Attention Keweenaw Snowmobilers

[mezz]

The Bridge is not ready for snowmobile traffic on the lower level. There have been a number of snowmobiles crossing the bridge on the sidewalk as well as in the traffic lanes. This is NOT PERMITTED. The DOT will be doing test lifts of the deck shortly to prepare it for the lock down & placement of the mat. Until that is completed, please refrain from illegally crossing the bridge. If you want to head north of the bridge, for now, you must trailer across. This issue could result in loss of the use of the bridge if it continues. Please follow the rules.

 

[indy_500]

This seems to be a constant battle as years go on, and seems like it gets later and later every year that the mat goes down. Any reason they can’t have this ready to go Dec 1 (obviously weather permitting as they need snow)

 

[mezz]

This seems to be a constant battle as years go on, and seems like it gets later and later every year that the mat goes down. Any reason they can’t have this ready to go Dec 1 (obviously weather permitting as they need snow)

The bridge has to be able to lift due to shipping. If the mat is down, they can't lift the span. Typically, after December 15th ships through the canal are a non issue.

 

[goofy600]

Weather and shipping are the driving factors of the bridge. Considering we basically had no winter weather until the last day or two of November things just rolled along as though winter is aways out.

 

[eagle1]

We use to cross without matt down....why can't the leave it down when not needed.
Agree seems to be later all time.

 

[indy_500]

We use to cross without matt down....why can't the leave it down when not needed.
Agree seems to be later all time.

Yeah have done this as well with no problems. Seems between the mat issues, all the constant logging on trails, closed trails for 5+ years waiting to be fixed, etc that the area is trying its hardest to get rid of snowmobilers

 

[old abe]

Yeah have done this as well with no problems. Seems between the mat issues, all the constant logging on trails, closed trails for 5+ years waiting to be fixed, etc that the area is trying its hardest to get rid of snowmobilers

I understand your frustrations. However, I'm thinking it's all related to $$$?

 

[eagle1]

Classic!!

 

[mezz]

Please understand this, the bridge has not been lowered & locked as of yet, the lower deck is currently in the up position and will remain that way until the lift tests are done. Once the tests are complete, they will be able to put the mat down. With the ample amount of snow we have, that should not take long. Even if we didn't have enough snow to lay the mat down, you would still be able to cross on the lower deck, but not until it has been cleared by the DOT. indy, the area is NOT trying to deter snowmobilers, the area welcomes all winter activity especially snowmobilers to the area. Political bureaucracy delayed the trail repairs needed, nothing else. All that is being asked is that people do what is being asked of them, just like "stay on the trail". For now, "stay off of the bridge" while it is in the up position & actively used for vehicle & pedestrian traffic. In fact, there are signs posted on the sidewalks on each end of the bridge clearly stating no snowmobiles. One bad apple ruins the whole bunch.

 

[indy_500]

Please understand this, the bridge has not been lowered & locked as of yet, the lower deck is currently in the up position and will remain that way until the lift tests are done. Once the tests are complete, they will be able to put the mat down. With the ample amount of snow we have, that should not take long. Even if we didn't have enough snow to lay the mat down, you would still be able to cross on the lower deck, but not until it has been cleared by the DOT. indy, the area is NOT trying to deter snowmobilers, the area welcomes all winter activity especially snowmobilers to the area. Political bureaucracy delayed the trail repairs needed, nothing else. All that is being asked is that people do what is being asked of them, just like "stay on the trail". For now, "stay off of the bridge" while it is in the up position & actively used for vehicle & pedestrian traffic. In fact, there are signs posted on the sidewalks on each end of the bridge clearly stating no snowmobiles. One bad apple ruins the whole bunch.

Definitely not trying to condone the bad behavior. But for an area with extremely beautiful scenery that receives more snowfall than the rest of the Midwest and that depends on tourism, you’d think things would be handled better than they are. On Facebook there is nothing but a solid stream complaints yearly about all the trail closures, the logging, the bridge mat, etc that keeps driving people away. I am NOT alone with the frustration. People are ready to spend hundreds if not thousands per weekend to come enjoy the area while snowmobiling, but so many factors keep turning people away. The scenery up there is second to none, but I have not been up there riding since March of 2020. Sorry, I’m not interested in driving 4 hours, and being told, you can drive this trail but not this one, you can get to this town but you have to stop and turn around, this trail is closed for hunting, this trail is open but we can’t groom it, etc. Just a shame in my eyes and by the looks of all the negativity on bookface, many others feel the same way.

 

[mezz]

Trail closure for logging has been going on forever. I'm sorry you & many others feel restricted by certain trail closures for any reason. The trail closed until Dec 15th is on private property & the owner does not want the mussel loading season interrupted. I don't think these are deal breakers. As far as the bridge is concerned, that is a Michigan Dept of Transportation issue which the snowmobile club has no control over. Not coming here for those reasons are kind of a poor excuse.

 

[Hoosier]

Agree with you this area needs more attention for snowmobiling. Whatever they folded the MSA into is all about dirt it seems.

I think the trail closures are a dnr issue. Freda loop, chassel, etc. I'd like to see an accounting of the fund they set up to buy easements when the trail permit price got increased probably 10 years ago. It's probably mostly held up in Lansing.

The landslide that took out one of the main trails was no one's fault has been repaired.

Last time I was up there the two clubs weren't on the best of terms. Not sure what was going on with that.

I've been spending more time out towards big bay the past couple years.

Negativity on FB? That's hard to believe

 

[indy_500]

Notice a difference? I understand one area has a whole lot more manpower, but look at the efforts put forth to get trails ran across as much area as possible to get to all the local businesses for everyone to enjoy. Could you imagine if they got 250” a year? The second picture, well, that area does, it gets more snow than almost anywhere in the Midwest and notice how few trails there are… losing the chassel trail is a problem, losing the Freda loop is a problem, losing trail 13 is a problem, the side trails in the Keweenaw being up in limbo every year is a problem, not being able to get across the bridge for 1/4 of the season is a problem. Why? Simple, there’s such few trails to begin with, you lose one your down to almost nothing.

 

[mezz]

Can't get across the bridge for 1/4 of the season? Seriously? When has that ever been an issue? The Freda loop was knocked out because of the flooding & again, more political bureaucracy has held that up. The Chassell trail has been another political bureaucracy for years. If you want to hold that against the area and not come here, that is your prerogative. Just remember this, The tourism counsel is certainly not against snowmobilers & the snowmobile clubs bust their asses to do what they are able to. There is a lot of money spent here on the equipment & the trails to accommodate the sport to the best of their ability. Don't bash the area for trivial issues that are not in our control.

 

[mezz]

Perhaps you need to connect with some local guides to get you around off trail a bit to enhance your experience. Lots of unplowed county roads & old logging roads that are no longer used.

 

[indy_500]

Can't get across the bridge for 1/4 of the season? Seriously? When has that ever been an issue? The Freda loop was knocked out because of the flooding & again, more political bureaucracy has held that up. The Chassell trail has been another political bureaucracy for years. If you want to hold that against the area and not come here, that is your prerogative. Just remember this, The tourism counsel is certainly not against snowmobilers & the snowmobile clubs bust their asses to do what they are able to. There is a lot of money spent here on the equipment & the trails to accommodate the sport to the best of their ability. Don't bash the area for trivial issues that are not in our control.

Sorry, I am by no means trying to insult or boycott the area. I absolutely love it up there and will be back to ride the Keweenaw in the near future. But there’s no denying it, looking at the different between those two screenshots of the trail maps and thinking “wow that’s absolutely crazy the difference”

 

[mezz]

Vast difference in scenery as well as snow cover. There is only so much ground that can be had by the club of which has dealt with additional difficulties due to those disobedient sledders who don't adhere to the rules & are just plain disrespectful not only to the area but to sport itself. The attitudes of the minor few have soured many landowners over the years creating limitations & yet they still have to defy the uses of areas that are known to be off limits even when it is temporary, like the bridge. The arrogance has to stop.

 

[jr37]

Vast difference in scenery as well as snow cover. There is only so much ground that can be had by the club of which has created additional difficulties due to those disobedient sledders who don't adhere to the rules & are just plain disrespectful not only to the area but to sport itself. The attitudes of the minor few have soured many landowners over the years creating limitations & yet they still have to defy the uses of areas that are known to be off limits even when it is temporary, like the bridge. The arrogance has to stop.

100% Amen!

 

[hermie]

It's this same entitlement by way too many snowmbilers now days that are costing us trails. To me it's unbelievable that you come up there knowing the bridge is closed but you feel like I deserve to be able to cross the bridge so I will just go with traffic. This is why more people need to be involved with clubs and see all the hard work it takes for us to be able to enjoy this sport. I hear so many people I am to busy to help with trails but when the snow flies they drop everything and find time to ride. Mezz thank you for trying to do what's rite and get the word out about this. Can you imagine what will happen if we loose the use of the bridge. In the end we are lucky they even let us use it. It wasn't built with money from the snowmobile funds. People really need to wake up and quit this crap.

 

[Skylar]

Bridge is down right now. Go look at the Mi Tech web cam pics.