We went from Wakefield, parked in the free parking spot next to the lake, sledded to the northside of Calumet, stayed at the motel next to the trail, then spent the day doing the Copper Harbor loop, stopped at the sands, by the Gay Bar, did some Lake Superior water skipping, then lunch At Gay, then on to the look out, then Copper, then ran the west side back down, stopped at Mariener, also the Bar motel on the southwest shore. Stopped at Keweenaw Brewery, then L'anse motel. 2 days down, then on to the northeast, to Newberry, spent the next day doing thr Ch. falls area, by the end of the day it was 45 degrees out and snow going quick, so on to the way back southwest we road late, stopped heading south, as the trails were turning into dirt, stopped at some motel a bout 3 hours from Krupps, took off early sunday heading to Krupps, in the rain. About 1/2 way took out a trailing arm, wire, duct tape, and a couple heavey duty zip ties, and then a stop at a motel the owner had a used carbide we needed, then on to Krupps. The arm failed 100% about a 1/2 mile from there. Limped it there. Left my girlfriend and the broken sled at Krupps and my son and I took off to Wakefield on 2 almost new 800 edges for the fastest run ever to wakefield, still in the rain and 50 degrees, we road ice, dirt and water all the way from Bergland. Then skipped Christmas Lake to get to the truck, It was dark out by then. Loaded, back to Krupps, then drove to Circle Pines, mn after dropping my son in St Croix Falls wisc. I had to work monday morn at 5am, made it on time only because of the time change. I think we road 1300 to 1400 miles total. It was spring of 03, so we only remember the good parts, and laugh about the troubles and weather. Ended up buying a few parts, ready for this? 2 pairs of skiis, 3 sets of 8 inch carbides, 2 full sets of studs, and 3 new belts. Got 1 more season out of the unstudded track. So replaced that then. So to answer your question, the more time you can spend taking your trip, the better. The biggest problem is having a mechanical issue 3-400 miles from your tow vehicle. We wish we cuold do it again. We did many years of 2-4 day saddle bag trips. Always had fun, most of the time we did not plan our motel stops, we just went to were the best snow was and winged it. Parted out my 02 edge in march of 07 with 13500 miles on it. Still have one 02 edge left, all rebuilt and extended to 144, it spent last year in CO., WY., and Utah with my son as a back up. He now rides an extended open mod 800 rev, fastest sled I have ever ridden. It smoked his buddys 800 09 summit in all elevations and snow conditions. Have a great trip. I sure miss snowmobiling.
