Locked gates and no grooming north of Mohawk

favoritos

favoritos

Well-known member
I've always thought of the whole system as a partnership. It used to be a basic partnership with snowmobilers and landowners. The partnership has evolved into a multiple member relationship with clubs, cities, state agencies, and other interest groups involved. With more interested partners, the decisions are harder to make and clarify. There is also the added issue of who's money is covering some of those decisions.

One example from last season concerning the bridge. We arrived and the bridge was down with the trail gates closed. Grooming was done right up to the gates on both ends. We were not sure if an escort was recommended to cross on the road deck, so we started asking. The club was surprised the gates were closed, the city wasn't sure why, but it was related to the refurb. There are two separate police departments involved with the bridge. Neither of them was sure about the process in winter with the trail open. We had made an effort to do a proper crossing and couldn't get a clear answer. We ended up doing carbide burners across on the road deck. Ironically, our first trip was behind a groomer that did have a police escort.

Decisions are not fast and easy with so many partners. Answers are also harder to find. I give credit to the clubs for negotiating through the process on our behalf. I appreciate having the ability to ride in those areas. I also feel that I have a responsibility to respect the partners involved. Sometimes it is not clear who is involved and why the area is closed. I'm sure their attempts to explain would not be met with welcome mats. That is probably a factor in our lack of information.
 
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euphoric1

Well-known member
wfd123 said:
So, as of now. No one can get to copper harbor or are we waiting for the gates to open. My first trip up is at the end of January.
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wfd123, I agree completely with you, I just don't think good things will come of asking landowners to modify or change their property for the sake of snowmobiles, we can't forget...they hold all the cards. it would be nice for some (And I'm going to use the 2021 word of the year) transparency by either the land owner, clubs and maybe the local chamber. Someone has to know something and instances like your own or anyone else's who wants to ride north I think the information needs to be out there, it's a short season and the when and where should be out there for us, as far as the why, thats up to the land owner unfortunately.
 
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ICT Sledder

Active member
wfd123 said:
So, as of now. No one can get to copper harbor or are we waiting for the gates to open. My first trip up is at the end of January.
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As of right now you're not getting past Phoenix on Trail 3 as it is closed at that spot going north, and you're not going around via the Eagle's Loop either as it is closed too. Signs are up saying as much. You're also not going around via 124-Gay-133 as 133 is closed. You 100% need a trailer to get past Phoenix.

The Keweenaw Snowmobile Club actually says all trails north of Mohawk are closed right now.

https://www.keweenaw.info/about-us/trail-conditions/

That seems like bad info based on other outlets, but at a minimum you'll need a trailer to get either across the canal, or north of Phoenix.

Until the whole thing is unscrewed - which you'd assume will be at some point in the next few weeks - planning a sled trip to the Keweenaw is a bit like placing a wad of cash on the roulette table and giving it a spin. Add in the warm up this week and its even worse.

Sounds overly dramatic but it is just the situation.
 
eagle1

eagle1

Well-known member
I cancelled my 3 day hotel stay for later in week today.
I'll looks for something south....if it's even still ridable this weekend.
 
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whitedust

Well-known member
TY has a sponsored ride out of Calumet this weekend and I expressed my concerns about grooming north of Mohawk and the bridge construction never mind the thaw. I was told the bridge and grooming were a go. Hopefully they have better sources than we do. Lol
 
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ICT Sledder

Active member
whitedust said:
TY has a sponsored ride out of Calumet this weekend and I expressed my concerns about grooming north of Mohawk and the bridge construction never mind the thaw. I was told the bridge and grooming were a go. Hopefully they have better sources than we do. Lol
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It'll be firmed up by the weekend, it sure looks like, and pretty good shot 3 will be open north of Phoenix, but what world are they living with on the bridge status? Give me some of what they're smoking.
 
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I Doo

Member
Okay, Reading a lot here coming up this weekend for our annual Christmas run. I will be leading some slower riders and just want to go on a shorter trip. We are staying on the north side of the bridge. Can I get up to Vansville and trail 124 so we can get to Gay? Is the bar open there for Hot Dogs? Then we will be going back the same way we came not to the Bear and Copper Harbor. Please help me out with some current info!! Thank you!!
 
goofy600

goofy600

Well-known member
With a current look at the bridge it looks like it is down so that should be a good start to finding out if it is open.
 
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I Doo

Member
goofy600 said:
With a current look at the bridge it looks like it is down so that should be a good start to finding out if it is open.
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Not too worried on the bridge. Not planning on going south. However if trail is closed going north may have to trailer south to ride. It's a shame we can't spend our money up north however. This has to be hurting copper Harbor businesses and others as well.
 
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m8man

Moderator
Bridge is down and hopefully opened up soon, lots of work trucks on it as of noon today.
m8man
 

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xsledder

xsledder

Active member
SB lane closures should be done today according to MDOT website. Call the Contractor's superintendent or foreman or the RE if you want better information as to the status of construction. Untitled.png
 
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ICT Sledder

Active member
eagle1 said:
I see bridge is back up this morning.

www.mtu.edu

Lift Bridge—Streaming | Webcams | Michigan Tech

Live stream of Portage Lake Lift Bridge and the campus from the Michigan Tech Fund offices in Hancock.
www.mtu.edu
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Probably doesn't matter at this point. You'd be crazy to go up there until they get more snow. Not sure you could even ride right now if you wanted to after the warm weather this week plus the snow-pocalypse rain yesterday. Trails could've survived to a marginal state of condition with only the few days of temps, but the rain just made it disappear.

I'm still going up middle of next week because I'm sunk in an airbnb that's been paid for for months, but it looks like we'll be enjoying something other than sledding. Still taking the sleds just in case of something - lake effect or otherwise - but it pretty depressing.
 
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ICT Sledder

Active member
Logging done and trail 3 now open just north of Phoenix, so that’s a major obstacle overcome by the club. Can now (hypothetically) ride from Hancock all the way up to Copper Harbor or High Rock. Just saw the post on FB by the Keweenaw Snowmobile Club.

Not that anyone in their right mind is rushing up there tomorrow or anything.
 
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euphoric1

Well-known member
That's good news! now we just need mother nature to do her thing and whatever is going on with the bridge to get completed.
 
mezz

mezz

Well-known member
The bridge will be lowered & locked into position on Monday Dec 20th according to MDOT release today. Then they can try to get a mat started, but, that should'nt stop crossing regardless. Now all we need are some freshies..... UPDATE: I stand corrected, "should be lowered & locked into position on the week of the 20th."
 
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frnash

Active member
You see that, fellas, all that stwess over nothin'.
Wewax, it will all come together!
1639774006621.png
(Don'cha wuv it when a pwan comes together?)
 
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