Keweenaw tour question

[cloud_master]

My group will be Hancock next week. We usually head up to Copper Harbor and make a round trip ride one day. Typically we take the trails that go up the middle of the peninsula. The trails that head east and run the shore line look like they may be very scenic. Can I get some recommendations for a route that would be scenic, but not bad trails that will have problems crossing water or dirt?

Thanks.

 

[groomerdriver]

My group will be Hancock next week. We usually head up to Copper Harbor and make a round trip ride one day. Typically we take the trails that go up the middle of the peninsula. The trails that head east and run the shore line look like they may be very scenic. Can I get some recommendations for a route that would be scenic, but not bad trails that will have problems crossing water or dirt?

Thanks.

To ME, all of the loops you see on the map are quite scenic. If you haven't been out to the tip that's a must see, especially that they now groom out to the tip.

Water/dirt? = can't help you there. Only challenge ever for us has been bumped up trails, but that's because of high traffic and poor conditions for grooming.

 

[Deleted member 10829]

Take the loops up to Eagle River and Eagle Harbor, I always enjoy that ride.

 

[dpd43]

Heading up to Copper Harbor Friday but haven't been to the area for a while. How far is it from Houghton to Copper and can it be done casually in a day? Would love to do some loops as well. Just 2 in our group not wanting to ride like we rented 'em but enjoy all that is the UP! Thanks, Dave

 

[cloud_master]

To ME, all of the loops you see on the map are quite scenic. If you haven't been out to the tip that's a must see, especially that they now groom out to the tip.

Water/dirt? = can't help you there. Only challenge ever for us has been bumped up trails, but that's because of high traffic and poor conditions for grooming.

Yup, did the trip to the tip last year. It was good.

I'd like to run the east shore going through Gay. But i've heard there are some re-routes over there that may be less than desirable to ride on??

 

[groomerdriver]

Heading up to Copper Harbor Friday but haven't been to the area for a while. How far is it from Houghton to Copper and can it be done casually in a day? Would love to do some loops as well. Just 2 in our group not wanting to ride like we rented 'em but enjoy all that is the UP! Thanks, Dave

Hello Amery!!!!

I'm not sure of the miles......60'ish? Gotta hit Brockway Mtn. assuming there's enough snow on top. And out to the tip.

The the other poster about the Gay loop....we ran the loop last year and while I know there was some changes, there was nothing that would have prevented me form going there.

 

[cloud_master]

Hello Amery!!!!

I'm not sure of the miles......60'ish? Gotta hit Brockway Mtn. assuming there's enough snow on top. And out to the tip.

The the other poster about the Gay loop....we ran the loop last year and while I know there was some changes, there was nothing that would have prevented me form going there.

Do you get to see the shoreline and lake superior while taking that eastern route?

 

[groomerdriver]

Do you get to see the shoreline and lake superior while taking that eastern route?

Depends on if it's cloudy or not. On the trail SW of Gay it runs along the dunes and we rode farther out on the dunes/beach towards the lake. Probably a stoopid move but it was fun! I've got a pic on my other PC that I'll post.

That IS the lake out there.....or was it a mirage?

 

[jd]

Do you get to see the shoreline and lake superior while taking that eastern route?

You will not see too much of the shoreline riding the Gay to Lac La Belle trail. The best trail for that is probably the one to the point (High Rock). You do not see the lake for much of the ride at all, but what you do see will take your breath away. You will also get nice views of the lake from Brockway Mountain and even going into Eagle River and Eagle Harbor you can go down to the lake shore.

I have not been on the Gay-Lac La Belle trail this year and have not gotten much feedback either, but can say that if we are having problems with a trail (low snow, wet spots), that is the one. Perhaps someone that has been in it recently can chime in.

-John

 

[jd]

Depends on if it's cloudy or not. On the trail SW of Gay it runs along the dunes and we rode farther out on the dunes/beach towards the lake. Probably a stoopid move but it was fun! I've got a pic on my other PC that I'll post.

Not a stupid move if you take it easy. It gets pretty wind blown out there and the snow can be quite thin. There are lots of things in the stamp sands (things you called dunes) waiting to take you out, so going slow is the key. Plus, a lot of that area the stamp sands drop around 20 feet straight down to the lake, so as you approach the lakes edge, you need to be very cautious too.

-John

 

[groomerdriver]

Not a stupid move if you take it easy. It gets pretty wind blown out there and the snow can be quite thin. There are lots of things in the stamp sands (things you called dunes) waiting to take you out, so going slow is the key. Plus, a lot of that area the stamp sands drop around 20 feet straight down to the lake, so as you approach the lakes edge, you need to be very cautious too.

-John

Hmmmm........stamp sands! Learned a new term today! Was thinking about the "Indiana Dunes" and such.

We did go very slow. The above pic is as far as we dared to go. I thought I had a pic of my son up on a stamp highpoint but I guess I don't.

 

[dpd43]

Hope to get out on the stamp sands dunes. My 16 yr. old son and I will try to duplicate the shot groomer driver posted in this thread. Hope the snow holds up and the sleds run fine. Thanks for the info. Looking forward to the ride. Dave

Leaving tomorrow after work, need any cheese curds John???

 

[frnash]

… stamp sands! Learned a new term today! Was thinking about the "Indiana Dunes" and such.

Hope to get out on the stamp sands dunes. …

groomerdriver, dpd43:

FWIW, (click →) Stamp sand(s); They're definitely not "dunes" (hills of sand built by either wind or water flow), as in the (click →) Indiana Dunes, (click →) Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in the NWL, or the (click →) Glamis/Alogodones/Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area in Imperial County, CA or even as found in the (click →) Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the UP, erc. The stamp sands are generally too dense to be formed into "dunes". However, you may definitely see a significant drop off at the shoreline, which is just erosion due to the Lake Superior wave action. (Yeah, I know, picky, picky! )

 

[groomerdriver]

groomerdriver, dpd43:

FWIW, (click →) Stamp sand(s); They're definitely not "dunes" (hills of sand built by either wind or water flow), as in the (click →) Indiana Dunes, (click →) Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in the NWL, or the (click →) Glamis/Alogodones/Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area in Imperial County, CA or even as found in the (click →) Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the UP, erc. The stamp sands are generally too dense to be formed into "dunes". However, you may definitely see a significant drop off at the shoreline, which is just erosion due to the Lake Superior wave action. (Yeah, I know, picky, picky! )

I just knew you would take Google's place for me on this FR!!!!

 

[venturenorth]

its approx 60 mi from the bridge to CH
must see trails: (IMO)
Eagle River, Eagle Harbor trail
Brockway Mtn drive
Hi Rock Bay trail, 134, east of CH
Mandan Trail 134, crosses the middle
133 trail to Lac Labelle
trail 122 from Gay to Lake Linden was in poor condition last time we rode

 

[zimmer1310]

stop and eat in at the little motel/restaurant in Eagle Harbor. Great food and a very nice place and good people. anything from steaks, pork chops to pasta to seafood. one of my favorites.

 

[Ricardo]

Warning. Rode from South Range to Phoenix, across to Gay, back down through Lake Linden yesterday(Wed Feb. 24th) trail conditions were the worst I've seen in 35 years. Due to the warm weather and rain and high traffic, the snow on the trails is brown and turned into mush. Won't stay together when groomed. Very rough trails. Good luck, was not fun.

 

[rich_jelinek]

Warning. Rode from South Range to Phoenix, across to Gay, back down through Lake Linden yesterday(Wed Feb. 24th) trail conditions were the worst I've seen in 35 years. Due to the warm weather and rain and high traffic, the snow on the trails is brown and turned into mush. Won't stay together when groomed. Very rough trails. Good luck, was not fun.

Seriously - it was that bad ? I know this winter has been a total crap shoot as far as when to hit it when the conditions are right, but man if it was that bad on a Wednesday, that's not good .................... was it all that bad or just around Gay ?

 

[knappattack]

We got to the UP on Monday of this week and were scheduled thru Friday, but pulled the plug Wed Morning. Put on 25 miles Monday afternoon turned back with every trail we tried. Try it again on Tuesday, went to Copper Harbor as 3 was groomed and fast to start, other trails not even groomed and temps overnight were cool too. Almost turned around part way up, but checked with riders heading down and said they had passed the groomer just up a ways, well the way back was downright brutal! OMG! Sugar snow and moguls, Traffic like I've never seen before. Try it again Wednesday, went 25 miles and turned around and pulled the plug. Headed home Wed at noon. Just couldn't take it, Like has been said worst ever or very close to it. Traffic like I've never seen before. Week was supposed to be cool with temps in the teens but ended up low-mid thirties. Wasn't going to stick around for today just for a chance everything gets groomed and turns to sugar snow with all the traffic.

Learned my lesson to stay away unless cold temps and other areas do have snow. Makes one want to give up riding when trails are that poor and traffic so severe!

Off trail guys said off trail was horrible too. Rock hard crust I suspect?

What a terrible season we have had!

 

[rich_jelinek]

We got to the UP on Monday of this week and were scheduled thru Friday, but pulled the plug Wed Morning. Put on 25 miles Monday afternoon turned back with every trail we tried. Try it again on Tuesday, went to Copper Harbor as 3 was groomed and fast to start, other trails not even groomed and temps overnight were cool too. Almost turned around part way up, but checked with riders heading down and said they had passed the groomer just up a ways, well the way back was downright brutal! OMG! Sugar snow and moguls, Traffic like I've never seen before. Try it again Wednesday, went 25 miles and turned around and pulled the plug. Headed home Wed at noon. Just couldn't take it, Like has been said worst ever or very close to it. Traffic like I've never seen before. Week was supposed to be cool with temps in the teens but ended up low-mid thirties. Wasn't going to stick around for today just for a chance everything gets groomed and turns to sugar snow with all the traffic.

Learned my lesson to stay away unless cold temps and other areas do have snow. Makes one want to give up riding when trails are that poor and traffic so severe!

Off trail guys said off trail was horrible too. Rock hard crust I suspect?

What a terrible season we have had!

This is NOT what I wanted to hear - we are supposed to head up to the Kewee tomorrow after work to stay til tues but if it's that bad mid week the weekend, not to mention the fact it's supposed to hit 40 on sat. , it sounds like it's going to be a complete waste of time !
I really thought if any place would be good riding after the damn warm ups it would be the kewee, but I guess not. I don't know where else to go it seems everywhere UP there to a big beating and has not recovered much if at all.
This was going to be our last trip for the year, but we might not even take it now after what I'm hearing here. Time to to some serious decision making before we drive 400 miles tomorrow ...............