Planning a trip through the UP of Michigan

[UselessPickles]

I'm planning my first multi-day bike trip to go up through the UP of Michigan this August. I'm looking for any suggestions of "must see" or "must avoid" places/roads/attractions/restaurants/etc. Here's some background that that may help guide your suggestions.

• This is supposed to be a fun family trip with fairly frequent stops for fun/interesting stuff. We don't want to just get up, ride, sleep, repeat. We're trying to pick out some "must see/do" items, but also leave some room for impromptu stops.
• The group will consist of me on my FJR, brother on a Ninja 250r and mom, dad and uncle each on their own cruiser.
• Wife, baby (5 months), aunt and 2 cousins (about 9 and 14, I think) will be tagging along in a large pickup truck. They didn't want to be left out on this trip, but they can't ride with us, so they'll be our backup support vehicle (although we're packing as if there is no truck with us).
• We generally enjoy points of interest that aren't super touristy. Stuff like interesting geological features, old cemeteries, old abandoned mines/towns, self-guided historical sites, etc.

We're starting on Aug 12th, which will conveniently put us in the UP for the peak night of a meteor shower. Here's the map I'm updating with tentative routes and points of interest as I plan the trip: https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&amp...ef8e05df723ecb4

If I'll be passing through anyone's neighborhood or crossing paths with anyone, I'm sure we'd enjoy the extra company if you'd like to join up with us for a bit of riding and whatever meal we stop for next.

 

[jmdaniel]

Copper Harbor is nice, as is the area up around Munising. I wouldn't recommend going all the way over to the Sault St.Marie location; lot of driving to get to not much. Pretty country up there; I've toured it a couple of times. I was on a Vision last summer (not recommended)....

:blink:

 

[mr.paul]

The run to Copper Harbor is nice. Try a few of the roads around there. Make sure when you are there that you go up to the scenic overlook. A steep twisty climb to get a nice view over the whole area. Also, make a run a little way down the west side of that penninsula to a Monk-run bakery called The Jampot and pick up some treats. Also at the Harbor, had a few very tasty meals at the Harbour Haus restaurant, including the most artful lunch salad in my life. Almost too pretty to eat.

When you are done with Copper Harbor (don't miss a run to the Gay Bar in Gay, MI), run down to Porcupine State Park for a nice view of the Lake of the Clouds.

Just a few suggestions.

paul from Minnesota

 

[Tim Wilcox]

Wow, looks like you are already going to a bunch of the fun places. A few suggestions to try to hit would be White Fish Point, this place is very interesting, a lot of information on the Edmond Fitzgerald. https://www.exploringthenorth.com/shipmus/shipmuseum.html The "Log Slide" in that area is also cool. https://hunts-upguide.com/grand_marais_log_...e_overlook.html I also enjoy Tahquamenon Falls, a little touristy but a nice place to visit. https://www.exploringthenorth.com/tahqbrew/brewpub.html If you have time the pictured rock tour, in Munising, is very cool. https://hunts-upguide.com/munising_pictured..._lakeshore.html On the other side, Lake of the Clouds is very cool, nice drive for the FJR and very cool lookout points when you get to the top. https://hunts-upguide.com/porcupine_mountai...s_overlook.html Just north of Newberry there is a Bear Habitat if that interests you. https://www.superiorsights.com/oswaldsbearranch Lake Gogebic area has some fun roads to travel. https://www.lakegogebic.com/attractions.htm You will have plenty to see no matter what perts you go to. The Gay Bar is cool to.

Let me know if you ever interested in doing some local rides also.

Tim

 

[jcyuhn]

You didn't mention the route to/from the UP, but consider detouring over to the northwest corner of the LP. You can ride M-119, the "tunnel of trees." Consider eating at Legs Inn in Cross Village, it is a funky/cool old restaurant and dance hall. The back patio overlooks Lake Michigan. From Cross Village up to the bridge is rather flat/straight/boring, but it goes quickly.

I haven't spent enough time in the UP to offer up any advice.

Your brother must be one tough dude to ride an EX250 on that trip. I own a ninjette too and can't imagine spending that kind of time on that little saddle.

- JimY

 

[UselessPickles]

The run to Copper Harbor is nice. Try a few of the roads around there. Make sure when you are there that you go up to the scenic overlook. A steep twisty climb to get a nice view over the whole area. Also, make a run a little way down the west side of that penninsula to a Monk-run bakery called The Jampot and pick up some treats. Also at the Harbor, had a few very tasty meals at the Harbour Haus restaurant, including the most artful lunch salad in my life. Almost too pretty to eat.
When you are done with Copper Harbor (don't miss a run to the Gay Bar in Gay, MI), run down to Porcupine State Park for a nice view of the Lake of the Clouds.

Just a few suggestions.

paul from Minnesota

Already got Brockway Mountain Drive (and the scenic overlook) and the Gay Bar & Grill included in the plans. I'll definitely look for The Jampot. Thanks.

BTW - I've camped and hiked in the Porcupine Mountains a couple times. The view of Lake of the Clouds is best from the Escarpment Trail. It's a hiking trail along the edge of the cliffs with lots of steep elevation changes in between

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

Be careful up there. Some places in the U P rival a canoe trip on the Cahulawassee River.

... and they don't play banjos in the U P.

 

[Moosehead]

Gunny on M-119 "Tunnel of Trees". I rode it late last fall and it was clean and twisty. Trees are right up to the edge of the road in some places. I think you have to hit it at the right time. I was heading south in the afternoon with no traffic in my direction but long lines of cagers and HD's heading north. Still a very fun piece of road not to be missed.

 

[BikerGeek99]

If, for whatever reason, you detour into Marquette, do NOT eat at the NY Diner.

Or, if you do eat there anyway, do NOT get the ham sammich.

That damn ham sammich gave me food poisoning back in '01.

While I was best man in a wedding.

Standing through a wedding service whilst in the throes of food poisoning SUCKS.

Other than that, get yourself some pasties and take lots of pictures for us!

Ride safe,

BG

 

[UselessPickles]

Wow, looks like you are already going to a bunch of the fun places. A few suggestions to try to hit would be White Fish Point, this place is very interesting, a lot of information on the Edmond Fitzgerald. https://www.exploringthenorth.com/shipmus/shipmuseum.html The "Log Slide" in that area is also cool. https://hunts-upguide.com/grand_marais_log_...e_overlook.html I also enjoy Tahquamenon Falls, a little touristy but a nice place to visit. https://www.exploringthenorth.com/tahqbrew/brewpub.html If you have time the pictured rock tour, in Munising, is very cool. https://hunts-upguide.com/munising_pictured..._lakeshore.html On the other side, Lake of the Clouds is very cool, nice drive for the FJR and very cool lookout points when you get to the top. https://hunts-upguide.com/porcupine_mountai...s_overlook.html Just north of Newberry there is a Bear Habitat if that interests you. https://www.superiorsights.com/oswaldsbearranch Lake Gogebic area has some fun roads to travel. https://www.lakegogebic.com/attractions.htm You will have plenty to see no matter what perts you go to. The Gay Bar is cool to.
Let me know if you ever interested in doing some local rides also.

Tim

Thanks for the info.

We should meet up at the drag strip sometime for some legal hooligan fun, then go for a ride afterwards. I'm feeling overdue for a day at the drag strip, so I'll probably be going within the next week or two. Saturdays from about noon to 4 or 5pm.

 

[jameswilson]

Hi,

If you like old "ghost" towns, Fayette is a nice restoration https://www.exploringthenorth.com/fayette/town.html

Da Yoopers toorist trap is fun, just outside Ishpeming https://hunts-upguide.com/ishpeming_da_yoop...p___museum.html

Jim

 

[Timbo2015]

I recommend a stop, if only for an hour, at the Sylvania Wilderness area. Take a short hike into a virgin northwoods forest and see what it is supposed to look like. The diifference between a mature forest and the logged-over and replanted scrub forests that typify the UP and northern Wisconsin is startling.

 

[black cherry]

If you get any where near it, check out: https://www.exploringthenorth.com/tahqua/tahqua.html

 

[MarkG]

Try Forest Highway 13 if you're in the neighborhood. And if your group is on US2, try kitchitikipi state park (Big Springs) some fun for kids here too.

Forest Highway 13

Big Springs State Park

 

[Gramps]

Here are some pictures I've taken over the past few years...pretty sure these are on your travel route.

The Monks Church near the Jam Pot. Very cool place.

Brockway Mtn.

Copper Harbor

East shore Keweenaw Peninsula.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Looking forward to reading your trip report & seeing your pictures.

Have a great trip!!l