So I've given in early this year and I've started to look for places to stay in the 09-10 snow season. I'm thinking about finding a place in the south, south western michigan area. Any suggestions? I've looked at Vacationland Resort, Jay's Resort, North Shore Resort, and Wilderness Bay Lodge & Resort all in Watersmeet. Any suggestions on these? How are the trails leaving from this area? Are there any places right off the main trail? Any suggestions would be helpful as we usually stay in northern michigan and am not familiar with this area. Thanks!
LOOKING FOR PLACES TO STAY 09-10 SNOWMOBILE SEASON
- Thread starter zrgrl
- Start date
stormbringr1
New member
I'd go with Iron County WI. Great network of wooded twisty trails right in the snowbelt. We stay at Red Birch House and have been very happy there. Their website is: http://www.upnorthlodging.net
The western UP is good, too. That's the beauty of Hurley/Ironwood. You can hit Iron County for a couple of days and then head across the border into the UP and never run out of good times.
The western UP is good, too. That's the beauty of Hurley/Ironwood. You can hit Iron County for a couple of days and then head across the border into the UP and never run out of good times.
We always stay around the Lake Gogebic area of the Western UP. Plenty of places to stay, restaurants, bars and all near or on the trails. You can start with these two websites and then work from there:
http://www.lakegogebic.com/
http://www.lakegogebicarea.com/
http://www.lakegogebic.com/
http://www.lakegogebicarea.com/
If you register your sled in WI, you don't need to also buy a trail pass. Otherwise, I think the cost is similar to Michigan.
IMO - if you ride close to the WI border, you're missing out by not spending some time in WI. The trails are quite different from the UP - more tight and twisty through the woods than wide open. We normally ride out of Eagle River, WI, and I like riding both in WI and in the UP and think it's a fun change to ride in both areas. WI typically does an excellent job grooming also.
IMO - if you ride close to the WI border, you're missing out by not spending some time in WI. The trails are quite different from the UP - more tight and twisty through the woods than wide open. We normally ride out of Eagle River, WI, and I like riding both in WI and in the UP and think it's a fun change to ride in both areas. WI typically does an excellent job grooming also.
Well we all are from Illinois so are sleds are registered here, so if we do ride both we would need trail permits for both wisconsin and michigan. That is kind of the deciding factor I guess. Were trying to keep costs down with the way the economy is but still have a nice trip. I would love doing both buty i'm thinking of staying farther north. Does anybody have any experience with staying in watersmeet? I've looked at wilderness bay lodge and resorts website and it looks pretty decent for the money. On their site it does say there is an access trail to the main trail, but in the past we've had bad experience with access trails not being groomed and having a rough start to our ride as well as coming home on a long rough access trail after a long day of riding. Thanks for you help guys!
P
polaris_5
Guest
zrgrl, Lake gogebic is a nice area.The bergland bay bar has a four bedroom above the bar and a house up the street also four bedroom for rent. Really nice couple that own the bar. Usually good snow around lake gogebic. We stayed in mass city last year that way we could go north or south. Were trying to keep it cheap also we usually stay in Hancock. Staying south cut a little bit off the drive time and gas money. We stayed at the adventure motel and cafe in mass last year.Basic room but cheap.
stormbringr1
New member
Hi zrgrl--
The way to do it is buy the two year WI trail registration online at the WI DNR site for $35--that way you don't need to buy the $35 one year WI non-resident trail pass... That's just $17.50/yr
I agree with iusmit. Those in our group prefer the more extensive wooded, twisty trails in northern Iron County WI as opposed to the more unplowed road riding across the border in the UP. There are frequent fun taverns with good food along the 500 miles of wooded trails near/around Hurley and it's an area for snowmobiling unlike almost any other because like 80% of the county is county forest land. That's why the trail system is so big. It's practically all on public land.
Also--after 20+ years of riding both, it's pretty clear that the White Thunder Riders on the WI side consistently do a superior grooming job to practically anywhere else we ride. We head into the UP now purely for variety from time to time.
as far as snow--both Iron County and the UP are buried in snow from early season to late--so that is never an issue... The very same Lake Superior snow belt takes care of that.
If you haven't ridden Iron County yet--you really should.
Have fun. Talking about this is getting me ready to see some snow!
The way to do it is buy the two year WI trail registration online at the WI DNR site for $35--that way you don't need to buy the $35 one year WI non-resident trail pass... That's just $17.50/yr
I agree with iusmit. Those in our group prefer the more extensive wooded, twisty trails in northern Iron County WI as opposed to the more unplowed road riding across the border in the UP. There are frequent fun taverns with good food along the 500 miles of wooded trails near/around Hurley and it's an area for snowmobiling unlike almost any other because like 80% of the county is county forest land. That's why the trail system is so big. It's practically all on public land.
Also--after 20+ years of riding both, it's pretty clear that the White Thunder Riders on the WI side consistently do a superior grooming job to practically anywhere else we ride. We head into the UP now purely for variety from time to time.
as far as snow--both Iron County and the UP are buried in snow from early season to late--so that is never an issue... The very same Lake Superior snow belt takes care of that.
If you haven't ridden Iron County yet--you really should.
Have fun. Talking about this is getting me ready to see some snow!
goingnorth
New member
Watersmeet is a great area to stay in. They have gotten alot better grooming in this area. Really not something to worry about.
Wilderness Bay, Jays Resort and all the places you mentioned are on the Cisco Chain and great places to base out of.
Bent's Camp, Cisco Bay Bar & Rogers Bar are all great pit stops.
If you are looking for an area for night spots it's pretty quiet of the Cisco.
Watersmeet is about 15+ easy miles by trail and you have the Casino.
20-25 miles to Lake Gogebic.
You are right on the Wisc./Mich. stateline but plenty of riding in Mich.
Wilderness Bay, Jays Resort and all the places you mentioned are on the Cisco Chain and great places to base out of.
Bent's Camp, Cisco Bay Bar & Rogers Bar are all great pit stops.
If you are looking for an area for night spots it's pretty quiet of the Cisco.
Watersmeet is about 15+ easy miles by trail and you have the Casino.
20-25 miles to Lake Gogebic.
You are right on the Wisc./Mich. stateline but plenty of riding in Mich.
notaboveme
New member
We stayed at the Casino in Watersmeet last year and it was great. Right by the trail, plenty to do when the ride is over, and we ran Wisc. one day and the U.P. the rest of the time. Even had lunch at the Gay Bar!
jime
Active member
vacation land @ thousand island lake has new and old cabins, is a little pricey but is my choice of the resorts you mention. go to bent's every night for the most comfortable place for dinner and drinks. not to many yahoos and only 2-3 miles away.their combination of rooms handle anywhere between 2 and 16 maybe. 15 min. of lake and trail riding to the main trail and yes the trails are groomed. new owners want to please, gas & garage are on site. hurley is for dancers, puke fest and getting lost on unmarked trails @ 2AM.
Heck, if you plan to travel that far why don't you come to MN and go up the north shore. Phenomonal riding, great snow (usually), and I'd even offer to be a tour guide for you and show you the back country. You could look for moose and wolves, many great resorts to stay at, and you'd never regret it.
krupps_resort
New member
We are at Twin Lakes and in the snowbelt for snowdepth. A little farther to drive but excellent location for snowmobiling many directions. Check out our website www.kruppsresort.com for info on our cabins. We are taking reservations for winter.
You can snowmobile round trip from Twin Lakes to tip of Keweenaw, or Porcupine Mtns., or Watersmeet, or Big Bay. These areas are each direction from us with many other snowmobile miles you can ride. Lindsay, we're mailing a brochure to you and when you open it to the inner section, it will give you snowmobile miles from Twin Lakes to various locations.
You can snowmobile round trip from Twin Lakes to tip of Keweenaw, or Porcupine Mtns., or Watersmeet, or Big Bay. These areas are each direction from us with many other snowmobile miles you can ride. Lindsay, we're mailing a brochure to you and when you open it to the inner section, it will give you snowmobile miles from Twin Lakes to various locations.