Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

Michigan Tech Trail Updates 

For Current Trail Conditions

Upcoming races 

February 07, 2024

The Annual BigFoot Snow Shoe Event for Thursday, February 8, 2024, has been canceled due to weather conditions. 

February 05, 2024
 
 
Due to the weather, the Citizen's Night Series has been postponed. If conditions allow, the Nordic Ski Team will seek to do a pop-up event later this season. 
 
December 19, 2023
 
With the warm temperatures and minimal snow, the trail lights will remain off until grooming begins. The entire grooming crew is doing the Heikki Lunta snow dance in hopes of snowing soon. We appreciate your understanding and patience while we all wait for snow.
 
December 7, 2023
 
We had some equipment issues last week when I blew a clutch rolling some grassier trails for the Team to practice on. Wish them luck on their trip to Duluth to begin their competitive season. Parts for the clutch arrived, have been installed and we were able to replace another wheeler with a new one, and now we are back to full strength and only need some snow to work with. As mentioned, we have been rolling selected trails and people have been skiing. Please use caution if you venture out, for you find rocks under a thin veneer of snow. 
 
Your MTU Trail Crew
Brian Isaksson 
 
 
November 29th 2023
 
The snow is finally starting to fall here at the Trails. So, we are changing to the Winter Usage guidelines, which means no more walking and running on our main ski trails. Expect to see grooming equipment on the Trails and please give them the right of way. At present, we are only packing the snow and building the base. We will drop the comb on our rollers when we are confident rocks and uneven terrain will not damage the combs. 


 Thank You,
 Your MTU Trail Crew

 

Trail Etiquette on the MTU Trails.

XCountry Skiers;

  • Please ski in the proper direction. Some of our Upper Trails and the Nara Loop are omnidirectional, but most of them are not. Check signage as well as your maps for correct directions. MTU trails have a counterclockwise direction on our loops.

  • Please preserve the Track Set. Skate skiing is encouraged and welcome on the MTU trails. We do ask for skate skiers to respect and preserve the Track Set for their classic skiing brethren. If you find your stride is too large for some of our Upper Trails try Pine Loop, Portage Loop or any of our Competition Trails or Lower Trails, where we groom only a single set of tracks. Please check the Trail Report for trail closures and conditions prior to using our trail system. The report is updated daily by our grooming staff. 

  • Please give the Trail an hour to set up after grooming is finished. Being we usually groom in the dead of night, this is not a common issue. But on the occasion that you notice you are leaving ruts in the trail, the trail is too soft for skiing. Ruts are very frustrating for those who come after you. Please check the Trails Conditions Page and find a loop that was groomed earlier and has had that precious hour to set up nice and firm.

  • Please replace your divots. If you take a tumble, please take the time to fill in and smooth back out the area where you crashed. Please take a moment and straighten out the track set with your skis.

Dog Walkers;

  • Dogs are ONLY allowed on designated trails. These trails can be accessed at the Softball Fields trailhead, Tolkien trailhead, and the Nara trailhead. Please check your maps and look for 'Dog Friendly' signs.

  • All dogs must be leashed and under the control of the owner. Zero exceptions. 

  • Please pick up after your dog. Zero exceptions. Please pick up your dog's waste with the bags provided and please place bags in trash cans at the trailhead.

  • Please respect the track set. All of our dog trails are multi use trails and are shared with walkers, runners, skiers and snow bikers. Please respect and preserve the track set on the right hand side of the trail.

Snow Shoers;

  • Please stay on designated trails. The multi-use trails can be accessed at the Softball Fields trailhead, Tolkien trailhead, and the Nara trailhead. Please check your maps. Snowshoers are also welcome to use any of our Mountain Bike Trails for their snowshoeing adventures. When intersecting a ski trail, please limit your damage to that ski trail and its track set.

  • Please respect the track set. When on the multi-use trails, snowshoers must use the far left side of the trail and preserve the track set. 

 Snow or Fat Tire Bikers;

  • Please stay on designated trails. The multi-use trails can be accessed at the Softball Fields trailhead, Tolkien trailhead, and the Nara trailhead. Please check your maps. The Mountain Bike trails are also used for snowshoeing in the winter - so please be on alert for other users!

  • Please be mindful of leaving no ruts! If your bike leaves ruts in the trail, the trail is too soft to support your bike. 

  • Please use tires that are at least 3.8" wide and adjust your tire pressure to the conditions. 

Smile and have fun! Be courteous and kind to our other users. The MTU Trail system is for everyone!