Snowmobiling Houghton MI

  • steveo
    W Central Sconnie
    Posts: 4102
    February 7, 2007 at 2:20 am #1253365

    I am heading up there in two weeks. Anybody been sledding up there? Bar and restaurant recommendations? I hear they have a boatload of snow.

    dodge_boy
    Minocqua, Wi
    Posts: 554
    February 7, 2007 at 3:51 am #533727

    I couldn’t help ya with that one, I can never make it farther than Hurley/Ironwood.

    impalapower
    Madison, WI
    Posts: 939
    February 7, 2007 at 4:03 am #533733

    Some folks that I see now and then made a trip from Presque Isle to Copper Harbor and back said the conditions were good.

    hairjig
    Cudahy, Wis.
    Posts: 936
    February 7, 2007 at 1:44 pm #533782

    Steve, I’m familiar with the area around Houghton. For a good & reasonable motel, go through Houghton cross the bridge proceed to the right once you cross the bridge (that’s the Portage Channel)go north to Lake Linden as you get through the town just before turning left for M-26 (up the hill) there is a store called De Mars market on the corner of 9th street ( also known as boot jack road) turn right and proceed approx.5-6 miles south to The Le Blanc motel it is on the east side of Portage Lake, good parking for you sleds…. Plenty of snow and you can go to Copper Harbor from there by trail. Le Blanc Motel (906-296-0105)…..have fun, Hairjig

    steveo
    W Central Sconnie
    Posts: 4102
    February 7, 2007 at 1:53 pm #533787

    that’s interesting because the guys I’m meeting are doing the same thing. they are all from Madison. my buddy owns the Neckerman Agency in town. they are trailering to PI and sledding the rest of the way. i haven’t done any ‘biling in awhile. I’m driving to Houghtn and renting a sled there for a couple of days. we are staying at the Travelodge in town and venturing out form there.

    impalapower
    Madison, WI
    Posts: 939
    February 7, 2007 at 3:35 pm #533830

    What brand sleds do they ride? I probably don’t know them.

    steveo
    W Central Sconnie
    Posts: 4102
    February 7, 2007 at 5:38 pm #533918

    my buddy is a Polaris guy. don’t know about the other 4

    mallard_militia
    Fulton County, Illinois
    Posts: 1108
    February 7, 2007 at 7:40 pm #534001

    I went to college up there in Houghton. It is a fun place. I used to post an add at the hotels in town and guide people from Hougton to Copper Harbor on logging roads and power lines. If I could find a map, I would highlight my route, but it wouldn’t be a good idea unless you knew it personally.

    Here were my favorite stops.

    Houghton
    Ambassador – Order a “fishbowl”, they have drinks in an actual fish bowl. Pizza is good there.
    Downtowner – Good place to hang out and easy to access on the trail. It is the first bar near the bridge along the portage canal.

    Good trail stops in the Keewanaw.

    Mohawk – Slims cafe. The groomers are stationed out of Mohawk so there are usually the best trails near there.

    Copper Harbor – Mariner North. Located right on the trail, near gas, and have cold beer and good food.

    Gay – The bar in Gay is called the Gay Bar. You have to atleast stop there and say you had a drink in the Gay Bar on your trip.

    If you are up there riding and run across some locals, or some college guys with sleds. See if they can lead you to these places.

    South Range Hill Climb hill. It is fairly easy to climb straight up and the view is remarkable. You will have to go off trail to get there unless it has changed.

    Top of the world – Located back in the boonies. I think it was near Eagle Harbor. It is about a five mile climb in the back woods to overlook a huge cliff. Be careful up there though.

    The trails can get pretty rough during the weekend up there with all the traffic. If there is a lot of snow in the powerlines and stuff, make sure you don’t go back there by yourself. The snow can get really fluffy up there and have air pockets under the tooleys. Your sled can just disappear in the snow. Only happen to me once, but that was enough. Have fun.

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 19082
    February 7, 2007 at 8:10 pm #534036

    Nice place to ride. I recommend sledding to Copper Harbor at least once. I’m heading up to Bergland this weekend. About an hour short of Houghton. From Hayward east snow is not an issue.

    mallard_militia
    Fulton County, Illinois
    Posts: 1108
    February 7, 2007 at 8:36 pm #533919

    Hey Suzuki,

    If you see a trail groomer, they are built by my dad. Bergland just purchased a couple new grooming drags this year. I recommend stopping at Hoop ‘n Hollar. Tell George that Sno-Plane Groomers sent ya. Maybe you’ll get a free beer.

    I wish I was heading up there this weekend. Those were the days.

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 19082
    February 7, 2007 at 9:27 pm #534083

    Gotta stop at the Hoop. Hopefully around lunch time. Good burgers.

    birddog
    Mn.
    Posts: 1957
    February 8, 2007 at 3:39 am #534241

    Quote:

    I couldn’t help ya with that one, I can never make it farther than Hurley/Ironwood.

    That’s so true! The Silver Dollar sure has been good to me!

    BIRDDOG

    mike_utley
    Zumbrota, MN
    Posts: 578
    February 8, 2007 at 3:28 pm #534401

    One of the guys from work here reported that there is snow, riding is not the greatest because of all the traffic up there right now. In fact, they rode at night 11pm-4am, several days to stay away from traffic and ride on groomed trails.

    FYI – have fun.

    robstenger
    Northern Twin Cities, MN
    Posts: 11370
    February 8, 2007 at 3:35 pm #534404

    Quote:

    I couldn’t help ya with that one, I can never make it farther than Hurley/Ironwood.

    They have snowmobile trails in Hurley?????

    schrumy
    Clearwater MN
    Posts: 183
    February 10, 2007 at 2:13 am #535102

    Quote:

    Quote:

    I couldn’t help ya with that one, I can never make it farther than Hurley/Ironwood.

    That’s so true! The Silver Dollar sure has been good to me!

    BIRDDOG


    Left a few dolars there myself, damn it was some of the best times I don’t remember

    mbenson
    Minocqua, Wisconsin
    Posts: 3842
    February 12, 2007 at 5:17 am #535620

    Boys:

    You only need to be in the Silver Dollar for a few minutes now and then you gotta go to one of the next five and FAST!!! Bachelor party up there this fall and the Silver has slid. One of the next places on the right had a babe in there that didn’t even take her clothes off and I bet her dance made the best tips of the night.

    SteveO: Portage is supposed to be one of the up and coming big fish walleye lakes in the country!!! So looking forward to getting up there myself.

    Mark

    robstenger
    Northern Twin Cities, MN
    Posts: 11370
    February 12, 2007 at 4:04 pm #535718

    Just got back from the Bessemer area. Had decent snow but was a little beat up by Sunday noon. Get away from the crowds and towns and you will be fine. We stuck to finding logging roads during the day and finding off road stuff to play in. If you can get up early and beat the crowds, you will find some nicely groomed trails. After 11 am it starts to get pounded. They had a chance of snow pretty much every day this week. Itching to get back up there again.

    I’m definitly not in mid season riding shape.

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 19082
    February 12, 2007 at 6:02 pm #535764

    I was in Bergland. Heading east trails were sweet. My wife and I did 204 on Sat and a quick 40 Sunday morning. Groomers going full bore. What a blast.

    steveo
    W Central Sconnie
    Posts: 4102
    February 12, 2007 at 7:46 pm #535834

    I’m in no kind of riding shape.
    I just plan on taking a ton of Advil..
    Sounds like Houghton will be packed. Lots of traffic I’m afraid

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 19082
    February 12, 2007 at 7:57 pm #535842

    Your best bet is to head south. You’ll find good trails. Towards Ontonagon for example. I remember seeing a sign for Houghton 43 miles so we were close. Mass City, Sidnaw. Wish I was there now.

    robstenger
    Northern Twin Cities, MN
    Posts: 11370
    February 12, 2007 at 8:16 pm #535847

    I agree with Suzuki, the best trails we found were East of Bessemer and Bergland!

    I too wish I was still up there.

    impalapower
    Madison, WI
    Posts: 939
    February 13, 2007 at 1:56 am #535994

    I think the best trails should be in New York. 10-12 feet should be good enough.

    steveo
    W Central Sconnie
    Posts: 4102
    February 22, 2007 at 4:20 pm #540139

    great trip for me. not so great for my buddy. this is an ’06 Ski-Doo MXZ 600.

    bzzsaw
    Hudson, Wi
    Posts: 3510
    February 22, 2007 at 5:21 pm #540174

    Ouch. That is probably one of the hottest sleds I’ve seen in a while. What happened to it? Hope he had insurance, or a least some hot dogs to cook up as it burned.

    steveo
    W Central Sconnie
    Posts: 4102
    February 22, 2007 at 5:26 pm #540178

    as far as I can figure he blew a piston, some gas hit the muffler and then the hood caught. just a matter of time before it hit the tank. it was over at that point

    impalapower
    Madison, WI
    Posts: 939
    February 22, 2007 at 9:21 pm #540336

    Quote:

    as far as I can figure he blew a piston, some gas hit the muffler and then the hood caught.

    If it was still under warranty and this happened, do you think the manufacturer would give you a new sled? It would be worth looking into. Where are the skis?

    steveo
    W Central Sconnie
    Posts: 4102
    February 22, 2007 at 10:31 pm #540376

    he indicated it wasn’t under warranty. They tried to quell the flames with snow. My guess is the skis partially melted.

    he’s going after Bombardier. I don’t know if he’ll have any luck. His brother blew up his engine the same weekend. Identical sled. No fire however. Not the greatest endorsement of Ski-Doo

    impalapower
    Madison, WI
    Posts: 939
    February 22, 2007 at 10:42 pm #540379

    Quote:

    Not the greatest endorsement of Ski-Doo

    They all break, no matter who makes them.

    Not a fun way to spend the weekend, considering you have to travel so far.

    robstenger
    Northern Twin Cities, MN
    Posts: 11370
    February 22, 2007 at 10:45 pm #540386

    Quote:

    They all break, no matter who makes them.

    Couldn’t agree more……

    But Ski-Doos way more than others……..

    No matter what brand you ride, you know that would suck and what a bad feeling that would be.

    With these next weeks storms we might be able to ride in MN.

    I just don’t want ot break out the or and in case I might jinx it.

    KirtH
    Lakeville
    Posts: 4062
    February 22, 2007 at 11:04 pm #540409

    No matter what brand you ride, you know that would suck and what a bad feeling that would be.

    Not if it was 20 below

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