Snowmobiling

The Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan is a snowmobiler's Mecca with hundreds of connecting trails and LOTS of snowfall.  The "lake effect" snow conditions the area receives from Lake Superior gives us the appropriate label of "Big Snow Country".  There are a variety of trails to satisfy every snowmobile enthusiast.  The season generally starts December 1 and ends March 31.  Michigan snowmobile trail permits and maps are available at the Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce office conveniently located on Trail #2 in the Old Depot Railroad Museum (downtown Ironwood-Trail #2).  For snowmobile trail conditions, call the Western U.P. Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-522-5657.

A Day in the Life of a U.P. Snowmobiler

As a preface to the following snowmobile adventure, I thought that I might tell you something about myself.  I am a retired school teacher and administrator.  I drive a 2008 Ski-Doo Renegade 800cc snowmobile.  I belong to the Gogebic Range Trail Authority snowmobile club (which is responsible for grooming appx. 112 miles of trails in the Western Upper Peninsula).  For me snowmobiling provides camaraderie and adventure, and it's a great way to enjoy the winter.  Enjoy our snow, and I hope to see you on the trail!

-John Cox

Monday, February 25, 2008 - Weather overcast and foggy.  My friend, Amos Prisbe decided to take a trip on the newly opened trail to Little Girl's Point/Saxon Harbor.  This trail had been closed for about 10 years, but due to a great group of Ironwood residents, who worked to secure easements and other trail related chores, it is now open.  Believe me:  it was worth the wait!  We left Wakefield traveling to Ironwood on a perfectly groomed trail.  The intersection to Little Girl's Point trail is located near Jackson Rd. (trail number 160).  From what I remember the trail has improved greatly from the original one.  Leaving Ironwood the trail has quite a few curves and winds through small stands of trees.  We came across a few deer as we passed by the Ironwood Township Hall.  The well-kept farms and houses of North Ironwood were rather picturesque as we headed north.  The trail straightened out as it began to follow old logging roads.  Some of the trail passes through Gogebic County Forest and I was impressed with the healthy stand of hardwoods and hemlocks.  Amos used to work for the Forestry Commission in the summer while he attended school so he alerted me to a scenic spot just off the trail called Bald Mountain.  It was worth the side trip even though the visibility was obscured by fog.  For a hiker in the summer there are several informational, interpretive signs along the trail.  From there we traveled to a scenic outlook of Lake Superior and took a break.  We then went to the end of the Michigan trail which is near the mouth of the Montreal River.  The trail continues to Saxon, WI and, of course, goes back to Ironwood/Hurley.  'Excellent trails, great company and a good time' would best describe our trip that day.

Old Depot Museum
150 North Lowell
PO Box 45
Ironwood, MI.  49938
906/932-1122 (phone)
906/932-2756 (fax)
email: chamber@ironwoodmi.org

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