Trail 8 spur to KI still groomed?

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srobak

New member
Greetings,

Planning stages for my annual group sled trip to the UP and have a question. With the Red Fox Inn being closed as well as Tailwinds - and no real other business draw to the base for sledders - is the spur that heads north off trail 8 and comes up behind Tailwinds still going to be groomed? I am hoping to bring the group out to the static display aircraft and need to figure what route to take if the spur is not available.

Thanks!
 
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buddah2

Member
Don't know since we haven't had enough snow to open trails as yet.....but even if not groomed, would it really be unpassable? I don't know but then I tend to explore a bit.....if you remember where to turn that is.....
 
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rodehard

New member
When I stayed at Red Fox Inn, I recall that trail 8 ran close to the stoplight on 553. We used to cross there and ditch bang if we were in a hurry or dealing with a broken sled. Red Fox was only about 1/2 mile from the intersection.
 
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srobak

New member
buddah2 said:
if not groomed, would it really be unpassable? I don't know but then I tend to explore a bit.....
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If it were just me and I was on proper blazing equipment then I would be more ambitious about it. But I will have several noobs with me and we will be on 600cc short-tracks. If the locals have run it a few times then I will probably bring them down it.

if you remember where to turn that is.....
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See - that's the real trick, isn't it? The part I am most concerned with other than getting buried is keeping them on-trail where it laces between the ponds back there. I really don't want to be yanking a rental sled out of water. :)

groomerdave said:
It's not there on the trail map:
http://www.travelmarquettemichigan.com/snowmobiling/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/SNOMO-Map-side.jpg
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That is so ODD to see it that way. LOL. I actually only looked at the DNR map until you shared this link... which does show the spur, still. Thanks Dave - I know I can always count on you for good info :)

Ride it anyway, might be a little bumpy. There's other ways of getting there if you feel like exploring.
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We may, actually. Just with a group of under-equipped noobs I kinda want to stay ON the beaten path.

rodehard said:
When I stayed at Red Fox Inn, I recall that trail 8 ran close to the stoplight on 553. We used to cross there and ditch bang if we were in a hurry or dealing with a broken sled. Red Fox was only about 1/2 mile from the intersection.
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It's actually about 2.5 miles (http://goo.gl/maps/pCXb2) and I know it crosses 1 if not 2 sets of tracks. I used to go that route on my quad back in the day. May also be an option... again - if the locals have run it.

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the feedback. If anyone happens to be in the area the last couple weeks of January and can take a look and advise - I would really appreciate it!
 
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440_chazz

Member
I know the locals ride the old spur trail. One of our riding partners bought a house in the old KI AFB community. I was at his place last year and the trail is located right off of his backyard. A lot of people in the neighborhood use that trail so I don't think it should be a problem for you. Heck people in the neighborhood just ride the roads in winter with their sleds.
 
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buddah2

Member
srobak said:
.....Thanks everyone, I appreciate the feedback. If anyone happens to be in the area the last couple weeks of January and can take a look and advise - I would really appreciate it!
Click to expand...

Oh I'll be over in that area well before that......HOPEFULLY.......I'll check it out when I am......
 
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srobak

New member
Alright - so the trip is this weekend, and I have heard from a couple of folks that the groomer is still running all the way to the Red Fox Inn... that works for me :)
 
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