Upper Michigan (U.P.) Ride Recommendations

[cb0802]

I am heading to the U.P. next month and would like any route/ride recommendations from anyone familiar with the area.
I'll be staying out camp just north of Ishpeming/Negaunee for about a week (North Camp Rd.) on the Big Dead. I know I can ride in just about any direction and have a blast, but if there are any must see places I'd love to hear about them. I've ridden hard surface from end to end, but have only seen the trails in a truck or on a sled. I'll check in at Meyer's Yamaha before heading out, but figured I could get some good feedback from you friends.

 

[Keja]

As I said in the other thread, you really can't go wrong in any direction. I can't think of any "must see" sights off-road - find a high spot and you'll have a great view, find a river and a neat waterfall probably isn't too far away, riding through the woods in that area you'll likely see deer, and maybe a moose or two!

If you want some fun on-road stuff, County Road 550 between Marquette and Big Bay is a very fun, popular ride and there's an old lighthouse on the end of a long dirt road in Big Bay that you may find interesting. You can then loop back on County Road 510 - it's dirt road for a number of miles.

If you head South, M35 from Negaunee to Gwinn is a blast.

The folks at Meyer's are great. I bought my Tenere from them.

 

[Paul466]

Hey CB You might want to consider some k60 s I think most off road stuff up there is sand and im not sure how much fun stock tires will be in it

 

[Keja]

Hey CB You might want to consider some k60 s I think most off road stuff up there is sand and im not sure how much fun stock tires will be in it

A lot of the snowmobile trails are gravel or hard dirt and groomed. There are some areas of looser sand, especially around the logging roads, but most of the off-shooting trails and power lines are hard-packed dirt. I still have the stock tires and haven't had any trouble avoiding the really sandy areas.

Added: of course, gnarlier tires will give you more options

 

[cb0802]

The K60s are mounted and ready to go. I'm meeting the family up there (wife and kids are flying) so I won't get to ride as much as I want, but am really excited to head that way. I should get a few hours a day, and the wife and I will check out CR-550. I've seen pictures of the light house and think that'll be a great day trip.

 

[arnoldinup]

You'd better find a way to ride to the Keweenaw peninsula, all the way to the end of US-41, then do the Brockway Mountain Drive. It's the UP's version of Deals Gap, altho much shorter. Also, do the road from Munising to Grand Marais (the Melstrand road). It's newly surfaced w/nice, wide shoulders and great scenery. Take time to visit 12-mile Beach and Hurricane River parks along the way. Exquisite Lake Superior beaches and camping opportunities.
Forest highway 13 from Munising south to Rapid River, Michigan is worth the time, too !

Enjoy, and be safe !

Greetings, all, from 'da UP !!

 

[LostViking]

Not sure of the number. I think H58 near Munising, great road!

 

[Bappo]

Oh and when you get the very end of 41 just north of Copper Harbour don't stop. Keep going to the very tip of the peninsula on some GREAT dirt roads. At the end are fantastic campsites. You have K60's so you should be fine.

So in the Keweenaw do not miss 26, Brockway Mt road (poor shape but fun), and the super secret Gay Lac LaBelle Rd. Perfect road, NO traffic, right along the lakeshore and it itake syou to the famous Gay Bar with 26 different Hot Dogs ::013::

If you are into fun sand and such. From the Gay Bar go down towards the lake and turn right at the end which opens up into a massive expanse of sand dunes. Between the dunes and the trees a trail starts that can take you to Lake Linden. ATV/Snowmobile trail so not easy.

From Lake Linden go down Bootjack Rd. to the Dreamland Bar for great fish fry and a nice campground/cabins. Another 10 miles past Dreamland are two lighthouses (one is next to my cabin where I will be in 2 weeks).

That is just a little taste of the Keweenaw. You can actually travel the entire peninsula while barely touching a paved road but most would be very hard on an S10.

Oh! the trail that starts just up from Lake Linden towards Laurium is a fantastic railroad grade with amazing trestle bridges.

 

[cb0802]

I knew if I didn't ask I'd be sorry, but now that I have I regret it. Too many trails I won't have time to ride. Because it's a family trip my riding time will be pretty limited, but I do appreciate all the recommendations.
I know I'll have fun around the Dead River, but have always wanted to ride 41 north!