articbonbon
New member
I was wondering how the riding in the eastern part of the U.P. is? Thinking of going there the week of Feb 21st. Usually ride the Lake Gogebic area. Any suggestions where to ride and where to stay .
riding eastern u.p. michigan
- Thread starter articbonbon
- Start date
Snow is usually good that time of year around Paradise, There are quite a few hotels in Newberry and Paradise, what type of accommodations are you looking for big chain hotels or mom and pop style, Paradise has a Best Western, Newberry a Comfort Inn and some others and there are alot of mom and pop hotels
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polarisrider1
New member
Grand Marais, MI is on my favorites list, so is Drummond Island to cross into Canada. Timing is critical on the east side of the UP. You have to ride when the riding is good, not when your "Boss" let's you have the time off. Mackinaw Island riding is a way cool thing to do! but again, not enough ice or snow most yrs. to make that work.
sledheadM6
New member
Grand Marais,Munising,Seney,Paradise,Newberry all great places to ride.Stay in Newberry for a hub and ride all areas above.It can get very busy on weekends but what place does not.If you can plan to ride during the week and u will have great trail conditions also there is alot of 2tracks to ride.
yoopermike
New member
Timing is critical? I guess I am spoiled that I live here, but I have yet to target a certain time of the year to find good riding conditions or have to chase snow. It's pretty good everywhere from my experience, Jan thru the end of March, from Munsing to Paradise. Yeah, last year sucked, but it did everywhere else too.
polarisrider1
New member
Yes timing is critical. yoopermike it doesn't matter where you live. You answered your own question. Not only did last yr. suck but in the eastern half of the UP snow is most generally thinner than central or western UP. Did you read articbonbon's question?
Agree 100%!!! I have logged tens of thousands of miles backpacking all over the UP and I always start the ride in St. Ignace or Trout Lake and try to hit all the hot destinations in the eastern end either on the way west or on the return trip east. There is usually good riding to be had by mid to late December and I have had great conditions as late as St. Patty's day. The time you plan to go should be perfect snow wise. Lots of great mom and pops places to stay right on the trail to!!!
Please spend your money with the local folks....
Last winter was an ugly one all over up there!!!
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yoopermike
New member
I did read his question, I was only commenting on the riding conditions and trying to give him a broader scope of a good time to ride, as to not limit him to "this is the best week of the year so you better be here" or "you'll have to watch the weather to make sure you hit right after a storm so the trails won't suck". I disagree with your comment on snow being thinner here. We are just like the snowbelt areas in the Marquette area and the narrow/long stretch from the Keweenaw to Ironwood. If you look at historical snowcover maps, the area from Munising to Paradise typically has as much snow or more and covers a larger area. For examples, see below. I like to watch this stuff as a hobby and follow it closely and verify it by actually going out and riding it. I am only speaking from my personal experiences, so of course, like yours, it is merely an opinion.
And as for the lodging and places to stay, I agree with what everyone else said. Munising, Grand Marais, Newberry, and Paradise all have excellent accomodations and you would not be disappointed with any place you stay and ride.
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polarisrider1
New member
I guess it is in the interpretation of eastern UP that may have me lost. I draw the line from Paradise down to trout lake as the line from east to central UP. Places such as Picford, Cedarville, Drummond Island, Mackinaw Island and even the Soo are on my Eastern UP list. Those places and even Newberry and to the south can be iffy on snow. If someone such as articbonbon is willing to drive that far to ride they will need to do their homework. I have wasted many dollars riding that area in marginal snow just to get from point A to point B.. If articbonbon wants to see the sites on the east side that's great because there is lots to see. Just be more flexable on trip planning to get the "Good stuff". The UP snow belt that you have graphs of is are great guides to go by, but no garantee.
yoopermike
New member
I agree with you entirely with what you have said here. For those that live in this area, the dividing line is pretty much M-77 from US-2 to Grand Marais and east of the line. I include Munising only because the snowbelt extends all the way over there to the west. Good discussion....
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You'll be fine
I have been riding the munising, grand Marais, seney, pardise, trout lake area for the last 16 years and you'll be just fine with the snow conditions. Even if there isn't much in the way of system snow you'll still be able to ride north of 28 as far east as Paradise with all the LES they get. In my opinion Grand Marais and Seney trails are some of the best in the UP with how well they are groomed (even on weekends).
Sites to see (east to west)- Whitefish Point, Taquamana Falls (upper and lower), Log Slide (grand marais), Kingston Plains, Pictured rocks and Munising falls.
Make sure you make some time to eat at Buckhorn and have a drink a Bear Trap! Have a great trip!
I have been riding the munising, grand Marais, seney, pardise, trout lake area for the last 16 years and you'll be just fine with the snow conditions. Even if there isn't much in the way of system snow you'll still be able to ride north of 28 as far east as Paradise with all the LES they get. In my opinion Grand Marais and Seney trails are some of the best in the UP with how well they are groomed (even on weekends).
Sites to see (east to west)- Whitefish Point, Taquamana Falls (upper and lower), Log Slide (grand marais), Kingston Plains, Pictured rocks and Munising falls.
Make sure you make some time to eat at Buckhorn and have a drink a Bear Trap! Have a great trip!
i think newberry is a grat place to stay. usually snow is really good from there north, northeast and northwest. in a good year its all good. i have stayed in trout lake a couple times. imo its not nearly as good as on further north and west. I just dont think the snow is as good in the east up. you can also ride south to naubinway and see the vintage sled museum, pretty neat stuff in there.
trailshredder
Member
The problem with Newberry is they have a 10:00pm (or 11:00pm) curfew in town for sleds. Grand Marais is the place to stay. From there you can ride east or west and stay in good snow. The problem with Paradise is west is the only good way to go...east is usually beat up.
johndeere06
New member
ride eastern u.p.
if your looking for cheap nice hotel go to bears den in mcmillian they got 24 hour gas and 24 hour food and service i would give 5 out of 5 this s good place and trails r close by also
if your looking for cheap nice hotel go to bears den in mcmillian they got 24 hour gas and 24 hour food and service i would give 5 out of 5 this s good place and trails r close by also
You got that right!