Where is everyone?

[Firecatguy]

I was just pointing out that a group who has been going to the Up since 94\96 (every other weekend) that the price of trail passes,gas,oil,places to stay are all adding up!!!and this is coming from someone who will get use out of the pass...now lets look at the B typical rider who plans one or two trips up their a year, 2 or 3 days of riding oil.gas.trail pass YIKES....if we are taking stock of pricing maybe just maybe the one time a season guy just stays home...

we used to stay in Valhala wi area before 96 and would ride up to hurley area back then their was always people in bars close to border thinking of taking trails into the UP (just to check it out) and back then i remeber saying awww its only 25$ no biggie.....Im guessing them same people just stay in wi....then we moved to hurley and still road in wi but would add mi trail pass to goto breakfest

 

[Admin]

I just pointing out that a group who has been going to the Up since 95\96,every other weekend that price of places to stay,price of trail pass all addup and thats someone who will get alot of use out of a 45$ trail pass saying this....now lets look at the b typical rider who plans one or two trips to the up, are they going to plan that yearly trip knowing that 3 days of riding will cost them 20-30 a day in gas plus oil plus trail pass plus housing.....when a group who goes everyweekend starts to look at pricing maybe the one time a season groups just stay home......I did not make this up I really do talk to people who ride and ask them why they dont go.......guy I work with (huge trail rider) said this very thing......

Got it.

-John

 

[Hoosier]

unemployment rate isn't down. They just aren't counting the many who stopped looking for jobs.

Agree. That's why I said "official" unemployment rate.

 

[berglandbaybar]

Sorry Firecatguy, I shouldn't have said what I did, it just erks me the way Wiscon charges for permits. I was not in favor of the $45 permit, and I agree it may be keeping some people away. But I think it is more of a sore spot with people than a financial decision. I guess it is our burden to make our trails that much better to make it worth your while to come to Michigan.

 

[Dsbasecamp]

Well this is how I see it
1 snow every were
2 people don't want to drive to far if they don't have too
3 WI has had a 2 - 3 week window of good snow the past few years & people miss it

It's been nice to see an older crowed - families - locals - and some newbies this year.
The trails are not that crowded . That means safer conditions.
If it's the $45 dollar trail permit keeping them away . Well so be it.
Our cabins are full till march ..With some openings sunday thru Thursday .. But as a whole they are full ..No complaints here..
Yes the bar is slower .. Will just have to adapt ..
But remember this weekend really starts off the season ..

Wherever you ride be safe Don & Donna

 

[groomerdriver]

I was not in favor of the $45 permit, and I agree it may be keeping some people away. But I think it is more of a sore spot with people than a financial decision.

Tom - (not to get off topic and back on the $45 permit thing) for myself and many other riders that I know, the $45 fee will keep us from venturing up to the UP for a portion of a day during a trip where we will be staying in Wisconsin. I can't think of how many times in the past I'd hit Bergland, the Porkies, etc. when we were in Mercer, Mani Waters, Lando and places like that. When you have to pay for permits for 3 sleds it adds up quick. For a weekend trip to the UP....no problem at all paying the $45!
(I need some beef!)

 

[Hoosier]

I'm heading to Eagle River/Phelps tomorrow night. Going with my wife and 5 year old. Never done that before. Staying at a relative's cabin. Not sure if we'll get out on any public trails with my 5 year old. They have a 120 he can ride, and I'm not sure if I feel comfortable with him riding with me with other people on the trails. Can't wait though. First time out for the season.

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I have a feeling the lack of real growth in the economy is starting to catch up to more and more people. Yes, I know the stock market is up and the official unemployment rate is down but a lot of blue color people particularly in the rust belt have been un/under-employed for quite a few years now.

Meant to say "blue collar" not "blue color." Sorry to any blue people I may have offended.

 

[cobalt_502]

Six of us, from WISCONSIN, will be staying and riding out of Kenton/Sidnaw area tonight thru the weekend, the trails in the "YOOP" are worth the trip even with excellent trails in our backyard! Nothing worse than stopping ahead, 40 acres at a time here! We will be up by Kip tomorrow morning checking out the new rides this year!

 

[zimmer1310]

We are leaving this afternoon for 4 days of riding with 3 families, 4 kids and cannot wait. Staying at the Peppermill and will hit BBB for roast beefs and the kids love the Squito.
The wife and i are coming back up in a month with a group of adults and I will be back up in March with the guys. So. Mn is brutal and need a fix.

 

[ezra]

At least Michigan charges residents the same as they charge non-residents, unlike Wisconsin who includes resident trail passes with their registrations. So stay in Wisconsin where the people that get to use the trails more pay less.

what about south Dakota residents have to pay $45 and non residents do not need a trail sticker free to ride if u have a sticker from your home state.
if no sticker from your home state $45 bucks for 5 day pass. I think seeing as 90% of the states trails are in nat forest the fed(tax money) must be flipping the bill for the non stop impeccable grooming

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At least Michigan charges residents the same as they charge non-residents, unlike Wisconsin who includes resident trail passes with their registrations. So stay in Wisconsin where the people that get to use the trails more pay less.

UMM u mean the people who live in the state pay property tax gas tax and every other tax yr round pay less?

 

[Eagle River Mike]

120's are not trail legal and defintely not safe for a 5 year old to be riding on the trail. Kids need to be at least 12 and have take a DNR safety course to ride on trails. Put him in front of you on your sled and hit the trails. He will love it.

 

[renegade]

Argue all you want about the trail pass cost. Reality is the costs of maintaining a trail necessitate the $45 per sled. Wisconsin is cheaper, but they are in the red to the tune of $2 million plus. I know that if trail passes were cheaper, but this resulted in less grooming, that would hurt the amount of people traveling to an area far more then a $45 trail pass.

The UP is a great place to ride. But it is not any better than many parts of Wisconsin for trail riding when there is snow to groom. Some people will drive through wisconsin and some won't. Its not like everone HAS to this year. So far anyway. And that is a good thing!

 

[timo]

first off there isn't snow "everywhere" like some are claiming.
here in se wis. wash. co. our trails have been open about 6 days around xmas. one weekend they were open and there wasn't much on the ground anyways.
for me i'm fortunate to have friends who have places in northern wis. to ride. i can stay for free. making the trip to the UP would prolly add about $200 to my trip. that is the reason i never ride in the UP.
also when nothern wis. has sufficient snow their trails are as nice if not nicer than the UP.

 

[apex_shug]

if the up was the only one that had snow, you would pay the 45 and this would be moot point, for a hobby / sport that cost people hundreds to thousands a dollars what’s an extra 45. Only way i could see it the other way, would be for the family man putting stickers on multiple sleds...... but what are you going to do..... let the sleds sit if wisc doesn't have snow.........

People need stop complaining, not much we could do about it

 

[Firecatguy]

no one is "complaining" this thread is about "where everyone is" as a snowmobiler I gave my OP on where everyone is!!!!sorry if this is a "touchy" for some!!!and it is not just about the cost of the trail pass, thats just the frosting on the cake...

 

[Hoosier]

120's are not trail legal and defintely not safe for a 5 year old to be riding on the trail. Kids need to be at least 12 and have take a DNR safety course to ride on trails. Put him in front of you on your sled and hit the trails. He will love it.

No, he definitely won't be anywhere near the trails on a 120! LOL. He hasn't been on a 120 yet but has ridden a kitty cat quite a bit.

I'm just not sure yet how comfortable I am with him riding with me on my sled yet at that age. Definitely in the woods around my relative's place - I'll see how he does before going out on the trails. I don't trust other people on the trails at all.

 

[Deleted member 10829]

Six of us, from WISCONSIN, will be staying and riding out of Kenton/Sidnaw area tonight thru the weekend, the trails in the "YOOP" are worth the trip even with excellent trails in our backyard! Nothing worse than stopping ahead, 40 acres at a time here! We will be up by Kip tomorrow morning checking out the new rides this year!

I have a new favorite trail up there now. The trail just north of Sidnaw is awesome for the first 18 miles or so. I think it's 8/15 and turns into 109. It's like 107 but wider and better and beautiful red pines in the National Forest. Many times we don't get over there as the snow can be very thin. Not this year! Have a great time!

 

[favoritos]

Looking forward to riding up there next week just like every winter. I might be boring, but I know it will be a great time. I honestly am not so downtrodden about the lack of traffic.

Trail permit prices pay for the grooming in my eye, so I pay. I have rode enough beat up junk.

 

[russholio]

Mrs. Russholio here.

I have to say that I love riding in the U.P. - especially the western U.P. - but since it is a 10-12 drive to actually get there, we don't make the trip on a regular basis. That being said, there has been snow in the upper lower this year for Russholio to ride with the guys. No complaint on a $45 permit - it goes a long way and I see how much it helps the trails. Probably our biggest cost is the fuel to drive our truck wherever we decide to ride - and if we can find snow closer then we'll ride closer. Unfortunately, we are unable to make that 12 hour drive every time we want to ride.

 

[dfattack]

if the up was the only one that had snow, you would pay the 45 and this would be moot point, for a hobby / sport that cost people hundreds to thousands a dollars what’s an extra 45. Only way i could see it the other way, would be for the family man putting stickers on multiple sleds...... But what are you going to do..... Let the sleds sit if wisc doesn't have snow.........

People need stop complaining, not much we could do about it

agree!