Riding in mid-March

[Hoosier]

Hey,

We're working on our riding plans for this year...how is riding in the UP normally in mid-March? I realize it's risky or might be a bust, but we're thinking about our last trip being 3 or 4 days around the weekend of March 20. Just trying to figure out if there's a good chance or bad chance to get decent snow.

 

[booondocker]

In my opinion, you are safer planning on a late March ride than an early January ride. Some of the best riding of the year can be had with traffic winding down, and a good snow storm brushing up the trails and lots of daylight to extend the ride. This is assuming you go in the lake effect belt areas, and uncle nino doesn't mess up the usual snow depths.

Some of the best riding of the year can be had in March, with snowpack at it's best.

 

[ubee]

Boon is spot on!! The best riding of the year is when most people are letting the sand crabs bite their toes!!

 

[thebluff]

last year in this area things were wrapped up by mid-march. there was some snow in small areas north of here (mass city) and some off trail riding in spots, but most of the snow left by early week 3 around here.

the year before, the season was extended and winter held on until like march 30 or so. trail season was exteneded, i think by 1 week, but it warmed up the 1st couple days in april and wasted most of the snow.

as i remember, the year before that snow was mostly gone by mid march and there was a couple late snowstorms that offered some t-shirt riding weather

the year before that (4 winters ago) it was pretty shot in early march. had just totaled our vehicle in late feb and in late march had settled with the insurance company and took our new ride out and about. it was around march 25-30, was 80ish out and there had been no snow for 2-3 weeks. we took the new ride around the gate on South Boundary road thinking it had been so long since we had seen snow that it would surely be a safe ride. 4wd and prayer got us to the lake...dumb move going around a the road closed sign...but we hadnt seen snow in so long, it was hard to believe what we came across!

twin lakes and north i am guessing is the safest bet...but i think late march is pretty iffy.

 

[Hoosier]

Thanks...I'm too concerned about where since we're used to chasing snow...just wondering if we're taking too big of a chance planning on going that late. Riding 4-5 days including that weekend works out well for my schedule.

 

[skylar]

Go for it I say! I've been riding in March for a long time, sometimes it is ok, sometimes it is good, sometimes it is great. But, no matter the snow conditions, we always have a good time.

 

[booondocker]

This was Easter weekend 2005 between Ishpeming and Marquette in the high country.

 

[isitwinteryet]

March riding rocks we've done it several times. The days are longer and seems like traffic has always been less. Did the island on St. Pattys day a few years ago

 

[yamadooed]

I remember one year load'n up the sleds in mid march in the bare Ramada park'n lot wear'n T shirts with mercury push'n the mid 60s... Mining Gazette poparazzi snap some pics of this for an article and made us UP famous ever since... lol somewhere around Y2K yearish...

 

[wiggsfive]

These are from March 15-17 2009. We stayed at The Bluff (Thanks Matt) Temps got up into the 50's for two days but cooled way down at night. Only saw a handfull of sleds.

 

[thebreeze]

That is one of my favorite times of the year to ride. The trails are usually great, with a few bare spots. No biggie. I love spring riding in the UP!

 

[mezz]

Here is March 28, 2009

April 4, 2009

April 11, 2009

And here is what happens if you get caught riding too late!

It's no guarantee to get to ride that late, but it is possible.-Mezz

 

[rakins800]

some of my best trips have been in march.
like a great run from Republic to Big Bay to L'Anse (little thin,but usually is) and back to Ishpeming. all the third week of march,2007.
plan it. just remember you may have to cancel.

 

[legend02]

Two years ago around march 15, rode from Lake Gogebic to Copper Harbour and back, last year rode the first and third weekend in March from Twin Lakes to Copper Harbour and back. Ya never know what Mother Nature will allow in March.

 

[booondocker]

This is what it can look like in early April (April 9th easter weekend) 2001

 

[lenny]

this was april 8th last season, still some good offtrail. trails were done as bluff stated for the most part.

 

[peppermill]

If you book with Peppermill and the snow conditions aren't good we don't expect you to come up and you don't have to pay a penny. peppermillrentals.com

 

[Hoosier]

Well, you guys got me convinced. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work out.

 

[datdude]

April is awesome in the woods! Temps in the low 60's and riding in t shirts is very nice!

This picture was April 5th, 2009. There was still a lot of snow in the woods, but it did not warm up enough to soften the snow