Ironwood to Copper Harbor - Jan 2024

[danbell]

My buddy and I are considering doing a Ironwood to Copper Harbor overnight run this year. I know there is a lot of talk of closed sections of trails here and there, and honestly I can't keep all the areas and names straight, so I thought I would just ask here. Is it going to be possible to get from Ironwood to Copper Harbor in Jan 2024? (of course assuming that there is snow on all trails and such) We are rental riders, but experienced, been going up that way pretty much every year for the past 15 or so. Have done an overnight to Copper Harbor before, but I think we left from Bergland that time.

Thanks in advance and keep those fingers crossed for a good snow year through out the midwest (and west).

Also not a 'new member' here, just had to get a new username as I forgot my password and for some reason the reset emails don't come through right, been following along here and with John for 15 years as well I think.

 

[indy_500]

As of right now, you can’t get thru Wakefield legally so you’d have to drop down south into Wisconsin (it’s a long way around). Otherwise once around it’s straight running to your destination.

 

[wiscrev]

I'd start at Bergland and rent from Timberline. Mark is a great guy to work with.

 

[garageguy]

I'd drop down through Wisconsin for a bit. Once you get on trail 3 you will be in Copper harbor in 4 hours easy. On the way back go through ontinogn and drop down.

 

[whitedust]

Wakefield is in negotiations but not a done deal yet. 109 is gone so don’t go that way. That’s what we know so far still time to monitor routes.

 

[dfattack]

I'd drop down through Wisconsin for a bit. Once you get on trail 3 you will be in Copper harbor in 4 hours easy. On the way back go through ontinogn and drop down.

Unless 3 is like it usually is with miles and miles of chop. That could add some time

 

[garageguy]

Yes last February it was brutal

 

[warner]

The Bill Nichols trail 3 winter chop is a well known fact and yes the Superior snowmobile club is well aware of what this trail turns into later in the day......this year should be different i hope.

 

[harvest1121]

Yes last February it was brutal

I was going to do Minocqua to Copper Harbor and back the same day. Had great trails till I hit Mass City and turned around. Stopped at the Hoop for lunch had 196 miles on at lunch time. I might start in Watersmeet would make for a nice loop for 2 days.

 

[dfattack]

The Bill Nichols trail 3 winter chop is a well known fact and yes the Superior snowmobile club is well aware of what this trail turns into later in the day......this year should be different i hope.

Unless it’s brutally cold it’s going to be hard to maintain the trail (no chop) simply due the amount of traffic. My comment isn’t meant to be a cut to the club. Definitely a high traffic trail. Only so much you can do

 

[whitedust]

Unless it’s brutally cold it’s going to be hard to maintain the trail (no chop) simply due the amount of traffic. My comment isn’t meant to be a cut to the club. Definitely a high traffic trail. Only so much

I was going to do Minocqua to Copper Harbor and back the same day. Had great trails till I hit Mass City and turned around. Stopped at the Hoop for lunch had 196 miles on at lunch time. I might start in Watersmeet would make for a nice loop for 2 days.

Unfortunately starting and finishing in Watersmeet you still have to go thru Mass City on your way to CH. The loss of 109 changed everything only 1 way thru now.

 

[mspease]

Unless it’s brutally cold it’s going to be hard to maintain the trail (no chop) simply due the amount of traffic. My comment isn’t meant to be a cut to the club. Definitely a high traffic trail. Only so much you can do

I agree completely! I've seen them try to groom it during the day, and within a few minutes of sled traffic, you can't tell the groomer was ever there. Can't blame the club for trying, but trails need to set up. The colder, the better.

 

[wiscrev]

I agree completely! I've seen them try to groom it during the day, and within a few minutes of sled traffic, you can't tell the groomer was ever there. Can't blame the club for trying, but trails need to set up. The colder, the better.

I , to, have past the groomer during the day guiding 5 others and by the time the last guy went by, the trail was almost shot again.

 

[goofy600]

As of right now, you can’t get thru Wakefield legally so you’d have to drop down south into Wisconsin (it’s a long way around). Otherwise once around it’s straight running to your destination.

This statement is not completely accurate, yes as of now the reroute hasn’t been finalized but unless the town of Wakefield has outlawed snowmobiling all together you can legally ride streets and long as the are not highways (county or state) in Gogebic county they might be plowed but can be ridden.

 

[ICT Sledder]

This statement is not completely accurate, yes as of now the reroute hasn’t been finalized but unless the town of Wakefield has outlawed snowmobiling all together you can legally ride streets and long as the are not highways (county or state) in Gogebic county they might be plowed but can be ridden.

Can I borrow your sled for that section then?

Juuuust kidding!

 

[goofy600]

Can I borrow your sled for that section then?

Juuuust kidding!

Didn’t say it was a good idea just clarifying another post. We have all ridden along the side of a road to get somewhere in the past I’m sure so can be done just have to be smart about it.

 

[danbell]

Didn’t say it was a good idea just clarifying another post. We have all ridden along the side of a road to get somewhere in the past I’m sure so can be done just have to be smart about it.

It would be on rental sleds....