready for work...and hopefully a good review. (It should be today!) Have a good one!
Good morning from Northern Michigan!
Derek
After that...there is some chance of a decent winter storm popping up into our neck of the woods. Most are predicting that it will track north of here. We can always be hopeful that they are wrong correct? :P There would be absolutely nothing wrong with a bit more snow, I do know that. I am really interested to see what January holds for us. There is usually the "January Thaw"...but this year it seems it is happening in the end of the December. We had been below freezing for a number of days...and even got a cold spell earlier in November...so maybe this warm up will be the last for a while.
This new work schedule is really odd. I do not have any time for outdoor activities...because it is dark when I get home. However, on Wednesdays when I get out at noon, things look up. I was really hestitant about keeping this schedule...and I was going to to make it a hot topic at my review...but I think it will grow on me. ANYTHING beats working in a kitchen until 1 AM again! *laugh*
Anyway, I need to get ready for work...and hopefully a good review. (It should be today!) Have a good one!
Good morning from Northern Michigan!
Derek
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Finally some riding pictures!
Well, we finally made it out an about on the trails during day time and got some pictures! Not too many...and certainly not anything extraordinary...but they atleast show the trail condition. You can find the latest trail conditions in my neighborhood at http://www.harborspringssnowmobileclub.com/. They do a pretty good job of keeping the page up to date with the latest events dealing with the club...and also posting trail conditions throughout their grooming area. I did read that they picked up Trail 7 from Alanson to Mackinaw...that means they will be getting another groomer! Hopefully anyway.
I got the wife to go out with me this trip...we took a loop from along trail 71 up toward Pellston and onto Stutsmanville Rd. and back home. It was a nice little ride. The trail west of N. Conway Rd. was probably the best. Before that there was a bit of dirt and quite a few leaves. That is the worst part of the first couple times grooming...the machine kicks up all the crap. Then you have the high rev sleds that screw everything up.
Within the first half mile along the road I decided to hit some of the powder...and got an eight foot chunk of tree stuck in my ski and under the track. This kept me from steering and I rolled it over. Doh! First wipe out of the season. ;) Luckily the was easy to pull out and we were back on our way. So I am going to end with this since it is fairly early and I want to get back outside. If you are reading this please leave a comment! I am interested in any group rides up this way...or even just riding with others...in a group or not. If you ride sober and safe I would love to go along!
Derek
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Sweet riding today!
I have been on nice trails before. I have been on VERY nice trails before. The trail to Pellston (until N. Ayr Rd.) today was AWESOME. It was freshly groomed...and it had VERY little snowmobile traffic. It was smooth and easy to steer. I was actually finding it very difficult to go slow! My hat goes off to the HSSC grooming team...they are doing a great job for the first few times grooming on the somewhat little amount of snow we have received.
I discussed my hours at work again...and the story now gets worse. I work 8-6 on M,F...8-12 on W...and 8-5 on T,Th. Now...some of you would say "Wow! What an excellent schedule!" I say "Boy that sucks." Not only do my hours change DRASTICALLY from where they were...I now get two hours per week LESS than I was getting before. In my book that is a lot of money out the window. Unless there is something I am missing out on...(and I doubt there is) I got hosed with this migration that we just went through. It is very hard to tell your boss that though. That eight hours a month is a full credit card payment for me...so hopefully we will come to an arrangement that will benefit us both.
Back to the purpose of this blog. The outdoors! I know it is much better with pictures...I feel bad I did not take my camera with me on the ride today. There were some great shots waiting to be taken. At one point on the trail...the snow had melted and formed icicles handing down in front of some exposed earth. Then the empty woods on a sled on a freshly groomed trail. That always makes a great picture. BUT I did not bring the camera. There is good news through the next week that will hopefully overturn all of the pent up emotions about my hours. It is going to stay COLD!
The forecase for the remainder of the week and into next week looks to stay below freezing. With highs in the mid 20s and lows in the 10s...there should be plenty of snow that sticks around. The colder temperatures are bringing along some snow! Tomorrow is our best shot...but there are small chances of snow throughout the rest of the week and weekend. Nothing huge but it can help keep the snowmobile trails passable.
I guess it would be good to talk about something survival related as well. As soon as we get some snow I will start to build some shelters...but for now there just is not enough to do anything worthwhile. Especially if the snow decides to melt toward the end of the month. (My winter forecast has been the complete opposite of what has occurred...so if that trend continues we will see a warm up at the end of December and cold/snow into January. I sure hope that is not the case!)
I think that about covers it for now...I will post pictures soon...and hopefully have a bit more interesting content. It is just kind of a boring time of year until the big snows start flying. :P
Goodnight from Northern Michigan!
Derek
I discussed my hours at work again...and the story now gets worse. I work 8-6 on M,F...8-12 on W...and 8-5 on T,Th. Now...some of you would say "Wow! What an excellent schedule!" I say "Boy that sucks." Not only do my hours change DRASTICALLY from where they were...I now get two hours per week LESS than I was getting before. In my book that is a lot of money out the window. Unless there is something I am missing out on...(and I doubt there is) I got hosed with this migration that we just went through. It is very hard to tell your boss that though. That eight hours a month is a full credit card payment for me...so hopefully we will come to an arrangement that will benefit us both.
Back to the purpose of this blog. The outdoors! I know it is much better with pictures...I feel bad I did not take my camera with me on the ride today. There were some great shots waiting to be taken. At one point on the trail...the snow had melted and formed icicles handing down in front of some exposed earth. Then the empty woods on a sled on a freshly groomed trail. That always makes a great picture. BUT I did not bring the camera. There is good news through the next week that will hopefully overturn all of the pent up emotions about my hours. It is going to stay COLD!
The forecase for the remainder of the week and into next week looks to stay below freezing. With highs in the mid 20s and lows in the 10s...there should be plenty of snow that sticks around. The colder temperatures are bringing along some snow! Tomorrow is our best shot...but there are small chances of snow throughout the rest of the week and weekend. Nothing huge but it can help keep the snowmobile trails passable.
I guess it would be good to talk about something survival related as well. As soon as we get some snow I will start to build some shelters...but for now there just is not enough to do anything worthwhile. Especially if the snow decides to melt toward the end of the month. (My winter forecast has been the complete opposite of what has occurred...so if that trend continues we will see a warm up at the end of December and cold/snow into January. I sure hope that is not the case!)
I think that about covers it for now...I will post pictures soon...and hopefully have a bit more interesting content. It is just kind of a boring time of year until the big snows start flying. :P
Goodnight from Northern Michigan!
Derek
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
A brief warm up...then snow and cold again!
Geez. This time it is even worse! I have not written in over a week. I have been keeping busy! My hours at work changed so I now work from 8 AM to 5 PM. That is something I do not care for...but I like because I will not have to wake up so early from now on! Whoo hoo!
So not much new is going on. We got to ride the sleds over the weekend...but did not venture out too far. The CU Christmas party was on Saturday...so that ate up a good portion of the day. The trails were PERFECT though! A little thin on a few spots...but that is from all the fools gunning their sleds around corners. Groomers can only do so much!
It has warmed up considerably since Sunday and Monday morning. When I left for work yesterday the temperature was eight degrees! Today we hit 35 degrees at work. That, unfortunately, was warm enough to get some snow melting action. It packed down nicely though...so hopefully after the end of the week snowfall we will have some fresh snow to ride on. It looks to snow for a better part of the week...but nothing significant.
I promise I will have some pictures by the end of the week.
If anyone is reading this yet...please leave your comments! I am looking for a helmet cam to wear while I am riding the sled. If you know of any that are cheap and do the job...I am all ears.
Until next time, goodnight from Northern Michigan!
Derek
So not much new is going on. We got to ride the sleds over the weekend...but did not venture out too far. The CU Christmas party was on Saturday...so that ate up a good portion of the day. The trails were PERFECT though! A little thin on a few spots...but that is from all the fools gunning their sleds around corners. Groomers can only do so much!
It has warmed up considerably since Sunday and Monday morning. When I left for work yesterday the temperature was eight degrees! Today we hit 35 degrees at work. That, unfortunately, was warm enough to get some snow melting action. It packed down nicely though...so hopefully after the end of the week snowfall we will have some fresh snow to ride on. It looks to snow for a better part of the week...but nothing significant.
I promise I will have some pictures by the end of the week.
If anyone is reading this yet...please leave your comments! I am looking for a helmet cam to wear while I am riding the sled. If you know of any that are cheap and do the job...I am all ears.
Until next time, goodnight from Northern Michigan!
Derek
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Winter Storm Strikes Northern Michigan!
I am really sorry it has been so long since I have written! I doubt anyone truly knows of my blog yet...so honestly I imagine no one really cares but myself. If you DO read my blog...please leave a comment! I was working late all week last week and I have worked all weekend through our DP migration at work. Good times that was! Everything turned out great...and all the work put into the project paid off. Nearly everything went off without a hitch. A few minor issues...but nothing that we could not get past.
So over this weekend...we received just under a foot a new snow. The weather station out in the yard is measuring around 14" of snow...the ruler on the deck says 11". I am going to wait until tomorrow to post a picture of the measurements because we are in the midst of yet another Winter Storm Warning! Three to five more inches of snow tonight into Monday morning. This snow has brought great pain...since I have been working all weekend. The first time in a few years that opening day of snowmobile season actually had snow to ride on...and I got stuck doing a DP migration. What luck! This snow looks to stay around for now though! I would honestly say this is more snow than what we had at the Pickerel Lake house all winter last year. We had a few storms out that way...but nothing like this. Actually...the only snows we had like this were in the fall and in the late spring!
I plan to buy my trail sticker tomorrow afternoon sometime. There has not been much talk of the cost going up...so I will assume they are still $25. The talk last spring was an increase of up to $20 per sticker. I would gladly pay that though...for the right to have groomed trails to ride. This fall was really busy so I did not have much time to get involved in a snowmobile club...with the move and work I kept myself very occupied. Watch out though...I am back trail 71! That is my stomping ground for the most part. I like to be on the quiet less used trails so I get more clean snow. If you want trail conditions and some realistic snow reports visit http://www.harborspringssnowmobileclub.com/. You can also donate or leave messages on the board. Maybe someday I will volunteer some time...possibly even this winter. When work slows down and I get some spare time.
So over this weekend...we received just under a foot a new snow. The weather station out in the yard is measuring around 14" of snow...the ruler on the deck says 11". I am going to wait until tomorrow to post a picture of the measurements because we are in the midst of yet another Winter Storm Warning! Three to five more inches of snow tonight into Monday morning. This snow has brought great pain...since I have been working all weekend. The first time in a few years that opening day of snowmobile season actually had snow to ride on...and I got stuck doing a DP migration. What luck! This snow looks to stay around for now though! I would honestly say this is more snow than what we had at the Pickerel Lake house all winter last year. We had a few storms out that way...but nothing like this. Actually...the only snows we had like this were in the fall and in the late spring!
I plan to buy my trail sticker tomorrow afternoon sometime. There has not been much talk of the cost going up...so I will assume they are still $25. The talk last spring was an increase of up to $20 per sticker. I would gladly pay that though...for the right to have groomed trails to ride. This fall was really busy so I did not have much time to get involved in a snowmobile club...with the move and work I kept myself very occupied. Watch out though...I am back trail 71! That is my stomping ground for the most part. I like to be on the quiet less used trails so I get more clean snow. If you want trail conditions and some realistic snow reports visit http://www.harborspringssnowmobileclub.com/. You can also donate or leave messages on the board. Maybe someday I will volunteer some time...possibly even this winter. When work slows down and I get some spare time.I have rambled on for a length now...so I will put a close to this post. I will post more when I have had some snowmobile trips! Including pictures!
Goodnight from Northern Michigan!
-Derek
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