WESTERN U.P. SIDE by SIDE QUESTION

kraven700 · Sep 28, 2009

We've ben riding the Western U.P. snowmobiling ONLY for the last 24+ years. Usually we ride out of Manitowish Waters in Northern Wisconsin and do a backpack/road trip up to Copper Harbor and back, approx 500 miles 3 1/2 days.

I'm interested in buying a POLARIS RZR (50" wide) or RZR-S (60" wide model) next spring.
Can I do a similar trip with the side/side machine??? Even if I had to start further North like Lake Gogiebic area???, then taking the Bill Nichols trail up to Copper????

I purchased the ATV/ORV atlas a couple of years ago from Headwaters POLARIS, seemed like there were several "gaps" preventing continuous trail riding.

Also, what are the best times of the year to ride, wanted to bring my 6 year old daughter with(if possible) on one of the trips, for a scenic trip

Any help would be appreciated, Thanks

eao · Sep 28, 2009

No gaps, you can ride from Land O'Lakes all the way to Calumet on legal trails (need Police Escort to cross bridge in Houghton-Hancock), from as far west as Marinesco to Iron River and beyong on the east. I know they can be used on most trails but not on USDA Nat't Forest land they cannot be, barricades to passage. I am up in the Houghton area and SxS are on the trails all the time.

The trails from Calumet North are not official ATV trails (snowmobile) although many still ride them with ATV's & SxS's.

Mi-TRALE has a big color map that shows all the trails in the western UP. If that is the one you have then are all set. Contact me if you would like to get one.

kraven700 · Sep 28, 2009

Thanks eao,

Specifically where is that forest land that I need to stay off of????

Going North of Calumet, I know you said S x S are riding the sled trails, but is it legal.?

How much of a hassle to get that police escort across the bridge?? I thought the lower level of the bridge would be open to atv's

How about going from Manitowish Waters to Silver City/Lake of the Clouds??

Can I ride over to Bond falls???

What is the most scenic and best time of year???/

Thanks for your help!

eao · Sep 28, 2009

Specifically where is that forest land that I need to stay off of????
Answer: Only been on that trail once, it goes from the Norwich Road to Bergland and is called the Southern Pioneer Trail. They have gates that block you from going thru with anything over 50 inches although I seen a Ranger 6x6 wiggle thru with the help of some strong arms

Going North of Calumet, I know you said S x S are riding the sled trails, but is it legal.?
ANSWER: Legal, techically NO. They are working on that but I think a few landowners are holding out, maybe be next year is will be a legal ORV trail. Btw-Some of that trail is extremely rough due to dumping of mine rock to build up bad spots in snowmobile trail. One person told me jagged rocks the size of footballs

How much of a hassle to get that police escort across the bridge?? I thought the lower level of the bridge would be open to atv's.
ANSWER: NOT much, takes a phone call. Escort time are 9:15am, 1:15pm, 6.15PM Call From Houghton side 906-482-2121 and from Hancock side 906-482-3102.
The bridge is subject to move at the beckon of boat traffic and no one is allowed to use the lower section, only snowmobiles in winter. The Mi-TRALE map has phone info on it. If you are Michigan street legal than this does not pertain.

How about going from Manitowish Waters to Silver City/Lake of the Clouds??
No way that I know off. Lake of the clouds is in state park, no ATV's allowed. Mi-TRALE is working on a way to Silver City but I County approved of it

Can I ride over to Bond falls???
ANSWER: Yes, Trail takes you there. See Map

What is the most scenic and best time of year???/
ANSWER: October for color and lot less on trails due to school etc, April is not good as trials are often in bad shape (snow and washouts). June thru Oct are good times. Leaves don't fully come out up here till late May

I think you might find a lot of useful trail info with a Mi-TRALE map.

mezz · Sep 28, 2009

"Going North of Calumet, I know you said S x S are riding the sled trails, but is it legal?" Answer: As legal as any ATV traffic. It's not illegal, it's just not an offical "Designated ORV Trail". Now if you come upon a posted private property sign & decide to go forward, then you've got a problem.-Mezz

kraven700 · Sep 29, 2009

THANKS VERY MUCH!

I appreciate the help.

kraven700 · Sep 29, 2009

Hey eao,

I located the atlas that I purchased from Headwaters a year or two ago and it says "Michigan Off Road Guide" Upper Peninsula Edition, it's approx 11" x 17" in size. It sounds like the MI-Trale map that you referred to is something different than what I have. If you think it would be useful, let me know if you could help me obtain one.

THANKS again for all of your help.

snc46 · Sep 29, 2009

The trail map and the atlas are very different, I have both. I would get a MI TRALE map for sure. You need to stop at one of the sponsors to get one. I couldn't find anyone that would mail me one. I believe Headwaters polaris is a sponsor so they should have them. I also just made this ride a few weeks ago and the atv trail ended at the campground by the river so I couldn't even get to the bridge in Houghton. I don't know if I was suppost to take the trail that went toward the Holiday Inn but it looked like a snowmobile trail.

eao · Sep 29, 2009

The Mi-TRALE map is like a large fold up road map. Shows all the designated trails and their route numbers, as well as just about everything you would expect to find on a road map. If you are riding in the UP you are at a disadvantage without one IMO. I am a map sponsor, email me for details, I will mail it.

When you get to the end of the trail in Houghton at the Canal Rd., that's the end of the trail. From there you need to call for Police escort as they insist you can only cross with their escort and guidance. Many have done this so its not a big deal. That's is their job, "to protect and to serve".

The connector to the Holiday Inn is just that. You end up on city street in less than a few hundred feet and can reach the motel, restaurant, gas pumps, power sports dealer but that's about it.

kraven700 · Oct 9, 2009

Hey Mike (eao)

I rec'd that map today, THANKS!!!!

Question, is there an ATV trail , rather can you ride TRAIL 13 (snowmobile trail) from Greenland to Twin Lakes, I've always enjoyed that ride on a sled. It's not shown on the MI-TRALE map.

THANKS again!!

eao · Oct 9, 2009

I have no idea about that snowmobile trail and weather its passable in the off-season.

As a general rule though, snowmobile trails are off-limits to ATV's and you travel at your own risk (trespassing, dead ends etc).

Maybe someone in the area has more information on it.

skip_schulz · Oct 9, 2009

No you cannot ride that trail. It is ALL on Private Property. Mi-TRALE has an excellent relationship with the Superior Snowmobile Club and that is one of the trails that they had the most concern with.

Mi-TRALE has signs near that trail letting people know that it is not open to any ATV's.

Sorry...

Glad you like our map. Thankyou for getting it.

Skip

uncle_ed · Oct 9, 2009

I dont believe you can legally ride an ATV on a snowmobile trail during the summer unless its marked. I havent read otherwise but again not sure.
DNR FAQ

kraven700 · Oct 10, 2009

Mike/eao, skip, uncle ed,

THANX for all of the help.

Is there any chance that they're considering opening up that trail to ATV'S in the foresee-able future??????/

kraven700 · Oct 11, 2009

Hey Mike (eao)

I think you mentioned something about "street legal" to cross the bridge w/o police escort.

What are the requirements for a POLARIS RZR to make it "street legal"???

Thanx

eao · Oct 11, 2009

Fyi - Here is a link to Michigan ATV guide. While it does not address this issue it answers a lot of questions and do and don't etc.

ORV Guide

I do not know exactly what all you would have to do to make it street legal in Michigan. It would cost a lot of $$ to make the conversion.

This is just a few that I have been told need to be done. List not inclusive

DOT approved tires(wheels too) oem tires are not DOT
windshield
directional signals
illuminated license plate holder
outside rear view mirror
windshield wipers/washers

Then I assume you would have to pass a state inspection.

kraven700 · Oct 12, 2009

Mike,

Gotcha, I just thought it was something like the equivalent of motorcycle plates,

THANX again

skip_schulz · Oct 12, 2009

Mike,

You don't need to be Street Legal to get the Police Escort over the Portage Lift Bridge.

Right now Mi-TRALE is working on many miles of connector trails with the Ottawa NF. This is going to take a lot of our volunteer work, and I'm sorry to say but that is our main priority through this winter and next year.

Once those connectors are constructed and signed, then our membership will decide as to what other areas to 'target' for new trail development. The members may decide that the trail you are talking about is something to approach the landowners.

Our big concern is that we don't want to have any negative impact on our excellent relationship with the Superior Snowmobile Club.

Take care and COME UP to ride!

Skip

kraven700 · Oct 12, 2009

Skip Schulz,

I understand that being street legal was not a requirement for crossing the bridge WITH a police escort. I just thought that in case we couldn't meet the schedule (only 3 times a day) and if it were not too much money and hassle (as it turns out to be) that way we'd be able to cross the bridge @ anytime (within reasonable daylight hours), that's all.

Thanx for the feedback, I appreciate it.

hemicoupe · Oct 12, 2009

I think the problem would be getting "TO" the bridge from the BN trail "safely" with out the police escort. I don't think the people living in those condos are going to put up with all the ATV traffic along the canal there. Maybe some one could open a business (MM Powersports?? or Everts Motor sales ??) with a 4 or 6 place trailer to haul orvs across the bridge (like a TAXI service) or even a ferry service? When I ride north of the bridge I trailer to Hancock and go from there. For now all a person can do is just plan the rides so they get to the end of the trail by the bridge and call for an escort at 9:15 AM 1:15 PM and 6:15PM and hope they have time to get you across. Mi-Trale has an excellent map that has all the ATVs trails marked that are legal. Skip spends a lot of time getting these trails opened for everyone to enjoy. We need to stay off the snowmobile trails that are not designated orv/atv trails so we don't move backwards.

Kraven700, You can camp/motel at Bruce Crossing and do a different trail everyday,Houghton, Iron River, Sidnaw, White Pine, etc. We did 650 miles in 3 days this year(and last year) from there and we have a blast. You can do all the riding till your hearts content....

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