Sent this to the Ironwood Chamber/// something is up

[dusterdj]

stop posting about the great snowmobile trail east of Ironwood (8) to M28 over by Bergland. Getting sick of the copy and paste. THEY ARE NOT GROOMING...maybe once a week. Something is up, NO grooming. Perfect once you get over by Bergland. And thank God for the great guys up there keeping the trails great!! Heard best to send email to Michigan Snowmobile Association to get some action. If You head further north in the UP trails are perfect. And perfect in WI.
Anyone that wants to disagree, ride it. With the traffic on that trail would like to know
how often they get out there to groom. Local here and ride all the trails weekly. Ride 4000 miles a year out
of Ironwood. Here's the address for the MSA... Thanks for emailing them
http://www.msasnow.org/contact-us/

 

[dickmsp]

A couple weeks ago I tried this trail, had to turn around at bridge by abandoned small house only a few miles from Wakefield. We wanted to go to the Bergland Bay Bar but good god the moguls were huge!!
I understand it's been a challenging year but snow and temps were good.
Is there bad blood between the groomers and Bergland businesses? Is it a similar situation like Munising had??
I'm just curious. Live in mn, so it's a drive to hurley, but if that section of 8 is not getting groomed this year looks like we drive a little further and avoid Hurley/Ironwood

 

[ss440]

Has it gotten any better?

 

[bmpskier1]

I have a house in Ironwood right on trail 2. The new bypass trail that heads to wakefield is by far the worst trail I have ever ridden.. I have sice starting trailering past wakefield if I want to ride north. It is ridiculous how bad this trail is. Too much road riding and I have yet to see it groomed. I would guess this has hurt the business off trail #2 going north past Ironwood. Something is happening here.. But I will continue to throw them in the enclosed trailer to miss all that destruction. It only takes an extra 10 min in the morning to load them up in the driveway.. I dont see this getting any better until a different route is found.

 

[EXCESSIVE FORCE]

I have a house in Ironwood right on trail 2. The new bypass trail that heads to wakefield is by far the worst trail I have ever ridden.. I have sice starting trailering past wakefield if I want to ride north. It is ridiculous how bad this trail is. Too much road riding and I have yet to see it groomed. I would guess this has hurt the business off trail #2 going north past Ironwood. Something is happening here.. But I will continue to throw them in the enclosed trailer to miss all that destruction. It only takes an extra 10 min in the morning to load them up in the driveway.. I dont see this getting any better until a different route is found.

Don't worry this detour won't last long with all the trespassing being done on it....

 

[440_chazz]

Don't worry this detour won't last long with all the trespassing being done on it....

Are they riding on the groomed ski hills? I know going through Blackjack and Indianhead with those hills are bad.

We rode this area over MLK weekend and it was bad. We stopped along side the trail because we were tired and noticed it wasn't frozen. Our sleds were sinking. There was a creek that was open water flowing too. Hearing the latest reports I'm assuming its not frozen yet. That's crazy.

 

[favoritos]

We talked to the trail boss. He said they are only allowed to use two of their three groomers because of the lost miles of trail. I think it is worth an email to the link. That trail is terrible and that is a silly reason to not groom. I have probably made 60+ runs from base camp in Wakefield. It is tough to decide which direction to ride. I have gone out right after the groom had set, but they are so far behind that the holes open up very quickly with traffic.

 

[indybru]

Thank heaven this is being brought up. Here's my story and history, I have a place at Big Powderhorn but keep the snowmobiles in a storage unit in Wakefield across RT 2 Sunday Lake (across from the VFW.) The last 2 years have been beyond bad (last year GRTA had groomers broken sometimes all of them.) Fast forward to the only time I snowmobiled this year, last week mid week monday feb 8th to the 11th, plenty of fresh snow and plenty cold. Also here we are mid week before the big Presidents day weekend. Do you think the trails would be good?

They were beyond horrible, both monday and tuesday I tried to go trail 8 from Wakefield to Bergland had to turn back both times. So monday I took the new reroute trail 2 from Wakefield to Bessemer, this could be a nice trail if it was groomed but it was horrible, after Blackjack everything was groomed going into Wisky that's where I rode that day. Brought sled to home and tried again tuesday, the reroute was horrible and so was trail 8 heading to Bergland, I turned around as mentioned before and rode backroads south of route 2 Wakefield into Ramsey plenty of snow on side roads then rode Wisky trails again. Wednesday I didn't even try going east rode from house (Big Powderhorn) to Wisky trails. Thursday, after days of plenty of snow and cold I rode from the house to Wakefield couldn't believe it ,the reroute trail was groomed and so nice I rode it again to Blackjack back to Wakefield then caught trail 8 with was nice since it was groomed into Bergland.

We left thursday afternoon but here we have plenty of snow, cold temps and coming up to Presidents' Day weekend and these trails were horrible until thursday. I mentioned this to business I frequent (Bergland) and they have heard same complaints all winter coming from Wakefield. I might try calling the landlord of the many storage units he has in Wakefield and see what can be done to get this corrected.



Sorry for being long but this grooming area GRTA doesn't have to groom trail 11 north anymore and they haven't had to groom trail 11 south for serveral years either. The big question is with the lower miles they need to groom why aren't these sections groomed.

 

[dusterdj]

Not wanting to add more fire to this post, BUT we left Ironwood on trail 8. heading East on
Wednesday about noon. Trail was not groomed. Once out of the area, trails were groomed
and in good shape ALL the way to Iron Mountain, MI. Just a heads up for people!
Coming back today, Thursday, took WI trail 6 across and through Mercer ( to avoid trail 8 East of Ironwood) and back to Ironwood from the south. Good all the way.

 

[1flatlander2]

bergland grooms half way to wakefield on 8 and last sat wasn't bad. once you get half way hang on. + i think there is a stretch that is being logged.

 

[dusterdj]

You are VERY correct. It's great where Bergland grooms from there along M28, it turns to "s...."
once you get across the tracks and head toward Ironwood.

 

[67rs]

i have a friend that belongs to western UP snowchasers was GR they took over the club after some issues i belong to several clubs and also groom trails i was up for the week this past week, they have 6 members which only 4 drive the groomer and 3 of them work full time, i offered to help groom wed night the dnr told them they had to groom toward bergland i said toward marinesco was bad, the trail to bergland he was told had big whoops when i got there with the groomer it was where the logging was going on and they plowed the road the whoops are not on the trail he then groomed to marinesco on thurs morning, tried to groom the new reroute but got stuck going up the hill ( thanks the loud pipes and off trail riding for closing the old trail) our club in central WI has over 100 members and everybody helps in a certain way i could not imagine having 6 members to do all that work, so if you don't like the trails go home join your club take care of your trails and ride them i put in over 300 hours a year in trail maintenance and grooming not this year of course no snow so i go to the UP i found an issue talked to the right people and helped out wasnt alot but it helped so join a club and walk in our shoes, got done grooming wed night 2am went out riding at 7am had a good week got caught in the rain friday 3 hours from the house. after riding all week could not believe what i saw people parked 3 wide on trail look at stay on trail signs and see alot of tracks next to signs riding all over private fields people driving on wrong side of trail coming at me (off trail riders they were) i could go on and on bottom line is if you don't like it stay home or GET involved and work THAT is what it takes trails don't just happen it takes alot of work and pride, 1 man or 6 people can not do it alone. i do not know all issues with that area but i don't care i care about helping them out because they need it. if everybody complaining helped 1 day they would have excellent trails. a look from the other side i have belonged to a club for 39 years to make people happy step up and help out or go home.

 

[Highflyer]

i have a friend that belongs to western UP snowchasers was GR they took over the club after some issues i belong to several clubs and also groom trails i was up for the week this past week, they have 6 members which only 4 drive the groomer and 3 of them work full time, i offered to help groom wed night the dnr told them they had to groom toward bergland i said toward marinesco was bad, the trail to bergland he was told had big whoops when i got there with the groomer it was where the logging was going on and they plowed the road the whoops are not on the trail he then groomed to marinesco on thurs morning, tried to groom the new reroute but got stuck going up the hill ( thanks the loud pipes and off trail riding for closing the old trail) our club in central WI has over 100 members and everybody helps in a certain way i could not imagine having 6 members to do all that work, so if you don't like the trails go home join your club take care of your trails and ride them i put in over 300 hours a year in trail maintenance and grooming not this year of course no snow so i go to the UP i found an issue talked to the right people and helped out wasnt alot but it helped so join a club and walk in our shoes, got done grooming wed night 2am went out riding at 7am had a good week got caught in the rain friday 3 hours from the house. after riding all week could not believe what i saw people parked 3 wide on trail look at stay on trail signs and see alot of tracks next to signs riding all over private fields people driving on wrong side of trail coming at me (off trail riders they were) i could go on and on bottom line is if you don't like it stay home or GET involved and work THAT is what it takes trails don't just happen it takes alot of work and pride, 1 man or 6 people can not do it alone. i do not know all issues with that area but i don't care i care about helping them out because they need it. if everybody complaining helped 1 day they would have excellent trails. a look from the other side i have belonged to a club for 39 years to make people happy step up and help out or go home.

How about using complete sentences?? The only part of this I understood was that the club has only 6 members. Maybe Michigan needs the Cap/step program and they can double membership.

Any club in a snow belt area like Ironwood that only has 6 members must have some internal problems going one. Money fight, power struggle or old guard vs new guard but regardless it's pathetic.

 

[sweeperguy]

How about using complete sentences?? The only part of this I understood was that the club has only 6 members. Maybe Michigan needs the Cap/step program and they can double membership.

Any club in a snow belt area like Ironwood that only has 6 members must have some internal problems going one. Money fight, power struggle or old guard vs new guard but regardless it's pathetic.

Thanks Frank, why do people have to post like this?
The rest of your post is spot on.

 

[Highflyer]

Thanks Frank, why do people have to post like this?
The rest of your post is spot on.

Because if your going to lecture people on helping out then you should at least try to make sense.

I just get sick of hearing the blame always placed on the people who aren't active in the clubs. At some point the leadership of the clubs needs to be looked at especially if a club only has 6 people. Like he said about his club back home, everyone plays a role. I don't have the time to be active in a club 7 hours away. Hence when I am up riding I try stop only at bars/restaurants that are involved in supporting the trail systems. Spending money at those business in effort for them to feel like the work is worth it.

 

[longtrack]

Simple solution, stop going to Ironwood /Wakefield area like I did.

 

[67rs]

you people don't get it! highflyer stay in IL and ride and let me know how that works? sweeperguy just stay in MN.!! the non club members never do get it. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE IT THEN STAY HOME.................. and on another note i do not have time myself i work full time and farm I MAKE TIME!!! for people like you and then you have the nerve to complain. this is a lost cause. and on another note our trails in central wi opened for 1 week we have zero complaints year after year we have good reports on our trails, just sticking up for the club in MI. because i know what it takes and until you people get involved you will never know.. like longtrack said stop going to Ironwood/Wakefield very simple.

 

[sweeperguy]

you people don't get it! highflyer stay in IL and ride and let me know how that works?sweeperguy just stay in MN.!! the non club members never do get it. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE IT THEN STAY HOME.................. and on another note i do not have time myself i work full time and farm I MAKE TIME!!! for people like you and then you have the nerve to complain. this is a lost cause. and on another note our trails in central wi opened for 1 week we have zero complaints year after year we have good reports on our trails, just sticking up for the club in MI. because i know what it takes and until you people get involved you will never know.. like longtrack said stop going to Ironwood/Wakefield very simple.

I AM A MEMBER OF 4 CLUBS. 2 IN MICH, 1 IN MINN. AND 1 IN WI. I DRIVE OVER 4-5 HOURS TO DO FALL TRAIL WORK FOR SUPERIOR SNOWMOBILE CLUB. (And was going to stay in a tent until a cabin had a cancellation at the last minute) NEXT FALL I'LL MOST LIKELY MAKE IT TO MARATHON COUNTY FOR TRAIL WORK ALSO (just joined that club this year). The reason I don't in MN is a whole different thread topic.
WHERE DID I EVER COMPLAIN? NEVER! I ONLY AGREED THAT A CLUB IN THE SNOW BELT WITH ONLY 6 MEMBERS MUST HAVE ISSUES. (If you don't see that you're wearing rose colored glasses).
I DID POINT OUT TO HIGHFLYER THAT I THOUGHT HIS POSTING A SLAP ABOUT PUNCTUATION WAS (IN MY OPINION) OUT OF LINE AND THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN IN YOUR DEFENSE SO BEFORE YOU SLAP ME IN A POST MAKE SURE YOU HAVE GOOD FACTS!

 

[dickmsp]

Hi guys, I belong to a few clubs too. Any more facts about why trail 8 from ironwood east has been bad this season? 6 guys in the club? Dang, how can they keep trail open.. in the miscellaneous discussion board here theres a thread with the topic "Old Guard." It's mainly highlighting how tough it is sometimes to join a club and gel with the established members. Kinda like being the new kid in school. Now, back to trail 8. Is this a case of the "Old Guard" just getting old? It has to be tough if you're in your 70's or 80's and you have to go groom for 10 hours at midnight. I hope it's not a case of a grudge match between club members or the club vs other clubs or businesses.