What happened to Gogebic trails??
- Thread starter kittylee
- Start date
They (Gogebic Area Grooming) seem to have a real problem getting the grooming done. Been getting worse for several years. We had heard earlier this year the problem would be addressed, does not not sound as if it happened.
cloud_master
Member
Our group ran through that area Feb. 5-8. Mid week riding. Gogebic was the worst trails we ran. We did end up going behind one groomer, of course grooming at mid day. That dude put the wheels down on the drag 100' before the road crossing!! This was right before Bergland Bay Bar. I groom now and then for our club when we have snow. Why anyone would put the wheels down that early is beyond me.......
I'll be avoiding Gogebic area until I hear they figure this out.....
2X
I also do grooming in our area and never understood how they groom and when they groom. Usually during the day and they try to level the trail with the blade of the groomer basically pushing the snow off the trail. Seen this almost every time I go through the area. Blade is down and the drag has no snow what so ever in. Not filling anything and not packing anything to build a base.
Rode 6 days last week all good from iron wood west to Saxon down to mercer over to Boulder up to silver city then to Baraga.then good all the way back until hit gogebic trails.i have avoided this area for the last 15 years and now I remember why.they always have an excuse for bad trails!
One of the problems is the fact that they (Gogebic Area Grooming) let their trails get so badly out of shape, that there is no way to get the trail back to a good groom without a lot of effort, and weather cooperating. Just no reasonable excuse for it.
Our group just doesn't understand how the businesses have not stepped in to get the grooming done in a responsible way? It has to be effecting them. We will no longer waste our time/trip in this area. The last 4 years have just continued getting worse. And they know it.
The UP has always been a different story when it comes to grooming compared to Northern Wisconsin. The Counties in Wisconsin seem to have many more businesses that cater to tourism (snowmobiling) then the UP creating more volunteers depending on winter income. I've also noticed that the sled dealers take a much more hands on approach when it comes to grooming in Wisconsin. The bars and restaurants in the UP that get sled business also seem to be the town bars. Options are limited so we sledders will stop anyways hence I feel they don't put much effort into grooming. Counties in Wisconsin seem to have many more miles in trails yet can still keep up with the grooming. Over the last couple of years we have seen this same complaint about Ironwood, Munising and now Gogebic area. I will say Watersmeet area does seem to be the best in the UP from my experience.
I realize this isn't the case with all places up there, but certainly seems that way from my experiences. I'll also give them a break because grooming lake effect snow is a much great task then system snow.
C
Cirrus_Driver
Guest
Several years back we stayed in Ewen, and after riding all day, we got back to the place and decided to ride to dinner on Lake Gogebic.
That was the longest 15+ miles of my life...2-3 foot washboard moguls all the way. And this was mid-week. No thanks, I'll just ride in circles on my lake.
That was the longest 15+ miles of my life...2-3 foot washboard moguls all the way. And this was mid-week. No thanks, I'll just ride in circles on my lake.
Go Fast or Go Home
Active member
Our group of ten guys simply quit going to the Gogebic area 5 years ago.
Multiply that times all the other groups that have done the same and I would think the economic impact of the lost revenues would get someone's attention.
Don~
Multiply that times all the other groups that have done the same and I would think the economic impact of the lost revenues would get someone's attention.
Don~
gogebic_sledder
Member
It was crazy busy this past weekend, I wonder if that had anything to do with it... Hmmm
There was also head on collision on the lake this past Friday
There was also head on collision on the lake this past Friday
Did the local clubs not expect it to be busy?? Can't that be planned for when most areas have little snow. It's not like this area has a ton of trails.
Not sure on Gogebic Area Grooming getting a new groomer, but I do know they have to use the groomer/groomers, to get the trails groomed. They just don't groom???
After the beating our group took on the Gogebic trails last weekend I agree 100%. I have only been to Munising a couple times the most recent was after the thaw and I can tell you I have never seen so many groomers out at one time hit them at least 7 times. So that is not the norm for Munising?
I believe the folks who use to groom for the Muni area were heavy equipment contractors hired for the winter. That group was fired and new crew was brought in last year. Since then, from what I have heard, the trails are a lot better. But to get there, Muni area went through years of complaining, and many of us, including me, taking my riding and dollars elsewhere.
It seems like the same thing is repeating in the Gogebic area. I know I have avoided, the best I could, those trails (and businesses by default) in the past 2 years.