Great ski conditions on Heritage Trail, report Friends of Sleeping Bear

From staff reports

Snow conditions are very good in most places along the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, report Friends of Sleeping Bear, which grooms and maintains the popular multi-use trail in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Get out there before the weather warms up the middle of this week.

Best ski conditions are at the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. Park at the parking lot near the entrance and take the spur to the Heritage Trail. It is groomed from the parking lot to the trail, and the trail is groomed with two sets of classic tracks both ways.

Ski conditions are good from Glen Arbor to DH Day Campground. The loop in the campground is groomed and really good.

The groomers worked from Glen Arbor to near Empire today (Dec. 26). They will be working north of Glen Arbor tomorrow (Dec. 27). Groomers will go from Crystal View Trailhead to Wheeler Road (Lawr Farm) and then up to Palmer Woods.

Down Tree Near Empire

There is a massive tree down across the trail completely blocking the trail about 0.5 miles north of the Bar Lake Trailhead parking lot. The Friends are not sure when this will be removed. Groomers had to turn around there, so the trail is not groomed between Empire and the down tree.

Dune Climb Sledding

Heavy snow on the Dune Climb. Families were sledding today.

Backcountry ski and hiking trails (Old Indian, Platte Plains, Windy Moraine, Bay View, Good Harbor, Alligator Hill)

Fresh snow everywhere

Popular Hiking Trails (Empire Bluffs, Pyramid Point):

Snowshoes recommended if you are going to hike these trails.

This story was sponsored by Devette & Ford Insurance.