5 day Backpack UP trip, where to safely park in South Central UP.

D

Dirty70Firebird

Member
A friend and I have been discussing this over the past few years, and I believe this year will be the year we will do this. We have rode up and down the peninsula many times, and also stared in Lake Gogebic and rode to Big Bay and back a few times in 1 day, so putting on the miles shouldn't be an issue for us. We were considering starting somewhere south central UP, and riding towards the paradise or even perhaps the Sault and back, staying in various places throughout our time. Is there a recommendation of a safe place to park out of the way and perhaps stay the night then ride out to the north and east the next morning? We were considering parking somewhere south central UP as I am from SE MN and he from SE WI, so a central for both of us would be recommended.
 
S

Snirtdawg

New member
We stay at Jasper Ridge Hotel that is part of the Country Village in Ishpeming. I would launch from there and see if they would allow you to leave your rig.
 
T

tman

Member
I always had good luck dropping in Crystal Falls, Mi. Or Iron River, Mi. Plenty places to park for a few days, just remember to ask.
 
1

1fujifilm

Well-known member
Dirty70Firebird said:
A friend and I have been discussing this over the past few years, and I believe this year will be the year we will do this. We have rode up and down the peninsula many times, and also stared in Lake Gogebic and rode to Big Bay and back a few times in 1 day, so putting on the miles shouldn't be an issue for us. We were considering starting somewhere south central UP, and riding towards the paradise or even perhaps the Sault and back, staying in various places throughout our time. Is there a recommendation of a safe place to park out of the way and perhaps stay the night then ride out to the north and east the next morning? We were considering parking somewhere south central UP as I am from SE MN and he from SE WI, so a central for both of us would be recommended.
Click to expand...

Watersmeet at the Casino, cameras all over the place and security guards touring the parking lot. Plus, gas on premises and gambling! You will see other parked near the gas station side of the parking lot, just back in and unload. Have backpacked from here for days multiple times.

Bear
 
J

jimkaz

Member
lt250rfd said:
Depending on the snow cover Iron Mt Michigan by the Holiday inn Express. Trail 2 is just north of there
Click to expand...

I agree with snirtdawg. Done backpack trips from there a lot, went To Watersmeet stayed, then north to calumet,2or 3 days in KEWEENAW, than back to jasper ridge. Always had good ridding except bergland, rockland area. 4 to 5 day trip. Doing this again Feb 4-9. Have a safe trip, hope this helps. Never had good luck going East, ran out of snow always.
 
E

eskysteve

New member
I get a kick out of the responses, mostly giving advice to stay in the Western U.P., that's a long way's from Paradise. I would suggest Rapid River. There's a Michigan DNR trailhead parking lot just off of US 2. It's trail 2. This will take you to Munsing area or Mansitique area and points further East.
 
P

pyroking

New member
I haved stayed at comfort inn in iron mountain several times. Trail goes out back of parking lot. Bowling alley/bar next door. You can get to munising in a day if you keep at it
 
D

Dirty70Firebird

Member
thanks to all the responses! We both are going to the AMSnow ride the 2nd week in Feb, so we will get a feel for snow conditions on our drive into Munising. Yes, it depends on snow conditions which will influence our decision where we go and start from, but I would be willing to bet the north side of the UP from Munising to Paradise will have more snow compared to the more southern parts of the UP.
 
S

Snirtdawg

New member
verall, orographic enhancement
will likely be the biggest player boosting snow amounts for the n
central. For this event, the high terrain of n central Upper MI from
just w of Marquette into the Huron Mtns, including
Negaunee/Ishpeming, will likely see the greatest snow totals from
this system, probably on the order of 12-16in.

This is the exact area we are coming to ride on Thursday Friday WoooooHoooooo!!!!
 
Y

Yamadogger

New member
Eskysteve is right if you're looking for a central drop point to head out on a UP 5 day loop - Rapid River trailhead is a great spot. 50 miles from the Buckhorn and about 55 miles from trail 8 which is the main east/west trail. You can also head east to Manistique and venture east and north. If I was looking for a central drop spot, I'd go there.
 
S

snobuilder

Well-known member
Yamadogger said:
Eskysteve is right if you're looking for a central drop point to head out on a UP 5 day loop - Rapid River trailhead is a great spot. 50 miles from the Buckhorn and about 55 miles from trail 8 which is the main east/west trail. You can also head east to Manistique and venture east and north. If I was looking for a central drop spot, I'd go there.
Click to expand...

Does trail 2 go completely through Rapid River...... And I thought RR was usually a desert....low snow.
 
E

eskysteve

New member
No, there's still trouble crossing the Whitefish River, just West of the trailhead mentioned. MDNR has hopes to connect in the near future, but, honestly, snow has been so thin South and West of this trailhead that it probably wouldn't be worth the effort.
 
firefighter1

firefighter1

Member
I second Rapid River trail head, we parked there last Tuesday and headed to Munising. Then the next day we went up to Pictured Rocks thru Grand Marais and over to Paradise. We also went thru Newberry, Seney, Shingleton and Crooks. We have been backpacking for 6 years or so. In my opinion it’s the best way to see and visit new areas. Going back up next Monday for the week but heading back to the West side. Have fun.
 
Y

Yamadogger

New member
Yeah, it would be nice to get a western connection from Esky/Gladstone but snow is usually an issue and, in my personal opinion only, the Felch grade sucks so going that direction is not much fun. If you leave from RR which has plenty of snow right now you can do a huge loop and only double ride a few miles of trail. With the snow in the forecast for Mon we should be in great shape again and repair the damage from the past few days of warm weather.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top