The Mat at the Bridge

[srt20]

So from what I understand, the mat is not down yet, correct? I have only been on the bridge once, 6-8 years ago. What happens if you cross the bridge without the mat down? Am I gonna be wrecking stuff? We are headed up this weekend, and plan on riding north from Rockland and just want to make sure the bridge will be ok to cross. Thanks

Oh btw, what is the mat made of anyway?

talking about the houghton hancock bridge btw

 

[thebreeze]

It may or may not be down. Crossing without the mat is hard on the ears, but is not a huge issue. Ive done it.

 

[scottiking]

Not sure if its down yet but I beleive its rubber but they put snow on it so I havent seen the mat my self! it usually has a pretty good base on it when the mat is down! if its not down its a steel mesh that seems harsh but hasnt seemed to hurt my carbides in the dozen or so times I have ridin over it over the years! Scottiking OUT

 

[Admin]

No rubber, just snow they take from the plowed roads and dump on the lower deck of the bridge, then groom it flat.

I went across the bridge yesterday afternoon and it did not look like it was down yet, but I would imagine they will put it in either sometime this week, or early next week.

As has been said. It's doubtful you will do any damage to your sled as it is just metal you are riding across. Probably about the same as crossing a wide and bare street, maybe even less harmful as metal/metal is probably not as hard on carbides as metal/asphalt. Just can sound nasty is all.

-John

 

[eao]

I was driving from Hancock towards $Bay Monday early pm and the groomer was working the trail towards the bridge.

 

[rsvectordude]

The mat is not down as shipping season is still on going and they wait until the Coast Guard gives the word that shipping is closed for the year. All weather dependent of course. You can visit boatnerd.com to see what ships are still operating in Lake Superior under the vessel passage section.

 

[Admin]

The mat is not down as shipping season is still on going and they wait until the Coast Guard gives the word that shipping is closed for the year. All weather dependent of course. You can visit boatnerd.com to see what ships are still operating in Lake Superior under the vessel passage section.

I am not sure if this is completely true. I believe in some previous years (even last year), the snow mat was down while shipping season was still going on Lake Superior. The Portage Waterway sees almost no shipping traffic, except for the annual September visit of the lakes carrier bringing salt for the roads and an occasional ship during an autumnal storm.

What we really are waiting on is for the cities of Houghton and Hancock to bring in the snow. We are at their mercy as to when they will place the snow down there and then coordinate the grooming of that snow as they place it. I believe once the bridge is down in December, it is pretty much down for the season-regardless of what is happening elsewhere on the big lake.

-John

 

[1-snowbullet]

Ive crossed the bridge with 9 inch wear bars on my sleds threw out the years past .. makes alot of racket just dont stop anywhere under there if you have good carbides .. try to take a good pass there are some spots under there that have steel you can catch one ski on but other rattels to beet heck leen more to side that has the streight steel ..ive checked my bars after xing bridge no damage yet .. just alot of noise !

 

[rsvectordude]

I am not sure if this is completely true. I believe in some previous years (even last year), the snow mat was down while shipping season was still going on Lake Superior. The Portage Waterway sees almost no shipping traffic, except for the annual September visit of the lakes carrier bringing salt for the roads and an occasional ship during an autumnal storm.

What we really are waiting on is for the cities of Houghton and Hancock to bring in the snow. We are at their mercy as to when they will place the snow down there and then coordinate the grooming of that snow as they place it. I believe once the bridge is down in December, it is pretty much down for the season-regardless of what is happening elsewhere on the big lake.

-John

That was the explanation in the Mining Gazette about the Coast Guard. I tried to find the article but it's already archived..

According to Keweenaw.info website. The mat will not be down until mid Dec. and the gates will remain closed until then..Here's the write up from last Friday.....

Current conditions:

The snowmobile trails from Twin Lakes to Copper Harbor are officially open, but groomers are not running yet due to low snow conditions. We will turn loose our fleet of groomers as soon as conditions change.

If you do choose to use the trails, be aware that there are rocks, stumps, branches and wet areas not yet covered by snow and hazards that have not yet been identified. Any trail usage should be done with extreme care until we have better snow cover.

There is logging on a short portion of Trail 133 between Gay and Lac La Belle. The protective mat on the Portage Lift Bridge between Houghton and Hancock will not be installed until the middle of December. The gates at the bridge will not be open until then either.

The Keweenaw Convention & Visitors Bureau asks that you stay on the trails, STAY OFF THE ICE, respect private property, do not drink and drive, and above all else, please, drive safely. The signs on the snowmobile trails are there for the riders’ safety. Please, DO NOT remove or destroy these signs.

(12/3/10)

 

[twark_kesslers]

I once rode a twinspar accross the bridge when the mat wasn't down....it was crazy.

 

[favoritos]

I'm curious about gates. We have crossed many times before the mat was down and have not seen gates.

 

[Trees4Traction440]

hows the steel mesh bridge deck on studs?? guy in my group asked...im not scared of some noise on from the carbides but dont wanna catch studs and tear them out

 

[favoritos]

hows the steel mesh bridge deck on studs?? guy in my group asked...im not scared of some noise on from the carbides but dont wanna catch studs and tear them out

Seemed to be just fine. I know I was leery the first time across, but have not seen anything that appeared out of normal. Just take it easy.

 

[meathead]

Crossin the bridge

it may or may not be down. Crossing without the mat is hard on the ears, but is not a huge issue. Ive done it.

breeze :> come on now us old dogs just shoot the water !!! Yea rite !!(when it is frozen) god dang it i need that speech to type soft wear.... Lol meathead

 

[timner]

No Mat = Dangerous

I'd be extra cautious without that mat.... Hook a carbide just right, you'll be in the big lake.

-Ner

 

[Admin]

I'd be extra cautious without that mat.... Hook a carbide just right, you'll be in the big lake.

-Ner

You would have to be going pretty fast to go through a steel guardrail and into the drink. I guess if you are going that fast, hook a carbide, go through the steel guardrail and end up in the drink... You pretty much have gotten what you deserve.

Just my opinion of course.

-John

 

[m8man]

I agree, just drive as you normally would in an area like that. I work about two blocks from the bridge and I'll ride by tomorrow at my lunch and see what it looks like... Also Chad at M&M powersports who may be (chad66) on this site has a birdseye view all day long. He wouldn know.

If I see it down I'll let ya know. No biggie if its not down though. just keep moving. Kind of like on a road ya don't stop cause the carbides can grab and stop ya. I always thought the bridge was down as of Dec 1st and never really went back up. Heck that honkin bridge seems to get stuck so let it be down for all of us.

m8man

 

[Pit Grunt]

Bridge

Crossed last Friday on the 3rd. The gate was closed when I got there. A guy opened it and said it was to be open yesterdayon the 1st. No mat just keep going slow. Had no problem. Just be carful..

 

[Marty P]

As of today at around two, no snow on bridge, gates open.

 

[Dsbasecamp]

Talked to a friend of mine who works the lift on the bridge.. his last day is the 10th of Dec.