Houghton

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mfcoop

New member
Hey all. I was wondering what current conditions are like getting through Houghton and the lift bridge? With all the concrete and town trail we're a little concerned with getting thru after this thaw. Thanks
 
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nomus5

Member
Rode it Saturday. Roads and parking lots are bare. Plenty of snow on all trails and TONS on the bridge. Just needs to be cold enough for them to groom it flat without it balling up in front of drag. Cold and one good snow will make all trails north of Bruce Crossing very good to excellent.
 
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packerlandrider

Active member
pauli18c said:
why not just cut across the lake behind the ramada?
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The key word in there is "lake" (and even that is incorrect, because it is a canal). You should only cross the canal in that area if you are comfortable with going for a swim and all that entails as a result of horrible ice due to fast currents in the canal.
 
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IOWASLEDDER

Active member
I'm driving up this Saturday night and should be in Houghton by 10:00ish Sunday morning and riding Sunday thru Friday basing out of Houghton. I can give reports in this thread while I'm up there. We're going up either way whether it's to snowmobile for a week or just get out of dodge for a few days. Hopefully a week of riding!
 
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sjb

Member
packerlandrider said:
The key word in there is "lake" (and even that is incorrect, because it is a canal). You should only cross the canal in that area if you are comfortable with going for a swim and all that entails as a result of horrible ice due to fast currents in the canal.
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For those that know more than me, are there sleds that drop through the "canal" every year? I know I have cut across from the ramada to the park heading in a S, SW direction.
 
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1fujifilm

Well-known member
IOWASLEDDER said:
I'm driving up this Saturday night and should be in Houghton by 10:00ish Sunday morning and riding Sunday thru Friday basing out of Houghton. I can give reports in this thread while I'm up there. We're going up either way whether it's to snowmobile for a week or just get out of dodge for a few days. Hopefully a week of riding!
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I sent you a P.M.

Bear
 
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larboc

New member
sjb said:
For those that know more than me, are there sleds that drop through the "canal" every year? I know I have cut across from the ramada to the park heading in a S, SW direction.
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Yep, at least 1 a year. Seems like it's usually when you'd least expect it. Air temp has less to do with it than wind, it's the currents going through the portage from currents on the big lake that cause spotty thawing. Thaws it on the bottom and all that's on top is floating snow/slush. Typically the back of the sled sinks first and the ski's hold it from going all the way down. Tow truck from shore and cable to rip it apart/out of the ice. Aside from getting soaked and having to pay the towing company a few hundred and the epa a few thousand it's not that big of a deal.
Far more painful ice injury is crossing under the bridge at high speed, launching off the bump of snow on either side of it, and takeing the head/helmet assembly off on the lower span.

"Speed and alcohol were factors" in MOST deaths and hospitalizations on snowmobiles, far more than going through the ice. Stay sober and slow down.
 
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obewon

New member
we're thinking of coming up to Hancock tomorrow, any current updates on trail conditions? we will want to ride both north and south if possible. Thanks for your thoughts!
 
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renegade600

Active member
We are likely headed to Houghton on Thursday... not sure what to expect other than what we all feel is true (need cold and snow)...... :(
 
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cloud_master

Member
larboc said:
Yep, at least 1 a year. Seems like it's usually when you'd least expect it. Air temp has less to do with it than wind, it's the currents going through the portage from currents on the big lake that cause spotty thawing. Thaws it on the bottom and all that's on top is floating snow/slush. Typically the back of the sled sinks first and the ski's hold it from going all the way down. Tow truck from shore and cable to rip it apart/out of the ice. Aside from getting soaked and having to pay the towing company a few hundred and the epa a few thousand it's not that big of a deal.
Far more painful ice injury is crossing under the bridge at high speed, launching off the bump of snow on either side of it, and takeing the head/helmet assembly off on the lower span.

"Speed and alcohol were factors" in MOST deaths and hospitalizations on snowmobiles, far more than going through the ice. Stay sober and slow down.
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Wow! The sky is falling too right? If your not stopping to take pictures with your polaroid, and doing at least 45mph, your fine. Been across 100's of times.
 
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wery7

New member
I'm heading up Sunday through Wednesday as well, and if things shape up the way the are talking, there should be about 8-12 from now until sunday, then another 12+ starting sunday through next Friday. They haven't been grooming for the past handful of days from South of the bridge all the way up to C.H. Not sure if they have started yet, but freezing temps starting tomorrow, i'm guessing they'll be out.

As far as the ice, I've been acrossed it dozens of times as well in all sorts of conditions....stay on the tracks, keep pace, and don't mess around and you'll be fine!
 
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snipes517

New member
just got back, stayed at relatives in Lac La Belle, Friday-sundy rode all the trails north of bridge, saturday we rode down to Houghton then up through lake linden and back, snow was plenty, maybe two icy corners because all the sugar snow was pushed out to a berm, they were cutting the trails pretty hard saturday night, probably a solid 8" down to get rid of the bumps. They werent too bad before just a little wash boarded but i think they just wanted to get em smooth again before more snow.

All in all i would still rate them at a 7-10 out of 10.

Definitly not disappointed that we went!!! could they use more snow, yes, but if you have a trip planned just go, trails are good. Off trail not so much need more snow. And we didnt go south of the bridge this time but i would imagine they are the same because prior to the warm up they had the same, if not more, snow on ground.

Hope this helps

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Also, from friday morning to this morning i would say they got maybe 5+/- inches of fluffy LES.

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also lol we didnt ride the canal but there was a well beaten path so im sure its fine, but we did go to Dreamland and was told there is a solid 18" of ice on the portage and the trees are lining the way
 
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wery7

New member
Up here now...rode south on 3 to Greenland, Rockland, 13 and 12 to Lake Gogebic, and though a little less snow south, they were pretty good. Hit 13 out of Bergland going north and it was awful until we got back to 3. No grooming on it since probably last week. And if they are saying it is because of logging, there were no signs of recent logging for at least well before the warmup.

Heading North tomorrow. Groomers were out in full force south of the bridge yesterday afternoon and this am. Lower traffic kept 3 in really good shape until at least 6 tonight.

But unless there is more snow this week....at least 6-8", this weekend will be another tough one.
 
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