Removing of signs in U.P.

[pwolfy2003]

I know this has been talked about over and over again but wanted to start a new thread and give my honest opinion.After spending a week in the U.P. and covering a ton of different areas I can honestly say we never even once were bothered by having all those signs removed. I actually was very upset when I first heard that they were going to remove the signs .Our group rides at a very aggressive but cautious speed and can honestly say, never once did we have a close call because of missing a corner, coming up to a bridge, or all those stupid curve signs every 100 yards, in the twisty trail sections in the woods where those signs were removed.I even noticed that they added some new signs. I think some of the big yellow arrows in a lot of the corners are new ? Great work by all the workers preparing the signs, marking the trails , getting easements and of course grooming ,your efforts are greatly appreciated.

 

[jr37]

That is great to hear!

 

[goofy600]

I was told at one point that they might remove existing signs but if they fall down of get knocked down they won't get put back up. I guess that would be up to the different areas so things could still change over time.

 

[harvest1121]

The only problems I had is when the trail curves and they show there is another trail to the other direction. If your not suppose to go the other way just put the arrow pointing that way. The other was on trail 11 when they blacked out the sign to show I believe 102 to Gogebic. It seems people did put up pink ribbons on some corners. I did not think it was really too different.

 

[Pizza Man]

We rode around Munising last weekend and can say, not once did the new sign system make a difference to our riding.

 

[lesledhead]

It's nice to ride in the woods again, isn't it. No more highway signs every 100 feet.

 

[polaris4me]

I helped with signs in the St.Ignace area. The next day went for a atv ride and did not feel any different on the trail. Sure there was no snow at that time, so it was easier to see the trail.
Good to here most of us are having good rides out there.

 

[favoritos]

Don't miss the bridge signs, but do miss the steep hill signs. Those dips between Rockland and Mass are going to get someone without a warning sign.

The sharp turn signs do help with gray light conditions where it looks like the trail keeps going but has been re-routed.

We rode Wis. and MI last week. I can verify that there is a dramatic difference between the two trail systems.

 

[anonomoose]

You don't need any signage unless you go where you have never been before. It is when you are completely unfamiliar with the trail where signs are most helpful.

Also when you hit a snow squall with limited visibility they are very nice and anyone who has ridden, even on a known trail, will admit that it is nice to have signage when conditions are less than ideal. Just like driving a car/truck, you know the curve is ahead or a cross street is there somewhere but with a good hard snow fall, it is nice to see those signs.

 

[ezra]

I was upset about the removal of signs.but then I realised they never mark the woods any way and I have been able to see that tree coming up and turn around it. even with no sign or bridge I can still get over those creek bed's.

 

[russholio]

You don't need any signage if you go where you have been before. It is when you are completely unfamiliar with the trail where signs are most helpful.

So are you saying because I've been on a trail once (and maybe years ago at that), it should be committed to memory and I should know it like I know the back of my hand?

Also when you hit a snow squall with limited visibility they are very nice and anyone who has ridden, even on a known trail, will admit that it is nice to have signage when conditions are less than ideal. Just like driving a car/truck, you know the curve is ahead or a cross street is there somewhere but with a good hard snow fall, it is nice to see those signs.

Definitely.

 

[IOWASLEDDER]

I know this has been talked about over and over again but wanted to start a new thread and give my honest opinion.After spending a week in the U.P. and covering a ton of different areas I can honestly say we never even once were bothered by having all those signs removed. I actually was very upset when I first heard that they were going to remove the signs .Our group rides at a very aggressive but cautious speed and can honestly say, never once did we have a close call because of missing a corner, coming up to a bridge, or all those stupid curve signs every 100 yards, in the twisty trail sections in the woods where those signs were removed.I even noticed that they added some new signs. I think some of the big yellow arrows in a lot of the corners are new ? Great work by all the workers preparing the signs, marking the trails , getting easements and of course grooming ,your efforts are greatly appreciated.

I absolutely agree 100%. I was up there all last week and did not notice a difference! Great job to everyone up there!

 

[ezra]

So are you saying because I've been on a trail once (and maybe years ago at that), it should be committed to memory and I should know it like I know the back of my hand?



Definitely.

never go west my friend u will end up at the bottom of a 100ft cliff if u rely on signs instead of common since.
I think i see more signs in 20 min in MI than in a week in CO/ID/WY
i have to admit it would be nice to have a few more signs on some of those ungroomed mountain trails when it is starting to get dark and snowing

 

[anonomoose]

So are you saying because I've been on a trail once (and maybe years ago at that), it should be committed to memory and I should know it like I know the back of my hand?

Yes unless you are 50 or older then we don't expect anything and I recommend that you wear a name tag with your name and address and then in bold reflective print the words..."Lost...can you help me....".

 

[russholio]

never go west my friend u will end up at the bottom of a 100ft cliff if u rely on signs instead of common since.
I think i see more signs in 20 min in MI than in a week in CO/ID/WY
i have to admit it would be nice to have a few more signs on some of those ungroomed mountain trails when it is starting to get dark and snowing

No worries....not interested in going west.

Yes unless you are 50 or older then we don't expect anything and I recommend that you wear a name tag with your name and address and then in bold reflective print the words..."Lost...can you help me....".

I guess I'm in trouble then, seeing as I can't remember yesterday half the time. And I'm 7 months shy of 50!

 

[indy_500]

I still find it very noticable but I don't have any problems with the trails I guess.

 

[polarisrider1]

never go west my friend u will end up at the bottom of a 100ft cliff if u rely on signs instead of common since.
I think i see more signs in 20 min in MI than in a week in CO/ID/WY
i have to admit it would be nice to have a few more signs on some of those ungroomed mountain trails when it is starting to get dark and snowing

Sometimes out west you think you see a trail sign post when in reality it is a tree striped of its branches from an avalanche.

I will miss the "Steep Hill" signs in MI ,but isn't that just false advertising anyways?

 

[polarisrider1]

If the trail signage item was never mentioned, who really would of noticed a few less signs?

 

[mjkaliszak]

Yes unless you are 50 or older then we don't expect anything and I recommend that you wear a name tag with your name and address and then in bold reflective print the words..."Lost...can you help me....".

50+ 1 day.... now what were you saying ??? LOL

 

[Deleted member 10829]

I had some issues on really snowy days, especially when it looked like the trail could go two ways like on the 13 loop. Other than that, not really. You have to see the first turn ahead sign though or it's too late with the arrow right at the corner.

The one thing I couldn't believe was what someone mentioned above. On trail #3 heading south out of Mass City, it runs parallel to the highway for a mile or two and has 3 very big dips that can be dangerous and they were well marked with big hill signs but those are now removed. Areas like that need to have exceptions made IMO.