Big Spring/Jack Pine

E

euphoric1

Well-known member
Haven't ridden the eastern U.P. since 2010 and trying to plan rides for our trip in mid feb, if I remember correctly, we did a loop that both Big Spring and Jack Pine were on and I am looking on Mich DNR pdf maps and don't see it on there, does anyone know what the trail number or numbers that would encompass both? and a place where we could park truck and trailer and start from that would give us a day of good riding and see both places? am also looking the trail number the Eben ice caves are off of. Thank you!
 
Last edited:
heckler56

heckler56

Active member
Use the Michigan DNR map for Alger for Eben and Schoolcraft for Palm Book State Park (aka Big Springs).

Eben is a mile off of 8. By Chatham on some maps but in Eben.

As for Big Springs/Jack Pine. You could consider basing out of Buckhorn (SW of Munising off of 94). Trail 7 south towards Big Springs or split off of 7 to 411 to 2 back to 7 (Big Springs). Leaving Big Springs we catch 2 to 41 to get to Jack Pine. Leave Jack Pine catch 41 north to 8. 8 to 7 back to Buckhorn (head south on 7, not north). This round trip is roughly 140 miles if I recall.

If you are unable to park and ride from Buckhorn, consider Tanglewood in Shingleton.
 
Last edited:
E

euphoric1

Well-known member
Thank you VERY MUCH!!! I appreciate the info, 140 mi loop good! we are basing out of L'anse so will be good day ride! going to plan a few rides we will start from a drop point. gas stops on loop if needed? Thank you again!!!
 
E

euphoric1

Well-known member
Thank you! I have been looking on the DNR interactive maps by county but don't show the stops on them, was hoping to get general loop ideas from people who know the area and then I can kind of lay them out on those maps and hopefully pick up specific county maps when we are up there, instead of a folded piece of paper in the pocket lol. kevinj has also been helpful sending me copies of maps too. Its just been so long since I have ridden there I don't remember the trails, put me in the western and Kee I don't need maps.
 
G

Go Fast or Go Home

Active member
May want to check out VV Mapping. I bought a laminated spiral bound book that has every trail in Michigan and the trails are overlaid on County road maps. VV Mapping also has the same for Wisconsin.

Very nicely done and very handy.

Don~
 
W

whitedust

Well-known member
euphoric1 said:
Thank you! I have been looking on the DNR interactive maps by county but don't show the stops on them, was hoping to get general loop ideas from people who know the area and then I can kind of lay them out on those maps and hopefully pick up specific county maps when we are up there, instead of a folded piece of paper in the pocket lol. kevinj has also been helpful sending me copies of maps too. Its just been so long since I have ridden there I don't remember the trails, put me in the western and Kee I don't need maps.
Click to expand...
VV could help us chasing snow in WI for day trips.
 
heckler56

heckler56

Active member
Happy to share gas stops and points of interest if I have a rough idea of your trek. We base out ”by” Buckhorn and make our week between Big Springs, Republic, Big Bay, Grand Marais, Seney, McMillian and Tfalls.

My suggestion might be from L’Anse to Negaunee, fuel and get on 8. Take 8 through Marquette to Gwinn, fuel. If your fuel allows maybe past Gwinn to Trout Lake, fuel -food. Continue on 8 to Eben. Eben take roads for about 1 1/2 miles to Eben Falls parking, then hike. Get back on 8 to 7 to Buckhorn, fuel (food if needed). 7 to 411 to 2 back to 7, spur to Big Springs. Food and fuel at Big Springs Tavern. From there to Jack Pine (2 to 41), food and sometimes fuel. If you fueled at Buckhorn you should have no problem making it to Stuben off 41 north of Jack Pine to fuel. 41 to 8 outside Shingleton. Slightly north on the intersection of 41/8 is Tanglewood (food/fuel). Get on 8 west towards Munising/Wetmore get on spur 422 to Miners Castle. You can either go back to 8 or just before train crossing), there is a groomed trail along M28 to Wetmore leads directly to food/fuel otherwise on 8 take Spur to gas in Wetmore. Either go through town of Munising or get back on 8 to 8/7 (Buckhorn intersection). Continue west but take 7 to Christmas. Christmas food and fuel. 7 to 418 to 417 along the lake. Fuel available in Autrain. Stop at Lakenland sculpture park on 417. Moving on there is a trail by a bridge in Harvey that is groomed to fuel. Harvey trails are monitored by PD so maintain speeds and stay on trail! Once you get to outside Marquette you can stop at Marquette mountain. Link up with 8 and return how you want to L’Anse.
 
Last edited:
E

euphoric1

Well-known member
Thank you again heckler56! we will likely trailer from l'anse to Buckhorn area and start from there, where we are staying is about 5 miles from trail 14 so we are going to make so called destination trips but want to make the loop long enough to be a descent days ride. Thinking the t-falls too maybe one day. I was thinking Ishpimeng / Eben falls area one day, Big spring / Jack pine another and T-falls so and I greatly appreciate the information you have given so far, you already mentioned Buckhorn for Big Spring and Jack pine loop, can you recommend good drop points for the other two loops it would be appreciated. The other day we will likely stay in L'anse area and ride so I'm sure I can find spot there and plan on doing Mt. Arvon / Big Bay / Michigamme loop. Again Thank You for all your help!!
 
L

latner

Active member
Put Polaris Ride Command on a phone and ditch the maps. I still carry maps with me, but once you use the app you won't need the maps. You download the area you are riding in to your phone, the app uses the GPS on the phone (no cell service isn't an issue). It also shows gas and food options for the area. You can use a computer to plan a ride giving you the mileage of the route. You can also send the planned ride to your phone.
 
heckler56

heckler56

Active member
Euphoric1. Check with the casino outside Harvey and one in Christmas Mi as they may allow drop and ride. Buckhorn, Tanglewood worth a call as those owners are proactive businesses supporting snowmobilers.
We base out on 16 mile lake and will put on 1k miles in 5-6 days. The location is perfect, private and secluded (no worrys about stuff sitting out). Bad conditions we can make a quick trailer to Kingston Plains for fun. I would be happy to share with you the home we rent from along with our routine round trips (which flex for conditions and traffic).
Tfalls from our base is a 320 mile day, Big Bay 220, Republic 180-200, Big Springs - Jack Pine 140, Grand Marais 150, Seney, McMillian, etc.
 
W

WorkHardPlayHrd

Active member
You should add Miners Castle and Miners falls to your day, it can be done. We left Manistique in the morning with a 12, 13, and 15 year old driving their own sleds. Went first to big spring, then headed north to Miner's Castle and falls. The kids got a kick out of driving around the vehicles of people who tried to drive out to Miner's Castle on a closed winter road. It's about a little over half a mile walk out to the falls. Miner's Castle you drive right into the summer tourist turn around. It was getting dark when we left Miner's Castle.

Stopped at the Buckhorn for super. To this day my kids favorite place to eat and they have only been there once. Then took the railroad grade back to Manistique. Only time we got over 35 mph that day was on the grade. The 12 year old wasn't comfortable over 50 mph. That has changed she will be 18 in 12days. This isn't the route you would want to take, but the just explaining that you can add the Castle and Falls to your day if you want to. That whole loop that day was 149 miles.
 
E

euphoric1

Well-known member
WorkHardPlayHrd said:
You should add Miners Castle and Miners falls to your day, it can be done. We left Manistique in the morning with a 12, 13, and 15 year old driving their own sleds. Went first to big spring, then headed north to Miner's Castle and falls. The kids got a kick out of driving around the vehicles of people who tried to drive out to Miner's Castle on a closed winter road. It's about a little over half a mile walk out to the falls. Miner's Castle you drive right into the summer tourist turn around. It was getting dark when we left Miner's Castle.

Stopped at the Buckhorn for super. To this day my kids favorite place to eat and they have only been there once. Then took the railroad grade back to Manistique. Only time we got over 35 mph that day was on the grade. The 12 year old wasn't comfortable over 50 mph. That has changed she will be 18 in 12days. This isn't the route you would want to take, but the just explaining that you can add the Castle and Falls to your day if you want to. That whole loop that day was 149 miles.
Click to expand...
Sorry for delayed response, was out sick all last week. I had almost forgot about the castle and falls and will definitely be adding them to our trip, My wife has never seen that either, the last time I saw Miners Falls was under ice. Thanks for the recommendation/reminder, I again appreciate everyone's help and input.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top