Trip Planning: Michigan UP

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by Jeff_Barrett, Jun 17, 2015.

  1. Jeff_Barrett

    Jeff_Barrett Member

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    Hey guys, I'm meeting some buddies of mine from Ohio and Virginia in the Michigan UP.

    Just wondering if any of you guys are out there and can offer some great routes and a good base camp (tenting).
     
  2. 2wheelrush

    2wheelrush New Member

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    When you going. Maybe I could meet you.
     
  3. Jeff_Barrett

    Jeff_Barrett Member

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    First week in August .... I'm thinking of meeting up with them in Ludington (I'll take the SS Badger across from Manitowoc) so that I can ride the Tunnel of Trees and the Mackinac Bridge. We're going to loop up through the UP then down into WI and basecamp for the rest of the week ... maybe near Baraboo or Madison??

    Some WI road knowledge would be awesome.
     
  4. Tews19

    Tews19 New Member

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    I was planning on taking a trip to the UP as well. My family is from the Hurley, Ironwood
     
  5. 2wheelrush

    2wheelrush New Member

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    Me and my wife just got back from the lake michigan circle tour. Left kewaunee sat . morning. And got back tues.nite. the bridge is nice. We took the ferry across years ago. Traverse city is nice but missed the tunnel of trees out of Petoskey because of road construction. Otherwise good trip.
     
  6. Jeff_Barrett

    Jeff_Barrett Member

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    Well ... it's official, the trip is on!

    I'm leaving here in the evening on July 31st. I need to make it to Manitowoc, WI by 2PM on August 1st to make the ferry across.

    I'll be hooking up with my buddies for OH and VA in Ludington for the night on August 1st.

    We'll then be traveling up the shoreline of Lake Michigan, through the Tunnel of Trees, then over the Mackinac Bridge.

    We'll cut West across the UP and then back down into WI. Not sure where we'll base camp yet ... but probably in WI somewhere.

    We'll be vLogging. :)
     
  7. Ontario Hawk

    Ontario Hawk New Member

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    About three weeks ago I went through the UP between Sault Ste Marie and Duluth on a round Lake Superior ride. We didn't do anything other than just take Highway 28 in Michigan, Highway 2 in Wisconsin, and I-53 into Duluth. Lots of long straight running on that route, but the scenery was nice. Got really cold as we moved closer to the lake, saw the temp drop about 10 degrees in 3 kms at one point. Did a quick run into Marquette for a coffee break, and it seemed like a good town to explore around.
     
  8. Jeff_Barrett

    Jeff_Barrett Member

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    Ontario Hawk ... good to know.

    Any recommendations for twisties around there that you know of?
     
  9. Maggot

    Maggot New Member

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    Go to Copper Harbor at the tip of the Keweenaw penninsula through Houghton and Hancock. Only two main roads, take Rt 41 up and 26 along the lake Superior coast down. Copper mine tours in Houghton and Hancock.

    Just outside of Copper Harbor there is a scenic road that runs the ridge of the hills. Not sure of the name. Might be as simple as "Ridge Road". Ask a local, they will know it. Not the best pavement but spectacular views!

    At Silver City you can camp in the Porcupine Mountians State Park. Right on Lake Superior. See "Lake In The Clouds" within the park. East of there many waterfalls leading down to Lake Superior on the Presque Isle River and the Black River.

    If you go down into Wisconsin on US Hwy 51 , at the town of Manitowish Waters head north on County rd. "W" until it meets County Rd. "K" Head East on "K" through Boulder Junction and Star Lake and then over to Conover at US Rt. 45. "K" is probably the prettiest road in Northeastern WI. Watch out for Bambi!

    If you need more ideas in that area I have spent many hours on the VFR in the UP and Northern WI.
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2015
  10. Maggot

    Maggot New Member

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    Just found it! The scenic road just outside of Copper Harbor is "Brockway Mountian Drive" it is supposed to be the highest paved road West of the Appalachians and East of the Rockies. Great views of Copper Harbor and Lake Superior.

    You can also stay at Ft. Wilkins State Park in Copper Harbor.
     
  11. 2wheelrush

    2wheelrush New Member

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    Hey Jeff make sure you bring tie downs for your bike. For the ferry. We had to be there early to get the bike in and tied down years ago.
     
  12. Tews19

    Tews19 New Member

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    Maggot, I was in Hurley/Ironwood last weekend. I took 94 to 51/39 north all the way. It was a fun drive. On the way back I got off on hwy 8. Took 47/45 all the way down to Fon du lac than 41 to a bunch of county roads till Waukesha. The 45 south was nice but the traffic seemed more congested than what one would think for a "back" hwy. I'd be interested in any routes you have from Waukesha to your neck of the woods.
     
  13. Ontario Hawk

    Ontario Hawk New Member

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    Unfortunately, I have no further wisdom, other than dont underestimate the effect a huge cold lake like Superior can have on the climate....

    August should be fine, or better anyway.
     
  14. iamzombie

    iamzombie New Member

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    I did lake superior ride back in 2013, there was an excellent seasonal road between Grand Marais and Munising (H-58) and also porcupine mtn state park was pretty good, but the road wasn't great.
     
  15. Jeff_Barrett

    Jeff_Barrett Member

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    Thanks, everyone!

    iamzombie ... want in on the trip?

    I've heard about the tie downs, I'm told to bring at least 3, I hear you get hosed for them locally. :)
     
  16. 2wheelrush

    2wheelrush New Member

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    2 tie downs will work. That's all I had for my kawasaki concourse.
     
  17. Jeff_Barrett

    Jeff_Barrett Member

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    Sweet. The 2 guys I'm meeting up with from OH and VA are riding C14s!
     
  18. iamzombie

    iamzombie New Member

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    I would love to, but I'm flying to indy for the motogp races from the 6th to the 9th of August...
     
  19. Jeff_Barrett

    Jeff_Barrett Member

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    Too bad. We were actually planning to ride to the MotoGP but decided we'd rather be riding than watching riding. :)
     
  20. iamzombie

    iamzombie New Member

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    Yeah my original plan was to ride down with a friend from Shilo, attend the race weekend and then continue on to Deal's Gap, but our schedules didn't quite line up, so I'm just going to fly down as my wife gets nervous when I go on long rides solo.
     
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