Latest news, weather, high school sports for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

WETMORE -- This week we've been enjoying pretty mild weather for the middle of February.  However, it's not exactly ideal conditions for winter activities that rely on colder temperatures.

For the hundreds of sled dogs that will be racing this weekend, it's going to mean a tough course.

Still, those with the U.P. Sled Dog Association aren't worried just yet.  They're saying the trails are in good shape.

"It's going to be a packy snow, and it's going to be a slippery-style trail right now.  Hopefully we get some snow to cover it and make it a little better," says Trail Boss Cathy Sleeter.

But that snow might not come until Friday night, or even Saturday, according to TV6 meteorologists.

In addition to the snow, the trails need colder temperatures so the top can freeze over.

Tuesday, snow machines were out rearranging certain areas, doing last minute preparations, and putting up trail markers.

"It's just a constant--we start this at the beginning of January on our weekends, and we're out there Saturday and Sunday, eight, ten hours sometimes, just riding, packing, snipping, cutting, whatever it entails for us to do," Sleeter adds.

There are about 25 volunteers working more than six hours a day on the more than 300 miles of trails, and they'll have to keep working on them up until the race finishes on Sunday.

There also hasn't been as much snow this season, so the course is a little bumpier in spots because there are trees underneath that don't have enough snow cover.

Still, those in charge of trail maintenance aren't anticipating any extra grooming work come race day on Friday.