Future of little u.p town

[Modman440]

This is something I've thought about for a long time wanted to see if anyone else shares my thoughts. I love trout lake its a huge part of my life but every year it seems that a new buisness opens And closes its doors. My uncle is on the town committee and they have talked about this before. But if a well dug in buisness moves into the town with a good reputation and a good set of skills could it slowly turn the town around. I grew up in trout lake basically many long summer weeks at the house fishing Frenchman lake and riding the trails all winter long this house has been in my family since 78 and I will pass it along just the same. But will there always be a town with things have been going word is we may loose the local post office si if your in trout lake stop in buy stamps And support them they need the help. But what's next the iga or one of our two remaining gas stations it worries me that my kids won't get to enjoy those things if buisnesses don't get more customers or if tourism doesn't pick up in the smaller towns I'm only talking bout our small town are others feeling like trout lake. I remember the first time I road my own sled and driving up that weekend there were lines of trailers the hotels were packed sleds everywhere the bars were packed waiting 20 min to fuel up because the lines were so long man where are those days I have not seen trout lake like that in a long time. So do the snow dance and ride. Ride like never before and support the locals there gonna need it after how last year turned out.

- RIDE GREEN -

 

[Rupp Collector]

It's been tough sled'n around that part of the UP the last few years. Snow has been nearly nonexistant with warmer temps and open swamps. We had a large group years ago that went to Yogi's and spent a week. Would be hard to accomadate us now with all the closings. Came through there a couple weeks ago. One bar left, two gas stations and that's about it. It's really sad. When the kids were just old enough to ride their own sleds we experienced packed establishments, waiting in line was expected and the trails were trashed shortly after noon. Now no waiting in line, and the trails hold up much longer, even on the weekends. The last year of good snows across the Superior zone, we rode from Grand Marais to Brimley and back with only 6 sleds sighted. Just amazing.

 

[whitedust]

Everybody rides WUPMI mostly trail 3 to the Kee. Plenty of other trails & towns but seems riders new to the UP stay on the same trails every trip. I don't know why riders don't try new areas but they don't? For me I ride into the remote areas noth of Iron River & very little traffic even on weekends!

 

[Modman440]

Its really sad in my eyes cause even if we get pounded with snow its mostly locals

 

[snoluver1]

I understand the hardship on local businesses sucks, but man it sounds like a dream come true for sledders!

 

[anonomoose]

Nice little town and yes it is shrinking, like so many others are. But times are changing...like the computer age....you either change or get left behind.

You have to fight for the right to exist. By that I mean, you can't just hang a shingle out and expect folks to come around like years ago. A strong promotion of the town is important. Web presents is a must, and the town needs to take a pro-active approach to promoting itself.

The days of hanging out a sign and hoping folks will drive thru and stop just doesn't work....you have to build what you want with both local support and state if you can get it.

Hunting used to be a big business....now it is nearly dead. Fishing can be good but when was the last time you heard about a fishing tournament going on? People want to have fun...and will still spend some money doing it but they have all sorts of places tugging at the wallet.

Solid concerted effort from the town can make a huge difference and then you still need to have some luck with the weather.

Ice fishing, snowmobiling....dune riding, blueberry picking....and lots of participation from local business can turn things around. But you have to go at this like a war...because it is just that complicated. I have been thru that town 500 times...maybe more....and the huge motel down the road sits with nothing going on....the lumber yard was empty until someone finally grabbed it up...but there needs to be solid local support for this effort. While you will never get 100 per cent, the more who chip in to help and support the cause the more a town like this gets noticed and will emerge alive and well.

While gas prices certainly hurt the tourist trade, I really believe that it takes more than to kill a town.

 

[whitedust]

Nice little town and yes it is shrinking, like so many others are. But times are changing...like the computer age....you either change or get left behind.

You have to fight for the right to exist. By that I mean, you can't just hang a shingle out and expect folks to come around like years ago. A strong promotion of the town is important. Web presents is a must, and the town needs to take a pro-active approach to promoting itself.

The days of hanging out a sign and hoping folks will drive thru and stop just doesn't work....you have to build what you want with both local support and state if you can get it.

Hunting used to be a big business....now it is nearly dead. Fishing can be good but when was the last time you heard about a fishing tournament going on? People want to have fun...and will still spend some money doing it but they have all sorts of places tugging at the wallet.

Solid concerted effort from the town can make a huge difference and then you still need to have some luck with the weather.

Ice fishing, snowmobiling....dune riding, blueberry picking....and lots of participation from local business can turn things around. But you have to go at this like a war...because it is just that complicated. I have been thru that town 500 times...maybe more....and the huge motel down the road sits with nothing going on....the lumber yard was empty until someone finally grabbed it up...but there needs to be solid local support for this effort. While you will never get 100 per cent, the more who chip in to help and support the cause the more a town like this gets noticed and will emerge alive and well.

While gas prices certainly hurt the tourist trade, I really believe that it takes more than to kill a town.

So true not online these days you will die for sure. People like pictures & want to be sold before they even consider an area. They want to see modern rooms with flat screen TVs groomed trails with lots of snow or they will not venture into unknown areas. Currently riders know WUPMI will have snow, groom is good & many nice places to stay. Roll back to mid 90s & most riders stayed in northern WI felt safe there with good trails & motels UP was viewed as a bit risky & remote. Too me northern WI was too dense in mid 90s so went to WUP but stayed away from anything west or south Bergland. Silver City, White Pine was popping back then Mass City, Twin Lakes only crowded on weekends & that was in the bars at lunch time trails were not crowded but groom was horrible back then so afternoon ride back was fun but you knew you had to gut it out. Silver City, White Pine not doing so well now days but Greenland, Mass City, Twin Lakes & the Kee is the new hot spot to ride as riders keep moving north. JDSC has a lot to do with that with many area pictures that convince riders to give the area a try. The power of the cloud!

 

[Admin]

So true not online these days you will die for sure. People like pictures & want to be sold before they even consider an area. They want to see modern rooms with flat screen TVs groomed trails with lots of snow or they will not venture into unknown areas. Currently riders know WUPMI will have snow, groom is good & many nice places to stay. Roll back to mid 90s & most riders stayed in northern WI felt safe there with good trails & motels UP was viewed as a bit risky & remote. Too me northern WI was too dense in mid 90s so went to WUP but stayed away from anything west or south Bergland. Silver City, White Pine was popping back then Mass City, Twin Lakes only crowded on weekends & that was in the bars at lunch time trails were not crowded but groom was horrible back then so afternoon ride back was fun but you knew you had to gut it out. Silver City, White Pine not doing so well now days but Greenland, Mass City, Twin Lakes & the Kee is the new hot spot to ride as riders keep moving north. JDSC has a lot to do with that with many area pictures that convince riders to give the area a try. The power of the cloud!

Anyone looking to have the trails practically to themselves, just spend the night in Copper Harbor, wake up and hit all the loops up that way before 9 am. A huge chunk of the riders going to the harbor these days are the big mile riders that start out in places like N. WI or areas like Gogebic/Ironwood. Ride there for lunch and then head back. Well groomed trails and sled technology allowing those big mile days.

-John

 

[whitedust]

Agee John but they don't ride into Amasa & Republic neat areas like that. Snow pretty good nice twisty trails but few riders. No online promotion so no people. IMO

 

[Admin]

I'm sure you are right whitedust. I have never ridden in those areas before. I just wanted to give a little heads up on what might be a little-known secret about riding up this way. The harbor can be pretty quiet many nights. Different story during the day.

It's too bad that any area has to suffer, but I guess times change and so do the way things happen.

-John

 

[whitedust]

Seems to me most riders on 3 north, 8 west of Sidnaw & 2 but not east of Watersmeet & all trails in between those main trail grades. Amasa & Republic maybe 30-40 miles east in the interior nice pine & hardwood trails well groomed but not grades more like an extension of WI without the traffic. To me should be ridden just to see the area & get away from the main grades with all the traffic then help support Ma & Pa buy their burger & gas.

 

[favoritos]

Anyone looking to have the trails practically to themselves, just spend the night in Copper Harbor, wake up and hit all the loops up that way before 9 am. A huge chunk of the riders going to the harbor these days are the big mile riders that start out in places like N. WI or areas like Gogebic/Ironwood. Ride there for lunch and then head back. Well groomed trails and sled technology allowing those big mile days.

-John

Dang John,

You are not supposed to break out those secrets.

Tell them to go toward Big Bay. They have more snow.



To the original post. I have not been to Trout Lake, but I love communities with atmosphere. It sounds like that might be a good place to visit. Good people = good times. There is a reason I have been riding the U.P.

 

[homan]

Unfortunately the entire Eastern UP has had poor snowcover the last three years. The Eastern UP has great trails that are well groomed IF they get snow.

 

[ffemt]

Whitedust SSSSSHHHHHHH I ride that way when I have to ride on weekends !!!! Usually I go mid week and last year they did a great job on the two weekends I was in that area!!!

 

[mxzbearcat]

We have tried to stay in Trout Lake the past three years but ended up having to go all the way to Grand Marias due to snow conditions. Would love to stay there coming from Ohio we try to cut as much drive time as possible to ride the U.P.

 

[whitedust]

Whitedust SSSSSHHHHHHH I ride that way when I have to ride on weekends !!!! Usually I go mid week and last year they did a great job on the two weekends I was in that area!!!

I'm worried if the area does not get more riders what little is there will die. I don't want to start carrying gas again like back with 2003 doo 800 due to range problems. My GT Apex Attak corrected that but I can't ride to Republic & back to Phelps without 1 fill up in the UP.

 

[rakins800]

WHITEDUST..........can we,ummmm,keep a lid on those trails??? Amasa,Gwinn,Republic; worst trails in the U.P. No gas either, and the food and service is terrible. Especialy in the middle of the week........

 

[whitedust]

Shoot in the middle of the week I can take a nap in the middle of the trail for an hour or 2 & not see another rider.LOL...... Kinda lonely being the only sled at the pumps getting gas this is when I shoot the breeze with other riders before I U turn back or eat a quick burger at the Saw & have table all to myself & gear. 10x riders could show up & still be no one. No idea why great trails & gas pumps but everyone stays on Trail 3 all day & night. Once in a while I'll see a bagger riding thru but that is about it.lol

 

[xsledder]

Shoot in the middle of the week I can take a nap in the middle of the trail for an hour or 2 & not see another rider.LOL...... Kinda lonely being the only sled at the pumps getting gas this is when I shoot the breeze with other riders before I U turn back or eat a quick burger at the Saw & have table all to myself & gear. 10x riders could show up & still be no one. No idea why great trails & gas pumps but everyone stays on Trail 3 all day & night. Once in a while I'll see a bagger riding thru but that is about it.lol

Whitedust,

I'd like to try a trip to Trout Lake with you from Phelps. I'll be in Sayner over Christmas break. We'll have to hook-up and try the trip (if there's snow). Don't worry about about gas for me, I can go 200 to 240 miles on a tank with my T660 turbo. We can get a burger and gas and head back home.

 

[whitedust]

Whitedust,

I'd like to try a trip to Trout Lake with you from Phelps. I'll be in Sayner over Christmas break. We'll have to hook-up and try the trip (if there's snow). Don't worry about about gas for me, I can go 200 to 240 miles on a tank with my T660 turbo. We can get a burger and gas and head back home.

RT Amasa, Republic is doable from Phelps but not between Xmas & New Years that is family time for me & many groomers as well.lol I might take a local spin around Phelps between kid visits but home most of the Xmas break. Eagle River, Phelps, Lando trails nuts o with traffic & usually not enough snow to take the beating so I don't ride much in that time. Week after New Years can be good if it snows.