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Portage Lake Lift Bridge snowmobile crossing closed for season
March 19, 2025
The snowmobile crossing at the Portage Lake Lift Bridge in Houghton County is now closed through the remainder of the season due to deteriorating snow conditions.
“The recent warm weather conditions have exposed steel deck grating that can be damaged by snowmobile carbides, making the bridge crossing unsafe,” said John Codere, western Upper Peninsula forest recreation lead ranger for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
The closing of Snowmobile Trail UP3 at the Portage Lift Bridge is in effect immediately and will remain through March 31, when the snowmobile season officially ends in Michigan. The DNR worked with the Keweenaw Snowmobile Club to determine this closure.
While this week’s forecast calls for snow accumulation in the area – heavy snow is possible, with total snow accumulations between 4 and 9 inches through today – the closure will remain in place.
“Snowmobiles will have to be trailered across the bridge to access trails north and south of the bridge crossing,” Codere said.
Find more information about snowmobile trail closures at Michigan.gov/DNRClosures and by viewing the DNR’s interactive snowmobile trail map.
An accompanying photo is available below for download. Caption information follows. Please credit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Snowmobiling: The closing of Snowmobile Trail UP3 at the Portage Lake Lift Bridge is in effect immediately and will remain through March 31, when the snowmobile season officially ends in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Natural Resouces worked with the Keweenaw Snowmobile Club to determine this closure.