Portage Lake ice

swampcat

Member
So take the bridge or run the ice in the channel ? If the snow comes as predicted, the trail wont be so bad. Locals ,what say ye ?
 

winter_time

New member
I am a member of the Bootjack Fire Department and chances are I will be one of the people coming to rescue you. Do yourself and all rescue people a favor and stay off the canal use the bridge. The canal is never safe due to a rapid current under the ice plus ice is not the same all the way across. It is a fact that the ice could be 6 inches thick where you check the thickness and about 100 ft away from there it could only be an inch thick. Just stay off of the ice and use the bridge. If your snowmobile goes through you will have a fine to pay to the DNR because it will be known about if you are crossing by the bridge.
 

mezz

Well-known member
They been crossing the canal for almost 2 months!

So does that make it safe?!? NOT! With the up & down temps we have been having & long stretches of well above average temps, definelty NOT a good idea, especially in that area. Let's use a little common sense & save some lives as well as the expense of fines & expense to rescue & retrieve.-Mezz
 

rsvectordude

New member
I've been riding from Chassell to Houghton and all over the canal including under the bridge and my sled with me on it are pushing 900 lbs! To each their own! I'm not saying if you blow a belt you won't sink in the middle of the canal by the bridge but if you keep moving at 45 or above without stopping you're pretty safe! If you have any doubts don't do it! If you want to live a little have fun!
 

Cat Woman

New member
I've been riding from Chassell to Houghton and all over the canal including under the bridge and my sled with me on it are pushing 900 lbs! To each their own! I'm not saying if you blow a belt you won't sink in the middle of the canal by the bridge but if you keep moving at 45 or above without stopping you're pretty safe! If you have any doubts don't do it! If you want to live a little have fun!

UNDER the bridge? Holy crap!!!!
 

jr37

Well-known member
I've been riding from Chassell to Houghton and all over the canal including under the bridge and my sled with me on it are pushing 900 lbs! To each their own! I'm not saying if you blow a belt you won't sink in the middle of the canal by the bridge but if you keep moving at 45 or above without stopping you're pretty safe! If you have any doubts don't do it! If you want to live a little have fun!

Those are the tracks that get people killed that don't know the area, but think they can follow any tracks.:(
 

swampcat

Member
If I jump off the bridge and you see me do it, does that mean you are gonna jump next ? Clint Eastwood quote - A mans got to know HIS limitations.
 

traveler

New member
I am a member of the Bootjack Fire Department and chances are I will be one of the people coming to rescue you. Do yourself and all rescue people a favor and stay off the canal use the bridge. The canal is never safe due to a rapid current under the ice plus ice is not the same all the way across. It is a fact that the ice could be 6 inches thick where you check the thickness and about 100 ft away from there it could only be an inch thick. Just stay off of the ice and use the bridge. If your snowmobile goes through you will have a fine to pay to the DNR because it will be known about if you are crossing by the bridge.

I am also a member of this department and what I say is stay off of the ice especially if you don't know the water way. Why should people have to risk their lives to save yours when there is a perfectly safe way to cross called a bridge. STAY OFF THE ICE!!!
 

zltim

Member
Can I ask why the ice crossing is not closed off once the bridge is open or better yet why is it ever open. I haven't been there for years so maybe this is a stupid question. Couldn't signs be posted to stay off the ice? Just asking?????????
 

Chicago Boy

New member
I love running the ice but never run the Chanel in Houghton ,any safe places to fly on the ice
Why all the lake trails in Wisconsin but nothing in the yoop ?
 

whitedust

Well-known member
WI has to take you across lakes so much water in the area. UP does not have as many lakes & lots of land trails to run groomer. LG too big for me & always has ice heaves so I choose to stay off that lake. I ride a few lakes in Iron County UPMI but not really in in LES snow belt.
 

Chicago Boy

New member
WI has to take you across lakes so much water in the area. UP does not have as many lakes & lots of land trails to run groomer. LG too big for me & always has ice heaves so I choose to stay off that lake. I ride a few lakes in Iron County UPMI but not really in in LES snow belt.
We used to go to Lakewoods in Cable wis I miss the lakes
I'm from Illinois and grew up on the Fox River and that how we rode as kids
Lakers 800 cc Mach z
 

whitedust

Well-known member
Got a buddy in Cary that would rather ride the Fox River & skip water than trails up north. Not for me but he likes it.
 
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