Greenland to Copper Harbor Report

[sledhead1125]

Just got back from a couple days of riding out of Houghton. In general, towns and plowed roads are tough, a lot of concrete/gravel riding. Everything else was pretty darn good but heavy traffic made things bumpy pretty quick.

Trail 3 Houghton to South Range was the worst but expected due to them not being able to groom.

We took trail 109 to 12 and 109 was pretty bumpy, its a lot of low ground so they might not be able to get a groomer in there. 12 was pretty good to Sidnaw and then back to Greenland.

Then from Greenland, we took 13 north back to Twin Lakes, Greenland side was rough until you get to where the Twin Lakes groomer turns around and that side was great.

Freda Loop - great shape on the north half and good in the woods (traffic kinda took its toll by the end of the day).

The next day was north of the bridge and they have alot more snow up that way so trails were good until heavy traffic took its toll on 3/17. We rode every trail north of the bridge (except the short section of 135) and they were all good.

 

[beerchug]

Four of us rode from white pine to copper harbor and except for the road Trail from white pine to 101 It was awesome. Even Trail 3 south from Houghton Saturday night was 70 mph easy. Yes alot more snow north of the bridge and the loop down to gay was just lit. I was very surprised how well the trails held up to all of that traffic.

 

[tack836]

Lit ?

 

[beerchug]

sorry, bomb diggity, bitchin, super fantastic, eh.

 

[tack836]

Ok I understand bomb diggity. Haha

 

[doug_st]

Just got back from a couple days of riding out of Houghton. In general, towns and plowed roads are tough, a lot of concrete/gravel riding. Everything else was pretty darn good but heavy traffic made things bumpy pretty quick.

Trail 3 Houghton to South Range was the worst but expected due to them not being able to groom.

We took trail 109 to 12 and 109 was pretty bumpy, its a lot of low ground so they might not be able to get a groomer in there. 12 was pretty good to Sidnaw and then back to Greenland.

Then from Greenland, we took 13 north back to Twin Lakes, Greenland side was rough until you get to where the Twin Lakes groomer turns around and that side was great.

Freda Loop - great shape on the north half and good in the woods (traffic kinda took its toll by the end of the day).

The next day was north of the bridge and they have alot more snow up that way so trails were good until heavy traffic took its toll on 3/17. We rode every trail north of the bridge (except the short section of 135) and they were all good.

With you on trail 13 out of Greenland being rough. It's amazing how one trail can be so bad on one side from one club and great on the opposite side. Had the same experience last year. It's a shame because its a nice loop to take.

 

[Skidoome2]

Hi can you clarify what days you rode? I assume not yesterday?

Just got back from a couple days of riding out of Houghton. In general, towns and plowed roads are tough, a lot of concrete/gravel riding. Everything else was pretty darn good but heavy traffic made things bumpy pretty quick.

Trail 3 Houghton to South Range was the worst but expected due to them not being able to groom.

We took trail 109 to 12 and 109 was pretty bumpy, its a lot of low ground so they might not be able to get a groomer in there. 12 was pretty good to Sidnaw and then back to Greenland.

Then from Greenland, we took 13 north back to Twin Lakes, Greenland side was rough until you get to where the Twin Lakes groomer turns around and that side was great.

Freda Loop - great shape on the north half and good in the woods (traffic kinda took its toll by the end of the day).

The next day was north of the bridge and they have alot more snow up that way so trails were good until heavy traffic took its toll on 3/17. We rode every trail north of the bridge (except the short section of 135) and they were all good.

 

[byr 13]

With you on trail 13 out of Greenland being rough. It's amazing how one trail can be so bad on one side from one club and great on the opposite side. Had the same experience last year. It's a shame because its a nice loop to take.

yes it is

 

[sledhead1125]

We rode 3/3 to 3/5.

 

[billjd]

With you on trail 13 out of Greenland being rough. It's amazing how one trail can be so bad on one side from one club and great on the opposite side. Had the same experience last year. It's a shame because its a nice loop to take.

This is why we no longer stay in the Greenland area....used o be great..under new management I suppose.

 

[firefighter1]

I was up 27 February thru March 1. All trails from Mass City north were excellent. We also rode 13 to Rockland area and the first half was very smooth but about 10 miles outside of Rockland we crossed a bridge and trails were extremely bumpy. Always seems to be that way whenever I ride that trail, can't really explain it. That trail must be split between two clubs and one likes to groom and the other not so much. I really don't know what else it could be. I only ride that trail once per season because of it, still a great ride, probably seems worse also because the other half is so smooth so it really stands out.

 

[jd]

All of trail 13 is maintained by the same club.

 

[Deleted member 10829]

All of trail 13 is maintained by the same club.

That is true John, but the loop is so long (36 miles) that the Greenland groomer grooms out to the bridge talked about above and the Twin Lakes groomer grooms to the same turnaround spot, so it can be very different conditions at that turnaround point.

 

[old abe]

That true!!!

 

[firefighter1]

I stand corrected then John, so now I really can't explain it unless the turnaround bridge explanation is true. Still a great ride just an observation is all. Coming north again Thursday for a few days of riding with my 13 year old son now that the hockey season is over. He has seen me head to the UP every season since he can remember, now it's his turn to start coming with on a trip.

 

[jd]

And I certainly did not want to infer anything by my post, other than to clarify that once club does all of 13. They do a A+ job on all of the other trails in their system, so I am sure there is a good reason for what is being experienced.

-John

 

[JWBERT]

Southern part of 13 has lot of low areas that thawed and got very wet to the point they
could not get the groomer through for fear of getting stuck. Now lots of very thick
ice (base) and also at least 6 trees down over trail, unless they have
been removed by now. This is what was explained to me.

 

[firefighter1]

It was very wet and icy riding thru so that probably explains it. No offense taken by me. I appreciate everything everyone's does in the UP for the trails since we have a hard time riding in southern Minnesota. Hopefully next season it gets back to regular snow in my area after 3 terrible seasons.