revx6002003
New member
Thinking of coming up to snowmobile in March. When is the sled dog races up there so maybe I can schedule around that to avoid trail closures. Thanks.
Sled dog race in the Keweenaw?
- Thread starter revx6002003
- Start date
caged_beagle
Member
make your reservations NOW
And make reservations soon! We were up there last year during it and had to start our ride back because there were NO lodging openings anywhere North of the bridge. Luckily we stopped at Parkview on our way through for some dinner and they had one cancellation that we scooped up right away or we would have been riding all the way back to Bergland.
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And make reservations soon! We were up there last year during it and had to start our ride back because there were NO lodging openings anywhere North of the bridge. Luckily we stopped at Parkview on our way through for some dinner and they had one cancellation that we scooped up right away or we would have been riding all the way back to Bergland.
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Yea, the towns that the teams stay at overnight during the event can get pretty full. Calumet on Thursday, Friday and Sunday and Copper Harbor on Saturday. But places like Lac La Belle, Mohawk and even Centennial Cottages (just north of Calumet) have told me they all have no mushers staying with them. So they can have openings. All of the race happens from Calumet north, so most motels from Calumet south are not impacted by them.
-John
revx6002003
New member
Thanks alot guys. I would like see it once, but I can't go up that weekend anyways so at least I know now when it is.
engine9man
New member
Where do they run then because on their website the race route looks like it mimics the snowmobile trail?
It more than mimics them, it uses them. But they run with a lead snowmobile and a sweeper snowmobile to act as a warning that the teams are on the trails and the snowmobiles and sled dog teams just co-exist. When we were told this was how they wanted to do it (DNR and race folks) last year, I was really worried about incidents, but it worked out just fine. Reports from snowmobilers that encountered them was that it was a really cool thing to see and experience. Plus a lot of the sled dog running is later in the evening when the trails quiet down a bit. Sunday is the main daytime running and things usually quiet down up here on Sunday anyway.
I guess the bottom line is, it sounds like a train wreck waiting to happen, but actually goes very well with them and any snowmobiles on the trails. I was really surprised.
-John
I guess the bottom line is, it sounds like a train wreck waiting to happen, but actually goes very well with them and any snowmobiles on the trails. I was really surprised.
-John
We rode the entire weekend last year during the race north of the bridge and didnt have a single problem. Its was awesome to see them! I would actuall PLAN the trip to be there when its going on. You wont have any trouble and by the end of our trip we were actually hoping to see them more! They FLY! And to be honest, I have been stuck behind sledders going way slower! See if you can get there for the start of the race, i hear its a riot! Now if a guy could just some how genitically grow dogs with real deep snow legs or paddle feet it might be fun to have your own off trail dog sled team!
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It is! Grace, Nora and I were there last year and plan to be there for the start again this year. It probably helps that I am a dog lover, but it was one of the most unique and cool things I have ever seen done on snow. Those dogs are true athletes and when the teams are getting set up on the sleds, those dogs are as pumped up as any human athlete is before a championship game- bounding and barking with fire in their eyes. Once they start, the mushers actually have to ride down the snow covered street in Calumet with the breaks fully on to keep the speed down and things under control.
-John
engine9man
New member
olsmann that helps to know its easy to get around them. Sounds like its fun to watch. Hopefully the Keweenaw gets a little more snow as I have the time off of work already.