Swedetown Trails Club meeting for Nov. 11 CANCELLED

CALUMET -- The Swedetown Trails Club meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Swedetown Chalet in Calumet, has been cancelled because of the weather.

"Yes, we are all snow lovers but at this point in the calendar, we don't want you battling drifts to get to a meeting," says Cynthia MacDonald, Swedetown Trails Club president. "Get your snow tires on, get your skis out, organize your winter wardrobe and we'll all be out on the trails soon enough. We'll post an update when we reschedule."

For info on the Swedetown Trails Club, visit their Web site.

Swedetown Trails Club to hold annual meeting, trails presentation Nov. 12

CALUMET -- The Swedetown Trails Club will hold its annual all-member meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, at the Swedetown Chalet in Calumet. Guest Gene La Rochelle will share interesting facts about the area around the trails. Gene has been hiking around Swedetown since the 40s and skiing there since 1963. He developed an interest in local history and you are sure to learn something new.

A short business meeting will be held to elect officers. A recommended revision of the Club's Bylaws will be presented for adoption. All Swedetown season pass holders for 2013 are members and are eligible to vote. Both the 1993 Club bylaws and the new version recommended for adoption can be read or printed out from this web page: http://www.swedetowntrails.org/contact-us/.

Cross Country Trails notice: Swedetown Trails re-opened; ice on Tech Trails

CALUMET -- After being closed for two days, Swedetown has received five inches of new snow overnight and trails are open. The new snow is rolled over the icy base. By now the groomers will have set tracks on the easy and intermediate trails near the Chalet. Less new snow on Papa Bear and towards M203 trail head.

January 13th (today) is Winter Trails Day sponsored by Swedetown Trails Club and Cross Country Sports of Calumet. Free all-day pass for skiing or snowshoeing. Free snowshoe or ski rentals, provided by Cross Country Sports of Calumet. First come, first served for rental equipment, as available from noon to 5 p.m. Come to the Swedetown Chalet to check out equipment. Trails Club members will be on hand to suggest what trails to try.

At the Chalet, free hot chocolate and apple juice from noon to 5 p.m.*

Warning: Ice at Tech Trails

HOUGHTON -- Just a warning to potential skiers at Michigan Tech Trails. In the parking lot, stadium, and trailhead area there is absolute glare ice under the snow. Wherever the water from the thaw couldn't drain well there is a significant risk of falling and parking lot auto accidents. Grooming snowmobiles have gotten stuck on flat ground and groomers are falling like nine pins. Use caution or wait until the new snow (yay!) bonds with the ice.*

* Editor's Note: Sorry for late posting of these Sunday morning announcements.

Swedetown Trails allow snow bikes on "Fat Tuesdays"

From Cynthia MacDonald, President
Swedetown Trails Club

CALUMET -- After 6 p.m. on Tuesdays snow bikes are allowed on all Swedetown trails. You must have a season or day pass. Fat tire bikes (3.7 or larger tires) only -- no mountain bikes.

Snow bikes (fat bikes) have very large tires and operate with very low air pressures to keep from sinking into snow. (Keweenaw Now file photo © and courtesy Chris Schmidt)

Here’s the expected trail courtesy: Yield to skiers. Do not ride near the groomed tracks. If you must stop please stay on the edge of the trail away from groomed area.

Note: Fat Tuesday is cancelled when conditions are soft.

There is no end-of-day sweep at Swedetown Trails. Let someone know your plans and ride safely. Cell phone service is coming to the trails near the M203 trailhead very shortly, but until it is working we don't really know the coverage.

For more information visit swedetowntrails.org. For trail conditions see keweenawtrails.com. Chalet phone: 337-1170.