Copper Harbor Backpack Trip Planning

gkolar

Member
Already daydreaming about a backpack ride next year.&nbsp; Leaving from Lando/Watersmeet area, 3-4 days. exp riders, sound sleds not looking to ride with the throttle taped for a 1 day there and back mega ride.&nbsp; Initial thoughts;<br>Day 1 - ride to Toivola and hit the Ontonagon area.<br>Day 2 - ride to CH, stay in CH or Calumet after a day of riding the upper UP trails<br>Day 3 - Ride to Mass City<br>Day 4 - ride back thru Presque Isle<br><br>Some questions for those who have done this:<br>Sled time/miles from Lando-Bruce Crossing-Mass City-Houghton?<br>Sled time/miles from Toivola to Houghton?<br>Sled time/miles from Houghton to CH?<br>Advise spending a night in the upper UP?<br><br>I welcome the knowledge/logistics/experience as we plan?&nbsp; Thanks
 

lofsfire

Well-known member
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<br><br>I'm sure other will add their thoughts, but the plan you have sounds very realistic. With time to explore each of the areas and not just go up and straight back. For reference myself and my to boys 11 and 14 just rode this past weekend from Twin Lakes, Mi to Copper Harbor.<br><br>Our route was as follows:<br><br>Trail 3N<br>Trail 17N<br>Back to Trail 3N to Copper Harbor<br>Tail 135S<br>Trail 132 S to Lac La Belle<br>Then back to Trail 3S<br>Trail 17S<br>back to Trail 3S Back to Krupp's<br>Actual mileage was 192.<br><br><br>With three meal stops a few other breaks on the trail, gas stops, pictures here and there, and not flying it took us from 11AM to 12:45AM.<br><br><br>Here is some more info on the ride.<br><a data-cke-saved-href="https://forum.johndee.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?59325-Ontonagen-Houghton-Keweenaw" href="https://forum.johndee.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?59325-Ontonagen-Houghton-Keweenaw">https://forum.johndee.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?59325-Ontonagen-Houghton-Keweenaw</a><br><br><br>Here is an old post with some mileage info as well.<br><a data-cke-saved-href="https://forum.johndee.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?11885-Western-UP-Feb-4-8" href="https://forum.johndee.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?11885-Western-UP-Feb-4-8">https://forum.johndee.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?11885-Western-UP-Feb-4-8</a><br><br><br>Have fun sounds like a great trip!
 

gkolar

Member
Not sure what is going on with the formatting.  Thanks for all the great info, especially the mileage from Twin Lakes to CH, that really helps me plan.  I had read somewhere on here it was around 60 miles from Houghton to CH without taking side trails.    
 

lofsfire

Well-known member
Here's the tracking route from the Polaris app. Just notice my phone died as we got to the Copper Harbor area didn't get charged back up and turned on until back in Mohawk So there's one leg that's a little goofy looking.

https://bnc.lt/RFZm/9JzqJIJyteb
 

gkolar

Member
Thanks again for all the detail.  Likely stay a couple days in Twin Lakes area, ride up just like you did.  
 

lofsfire

Well-known member
No problem, one other thing I would suggest staying somewhere north of Houghton for at least one night. If you have the time. Depending on the time of day, weather, groomer schedule, amount of traffic, etc trail 3 can get a little rough. Because it's the only trail that runs north and south in that area by Krupp's.
 
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