How "fast" is trail 14 - Big Bay to L'Anse?

[Mooseflyer]

Howdy all,
My group is considering a ride from (near) Sagola up to Big Bay and then to Baraga for an overnight at the casino. It appears to be about 165 miles, considering a section of closed trail near BB requiring a reroute. I've done the route to BB in 3 hours a few years ago, but this would be our first time on trail 14. I realize 165 miles a day is chump change to many here, but we are a group that doesn't want to overextend ourselves or miss happy hour at our destination, lol. So there is concern that this may be a bit much, if 14 is a "workout" (slow) trail. Also, we will have a couple of 2-up touring machines in the group (including my Yamaha 151), which shine on RR grade trails rather than tight and twisties. The obvious alternate would be to take trail 8, but looking at the map I really feel like 14 would be a great ride and hopefully worth the squeeze. So for those that have ridden 14, can you share any data such as avg speed, etc? Or any other thoughts? The Mt. Arvon spur looks very interesting also. TIA!

 

[dfattack]

You will get many replies here I'm sure however I can't imagine anyone having a negative comment about trail 14. Over the last 24 years I've been riding this area it is by far in the top two (the other being 107). We ride it at least once per season and sometimes more than that. It is a fast trail for sure. Some twisties but mostly high speed so good for the 2 up due to long sweeping corners and straights. You have made a good choice and you will not be disappointed.

 

[whitedust]

14 is a technically easy trail so ride at any speed not much traffic. Not much there but lots of snow. Mt Arvon probably not groomed or that interesting so I would skip that as we always do. Lots of clubs and groups ride 14 so a good choice imo.

 

[heckler56]

5 up through Republic is a great ride with a couple twisty sections but generally a good clip. 14 out of Marquette (following it all the way, no extra curricular road short cuts) can slow you down in a fair amount of twist's. I run 4 stroke 137”s and find as I get older I get slower and slower. This year first ride out, heavy traffic, I found myself running in the 20’smph vs 30’s in previous years. I can’t comment on 14 towards Baraga (I have never run it).

 

[snoden]

I agree with above statements on trail 14. Another thing is the solitude, you will see nothing but trees and snow for miles and miles and miles.

 

[SHOOT2KILL]

Extremely desolate...Mega snow...NO CELL SERVICE...I would only consider the part of the trail from the AAA rd east as a high speed trail...Most of 14 is up in the Huron Mtns...It can get hammered with snow at times which will slow you down...I think the last time I clocked L'Anse to Big Bay was almost 50 miles...Definitely take the spur trail to Mt Arvon...The local Boy Scout troop that maintains the site loves to read the log book to see where everyone who vists and signs their name and where their from...I have been thru there as late as 3rd-4th week in March...Still 5+' of snow in the bush at times...

 

[bobt]

For what its worth: From Koski Corners to BB on 5 and back on 5 is about 110 miles. (Without detour)

 

[SHOOT2KILL]

For what its worth: From Koski Corners to BB on 5 and back on 5 is about 110 miles. (Without detour)

I have only clocked it from the parking lot at the Comfort Inn in Iron Mt to the front door of the Lumberjack Tavern...Exactly 250 mi Roundtrip

 

[Longlegs]

We rode from mass to Lanse in about 2 1/2 hours and from Lanse to Big Bay in about 2 hours. I think it was an easy ride. Sturgeon river valley was beautiful as was Mt Arvon. 250 mile day

 

[bayfly]

I rode trail 5 from Koski Korners to Big Bay, and back east on 14 through Ishpeming yesterday (140 miles with a small turnback to rescue a stuck sled). Last week we did a loop from Negaunee to Big Bay on 5, then west on 14 through Lanse to Trail 8 and back to Negaunee (190 miles). If you don't thoroughly enjoy riding trail 5 north, trail 14 east or west, I would seriously question why you ride the UP. It is one of the most spectacular rides you will find up there.

 

[dfattack]

I rode trail 5 from Koski Korners to Big Bay, and back east on 14 through Ishpeming yesterday (140 miles with a small turnback to rescue a stuck sled). Last week we did a loop from Negaunee to Big Bay on 5, then west on 14 through Lanse to Trail 8 and back to Negaunee (190 miles). If you don't thoroughly enjoy riding trail 5 north, trail 14 east or west, I would seriously question why you ride the UP. It is one of the most spectacular rides you will find up there.

completely agree. My favorite area in the U.P.

 

[Mooseflyer]

You guys rock! Thanks very much for your feedback. I think we'll plan to run it, and I'm super excited!

 

[snobuilder]

Howdy all,

How "fast" is trail 14 - Big Bay to L'Anse?​

What sled you got?

 

[Hoosier]

We rode all 3 of the trails that go up to Big Bay over the past week. All were in incredible shape, at least once you get a bit away from Lanse. It's my favorite part of the UP and favorite trails too.

The one exception is on the furthest west trail, there were a group of college kids stuck on the trail perpendicular to the trail in an older infiniti g35. I have no idea how they got that far or how they got it stuck like that or how they were going to get it out. I assume the only way would be for a groomer to help.