My group of riding buddies is kicking around the idea of going to Houghton, MI after christmas since they have so much snow. We are normally never on the trail, always in the trees, ya know the typical boondockers in the mountains. My question is directed at those who have done both the UP and the mountains. Are we gonna hate it and wish we had just driven the extra 6 hours to go back to the Mesa or Rabbit Ears or Tog? Is it fun? Can you get off trail and basically stay off trail? I'm posting this in the MI forum as well. Thanks!
Tell Me About Riding In The UP!
- Thread starter polarisfornow
- Start date
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tkuss
Well-known member
I personally would go to the mtns. I used to live in Northern Wisconsin and would ride the U.P many of times.
Yes they have good snow right now, I have heard 2-3 feet of light stuff on the ground. Little to no base. Lots of private land up there, it isnt like the mtns where you park on a trail head and for the most part every place is fair game from there on up. In the U.P you need have a much better grasp on what is legal and what is peoples private property.
I personally would check togwotee alpine area, they seem to have decent snow and more in the forecast. Us here in CO have a decent base in areas up high, but no new stuff coming anytime soon.
So thats my opinion, stick to the mtns. The terrain is much better out here as well.
Yes they have good snow right now, I have heard 2-3 feet of light stuff on the ground. Little to no base. Lots of private land up there, it isnt like the mtns where you park on a trail head and for the most part every place is fair game from there on up. In the U.P you need have a much better grasp on what is legal and what is peoples private property.
I personally would check togwotee alpine area, they seem to have decent snow and more in the forecast. Us here in CO have a decent base in areas up high, but no new stuff coming anytime soon.
So thats my opinion, stick to the mtns. The terrain is much better out here as well.
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diggerdown
Well-known member
Go west, not even a close call! U.P. gets lots of snow and lots of riders, lots of private land and where you can get off trail it is mainly brush. they do have some hills that are big and very steep but if they are not vertical they are full of heavy under brush.
U.P.
I'm originally from the u.p. and would ride up there all the time, but went out west one time and got hooked with the big mountains. I go up there once in a while now, but head out west 3-4 times a year now. Unless you know where your going, (local knowledge) you would have a tough time getting around the legal spots, without trespassing. Go west.
I'm originally from the u.p. and would ride up there all the time, but went out west one time and got hooked with the big mountains. I go up there once in a while now, but head out west 3-4 times a year now. Unless you know where your going, (local knowledge) you would have a tough time getting around the legal spots, without trespassing. Go west.
I would skip the UP and head west. I was snowmobiling today in 8-10" of fresh powder with about an 8' base underneath. Can the UP beat that? I live in SW Colorado. Really good snow down here right now. Check the snow report for Wolf Creek Ski Area tomorrow-I would bet they are reporting about a foot because I live in Bayfield and was sledding on a bunch of fresh powder today only 15 minutes from my house. The southwest part of CO is beating the north the north this year for snow-so far. Skip RE and head south-less people and better snow.
BTW I grew up in that area-most of my family lives in the Iron Mountain area.
BTW I grew up in that area-most of my family lives in the Iron Mountain area.
Go west ! I rode the UP for about 7-8 yrs and now have rode out west for the last 10 yrs. I can get to the UP 2 hours quicker and still haven't been back there in about 6 years or so, If that tells ya anything.
As many have said its all about land issues. lots of private property to deal with. Eric
As many have said its all about land issues. lots of private property to deal with. Eric
The UP is nothing like out west. Don't kid yourself, it's ok, but if you have the time and money there is no way going to the UP would be worth it. Just head west and enjoy.
The UP has good snow but the back country is very limited in comparison. I know some will tell you this or that but seriously, the area available to ride just isn't as vast nor does it have the same type of snow or terrain we all love.
I think of Michigan as a place to go only if you're hard up to ride and no where close has snow or you don't have the time for the extra time in the truck. If you can time it right immediately after a heavy lake effect snow then it can be a blast but as more folks have gotten mountain sleds and crossover sleds most of the areas get tracked up fairly quickly. Sure you can find stuff but each day it becomes more and more of a task.
The UP has good snow but the back country is very limited in comparison. I know some will tell you this or that but seriously, the area available to ride just isn't as vast nor does it have the same type of snow or terrain we all love.
I think of Michigan as a place to go only if you're hard up to ride and no where close has snow or you don't have the time for the extra time in the truck. If you can time it right immediately after a heavy lake effect snow then it can be a blast but as more folks have gotten mountain sleds and crossover sleds most of the areas get tracked up fairly quickly. Sure you can find stuff but each day it becomes more and more of a task.
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diggerdown
Well-known member
That's the place they breed those yuppers! Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They get lots and lots of snow, some areas average 300 inches a year. Some real vertical stuff and baby mountains but so much of it is private land and lots of under brush.
I lived in the UP for 10 years and this what I think. (I have never been out west). You will hate it. This early in the season you have to be very careful. Lots of rocks, stumps, ect that will wreck your day. The UP does get a lot of snow but it is light fluffy lake effect snow that gets blown around and settles quickly. The most you will see in the woods at any giving time is around feet deep. A full blown mountain sled is over kill for an experienced mountain rider. I was riding the UP back country over xmas and the area had gotten 105 inches of snow in December and I didnt have any issues riding my trail sled in the un touched powder.
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Deep Powder Guy
Banned
The west sucks way to much danger to worry about. Plus there are no poker runs out west.
DPG
DPG
D
Deep Powder Guy
Banned
The west sucks way to much danger to worry about. Plus there are no poker runs out west.
DPG
DPG
I have been out west for at least a week every year for the last 15 years and love it there last year I was invited to the u.p by Houghton as my nephew is one of the riders from natural frequency first time I had ever been to the u.p in the winter alls I can say is I had a blast so much so I went back the next weekend. I live in Minnesota its 8 hours to the u.p and 16 hours to West Yellowstone if I'm going for a week I go west if I'm going to go for the weekend I would HIGHLY consider the u.p
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