UP of Michigan wheeling trip?

[Woodtick]

I would be willing to help organize a wheeling trip for next year sometime. Is there any interest ? There are thousands of miles of two track,logging roads,and forest roads. I have a camp in Sidnaw. We can base out of there. Plenty of remote camping close by as well. The Sturgeon Gorge is 8 miles from my camp. It's a 400 mile ride for me,so I know it's a drive. Off road parks just don't do it for me and that's all that is near me down here.:cheers:

 

[4speedfunk]

So you go up the west side of the lake, correct? Wife and I went sailing at the Apostles last year, we camped all along the way up to Bayfield and back. Beautiful camping in northern WI. However, I must say...Wisconsin rates among the lamest states ever when it comes to off-roading. I researched for hours before that trip, and I could not find a single off-road park...or any other info regarding trails. So we took the Suburban.

I think an expedition is a great idea. I cannot commit to anything this early, however.

 

[Pappibri]

I'm down depending on the date of course...

 

[cgalpha08]

I'd be down, but like everyone else, depends on the dates.

 

[Woodtick]

I'd be down, but like everyone else, depends on the dates.

I'm down in Florida away from my info. I'm thinking late summer,early fall. I won't go in June, fly season. There are to many road restrictions in the spring. I'm thinking the Hurron mountain area and the Ottawa National Forrest . There are also mixed use ORV trails all over the place. Mixed use = trucks welcome . Very few people up that way,you never have to worry about crowds. The area I have in mind is 80 miles NW of Iron Mountain , zip code 49961. Most would drive through Wisconsin to get up there.

 

[SkidRow]

http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/ottawa/recreation/ohv

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ottawa/maps-pubs/?cid=stelprdb5110344

 

[SkidRow]

If you get time, look up some of these trails on Google Maps, should see at least a few in the region Woodtick is talking about

http://www.midnr.com/publications/p...s-Trail/denton_creek_trail_and_route_east.pdf

10ish miles

http://www.midnr.com/publications/pdfs/forestslandwater/ORV/Maps-Trail/bill_nicholls_route_north.pdf

close to 50 miles between the two routes

http://www.midnr.com/publications/pdfs/forestslandwater/ORV/Maps-Trail/republic-champion_route.pdf

9 miles

http://www.midnr.com/publications/pdfs/forestslandwater/ORV/Maps-Trail/Felch_grade.pdf

38 miles

http://www.midnr.com/publications/p...ORV/Maps-Trail/iron_river-marenisco_route.pdf

67 miles

http://www.midnr.com/publications/p...arquette-manistique_trail_and_route_north.pdf

54 miles

Ill search for some more later on. This is what I found quickly browsing the Michigan DNR website.

 

[SkidRow]

Looking at those thousands and thousands of miles of trails, I can see why Side X Sides are so popular.

 

[SkidRow]

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f325/legal-trails-michgan-listed-866995/

Read some reviews there. Sounds like half the trails I posted are listed as "boring" and they side with Woodtick, find seasonal service roads.

 

[SkidRow]

http://www.vvmapping.com/trails/trailInfoMI.html

This has a few pictures of each trail. I like it.

 

[H3nightrod]

This is something I would be down for. Just need dates to set up vacation time.

 

[Woodtick]

Mi- Trale.org also has a great map book. It's 25$ and over a inch thick. They rate the trails,camping info,gas stops ,repair shops, watering holes,ect. You can buy it on their web site,well worth it if you plan on going up there. Since our rigs have plates on them,all you need is the 16$ orv sticker. A rig with a plate on it can go 20 x more places than a sxs or atv. Thanks Skidrow for posting all that info. I do have a pole building up there with some basic tools,for minor repairs. A friend owns a repair shop in Greenland , for any major help. I don't beat the snot out of my truck 400 miles from home,but things happen, and I like to be prepared . Please let me know if you have any questions. If I don't know,I can make some calls to some locals. Open carry is very common in the woods. I would advise it if you bring a dog. I carry mace,wolves,small bear,and cougars are common up there. The cougars in the bars are another problem.lol

 

[mkmcgreg]

How would you rate the trails up there? I have stock Nissan Pathfinder with 31"BFG rugged terrains and depending on dates I may be in if the trails are mild enough

 

[Woodtick]

A Pathfinder on BFG would be fine. It's not the place for big lifted rigs. The trails can get tight,pin striping can and will happen. This is a dense Forrest area. You will encounter sand,rock and mud. A/T tires work well. I carry a chain saw,great to get downed trees out of the way,and to help fill in washed out sections you can't get through. Skid plates are recommended and your truck will get dirty. There is everything from walk in the park to how many times do you want to get stuck in 2 miles. Jeeps,Rovers,FJs,and H3 are good size. A H1 or a f250 wouldn't be my rig of choice up there.

 

[Pappibri]

Hey Woodtick. Maybe we can start a list of possible wheelers. Then when you figure out the dates you can PM those on the list. That way if any of us miss it in the thread, we wont miss out on the chance of a good wheeling trip....

 

[Woodtick]

A list is a good idea. We don't have to spend every waking moment together either. Post up what rig you plan on taking,what else you would like to do? Fishing,hiking,checking out remote waterfalls,kayaking, sitting around a camp fire staying hydrated, target shooting, Indian Casinos, rock hunting,ect. My wife's stock Commander can't go were my 3 can,but there are still places a smaller rig can go and enjoy the scenery. If we go in the spring,it will be cool and more challenging with mud,water,and downed trees. I will not go up there during fly season,end of May- till the end of June.

A lot to see and do up there. When going down a boring trail,be careful what you wish for. Beaver dams and washed out roads can make things interesting.

 

[Bigunit]

Great pics Woodtick.

 

[odwah]

I've been wheeling on Drummond Island before - probably pretty similar trails. I'd be down to make a trip up given I have the availability. Sounds cool!

 

[Woodtick]

Just got back from a UP sled trip. A family from Minnesota bought a cabin down the road from me. Very nice group of people who happen to own a Big off road shop. We have been invited to make a local run this April. The run is from the town of L'ance to Big Bay. This is an annual event and approx 10 rigs show up. They said anything less that 33 a/t will be advised not to come. Expect snow, mud, rock, and sand. We would spend the night in Big Bay,this run takes all day. 4 low locked from one end to the other. Any intrest?

 

[SkidRow]

Sorry everyone, but I'm out for this. I accepted a position with the DoD and we are moving to Virginia. I'm awaiting my security clearance, but it's looking like March I have to report by.

 

[Woodtick]

Congrats :cheers:

 

[Bigunit]

Congrats on the great new gig!

 

[SkidRow]

Thanks! Not looking forward to the area, but like Mick says, "you can't always get what you want, man." Lol

 

[4speedfunk]

Woodtick...that sounds awesome. I googled those two towns...nothing but bush in between them. The road route is 2-hours and 94 miles...and it takes you south from L'anse, then turns east over to Marquette on the coast, and back north to Big Bay. I assume we would be doing a straight line thru the forest primeval, which looks like a great run. See if you can get some dates...(and maybe a link to your buddy's off-road shop?).

 

[Woodtick]

I think it's the second weekend in April. I will find out the exact date very soon. I didn't get my new neighbors contact info,we were on sleds. The local I was with invited his group and me at the same time. Your web search is correct,straight east out of L'ance. It's approx 55 mile trail. The only town you go through is Herman. I can fit six at my cabin, who's in?