East/Central UP Area Recommendation?

[t_man]

I've got a group that is looking for a new place to try out. We've ridden most of northern WI and the western UP, and are thinking East/Central UP would be good to try. However, none of us have ever ridden there.

Priorities:

1. Reliable snow - We're traveling from 5 different states (one guy from San Diego) with several flying. Dates aren't flexible (early February) and chasing snow becomes a big hassle.

2. Interesting riding & sites - Prefer a variety of trails vs. all railroad grades or straight logging roads, like to see interesting sites like nice landscape/lake views, waterfalls, etc.

3. Rental sleds available nearby - a couple of guys will be renting

4. Cabin / House - Much prefer this to separate hotel rooms so there is an area to hang out.

5. Dining / drinking establishments nearby - We're not into drinking and riding, so need a place we can walk to from the cabin / house.

6. Prefer 5 hours or less drive time from Milwaukee.

So, what do you guys recommend? I recall guys I know having been to Gwinn, Curtis, and Seney and liking them but I don't recall specifics. What are the areas like?

Thanks in advance.

 

[wags]

Look into Sunrise Lodge in Land O Lakes: www.sunriselodge.com I know they are in Wi but the access to Central Mi is great. There is plenty of good food and drinking in the area plus the accomidations are really good. My group rides the Central U.P out of Sunrise every year, if the snow is short which has happened you simply trailer north a bit but that has only happened once in the past 10+ years and it was a fluke thaw that year.
Oh, gas and rentals are right in town on the trail and are right on the border of the U.P. There is also the Casino in Watersmeet about 20min north of the Lodge.

 

[mikeyd]

If your looking at Curtis; try the Pine Bluff Resort, very nice new large cabins, located on Big Manistique Lake. Go north from there; Newberry, Tahquamenon Falls, Paradise, Whitefish Point. Then west to Grand Marais, south to Seney, then finish back at Curtis. Lots to see and ride between Newberry and Grand Marais.

 

[rakins800]

Ishpeming.......the Country Village Resort has clean & comfy rooms, and they also have vacation homes for rent at very reasonable prices. and they are SWEET homes too. on site Arctic Cat rentals,or a Yamaha dealer 1/4 mile west also has rentals at good prices. oh yeah, and they have a very nice micro brewery on site too......stumbling distance from the rooms or homes. and a movie theater,and a bowling alley and a.......you get the point.
I stay there often. It's right smack dab in the north/central U.P. not much traffic during the week,but weekends can get busy. from here you can go to Copper Harbor,Big Bay,L'Anse,Marquette,Munising,Grand Marai,Seney,Newberry,and Paradise.
PM me if you want more detailed info.