Houghton

[Sledhead!]

372 in one day...wow, that is impressive. I think 240 is the most I did in 1 day and I was sore and tired. I personally like about 150 mile days, good balance and not sore. When I say balance, I mean the riding versus beverage stop time.

 

[old abe]

I just wanted to thank everyone for going home when the fresh snow came. We were up there and rode Sunday through Tuesday. Rode 770 some miles in 2.5 days. Stayed in White Pine. Rode Monday from there all the way to Copper Harbor on fresh groomed trails all the way to Houghton. Of course you have to get out of bed to ride 372 miles in one day. Trail 8 was getting bare in a few spots but also had some great spots. Grooming was great everywhere but the Bergland area. But they seemed to be making an attempt finally. Traffic was the lightest I have ever seen it up in that area.

Bergland/Goegebic area grooming has a problem. They apparently have not resolved it as yet according to your report. I sure hope they can can get it together so we can start hearing good reports about trails that they care for.

 

[wrestleruiu]

We had over 60 miles on before the sun came up.

 

[1fujifilm]

I just wanted to thank everyone for going home when the fresh snow came. We were up there and rode Sunday through Tuesday. Rode 770 some miles in 2.5 days. Stayed in White Pine. Rode Monday from there all the way to Copper Harbor on fresh groomed trails all the way to Houghton. Of course you have to get out of bed to ride 372 miles in one day. Trail 8 was getting bare in a few spots but also had some great spots. Grooming was great everywhere but the Bergland area. But they seemed to be making an attempt finally. Traffic was the lightest I have ever seen it up in that area.

Beats my record of 335 (Munising to Raco and back plus a few off-trail miles).
Congratulations!

What kind of sled and how long in the hot tub after?

Bear

- - - Updated - - -

I think two things contribute to the difference in trail conditions in this area...I was up there Sunday through Wednesday evening, and here are my thoughts.....there is definitely more snow North around the Mosquito for one, and second, grooming during the day and night compared to just at night makes an obviously big difference as well. I think the Superior club did an excellent job as they had a bit less to work with to the South. I've experience that change in grooming conditions in the past, but not this time.

We ran South from Houghton to Bergland on Monday and things were actually pretty nice until you got just outside of Bergland which is done by the Goegibic Grooming Inc. We were lucky we took 1 in as a groomer had just gone through.....what they did with the minimal amount of snow was pretty good. But then heading out of Bergland back to 3 was brutal. I'll never question why a club decides not to groom a certain portion of trail, but man that was bad. Again, not to question, but I was with a guy that grooms our local club trails and has a ton of experience in a lot of different equipment, and he didn't see a reason why they couldn't have hit that trail.

I know it was during the week, but North of the bridge, this was one of the most enjoyable riding I've ever done up there. I can't count the number of times we ran into one of the groomers during the day and night, and the trails were amazing. We hit 3 from Eagle Harbor South back to Houghton around 8PM or so, and I've never seen it so nice at that time. The ride from CH to Gay was amazing and there have been times in the past where its dang near unrideable. 124 from Gay to 3 is my favorite riding trail in all of the U.P. Again, fortunate that my riding happened during the week, traffic wasn't bad, and that we got 4-5" when I was up, but dang it was awesome!

Thanks goes to out to the groomers and the people working to improve the inner workings up there.....the difference is definitely noticeable!

Nice and true comments.


Bear

 

[skidog19]

Does anyone know if 122 to Gay is still closed for logging?

 

[indy_500]

Does anyone know if 122 to Gay is still closed for logging?

It was still closed last weekend

 

[1fujifilm]

It was still closed last weekend

x2 true.

 

[jd]

Does anyone know if 122 to Gay is still closed for logging?

Yes, the logging will be going on all winter. I am planning to head out this week to try and find a re-route around the area that they are logging. So hopefully we can get that trail going again.

-John

 

[IOWASLEDDER]

I just got back last night from riding for a week with Houghton being our home base. 700 miles for the week. Rode 6 days. What a spectacular week of riding!! Trails were great!! Not a whole heck of a lot of traffic from Sunday to Thursday but Friday was crazy busy on the trails. It was darn near 2 way traffic on 3 north of the bridge. We tried to stay off of that trail as much as possible that day. Hats off to the groomers and want to thank all of the businesses for their hospitality! What a great place to ride up there! We will be back!! Can't wait to do it again!!

 

[1fujifilm]

Yes, the logging will be going on all winter. I am planning to head out this week to try and find a re-route around the area that they are logging. So hopefully we can get that trail going again.

-John

Very nice.
One more reason to ride north of the bridge.

Bear

 

[skidog19]

Yes, the logging will be going on all winter. I am planning to head out this week to try and find a re-route around the area that they are logging. So hopefully we can get that trail going again.

-John

Thanks John, I'll check back for updates. We'll be going up that way next Saturday.

 

[wrestleruiu]

Beats my record of 335 (Munising to Raco and back plus a few off-trail miles).
Congratulations!

What kind of sled and how long in the hot tub after?

Bear

17 800 Polaris Assault. Gets you down the trails fast, recorded 105 MPH. Still have a couple MPH to beat my 13 assault but wasn't trying to on the break in. No hot tub in White Pine. Felt pretty good after. Problem is trying to drive speed limits in a truck the next couple days after.

 

[1fujifilm]

Beats my record of 335 (Munising to Raco and back plus a few off-trail miles).
Congratulations!

What kind of sled and how long in the hot tub after?

Bear

17 800 Polaris Assault. Gets you down the trails fast, recorded 105 MPH. Still have a couple MPH to beat my 13 assault but wasn't trying to on the break in. No hot tub in White Pine. Felt pretty good after. Problem is trying to drive speed limits in a truck the next couple days after.

Nice answers! I bet that 144 rocks.

I agree, driving a car/truck sucks after riding the sled fast for many miles.
Yesterday, my wife is like "calm down" as I was jockeying position in roundabouts and stop lights; I was like "what are you talking about, this is nothing; wait until the Camaro SS comes out in seven weeks.

Bear

 

[wrestleruiu]