Yes SORVA was given the green light to groom, but the DNR would not cover the cost. Trail 8 was gorgeous on Saturday morning from 7 to Shingleton. From there the trail gets rough with open spots all the way to the juncture of 88 which was nice coming back on Sunday. Saturday we headed north on 8/highway 58 to Au Sable Point. We were able to get to the lighthouse by riding on the big lake from Hurricane Creek campground to the lighthouse.
Trails were ok going into Grand Marais due to fresh snow. Fueled up at the Bayshore and headed east on trail 8. For April I would rate it good till you get to the burnout which in my opinion was a blast. If you like jumping drifts it was perfect. Then we hit the woods trail and the next 11 miles were bad bumpy corners and flatter through the straight stretches. It wasn't terrible due to the 4 inches of fresh snow. When we got to the four corners (it's what the locals call it) it was decent getting into Paradise.
Had pizza and bar food at the Inn, and spent the night at Tauquamenon Suites which was nice with a good comfy bed.
Next morning we ate at the Berry Patch, fueled up at the gas station and headed for Tauquamenon Falls. The gate is closed, but easy to bypass the locals are doing it. To the lower falls I would rate the trail (45) fair to good. There is one water hole opening up about 4 miles north of the lower falls you can get around it. Walked to lower falls it was just roaring. Got back to sleds and headed for Upper Falls.
At upper we were the only sledders, and the city people were literally giving us the evil eye. There was a MI DNR warden there and someone started to complain. He came over took one look at our out of state trail stickers and said, " I'm so glad you came up. Since your legal and in a state park there's no issues. Enjoy the falls and the rest of your ride and please don't run over any small children on your way out." He winked, got in his truck, and left! We proceeded to enjoy the park and be avoided by everyone else. The brewery is closed.
Left on 45 toward Newberry, got to the grade and was at 100 + it was just great all the way down till hooking up with 9. Trial 9 was mostly bare for about a mile till it got more snow. Then it proceeded to get unpleasant. We got sick of it and took a forest road west and hooked up with 431 in Seney territory. This was really nice to the park and ride about 6 miles north of Seney. Then you run the ditch which is getting bare to Seney. We got fuel and headed north on 43 to meet up with 88. Trail 43 was good to very good, but watch out for drifts in open areas. Trail 88 was very good heading west to 8. Trail 8 was rough all the way to Shingleton. Trail 8 was nice still from Shingleton to Trail 7. 7 was nice ( yes they groomed this to) past the Buckhorn where we stayed Friday night and left the trailer.
Got super at the Buckhorn, loaded and drove home. Overall it was the nicest trip this year and it happened in April!
My great thanks to Munising Motorsports for pulling the carbides off the showroom floor sled to replace the ones we broke when we crossed the railroad tracks on 419 heading for the gas station. Trip would have ended really fast without the help. All arctic cat carbides at both Munising Motorsports and Renze power sports were sold out.
Thank you snocrazy for posting about the conditions in the area. It was really nice. Time to get out the Wildcat X.
I'm truly sorry frnash if my punctuation is not up to snuff this time. Go ahead and tear it apart. Your posts either drive me nuts, or make me laugh. It's all in good fun.
