First time riding Watersmeet and East

[minnesotarock]

We usually ride between Mass City and Calumet. Trying something new and headed to Watersmeet at the end of the month. Thought we'd ride East from there. Any must sees? Any trails to avoid? How does it compare to the Western UP? What type of terrain are the trails? We like to get off trail a bit, but nothing worthy of posting a video. thanks.

 

[bobsledder]

Watersmeet and East

Last winter a bud and I spent 5 days traveling by sled around the western half of the UP. We rode from Marquette on Lake Superior to Escanaba on Lake Michigan. Trail 8 and 33 were wonderful, 8-10 of new snow and we were the first sleds through most of it. Trail 16 that runs east to Escanaba is a grade and once you get to town you are at a hotel on the edge of a city and have to walk from there.
Very scenic trails through central UP however not many people or services. Keep track of distances, gas and maps. If you love to ride central UP is great when there is snow. If you like pit stops then stay south along the WI border.
Bob

 

[edmarino]

Most trail riding east of Watersmeet is R.R. grade until you get around Republic. Like Bob said there isn't much around so watch your gas. There is enough if you don't pass any up. Have a good time an enjoy the trip.

 

[beakjones]

tech

Trails 5 and 14 in Marquette county are mostly very technical, lots of ups downs lefts and rights and they never seem to stop. This is my main riding grounds and I can say that 150 miles here feels like 300 in a lot of other areas; especially if you ride aggressively. If you don't like that much technical riding stick to trail 8, pretty flat and pretty straight, still a good time of course. There are a couple of power lines for off-trail, snow conditions might warrant at least a 136" track - I ride a 144" x 2" and usually don't get stuck. There are all sorts of hazards that can eat an a-arm or rod for lunch, but the recent thaw has setup the base pretty nicely.

 

[whitedust]

There are plenty of twistys going north of trail 2 west & east of Iron River but not much gas or anything else. Off trail not much... most terrain very wooded not many breaks or opens areas & always less snow than WUP. A few smaller lakes to play on but ice iffy this year. You do need to plan know your range & hit your gas stops. I ride that area a lot alone & often get on trails that will have nothing for 50 miles or so. Know you sled & don't take a sled with problems no help no cell phone coverage. Totally different than Mass City to Calumet run much more remote so do your homework but very pretty area & trails.

 

[dfattack]

This is where I do most of my riding since I'm based in Spread Eagle, WI. I ride to Watersmeet regularly via trail 2. You can get east fairly quick since it's an old railroad grade. You have gas opportunities in Iron river, Amasa, Crystal Falls and Florence depending on how long you stay on Trail 2. There are two more gas stations just off the trail (2) if you continue east of Florence towards Iron Mountain. Before you cross the bridge crossing the Menominee river into Michigan there are two more gas stations. The signs may say R&S Liquors and something else, but it's not directly on the trail. This is where I gas up if I head east from my place. Forgive me, but I don't have my trail maps with me since I'm not at the lake house so I can't give you some trail numbers.

There is a trail that heads north from Trail 2 before you get to Iron River towards Amasa that I like (faster pace similar to White pine area trails). From Amasa you could head down towards Crystal Falls. This trail is tighter with some twisties but not too tiring. I like Trail 5 from Iron Mountain up to Republic and all the way up to Trail 14, one of my favorites. Trail 14 runs from Big Bay to L'Anse. You should be able to make it from the Gas stations I referred to all the way to Koski Corner, which is at the Junction of M95 and 41. There is also a Diner at this intersection. The first time it's a little tricky getting there from the trail so if you are interested in this location let me know.

If you continue past Iron Mountain on Trail 2 there is a nice trail that heads north past Loretto that will take you to Cass Junction. You can then head back west to Trail 5 which will intersect just north of Iron Mountain.

Usually there is less snow in the central section of the UP than in the western part, but once you get up into the Big Bay/Republic area the snow tends to be more similar to the western section. Not much off trail riding either.

There are more suggestions if you are interested.