biffdotorg
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Ok, I hope this area is fine to ask this question. Otherwise, I can move it to the "rides" section.
Even though there will be a flood of sleds heading to the UP next week, I booked my first trip to Michigan with 5 of my buddies. 4 of them have put plenty of miles on in the UP, but I and my other friend have never.
We plan on making the drive to Hurley Wednesday night, ride the Ironwood area one day, then have rooms in Houghton Thurs, Fri, Sat.
The question is, as a MI newjack, what should I not miss, and what should I avoid for my first trip. Also, knowing that the snow is minimal, not including the LES they are getting now, does that affect where we should go or avoid?
I'm taking the Apex, so you won't have to worry about me looking for places to go boondocking. I think if we go out of our way to get out before daybreak each day, we may be able to enjoy some trails before they are hammered by hundreds of other riders.
Worst case, we will enjoy some Hurley Gurley action Wednesday night. Thanks for the advice guys. I appreciate your opinions and help.
Pictures to come....
Even though there will be a flood of sleds heading to the UP next week, I booked my first trip to Michigan with 5 of my buddies. 4 of them have put plenty of miles on in the UP, but I and my other friend have never.
We plan on making the drive to Hurley Wednesday night, ride the Ironwood area one day, then have rooms in Houghton Thurs, Fri, Sat.
The question is, as a MI newjack, what should I not miss, and what should I avoid for my first trip. Also, knowing that the snow is minimal, not including the LES they are getting now, does that affect where we should go or avoid?
I'm taking the Apex, so you won't have to worry about me looking for places to go boondocking. I think if we go out of our way to get out before daybreak each day, we may be able to enjoy some trails before they are hammered by hundreds of other riders.
Worst case, we will enjoy some Hurley Gurley action Wednesday night. Thanks for the advice guys. I appreciate your opinions and help.
Pictures to come....
driftbuster
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If the weather is clear I suggest a trip to Silver City and up to Lake of the Clouds. It is a scenic look out over a lake and valley that is worth the trip.
Check before leaving, snow is sometimes in short supply along the coast, and watch your gas, it is always a question if there is an open station in Silver City. Leaving with a full tank from Bergland will be no problem, and if heading towards Houghton, you have to go south to White Pine after Silver City, and there is gas there.
If coming from Ironwood, I recommend the trail that heads north leaving trail 2 just east of Bessemer going to Silver City. On a Yamaha there is no problem getting from Bessemer, up to Silver City, and back down to White Pines on a tank of gas.
I'll be up there Wednesday - Sunday, we may pass each other.
Enjoy the U.P. - I've been doing it for 25 years.
Check before leaving, snow is sometimes in short supply along the coast, and watch your gas, it is always a question if there is an open station in Silver City. Leaving with a full tank from Bergland will be no problem, and if heading towards Houghton, you have to go south to White Pine after Silver City, and there is gas there.
If coming from Ironwood, I recommend the trail that heads north leaving trail 2 just east of Bessemer going to Silver City. On a Yamaha there is no problem getting from Bessemer, up to Silver City, and back down to White Pines on a tank of gas.
I'll be up there Wednesday - Sunday, we may pass each other.
Enjoy the U.P. - I've been doing it for 25 years.
MadMax
TY 4 Stroke Master
X2 on that............. I know farther east over by seney they got dumped on........ Up to 24" north of seney..... Lots of great trails in Da-yooper. 
But if ya have snow in the western side then just ride and have fun. MM.
But if ya have snow in the western side then just ride and have fun. MM.
Soldier'spapa
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Enjoy your time in the U.P.!
Wish I had the time to make a trip this year!
You should find lots of snow in the Houghton area. When I'm there I always ride the "Freida loop". It is a short trail (Basically to nowhere) that sure is a blast to ride! It goes off to the northwest just south of Houghton.
Wish I had the time to make a trip this year!
You should find lots of snow in the Houghton area. When I'm there I always ride the "Freida loop". It is a short trail (Basically to nowhere) that sure is a blast to ride! It goes off to the northwest just south of Houghton.
yamadoo
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Remember they groom all day long. So be alert for coming up on groomers at less than 10mph or worse head on into a groomer blade.... Ben there done that changed the shorts, no one hurt thank God!
Have fun
Have fun
FarbeyondDriven
Veteran
When staying in Houghton, I always try to go to Copper Harbor. Such a beautiful view. Something to avoid - trail 122 from Lac Labelle to Gay. This trail was virtually unrideable due logging and poor snow this past Friday.
kinger
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Lake of the clouds as mentioned. Also I'm sure you'll be heading to copper harbor, great look out up there and hopefully they still have the massuse at the swanky lodge at the end of the trail.
Also on the way to Gay, MI is probably the most fun trail if you like to jump its got about 8 up and downs almost like they built it to fly. You run about 50-60mph and launch off each one gently land at the bottom and take off again. Its hoot! when your in the air you can see about 2 others in the air in front of you. Really makes it hard to not smile.
Have fun we'll be there in Feb.
Also on the way to Gay, MI is probably the most fun trail if you like to jump its got about 8 up and downs almost like they built it to fly. You run about 50-60mph and launch off each one gently land at the bottom and take off again. Its hoot! when your in the air you can see about 2 others in the air in front of you. Really makes it hard to not smile.
Have fun we'll be there in Feb.
09NytroRTX
Expert
Been up to the UP quite a few times but never been to Gay. Heading up on Thursday as well so I will have to hit that trail for sure kinger! What is a round trip for milieage from Hurley-Copper Harbor, anyone know?
biffdotorg
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Great ideas guys! This is awesome!
I hope to have some pics and vids later this week. I tested out the helmet mount and Tekvest mount for the cameras today. Although I have come to the conclusion that my cams hate this -25 windchill we have going on here right now!
I hope to have some pics and vids later this week. I tested out the helmet mount and Tekvest mount for the cameras today. Although I have come to the conclusion that my cams hate this -25 windchill we have going on here right now!
marq
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09NytroRTX said:
Can't help you with a mileage number but that's gonna be a pretty big haul. According to google maps, it's 156 miles one way by road.. and that's without any side trips to the Porkies or the Gay trail..
marq
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If you click on the dots on this map, it'll bring up trail maps that show mileage between intersections. You'll have to bust out the calculator but you could figure it out..
http://trails.msasnow.org/trail_conditi ... eports.asp
http://trails.msasnow.org/trail_conditi ... eports.asp
LEE337
VIP Member
I was up there this last weekend rode from Ironwood up to Gay and back on Sat. Mileage was around 300 we put on 320 due to we forgot something and had to ride back to Ironwood ten miles into the trip.
Put on 80 miles yesterday after the 6" of fresh stuff over night and the trails were in great shape compared to sat.
From Ironwood to Copper Harbor is about the same 300 miles. Did it last year lots o fun.
Put on 80 miles yesterday after the 6" of fresh stuff over night and the trails were in great shape compared to sat.
From Ironwood to Copper Harbor is about the same 300 miles. Did it last year lots o fun.
biffdotorg
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After reading the trail reports in the Trail Conditions section, I am going to lose it!
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 7:39 am Post subject:
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Wednesday morning report 1/23/13--About a foot of fresh snow here in Houghton!!! Yesterday took 3 to Lake Linden--freakin' awesome. Took 122 from Lake Linden over to Gay. Trail is snow covered but a little rough. Certainly rideable!! Left the Gay bar and headed up 124 to Phoenix. Oh man, what a trail!!!!!!! Absolutely perfect!!!!! From Phoenix headed south on 3 definitely better than it was on Sunday. More snow on the trail but it was a little rough. Met the Groomer just north of Calumet and from there it was absolutely awesome!!! Trail 17 from Calumet to Houghton was a superhighway!! For those of you on the fence, get your butts up here and ride!! I'm so glad we made the trip! Heading to Copper Harbor and Lac La Belle today. Should be fast and fun! I'll report back tomorrow!! We ride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I cannot wait to get on the road this afternoon! This is what the lack of snow in our region is doing to us. That and -50 windchill we are experiencing. Single digits above zero is going to seem balmy in Michigan!
More to come...
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 7:39 am Post subject:
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Wednesday morning report 1/23/13--About a foot of fresh snow here in Houghton!!! Yesterday took 3 to Lake Linden--freakin' awesome. Took 122 from Lake Linden over to Gay. Trail is snow covered but a little rough. Certainly rideable!! Left the Gay bar and headed up 124 to Phoenix. Oh man, what a trail!!!!!!! Absolutely perfect!!!!! From Phoenix headed south on 3 definitely better than it was on Sunday. More snow on the trail but it was a little rough. Met the Groomer just north of Calumet and from there it was absolutely awesome!!! Trail 17 from Calumet to Houghton was a superhighway!! For those of you on the fence, get your butts up here and ride!! I'm so glad we made the trip! Heading to Copper Harbor and Lac La Belle today. Should be fast and fun! I'll report back tomorrow!! We ride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I cannot wait to get on the road this afternoon! This is what the lack of snow in our region is doing to us. That and -50 windchill we are experiencing. Single digits above zero is going to seem balmy in Michigan!
More to come...
09nytro
TY 4 Stroke God
They have been getting hit and so have we...they are saying another storm is coming thurs & fri and going to give us and the up a foot...we will see ....
Should be good ridding for you...have fun and be safe
Should be good ridding for you...have fun and be safe
I read on a trail report from Bergland which is at the north end of Lake Gogebic that there was no gas the other day. Google Bergland bay bar for trail report and be careful on Lake Gogebic from some open water and ice heave. From Lake Gogebic to Copper Harbor is about 300 miles. I made that trip by noon a couple years ago.
