GRTA's volunteers back grooming snowmobile trails

By RALPH ANSAMI

[email protected]

Wakefield - The Gogebic Range Trail Authority began grooming Friday's fresh snow to form the base of its snowmobile trails Friday.

"We are entering our third season, running with a 100 percent all-volunteer staff," said GRTA president Steve Hamilton. "We're the only club in the western Upper Peninsula to operate like this."

As is typical with early season conditions, club members faced a mixed bag of weather as they prepared to trail-groom in earnest over the weekend.

On Friday, it snowed about 3.5 inches, then rained for 45 minutes, before another 3 to 5 inches of snow arrived.

The snow was forecast to end at 6 p.m. Friday for Ironwood, but a lake-effect contribution extended that prediction.

Groomers headed out at noon Friday and planned to run non-stop, with Trail 2 groomed first, followed by Trail 8, then Trail 160 over the weekend.

Trail 11S has deep ruts from loggers who attempted to access property via the trail and was not recommended for riding.

Club members offer the following tips:

-Ride slowly, ride right and ride together. 

-Do not ride faster than the slowest person in the group.

-Beware of groomers on the trails.

Trail 2, from Hurley to the Ramsay U.S. 2 crossing, was in the best early season shape across the trail system Friday, but the corners were icy east of Walmart.

"Extensive drainage and trail repair work (paid for by trail permits) has gone on the last three years and we're really starting to see the results," Hamilton said.

Raising funds

To help fund the grooming operations, the club is selling 50-50 tickets at Cloverland Motorsports, the Aurora Club and Rigoni's Inn, all in Ironwood, Two Fat Guys and Earla's Cafe, in Marenisco, and Town and Country Liquors in Hurley.

There will be a drawing on Jan. 26 at the Wakefield VFW during the GRTA's pancake breakfast social that day.

There will be breakfast goodies, door prizes, GRTA clothing and the final drawing.