We were in the western UP/Keweenaw for a week of riding. We covered many, many miles of very, very good groomed trails. I don't like to do this type of report, but after several years (4 straight) of the same terrible trail conditions around the Berland/Gogebic area, I have to. The groomers in that area are absolutely bad. Many people that we talked with had the same results, and exact thoughts. All of the 3 connecting "groomer groups" that we rode do a great job. You will know exactly where they change off grooming. This reminds us of the trail conditions in the Munising area several years ago. We quit going there also. I belong to a club that grooms some of the highest traffic ares in the UP, and know what it takes to do so. We've heard all of the excuses for Gogebic, and none are valid. They just don't groom, period. Even the highly traveled area of trail 3 going to the Kewee was in very good condition compared to the Gogebic area grooming. We will no longer go to Bergland, or any where close to the Gogebic area. There is so much more "UP" there to enjoy. No bull, just fact.
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Bergland/Gogebic area
- Thread starter old abe
- Start date
D
Deleted member 10829
Guest
We were up there the 8th-12th and had not a bump on their trails. Only issues were Rockland side of 13 and Twin Lakes side of 13 loop, otherwise perfect all over. I have the complete opposite experience as you do and I go up there 3-5 times a year and base out of Gogebic. Believe me, at my age we only look for groomed trails and we have no complaints in that area.
We were in the western UP/Keweenaw for a week of riding. We covered many, many miles of very, very good groomed trails. I don't like to do this type of report, but after several years (4 straight) of the same terrible trail conditions around the Berland/Gogebic area, I have to. The groomers in that area are absolutely bad. Many people that we talked with had the same results, and exact thoughts. All of the 3 connecting "groomer groups" that we rode do a great job. You will know exactly where they change off grooming. This reminds us of the trail conditions in the Munising area several years ago. We quit going there also. I belong to a club that grooms some of the highest traffic ares in the UP, and know what it takes to do so. We've heard all of the excuses for Gogebic, and none are valid. They just don't groom, period. Even the highly traveled area of trail 3 going to the Kewee was in very good condition compared to the Gogebic area grooming. We will no longer go to Bergland, or any where close to the Gogebic area. There is so much more "UP" there to enjoy. No bull, just fact.
I have not been near Gogebic Lake in years as I too like the much more frequent grooming of the B/N north. I don't know how they do it since the snow is the deepest in the UP but I respect it, likely the best grooming anywhere.
Bear
We were up there the 8th-12th and had not a bump on their trails. Only issues were Rockland side of 13 and Twin Lakes side of 13 loop, otherwise perfect all over. I have the complete opposite experience as you do and I go up there 3-5 times a year and base out of Gogebic. Believe me, at my age we only look for groomed trails and we have no complaints in that area.
I don't like to report this as we are very forgiving club members. What I posted has been our experience the last four trips to that area. The excuses we have been told is what bothers me most. We have heard the same from many others, this year, and prior also. I'm glad to here that your trip was not as ours, and hope we were just unfortunate in the timing. Been going there since 1979.
Just got back yesterday from the UP. Stayed at the lodge on sw part of lake Gogebic, Wednesday evening rode trail 1 down to 2 back up 13 and to 8 into Bergland. Took the lake to the Hoop and the lake back to the Lodge. Other than the first 10 miles of 13 it was all good. Thursday took 1 up to the Hoop and had something to eat and heard they had a groomers meeting that morning and it was a little heated. One groomer operator and one mechanic got let go. Didn't know you could fire volunteers. Anyway took 8 to BC, then 3 to Mass City, 12 to Ontonagon to White Pine then 1 down to the Hoop where we took lake back to the lodge. 1 on west side of lake was good, 8 was choppy until Ewen, then got smooth. 3 was very good, 12 was good except the last 6 miles to white pine, and 1 was bumpy all the way back to the hoop from White pine. Took the lake back to the lodge and most of us were running hot, I was at 181 degrees when pulled up to cabin. Friday only rode 1 down to Marenisco and back because of the rain. Trail was good with a few bare spots. Interesting to see what happens after they get cold and snow again.
Go Fast or Go Home
Active member
Our group of 10 riders no longer go anywhere near the Gogebic area.
To many other areas in the State that are able to get grooming right.
Don~
To many other areas in the State that are able to get grooming right.
Don~
Our group of 10 riders no longer go anywhere near the Gogebic area.
To many other areas in the State that are able to get grooming right.
Don~
Those are our exact thoughts Don. justride, Ewin is where the groomers switch. Gogebic to the west, and rough, SnoValley riders to the east and smooooth!!!
polarisman_98
Member
Same here old abe. We try to avoid Bergland/Gogebic when we go UP. We drive right on by stay to the north. It's unfortunate because it can be a beautiful area but I refuse to beat myself up on 2'-3' moguls when other areas are smooth. (I'm not criticizing them about this week though...obviously they get a pass this crappy week).
D
Deleted member 10829
Guest
I must just get lucky. I can't remember the last time they had 2-3' moguls. Now 10+ years ago, that's another story. Always seems to be more people in that area than anywhere in Western UP.
polarisman_98
Member
I do agree with you there spease. I know that area gets absolutely pounded by everyone and their brother. It seems they have way more traffic than further north, which can be hard to keep up with.
Mike wagner
Member
It's just funny to me to hear people complain about the trails when for the last week and a half all the people from U.P. there have been saying to stay off the trails and grooming will not be possible for the warm up. I mean if you do a little research and read reviews you can find out what is going on. I know people have trips planned and it's hard to change vacations but you can always make the best of it. I don't do much trail riding anymore but when I do to connect to the good spots the whoops r what's fun. Otherwise it's just the same old trail!!! For warm days like that it's fun to go explore the logging roads and see what is out there and just get stuck in the middle of nowhere. That is if you know where to go and not trespass. That is a major no no! But usually bars or most of the local people are all so nice and if you kindly ask they can point you in right direction. It also helps to know a lot of them up there!!! Bergland has always been great area whenever I go up and I never have any complaints about it. I know bergland is a big hot spot for trails so it's usually pretty busy especially when nowhere else has snow. You just gota take the trip for what it's worth. I guess if you like blasting down the trail at 80+ and don't like the moguls then that's another story. But that's when it's fun!!!
8
800etec
Guest
I agree with Mike and Spease,I think they are doing better than the past years. I guess to each his own. I try to make the best of my time off.
I talked with a friend of mine today, who is a club member to the south of Gogebic area, and he agreed with everything we had found up there. He was in the Hoop 2 weeks ago, and they are well aware of the problems/grooming. Some of which can be excused, but most cannot. He said he is sure they're going to be some big changes for the better in the Gogebic grooming area. I sure hope he is right. It was very obvious to us that some of the trails we found had not been groomed in very long period of time.
Bergland has been hit and miss for our group. I do enjoy the Hoop/BBB/ and Gogebic Lodge (only stay at the lodge if the lake is rideable or it is a ghost town). I prefer staying just a little North of there in Rockland/Mass/Greenland area, much more snow and in the middle of heading South to Gogebic and heading North to Houghton. Of course we like to ride a lot of side trails and logging roads so we don't cover tons of miles on the grade.
We are up in Bergland now. Although the rental facilities will be happy to send sleds out, they have no business doing so. The trails are a disaster. It has snowed a maximum of an inch in the past two days. Sleds on trailer and we're heading north today. Do not waste your time and money coming here until they get a real measurable snowfall.
polarisman_98
Member
We are up in Bergland now. Although the rental facilities will be happy to send sleds out, they have no business doing so. The trails are a disaster. It has snowed a maximum of an inch in the past two days. Sleds on trailer and we're heading north today. Do not waste your time and money coming here until they get a real measurable snowfall.
Could you post updates after you ride? Heading up Monday morning. Basing out of Mass. Thanks
Parked in Greenland, rode up to Lake Linden. Trails were 5 out of 10. Turned around where 17 met 3 where it got horrible heading north. Came back down 3. Trails were now 4 out of 10. Basically the entire area has two inches of sugar on top of a mogul base. Groomers can smooth out the sugar but its pretty much a lost cause.
polarisman_98
Member
Parked in Greenland, rode up to Lake Linden. Trails were 5 out of 10. Turned around where 17 met 3 where it got horrible heading north. Came back down 3. Trails were now 4 out of 10. Basically the entire area has two inches of sugar on top of a mogul base. Groomers can smooth out the sugar but its pretty much a lost cause.
Thanks
D
Deleted member 10829
Guest
Got here yesterday, not very good! Trails were rough and sugary, but snowing hard now, but they need quite a bit. Having breakfast at the cabin and then will head to the groomer shed in Bergland and follow the groomer if they went out. Will update tonight.