Iron river --> Ishpeming MI

[Mitchpro1125]

Hey folks, just after New Years a buddy and I are doing our first ever " backpack" trip and I have a few questions for the UP trail vets. We're heading out from the Iron river area and spending our first night in Ishpeming. The second day we're wakin up early in hopes to catch a nicely groomed trail 8 and heading up to Houghton for our second night. on our third day we're going to keep heading north up the point because we've never been all the way to the top and then heading down the western side of the point and spending our last night in the Porcs. We're then waking up and finishing up our trip back in Iron river.

My first question is roughly how many miles a day would this be? We have no problem throttling out 300 mile days and I'm assuming that's what each day will be at the most. ( just the two of us riding so we can put quite a few miles on without having to stop as often)

My second question is if we left bright and early our first day from Iron River towards Ishpeming, would we have enough day light to run east of Munising and check out the Kingston Plains? My buddy and I are finding ourselves more and more running the logging roads rather than trails and since it's our first time riding this far from the house in Iron River we wanted to check out the plains if we can. My biggest concern is day light.. I've done some research on the Plains and it seems like it's pretty easy to get turned around out there if you're not familiar with the area. I'd only want to go if we would have a couple hours of day light to play.

 

[2TrakR]

100-120 miles per day is what you have laid out, except for Houghton -> High Rock Bay -> Porcupine Mountains, which is ~240.

It's been a rare day for me to find 8 groomed between 15 and 5 (I'm sure it happens, just never when I go through there). I would hit Big Bay instead and run 14 across instead of 8. Funner trail and would give you a little more mileage for the day. No idea how much you ride (sounds like big mile days are OK) but the trip so far would be in the "not much time in the saddle each day" which may be what you are after.

 

[Mitchpro1125]

2TrakR, thanks for the response. Truthfully I really though that these were going to be some long mile days. I guess with the snow conditions still up in the air better safe than sorry. Other then running up to Big Bay ( which is what we are now going to do like you suggested) do you have any alternate trails we can do to put on some more miles or are we better off getting to the hotels each day and then riding loops within the area? If we're only putting on 150 miles a day hopefully we can find some powder to play in once we get to our destination.

 

[snipes517]

Big Bay to L'anse is one of my favorite trails, another favorite is L'anse to Sidnaw. and if you want the best Italian beef you will ever eat you have to go to the Bergland Bay Bar if you make it to that area. Also the Freda loops coming back south from Houghton are a must.

 

[jdc6789]

I agree with the previous, going up to Big Bay and then over on 14 will be a much better ride. 14 is one of the best trails in the UP. 5 north is enjoyable but takes a little longer in time than the mileage leads you to believe... there are some switchbacks and such so it's not a speed trail, but a lot of fun. Just watch getting off trail much up in that area, a lot of logging stumps under the snow. We had a member do a lot of damage to his sled in February just pulling off the trail to stop in a white out. Also, if this year is like the last 3, you should assume that trail 8 west of Ishpeming is a mess that time of year. It's rocky and wet so grooming starts late and even then, they struggle with it because of the terrain and how people ride it. Munising would be a long loop after riding from Iron River. The Up North Lodge in Gwinn would be a great place to ride over to and have dinner after getting to Ishpeming. There is only one gas station in Big Bay and it closes at night, but that shouldn't be an issue based on your timing. Do some research on gas in Copper Harbor... I remember scrambling from the dinner table one year when we found out they were closing at what seemed like an early time. It caused a new team rule, fuel before food. I don't have a map handy, but there are some maps that show you can go west north of L'anse through Baraga and some maps say it doesn't connect. May want to ask some guys on here. Good luck, have fun!

 

[jdc6789]

Correction... When I wrote 8 will be a mess west of Ishpeming, I specifically mean west of Trail 5. Ishpeming to trail 5 will be fine if there's snow.

 

[EXCESSIVE FORCE]

FYI. Round trip mileage from Crystal Falls to Copper Harbor and back is around 425 miles. Easily done in a day..... If you head toward Escanaba be prepared to hit a dead end.....

 

[Mitchpro1125]

Thanks for all the info guys! I'm slightly disappointed that our rides aren't longer then they are.. We'll run up trail 14 and avoid trail 8 west of Ishpeming. You guys aren't the first to tell me to avoid it if I can..Any other "must see" locations along this trip that you guys suggest? Anything up in Copper Harbor worth checking out? We'll be making our favorite pit stop at the Mosquito Bar on our way up towards Houghton.

 

[2TrakR]

Thoughts on additional miles: Drop south from Republic and then run over to Gwinn and back around to Ishpeming. It will add ~ 100 miles to that day, making for a full day of riding.
Heading up to Big Bay on way to Houghton puts you around 200 miles for the day.
That puts you at 200/day for 1 and 2, 250 for day three and then 100 for the last day - or if you have WI permits, drop down to Boulder Junction on the way back to add miles (and good trails).

Scenic - hit Mt Arvon on the way from Big Bay to LAnse, High Rock Bay on Keweenaw, Brockway Mountain at Copper Harbor. On the way to Houghton or way back to Iron River) you could drop to Sturgeon River Gorge and check out the waterfall. Not sure I'd go out of my way to see that one (and you have to walk in quite a way).