zimmer1310
Member
A group of us are thinking about going backpacking from Lake Gogebic over to Big Bay? Any particular trails and places to stay along the way that people recommend? We are thinking 2 days out and 2 days back. Appreciate it.
Backpack Trip in the UP
- Thread starter zimmer1310
- Start date
T
Team Elkhorn
Guest
zimmer, since no one has chimed in, I'll try to help you out. Don't know If you have done back pack trips before, first I'd suggest to ride during the week to guarantee you find rooms. Also I'd follow a route that has snowmobile dealers along the way, (keep in mind you'll be two days away from your trailer). Having said that, (I've tagged along on more than a few backpack trips in the UP), I would ride up to Houghton/Hancock, We've stayed at the Ramada many times. www.ramadahancock.com There's plenty of good places to eat and sled dealers nearby if you need them.
The next day you can head east towards Big Bay or Ishpeming. We've stayed at the Jasper Ridge Inn. www.countryvillagresort.com Food, dealers and gas nearby. There are a few motels in Big Bay that I heard are nice, also. As for routes, grab some maps and pick one. Its all good (as long as they're groomed).
Trail 14 is nice, (between Baraga and Big Bay). There are plenty of loop trails if you want longer days. Someone else might chime in with other suggestions. Hope I was helpful.
The next day you can head east towards Big Bay or Ishpeming. We've stayed at the Jasper Ridge Inn. www.countryvillagresort.com Food, dealers and gas nearby. There are a few motels in Big Bay that I heard are nice, also. As for routes, grab some maps and pick one. Its all good (as long as they're groomed).
Trail 14 is nice, (between Baraga and Big Bay). There are plenty of loop trails if you want longer days. Someone else might chime in with other suggestions. Hope I was helpful.
Zimmer,
We used to go up to Big Bay every year and spend a couple of nights there. From Lake Gogebic you have two good options. As said by RP7x, it is only a one day trip so i will give you some sightseeing options. From Lake Gogebic stay on 8until it heads North and becomes 8/15 follow that trail until it returns to 8 traveling East. you will need to gas up in Michigamee and you can grab a small snack there too. Continue East until you hit 5 head North until you hit 310 and follow that into Big Bay. In Big Bay the Picture Bay motel is a little outside of town and very rustic. In town I would stay at the Big Bay motel very new and modern. Dinner at the top of the hill and the Big Bay Inn, excellent pizza. Breakfast behind the gas station at the Hungry Hollow, excellent omelettes and biscuits and gravy. Alternative route up would be the same route except stay on 15 and go into L'Anse, no need to go into Baraga. You can gas up in L'anse and get a small bite to eat there. we usually just stop at Subway. From L'anse follow 14 to 5 to 310 into Big Bay. On the way stop at Mount Arvon, the highest point in the UP and sign the guest book if you can. The second day work your way to Marquette it is a loop from 310 back down 5 east on 8 into Marquette. go through Marquette through harvey and Chocolay township. About 10 miles past Harvey you will run into Lakanen Land a must stop attraction. You can eat anywhere in Marquette. On the way back take 8 up to Big Bay. It is a big loop easily done in a day, just look at the map. Advice is every time you can get gas and are less than 3/4 full fill up at the gas station. There are many alternate routes, but that is one of our favoriters. Lakanaen Land is a neat place that has had an article in Snowgoer a few years ago. We found it by accident coming from Munsiing to Big bay. On the way from Big Bay to Lake Gogebic take the opposit route that you did not take on the way up.
We used to go up to Big Bay every year and spend a couple of nights there. From Lake Gogebic you have two good options. As said by RP7x, it is only a one day trip so i will give you some sightseeing options. From Lake Gogebic stay on 8until it heads North and becomes 8/15 follow that trail until it returns to 8 traveling East. you will need to gas up in Michigamee and you can grab a small snack there too. Continue East until you hit 5 head North until you hit 310 and follow that into Big Bay. In Big Bay the Picture Bay motel is a little outside of town and very rustic. In town I would stay at the Big Bay motel very new and modern. Dinner at the top of the hill and the Big Bay Inn, excellent pizza. Breakfast behind the gas station at the Hungry Hollow, excellent omelettes and biscuits and gravy. Alternative route up would be the same route except stay on 15 and go into L'Anse, no need to go into Baraga. You can gas up in L'anse and get a small bite to eat there. we usually just stop at Subway. From L'anse follow 14 to 5 to 310 into Big Bay. On the way stop at Mount Arvon, the highest point in the UP and sign the guest book if you can. The second day work your way to Marquette it is a loop from 310 back down 5 east on 8 into Marquette. go through Marquette through harvey and Chocolay township. About 10 miles past Harvey you will run into Lakanen Land a must stop attraction. You can eat anywhere in Marquette. On the way back take 8 up to Big Bay. It is a big loop easily done in a day, just look at the map. Advice is every time you can get gas and are less than 3/4 full fill up at the gas station. There are many alternate routes, but that is one of our favoriters. Lakanaen Land is a neat place that has had an article in Snowgoer a few years ago. We found it by accident coming from Munsiing to Big bay. On the way from Big Bay to Lake Gogebic take the opposit route that you did not take on the way up.
I have not ridden that exact route LG to Big Bay but I would think no more that 1 day ride unless you slow way down on the grades. For me I fly on 8/15 LG to Sidnaw lov it for power cruising on the big Yam 4s going east & never been held up by traffic. Going west more traffic & you can get stuck behind slower riders so remember that on return loop.
I have done that trip and use every trail up there...they are all good! Ramada in Houghton/Hancock is alot of fun. It seems to be a big snowmobile destination. Went in the middle of the week and it was elbow to elbow with nothing more than snowmobiliers! Had a great night! We have had breakdowns up there and the locals as well as the dealers are use to it. I think we waited about 30 minutes and one of the dealers up had a truck to us and the sled back on the trail in about an hour (Yamaha chain case bearings).
T
Team Elkhorn
Guest
Yep, you can make it out to Big Bay in a day, but why not make a few stops along the way to "see stuff"? If they spend a night in the Houghton area they could loop up into the Keweenaw. Next day ride towards Ishpeming, maybe do the loop around Gwinn. Trail 5 that goes through Republic is one of my favorite trails. It follows a power line up and over hills with twists and turns, awesome! Then stop and see Lakenenland on the way out to Munising and see Pictured rocks, very nice. Then head back to Big Bay, there is a trail south of Big Bay that is groomed both directions with a center divider, (don't remember the trail #) but its sweet! With all the snow Big Bay gets, its like a bobsled run. Then head back, trail 14 is real nice. As others have said you can make it back in a day, and you would have gotten to see stuff, other than a bunch of trees going by at a high rate of speed. Riding in the UP is like riding in a little piece of heaven, why drive like **** through it? Just sayin...
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Dave
Enjoying life at a more geeserly pace
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Dave
Enjoying life at a more geeserly pace
T
Team Elkhorn
Guest
WOO HOO! I have money for a few trips this year. We can talk when it gets closer to the season. I guess its been a few years since I've been to Big Bay, seriously, they changed the bobsled run? Bummer.
pwolfy2003
Member
its only a little over 100 miles depending on which route you take . ya like they suggested do some loops or continue on to the east toward Marquette then go south down to iron mountain and back west. to iron river, watersmeet . a lot of trails branch off in all directions too.
zimmer1310
Member
thanks guys. appreciate the information. the group is looking forward to it.
D
Deleted member 10829
Guest
Since you are doing 2 days out and 2 days back, I would go up to Copper Harbor the first night and stay at the Mariner North. You can do some sight seeing on the way up and then head to Big Bay the next day and have 2 days to get back to LG, which would leave you options for those 2 days. Have fun!
Here is a useful backpacking trip. I try to limit the distance to a hundred miles or so per day. Shoot to be at your destination by 6 p.m. Here is why: If someone's sled blows up or crashes or some other mishap happens you will not end up on a **** ride arriving at 3am completely exhausted. Remember - just because you arrive at your destination does not mean you have to stop riding! There are plenty of loops and areas to explore wherever you go. My group would never heed my advice planning long days and sure enough a sled would blow up or something. It was horrible. Now the guys don't want to back pack anymore. As we all know, adversity is part of snowmobiling. If you plan ahead for it you can have a wonderful experience. ...and of course most likely nothing will go wrong. So drop off your stuff and go out for an evening ride!
Tip 2: If you go on a weekend (fri-sat) you will have to book your rooms in advance. This is when the above advice is really important. If you are winging it during the week I would determine your destination around 2-3 pm. Give them a call - make sure there are rooms. Again, don't plan on arriving too late just in case.
Tip 3 - I found that you don't need to pack a lot of stuff. Packing list: Clean socks, clean underwear, clean t-shirts, toothbrush, floss, slippers. That about it. I wear slippers when in my hotel building and my riding boots everywhere else. if you want to be industious a rathchet and sockets for changing carbides should the need arise.
I *love* backpacking. Have fun!
Tip 2: If you go on a weekend (fri-sat) you will have to book your rooms in advance. This is when the above advice is really important. If you are winging it during the week I would determine your destination around 2-3 pm. Give them a call - make sure there are rooms. Again, don't plan on arriving too late just in case.
Tip 3 - I found that you don't need to pack a lot of stuff. Packing list: Clean socks, clean underwear, clean t-shirts, toothbrush, floss, slippers. That about it. I wear slippers when in my hotel building and my riding boots everywhere else. if you want to be industious a rathchet and sockets for changing carbides should the need arise.
I *love* backpacking. Have fun!