Backpack trip Munising to Copper Harbor

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arctic600cat

New member
Im not sure if this is the right place to post but this is where I always start!! We are starting to plan a trip possibly starting in Munising and riding to the peninsula ride two days and ride back to Munising. Has anybody accomplished this? If so how long? Anybody that rides up there normally could make any suggestions on where to stay, eat, how far between gas stops? We are planning on riding 4-5 days.
 
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Rupp Collector

Active member
My wife and I have ridden from Newberry to Copper Harbor and back several times. Try to take a different route each time. We've done it in 4 days with no problem. I think it's about 1100 miles round trip. You could shave approx 200 off that by starting in Munising.
 
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anonomoose

New member
While this trip would be fun and can be done, the time of the year could make or break the trip.

Early January...probably not. Late January early to mid feb is likely to be the time to do it.
 
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kennybtrail1

New member
I do not know what way you go but there is no way it is even close to 900 miles at most round trip it is 400 miles and that is even a high guess. I can do White Pine to Copper Harbor in about 6 hours and that is with stops.
 
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garageguy

Well-known member
Munising to Big Bay, gas and motel there. Big Bay to Houghton gas and lots of places to stay. Houghton to Copper Harbor lots to see and do, gas and motels there. Copper to Iron river gas and motels. Iron river to Munising. All Days around 200 mi. Some grades thats the way it is.
 
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bluetoysguy

New member
just east of Marquette can get thin on snow from time to time, but this trip is doable. There is a fair amount of train grade, but there are options for loops with twisties if you like. Make sure to head up to Big Bay and through the Huron Mtns. Here's what I would suggest-Munising to L'Anse, L'Anse to South Range (stay at Wildlife Refuge Cabins), stay two night there (easy ride to the Harbor and back from there in a day). Then back to Ispheming, and half a day back to Munising from there. Great trip-you would have probably 700-800 miles in four and a half days. Gas is not a problem if you have modern sleds. Too many awesome places to eat and stop to even begin to list. This will be an awesome trip that you will never forget.
 
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anonomoose

New member
bluetoysguy said:
just east of Marquette can get thin on snow from time to time, but this trip is doable. There is a fair amount of train grade, but there are options for loops with twisties if you like. Make sure to head up to Big Bay and through the Huron Mtns. Here's what I would suggest-Munising to L'Anse, L'Anse to South Range (stay at Wildlife Refuge Cabins), stay two night there (easy ride to the Harbor and back from there in a day). Then back to Ispheming, and half a day back to Munising from there. Great trip-you would have probably 700-800 miles in four and a half days. Gas is not a problem if you have modern sleds. Too many awesome places to eat and stop to even begin to list. This will be an awesome trip that you will never forget.
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If you have never done this one, it alone is worth the trip. Nothin quite like the high country and depending upon the time of winter, some of the deepest snow available. Be sure to leave some extra time so that you don't feel the need to blast thru just to "get there"....you will miss a bunch of beautiful scenery if you do.
 
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xc500mod

Member
anonomoose said:
If you have never done this one, it alone is worth the trip. Nothin quite like the high country and depending upon the time of winter, some of the deepest snow available. Be sure to leave some extra time so that you don't feel the need to blast thru just to "get there"....you will miss a bunch of beautiful scenery if you do.
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I am glad this post came up. We were planning to ride out of munising for the first time this year. We would like to do some off trail riding, on trail riding and bar stool riding at night.

So, munising to the huron mountains is a must? are there places to stay in that area, how about off trail riding? I don't doubt that we'll find bar stools to ride (after the sleds are parked of course).

thanks
 
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anonomoose

New member
Big bay is a nice stop over with hotel and bar and motel and a sled friendly town. This is at the foot of some pretty nice riding...spending the day and back to Big Bay again is not at all out of the ordinary.

It is worth doing.
 
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ragex2

Member
huron mts is trail between BB and Lanse. you would have to stay in big bay or lanse/baraga. we stay at casino in baraga, other places too. snow is usually thin thru town but its only a few miles.
 
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anonomoose

New member
I would hang tight to the right on 14/310 to big bay eat gas up and rest up there. Then back the 310 to 14 and on to Lanse...no gas or food along that stretch but it is pretty and lots of twisties and since it is high elevation tons of snow.

It is at least 100 miles so be sure you have fueled up to the top...or carry a spare can.
 
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rodehard

New member
Maybe someone connected with the trail system through L'Anse can comment. I got a new Marquette map at the snowmobile show and it looks like a reroute through L'Anse. The good news is that you would not have to run your sled on the bare parking lots, etc but the bad news is that you would no longer pass gas stations.

Can any locals comment?
 
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