First trip to up

[hotrodbrett]

Ok I got the ok to go on a trip to the up me and 3 of my friends. But I have to go befor christmas. Dose any body have any ideas on were to go around monday the 14 of december for a 4-6 day trip? My sled is a 00 mxz 700 121 with 1 3/4 paddle track, buddies sled are a 95 polaris 600 tripple with 136 2" paddle, 99 mxz 670 ho with 136 1 1/4, last is a stock 09 yamaha 4 stroke all stock. we would like to try and get some off trail (with owners premision of corse). I am trying to plan this trip but it makes it kinda hard with the other kid on the way. Thats why it has to be befor christmas. Any ideas are welcome. thanks

[polarisrider1]

Good luck! It's total hit or miss that early in the season. There will be no planning at that time. Your trip will be a "Hey guys it snowed big time at such and such" lets go now! And expect everyone to be there. I would not waste the time and resources at a trip to the UP that early.

[yamalaris]

You will have better luck if you can postpone your trip one month.

[ranlam]

It is hit or miss and can can be a little dangerous being the first ones busting trail (culverts and waterholes etc.) since groomers are not out to much that early. But if your careful you can have a total blast, for the last three years we have had the same small group up a week or two before christmas bustin trail, hope to see them again this year. Sounds like you got the sleds to do it so.....email me around that time and I will help you out any way possible.

[hotrodbrett]

ok, thanks guys I relise it is a hit an miss some areas will have plenty of snow and others will have hardly any. We are form south east minnesota. And I wish I could plan the trip for jan. some time. But the wife says no. I jess we will just have to wait to see what the winter will bring. Is it easy to get rooms or a cabin that time of year?

[adrenlnjunky]

Just curious, has anyone ever heard of a husband telling a wife no you cant go here or there you have to stay home? We always go up the week before christmas and have had great snow everytime. We stay in mass city and ride north.

[skylar]

It usually is easy to get a cabin or a room that time of the year. And yes it is hit and miss. Obviously the lake effect snow belts off of Lake Superior are the best areas to have rideable snow.

My friends and I have gone up to the Twin Lakes area every year, before Christmas, since 1995 or 1996. We've ridden in 2-3 feet of powder, and on 6" of snow hitting rocks the whole time. I can not remember a time where we didn't make it due to no snow. Low snow, yes, no snow, never.

Early season riding is just that, some water holes are not froze over, maybe not a very good base on the trails, off trail is sketchy, lots of stumps to watch out for, unfrozen creeks, and try to stay off the power lines, you would not believe the hazzards that are on the power lines.

Bottom line is this, pray for good snow, and as long as you tell yoursleves you are going to have fun no matter what the conditions are, you will.

[lenny]

dang Skylar, you said it all!

Whatever Skylar said!

[zrjes]

Im with Skylar on this one, there has normally always been snow around that time of the year especially in the LES areas. Chances of "Great" off trail riding are slim, it would be more of logging road riding than true off trail go anywhere riding. As stated above, lots of stumps and rocks makes it dangerous, especially for a group that does not know the area.

Anywhere from Mass City up to the high terrain of the Keweenaw is a very safe bet.

Stack

[ranlam]

South Boundary Road, White Pine to Mass and north should be safe.

[hotrodbrett]

ok thanks guys we are use to low snow conditions we live out side of rochester minnesota. I have always wanted do go to the up but never had a good chance with work now i am laid off i got all the time in the word. except for the baby that is due in middle of jan. but thank you all for the information.

[hotrodbrett]

ok if i decide to go a week or 2 after christmas i was thinking of twin lakes is that a good area. we would like a good off trail area with premision.

[favoritos]

There are no guarantees on snow up there even that late. Try to leave your plans open if you are set on riding off trail. Watch John's info and you will be able to get good snow when it happens.

The snow needs to be pretty deep compared to what you are used to around home. The rocks and buried trees can be brutal. Even the trail riding can be pretty rough sometimes in the early season because of the rocks. If you do ride early, pick established trails that have been in the same spot for a few years they have less rocks and waterholes.

I wish I could offer more help on the off trail riding, but we do not get a chance to do much of that riding. We just do not want to ride illegal and do not know all the areas that are permitted for off trail.

[maddog24]

You should be fine. I have ridden by that time in December (9 of the last 10 years). You should keep your options open but usually the western UP gets colder weather and has more snow early in the season. You also won't have a problem getting a week day room or cabin that early in the season. Thats been our experience.

[hunter74]

Looking back in Johns Journals around dec 14th, only in 2001 and 2006 do the trails look useless.

[hotrodbrett]

yea we aint use to that much snow any ways. we normly only have couple inches on the ground any ways down hear and on the trails it all rock and chissle plowed fileds we only get good riding in some ditches.

[doospunk]

Try and stay flexible with location and expectations on conditions but as Skylar and Lenny stated above, the Keewenaw from Mass City and north is the best bet with LES. Take a look at my profile pic. That was the second weekend in December last year. Congrats on the "soon to be" family addition.

[lenny]

the first snow last season was on 11-08. I was happy and snapped a pic
http://www.johndee.com/discuss/messages/9/115277.jpg
was light and didnt accumulate but none the less exciting
This one was 11-21
http://www.johndee.com/discuss/messages/9/115278.jpg

[hotrodbrett]

them pictures look like most of last year when i got my sled out at christmas but we had some drifts bout 1 foot deep to play in didnt last long but it was fun

[mezz]

Here is a shot of Dec 21, 2008, now keep in mind, this was after some consistant steady snow's:
http://www.johndee.com/discuss/messages/9/115398.jpg
http://www.johndee.com/discuss/messages/9/115399.jpg
http://www.johndee.com/discuss/messages/9/115400.jpg
Could have gone much earlier than that, but we would not have had conditions like this, a base that was beginning to build, plus DEEP on top. Hard to believe what a difference a few day's to a week can make. Inquire on conditions here, I don't think you can go wrong with the information that is given here. Keep in mind, your definition of rideable & our's here in the Keweenaw are two different meaning's. When we say it's not rideable or not enough, we say so because it is just that. Too many way's to get hurt &/or damage sled's, especially early on in the season.-Mezz

[hotrodbrett]

holy. i would love to be their. k thanks. i will post again hear when the snow starts to fly. and thanks for the info. yea i know whats it is like hoping logs, rubbing rocks and that sort of stuff. i hardly ever on snowmobil trails around hear. my buddies parents and family have loging trails we ride on. just take it slow explor the area then have as much fun as a person can(witch is unlimeted some times). couple of my buddies that are cuming up with has been up their befor. but this is my first time to the up. I am also the planer for this trip. thats why i am starting now and i am just excited to actuly ride good snow. our plan now is to come up between dec 14 and jan 12 some time between their. then my brother dont miss any collage. we just cant go between dec 22 and jan 1. thats the family time. so were ever thir is a good amount of snow were are going. what kind snow depth is rideable up thir?

[snoxer]

hotrodbrett I am expecting my first child in the beginning of January. I know she could arrive a week early or a week late. I am hoping that if there is decent snow by the middle of December I can get one good ride in before I am limited to So Wi trails the rest of the season. My birthday is the 15th and I might have an excuse to get away for one weekend before D-day is here! Just kidding of course I am excited to have a baby girl the first week of Jan but I know my riding time will be cut down for the first couple of months after she is born out of respect for momma and of couirse I want to be there for my baby. So one quick blast to calm my nerves and get some UP riding out of my system until maybe march when I figure I might be able to get a few more trips in.

[hotrodbrett]

congrats on the baby. I normly take trips to upper WI and middle WI. I may take more trips though but not many. this is my second child. so far we may have 5 or 6 people going. if we do have that many we may take 2 trucks up. i have a 01 f150 crew cab and my buddie has a 00 f250 crew cab. so we maybe able to bring more if we find a trailer to tow all them. we dont mind meeting new people. whats your riding style and were are you from?

[snot]

Hot Rod - I've been going up the the week before Christmas the last 5-6 years. Really never had a problem getting some quality riding in but I always go to Twin Lake area that early in the season. There are some wet areas yet, and sometimes there is problems crossing the bridge in Houghton, but I have always had a good time and things are usually less expensive and less crowded.

[snake]

snot, glad to see your post!! Roy and I are planning that trip again, you in?? looking forward to it!! how you been?

[hotrodbrett]

k i pland on going to twin lakes or maybe farther north like hancock idk yet. just trying to get everything priced out. i am currently laid off so time to me dont matter its the others.

[snot]

Hey big snake. Been OK. Work has not been pleasurable, but a cool summer sure has. Yes, been thinking of you guys the last few weeks. I stored a few sleds for friends this summer. Got to start planning a day soon to get em delivered. Yes, I'm in for December. Hearing all kinds of crazy regarding weather this winter. How you been?

[snake]

hi snot! all has been well! business has been alittle slower this summer, but all in all ,can't complain. I know that I've got your emails in my inbox and i will keep in touch about the trip. look'in forward to it! talk to ya soon!

[hotrodbrett]

ok we are going the 14 of dec. and may be in mid march. if i had to pick one time frame what time would everyone go.

[goingnorth]

Both dates have the same chances of good riding.

So watch the weather and go in December. Mid-march can be touch and go as well. Eitherway if you get a good trip in Dec. maybe you can sneak away in March.

Like everybody has said it's early season riding. Expect anything. But it's always fun no matter what. We have gone on an early trip in dec for 15 years. Remember that are other areas to watch as well. Hurley-Ironwood and also Munising area to Grand Marais seem to get some good early snow.

We have been called in the Truck by the Hotel and told that things probaly are'nt going to be rideable but you never know. Needless to say the next morning there is 6-12" of new snow and we are the only ones there.

Good luck, THINK SNOW

[ubee]

Best to rent a sled

[favoritos]

Man, you pick the tough times to go. Last season, the December trip. You would have seen stellar snow. The March trip would have been a warm trip. We watch the weather and plan accordingly for those times of the year. I would hate to see you wait all Winter and not get in a trip because of an early meltdown.

I will say that the conditions in March are much more fun if the snow holds out. The temps are nicer and the days are much longer. It is easy to ride when there is snow.

[mjgriffi]

We go up to twin lakes every year around dec 9th or 14th and we always have had good, not great snow. The fact that you are going mid-week helps on any beat down snow problems.

[rev500]

Simply chase the snow. We do every year between the Holidays. Anywhere between Copper Harbor and Sault Ste Marie