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We began by packing up our gear and loading our sleds the night before, so that we could get an early start to beat the morning rush hour in Minneapolis, MN.
Dave Slininger, Josh Schwaller and I left from Cottage Grove, MN at 8:00 am and started our journey. We met up with friends Mark Host, Bryce Knettel and Josh's Father in Law Don Freking in Hinckley, MN and pushed on to our lunch destination in Ashland, WI.
After lunch we were on our way to our final destination of Pori, MI. We stopped about 20 miles from Pori in Ontonagon to fuel up the sleds, get oil, and buy our Michigan trail permits.
The 2001-2002 snowmobile season was very poor at home and from the various websites and gossip we gathered that 10 -15 inches of snow off trail, and a few hundred weekend warriors is what we should expect in the UP.
When we arrived at Petticoat Junction the rumors were proven to be false. We had at least 20 inches of snow, and 40 square miles of untouched forest roads all to ourselves. We unloaded the sleds, got our gear on and set out to do some exploring. We rode around camp for about 2 hours until dark and then settled in for the night.
The cabin that we were staying in is actually a bow hunting camp that Bob Kemppainen, a friend of Don's brother-in-law, Terry, and his buddies built together. This cabin had a sauna, four bunks, satellite TV, electicity powered by generator, gas stove, electric heat and a table for ten that we would sit at every night to tell stories of each days happenings and play a game or two of 500.
There is also a second cabin there for rent ($100-150 a night *group rates available). It also has four bunks, sauna, satellite TV, electric heat, a large gathering room and is also powered by generator. Both cabins reside in the small town of Pori which was a railroad community at the turn of the century.
The next day we awoke to find that over night we received an additional 5-6 inched of fresh powder, just enough snow to cover our tracks from the day before. We ate breakfast as fast as we could, got dressed and set out for what was going to be one of the best days of snowmobiling I've had in a while. We were introduced to our guide for the day, Randy. We talked to him a bit about what conditions we were looking for, and he quickly advised us of a few places he knew we would like.
First, off we rode the forest rodes until it started to storm. The storm brought more snow which turned to icy rain by afternoon. We decided to stop for lunch at the Village Bar and explore other ideas to finish out the day. After lunch we decided to find the power lines that everyone talks about. The rain had now turned to half dollar sized snow flakes, and we couldn't have been any happier.
We then set off for the power lines near Silver Mountain. When we arrived at the beginning of the power lines Randy stopped atop a large hill that overlooked Stergeon River and Silver Mountain to show us the beautiful view.
After taking in what the view had to offer, Randy suggested that someone go down the hill and try to climb back up. Not thinking that anyone would go for it, Randy laughed. Then all the sudden Dave fired up his new Edge X 700 and said "I'll Do it."
Down the hill he went with his brakes locked the whole way, fighting to keep the sled out of the trees. Upon Dave arriving at the bottom, Randy turns and says to us, "I only know one person that has done this before and made it back up. Many have tried, only to find themselves bushwacking five miles up river to the nearest bridge." Dave started up the hill only to get half way up, tip over and stop. Josh and I ran to his side to steady the sled before it could take a tumble back down the hill.
We gathered about 20 feet of rope and straps together to pull Dave back up the hill. It wasn't long enough, but the snow was deep enough for us to get leverage. After about 20 minutes the sled was up the hill and we were out of breath. Randy quickly told the story that he told us to Dave. Dave smiled and kindly said, "Now you tell me." Since then we have named the hill "Dave Hill."
We continued down the power lines in some of the most aggressive terrain that I have ever ridden before. After about 15 miles of up and down, across rivers and streams, through three feet of snow we were beat and begging Randy to take us back before dark. Not that the power line run wasn't fun.
We rode back toward camp and stopped at Rouseau Bar in Rosseau, MI, ate pizza, shared some laughs and headed back to rest up for day 2.
The next morning, Terry showed up with his son Andrew and suggested that we ride up the road about 15 miles to a local farm. Upon arriving we found that this farm had acres of beautiful rolling hills, huge ditchs and lots and lots of deep snow.
We decided that this would be where we spent our last day. We rode the acres of fresh powder that the fields provided and called it a day. We rode back to camp and settled down for some R&R, which by now we all needed.
The next morning found us packing up and heading home. We awoke to about 10 inches of fresh snow and more was coming. While we were in Michigan 20 inches of snow fell, no one was injured, except Dave's pride and we had the times of our lives. We plan to make this trip an annual event for years to come. Make your next trip to the U.P, you'll never forget it, I promise.