A broken tree blocks a trail in the eastern Upper Peninsula. (Photo courtesy of Chippewa Snow Chasers Club)

CURTIS — Some snowmobile trail sections in the Curtis area of Mackinac County have been temporarily closed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources because of hazards posed by recent weather conditions.

After recent snow and ice storms, followed by a warming trend, hazards posed by downed trees, branches and water over trails have emerged in the eastern Upper Peninsula.

Trails crews continue to work on clearing trails, especially in Chippewa County, but the going is slow. The DNR is assembling crews to assist trail grant sponsors with the cleanup.

In some places of neighboring Mackinac County, riders have disregarded closed gates and found trouble along the trails.

“Emergency crews have pulled sleds out of heavy water areas over two consecutive nights,” Paul Gaberdiel, eastern U.P. trails specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Parks and Recreation Division, said in a news release. “These areas with swamps have a lot of water holes in the trails. Conditions there may not improve until significant snowfall and much colder temperatures occur, which are needed to freeze and firm up the trails.”

Disregarding closed trail signs or gates could jeopardize rider safety. The trail closures are taking place to proactively help protect riders from these hazards.

“The majority of the closures are in western Mackinac County, around Curtis,” Rob Shields, a DNR forest fire supervisor, said in a news release. “It is paramount that snowmobilers ride cautiously in other areas of the eastern Upper Peninsula.”

Trails impacted by the closures include portions of U.P. Trail Nos. 2, 421, 457 and 43. One closure bypass is available along Schoolcraft County Road 432 north of Gulliver.