Just curious if anyone has been through these areas or close by to see how bad it got. We have plans to head up Sunday through Wednesday... locked into a reservation. We certainly aren't expecting greatness, but wondering if it's worth the journey for a little running around or if we just eat the reservation cost? Any experiences would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
Ishpeming, Marquette, Big Bay or Lanse
- Thread starter jdc6789
- Start date
we were around that loop last week. ishpeming area was ok. marquette to big bay was thin. #14 big bay to lanse was good. there were a few logging areas that were bare mud. lanse to baraga was very thin and rough as usual. we did good despite the warmth, but that was last week. you'll probably be ok if you have low expectations
Thanks Mike! Sorry I missed that thread. Any idea if they've received any new snow since then?
Sorry for the delay... drove the 9 hours back today. We almost cancelled and really lucked out that we didn't!! A good snow in several of the areas At different times this weekend. We modified some of our normal routes and rode 500 miles in great to good conditions. I will try to give a run down. We stayed at Jasper Ridge just west of Ishpeming. Saturday night was 8 west, 5 north and 14 east to Big Bay and back. All really good and groomed. A little thin in Big Bay, but not dirt. Sunday was 8 west, 5 south to Republic... got a little thin in Republic so we doubled back and took the 82 bypass east and then 8 south down to the up north lodge outside of Gwinn. Then 8 east, 417 north/west looping back. Everything was good to great with the exception of some thin spots in Marquette hills, Gwinn in town and 417 had tons of snow, but miles and miles of butt kicking whoops (we are told they groomed Sunday night). Again, all rideable and nothing to shy away from. Monday we took 8 west, 14 west to Skanee and ate at Finns, then 14 east, stopped at Mt Arvon, then on to Big Bay and then back down 5 and 8 home. All excellent... except a little thin in Big Bay but not unusual. Dan at Finns was awesome as well. Tuesday we didn't cover much new ground, just went a little further west on 8 towards Three Lakes... 8 was excellent until the hill where Moose grooming stopped just east of Three Lakes. I will avoid my soapbox here, but even in great years it's whooped out from this point until almost Lanse. Moose groomers have it dialed in, but whoever does the portion of 8 west after Moose territory ends doesn't keep up ever. Same terrain, different clubs with very different results. 550 and Moose clubs did an awesome job during less than awesome conditions... thank you!!! All in all a great trip. Didn't go as far south as we typically would, but we had surprisingly great conditions. As a note, driving in the truck home today there was noticeably more snow in Republic than when we rod sleds through and more snow in Iron Mountain then our truck drive through on Saturday going up... can't speak to trail conditions. Hope that helps.
Thanks jdc. We probably passed you on the way up!
We hit 8 west all the way to 8/15 south into Sidnaw. From there we went 15 to 111 to Amasa. We then hit 18 out of Amasa to 5 to Republic. Took 5 back to 8 back to the hotel here. 192 miles in total. Overall, very good conditions.
Thanks for your input too!
We hit 8 west all the way to 8/15 south into Sidnaw. From there we went 15 to 111 to Amasa. We then hit 18 out of Amasa to 5 to Republic. Took 5 back to 8 back to the hotel here. 192 miles in total. Overall, very good conditions.
Thanks for your input too!
rich_jelinek
New member
J.Glenn, -
Whereabouts are you staying ?
How was the snow / trails on the south end of the loop you describe above ? Sounds like you got down to Crystal Falls before heading back north, correct?
Whereabouts are you staying ?
How was the snow / trails on the south end of the loop you describe above ? Sounds like you got down to Crystal Falls before heading back north, correct?
We are staying in Ishpeming. We got pretty close to Crystal Falls and they're were great. I have to agree with Mike, the further north you went, the better they got.
I meant to include this in my earlier post for anyone monitoring... the maps show fuel in Republic, but it's low grade and not the best to get to. 3-4 miles of roads with no signs. Maybe there is a better way we don't know about. There is a BP with premium 8-9 miles north of Republic that you can get to from 5 or 82. Just an FYI.
rich_jelinek
New member
thanks for the info guys ......
dfattack
Well-known member
I believe you are referring to koski corner and if so, it's worth mentioning that I'm fairly certain it's ethanol free premium.