Post ride report - Marquette/KI/Gwinn/Chatham/Laughing Whitefish Falls

[srobak]

Didn't make the entire loop around because someone got sick and went back to the hotel for a few hours, then felt better and we doubled back to get them - but we still managed to put on 250 miles in 24 hours, which is pretty good for most of them being first-time riders. Everyone had a blast, and they cannot wait to do it again next year.

Thanks to everyone here on JD for helpful information - hopefully I can put more of it to use next year and actually make it to Munising.

We all made it home safely - albeit a bit sore - but it sure was a ball! Everyone had a great time from what I have been told, and there is some awesome footage to be had courtesy of Cole who had a GoPro Hero - I will post links to those later, especially our back-country trek up and down the wrong side of Mount Marquette

In attendance were Bill and Sarah, Cole and Kelley, Clint, my co-worker Nik, my friend Tanya who lives in the area we were sledding, and myself.

The ginormous Excursion to transport the 7 of us and all our gear was awesome. It was a roomy and comfortable ride, and it also got us home safely through the snow and slushy roads.

Under way


The ladies getting ready


Early in the morning to pick up the sleds


First stop to watch the sled dogs - which were still a half hour away...


So we pressed on to breakfast at Crossroads


Then headed to my dads


Where Clint decided to play on the snowpiles








Including this one with some nice air!








We then headed to the base (KI Sawyer)






more next post

[srobak]

From there we blasted down about 20 miles of straight and foraged into deep forest, threading between trees to get to a frozen over Laughing Whitefish Falls





Kelley taking a break













And then after many miles of bumpy trails and some wicked back-country mountain riding in the dark as well as a visit to the casino - we went to Marquette Mountain and later atop Mount Marquette overlooking the city and Lake Superior





The ride in back to the rental shop on Sunday went great with some awesome slipperly snow blazing as well as catching some air in a few locations along 8 and 321. Then of course came the long ride home and the sore muscles and snoring passengers... but we cannot wait for the next trip next year!

[samc]

Love the Kawasaki Jacket! Nice to see everyone had a good time.

[srobak]

Yeah that jacket goes with one of my summertime rides Works awesome as a snowmobile jacket too

[confusion_900]

Where was the pic with the air planes ! I love going to the look out over Marquette

and great pics of all the fun U had

[srobak]

Those are static display aircraft at KI Sawyer. You take 8 east from Gwinn and where it Y's to go to Little Lake or Red Fox Inn/Tailwinds Bar (on base) take a left. Follow the trail all the way to Tailwinds. Then you have to cross 94 and blaze your own trail or follow existing tracks east along 94, crossing Avenue A and head north along A in front of the old barracks. Go PAST 3rd street (map below indicates to turn - dont) and after the next building turn left into the old BX/Commissary parking lot - the planes will be about 50 yards up and on your right.

Sat image with route from Tailwinds: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...29075&t=h&z=16

We also went there last year too... http://www.johndee.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=13471

[srobak]

GoPro Hero video footage starting 10 minutes into our ride for about a half hour, along trails 321 and 8.

There is a link near the end of each video to get to the next part.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2wKF_v1S-I

[bonnevier]

Love the pics and the video turned out great....all 4 videos got me through lunch!