Backpacking the Yooper?

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tomcat

Member
I've got a group of us planning on coming up at the end of january. Planning on backpacking. So far the plan was to leave watersmeet on day one and head to Copper Harbor or Lac La belle area, day two to marquette/big bay, and day three back to watersmeet. Are these legs all feasable. Anyone got a link to online UP trail maps. We would like to be able to not book rooms ahead of time and kind of wing it incase plans change but don't know how well walk ins would work in these areas. Do places like the mariner, casino in watersmeet etc. book full alot. Any recommendations on where to stay in marquette or big bay area? On the trail and walking distance to the bar would be great. If I remember correctly there isnt a trail going from Houghton to Baraga without backtracking. I've heard that people ride the canal down but have always been iffy about doing that in the past. With this years cold is it safe to run the canal down? If its one of those "you'll be fine, just don't stop deals" we're not interested. Also, I remember a posting awhile back about someone in the UP who will pick up your broke down sled and haul it back to the trailer for you. Anyone got a number for this guy. Don't want to Jinx us but might be a good thing to have. Thanks for any information.
Tom
 
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homan

Member
All legs are fine. If you are doing this during the week you should have no problem with finding rooms. Plan ahead if on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night. In Big Bay the Thunder Bay Inn is the place to stay since you can eat, sleep and drink under one roof. Near Marquette the Country Village Resort in Ishpeming is the place to stay. The Mariner in Copper Harbor same thing.
 
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booondocker

New member
Homan gives good advice here.

Best to book ahead at the thunder bay inn as they tend to book out year after year this time.

You could spend the day riding around in the mountain country of big bay...it is beautiful scenery. Big Bay is all about snowmobiling...food, gas, mechanical help...the works. Check out the Lumberjack Tavern....where the events took place for Anatomy of a Murder film --shot on site perkins park and Thunderbay Inn.

http://www.bigbaymichigan.com/bbix3.html <<lodging in Big Bay

http://www.exploringthenorth.com/snowmobup/marquette.html << more Big Bay & Marquette

Finally>> http://www.upsnowmobiling.com/lodging/marquette
 
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opt8low

Member
You really need to check at Big Bay if you are going to stay there. As most rooms are booked with people working on getting the mine reopened up that way.

So call ahead.
 
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tomcat

Member
thanks guys, I got us some rooms in watersmeet and copper. Still looking for Friday night around Marquette/big bay area. Was gonna book the Thunder Bay but read alot of poor reviews on it. Any other recommendations? Any nightlife in Marquette? It doesn't have to be walking distance to the bars if they have cab service. Just needs to be easily accessible by trail.
 
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snolover55

Member
Stay at the Big Bay Motel. Right on trail, gas and cafe next door, bars right down the road a couple blocks. 906-345-9444.A lot of the contractors staying in town working at the mine are staying in rental properties in the area, so not true that everything is booked up. Link to their website is there on the webcam, which you can access on the NCN.
 
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agriffinjd

New member
tomcat said:
I've got a group of us planning on coming up at the end of january. Planning on backpacking. So far the plan was to leave watersmeet on day one and head to Copper Harbor or Lac La belle area, day two to marquette/big bay, and day three back to watersmeet. Are these legs all feasable. Anyone got a link to online UP trail maps. We would like to be able to not book rooms ahead of time and kind of wing it incase plans change but don't know how well walk ins would work in these areas. Do places like the mariner, casino in watersmeet etc. book full alot. Any recommendations on where to stay in marquette or big bay area? On the trail and walking distance to the bar would be great. If I remember correctly there isnt a trail going from Houghton to Baraga without backtracking. I've heard that people ride the canal down but have always been iffy about doing that in the past. With this years cold is it safe to run the canal down? If its one of those "you'll be fine, just don't stop deals" we're not interested. Also, I remember a posting awhile back about someone in the UP who will pick up your broke down sled and haul it back to the trailer for you. Anyone got a number for this guy. Don't want to Jinx us but might be a good thing to have. Thanks for any information.
Tom
Click to expand...
Trail Maps: http://www.fishweb.com/recreation/snowmobile/trails/

Holiday Inn would work. Marquette has 2 taxi companies. You can get rides downtown and hit the Portside for good food and drink. Lots of other options.

Ishpeming has 2 Best Westerns that are good. They may be the same entity though, but might be called Country Village Inn and Jasper Inn or something like that.
 
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tomcat

Member
I think I'm just going to leave Friday open sounds like lots of options over by Marquette to stay I would think I should be able to find something short notice thanks for all the info
 
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Mark@TimberlineSports

New member
We also have a gentleman in our area that will pick-up or drop off on any of your route.

His Name is Phil and his number is 906 285-2352

-Mark
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