Michigan · Cross-country skiing

Upper Blue Trail

2.2 mi
loop
300 ft
climb
1,266 ft
high point
Loop
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Upper Blue Trail is a 2.2-mile loop in Michigan's cross-country ski network, about 2.8 miles from the town of Ayr. The route rises from a low point of 1,047 feet to a high of 1,266 feet, with a total elevation gain of 300 feet and a total loss of 462 feet over the course of the loop. The steepest stretch comes early on, at about 0.16 miles in, with a grade of 11 percent. Winter is the natural season for this trail. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Petoskey show January highs around 26°F and lows near 12°F, with February the driest month of the year at about 15 wet days. That station sits roughly 500 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the higher ground run cooler. The trail sits among a cluster of other ski routes. Upper Red Trail is about 0.6 miles away, Lower Red Trail about 0.7 miles, and Lower Blue Trail about 0.8 miles. For paddling, the Maple River is about 8.7 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Upper Blue Trail

    Best months: June–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      26° / 12°

      19 wet

    2. Feb

      28° / 11°

      15 wet

    3. Mar

      37° / 18°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      50° / 30°

      13 wet

    5. May

      63° / 42°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      73° / 52°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      76° / 57°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      76° / 56°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      69° / 50°

      12 wet

    10. Oct

      56° / 39°

      17 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 30°

      18 wet

    12. Dec

      32° / 21°

      19 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Petoskey Ncmc, MI, 7.7 mi away at 748 ft. The station sits about 500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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