Trail 14/Baraga/Hancock

[dcsnomo]

Things are slow at the inn, so planning the Jan trip and need some local knowledge. We are going from Big Bay to Hancock, seems like Trail 14 is the best way to Trail 15. I notice that 15 ends at Portage Lake. I have also noticed that ours is a winter sport and lakes tend to be frozen in Jan. So, I'm assuming the best way to do this is 14 to 15 and up the lake to Hancock. Am I right, or will I plunge to an icy death due to some mysterious vortex only the locals know about, causing you all to say "He did what?"

Thanks!

 

[StreetnSnow]

That is the quickest way. 15 is often thin heading North out of Baraga, but doesn't see much traffic. Keep an eye on temps in the weeks before your trip. If it's cold & windy, Portage Lake is often rideable by mid-January. If the Portage is suspect, it only adds 30 minutes or so to take back roads from Chassell to Painesdale, then grab the Bill Nichols to Houghton/Hancock.

 

[whitedust]

That entire Baraga/Chassell to Painesdale is a mess trailwise. Used to be simple & I could tell ya from 8 years ago but but not current now with all the trail blocks. Used to be simple to by pass Baraga too on the Lake for a short distance. May be best to take 15/109 up to Bill Nichols & rock & roll in from there. 109 another iffy trail on south end but very nice trail every mile north better & full of twistys makes you appreciate Bill Nichols grade.

 

[mguth]

Did this route several times (and vice versa), however never did the Baraga to Hancock via Chassel (15). We take 109 or 12. 109 is great in the first third, then very tight and twisty in the middle portion, then great where Twin Lakes groomer takes over on the northern portion. The other option is 12 off of 109, which takes you into Mass City. We actually prefer 12, as its lightly traveled, and a majority of it is roadway. But if its a low snow or warm period, some of the roadway is plowed, so it may be thin.

Our problem with 109, especially south of where Twin Lakes groomer picks it up, is its very tight, and its such a long trip for the Baraga groomer we've found it routinely in poor condition, at least when compared to the Twin Lakes groomer (kudos) on the northern end of 109.

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

Rode trail 15 from Baraga to Chassell two winters ago and it was terrible. The trail was only about 2" wider than my sled with brush bouncing off my helmet left and right, there were small stumps, rocks, etc in the trail, little to no snow, and no grooming. I should also mention this was also a few days after a somewhat significant snowfall event.

Personally I would go around 12 or 109, or ride backroads. Heck Id rather grind away on the side of the highway before riding 15 from Baraga to Chassell again hahah.

 

[whitedust]

Rode trail 15 from Baraga to Chassell two winters ago and it was terrible. The trail was only about 2" wider than my sled with brush bouncing off my helmet left and right, there were small stumps, rocks, etc in the trail, little to no snow, and no grooming. I should also mention this was also a few days after a somewhat significant snowfall event.

Personally I would go around 12 or 109, or ride backroads. Heck Id rather grind away on the side of the highway before riding 15 from Baraga to Chassell again hahah.

Agree but think you will like 109 much better than 12. Yes 109 very narrow in some areas but beautiful trail. 12 you are running on the road or on the shoulder depending on snow cover not my idea of a snowmobile trail. At the very end of 12 you enter some farm land & there will be drifts & MI has removed drift warning signs so beware.

 

[dcsnomo]

Thanks! Glad I asked, looks like 15 so to 109. Appreciate the help.

 

[swampcat]

Now I know why 109 is referred too as The Trail of TEARS. I remember back in the day ( I aint THAT old either ) when water USED to freeze in the winter time. Years ago we would just run the ice on Portage Lk up to the bridge or $ Bay. Usually by January the ice was TIGHT. Whats a sledhead gotta do to get a decent winter anymore ? Got a GUT feeling this ones gonna be a great one. YA know it is an ELECTION year. So I am voting for SNOW BOMB US...