favoritos Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 We tried the western up snow lottery last week. Kept at it for about 560 clicks. Early season riding is always interesting and it was no exception this year. Some of the trails were fantastic and a lot were junk. Tons of closed trails too. That was one of the biggest challenges at times. I actually used the GPS with back roads and fire roads being the only option at times. We had barely enough snow at best most of the time. Jumped a lot of mud holes too. The section of trail 8W mentioned by the Gogebic club really was something. We rode a bunch just to see how bad. Mud and scrub would be the key terms. The stickers were about the only thing consistent. There were a ton of riders that gave up in that section and just rode the road. They started handing out tickets as a bonus road rage invitation. I couldn't see if it was cops or DNR handing out the goodies. Had an oddball first time experience at the Houghton bridge. Cams and the board chatter confirmed the bridge was down. We booked rooms out at the tip and headed up for the night. Low and behold, the bridge was down, but the gates were closed. Not a single track on the channel. We had rode a fresh groom down to the bridge so we looked for the groomer tracks to see where he went. They were sitting on the side of a street waiting for a police escort across the bridge. It was interesting talking with the guys running the groomer. They were peeved that the gates were still closed. Nothing they could do either. Cop showed up and he wasn't exactly pleased either. We were all in agreement. They also mentioned the ice was probably not good. Ended up just going across following the groomer on the highway. It snowed a little during the week and conditions improved where they had enough to groom. Still had clangers bouncing off on the grades and the random big buggers around the hills. This was some of the better snow we saw during the week. Normally spend quite a bit of time around the western up. I've seen a lot over the years for conditions. This year is a little odd with some snow all the way across. It isn't much, but it isn't dry ground for miles between the good. Conditions were a little hard on the sleds. Personally, I wouldn't plan a trip in these conditions especially if you want to ride some big miles. It takes too many parts. Buddies kid has the itch and holiday break is really the only shot. Oh well, the kid will learn how to fix sleds too. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 Just now, favoritos said: We tried the western up snow lottery last week. Kept at it for about 560 clicks. Early season riding is always interesting and it was no exception this year. Some of the trails were fantastic and a lot were junk. Tons of closed trails too. That was one of the biggest challenges at times. I actually used the GPS with back roads and fire roads being the only option at times. We had barely enough snow at best most of the time. Jumped a lot of mud holes too. The section of trail 8W mentioned by the Gogebic club really was something. We rode a bunch just to see how bad. Mud and scrub would be the key terms. The stickers were about the only thing consistent. There were a ton of riders that gave up in that section and just rode the road. They started handing out tickets as a bonus road rage invitation. I couldn't see if it was cops or DNR handing out the goodies. Had an oddball first time experience at the Houghton bridge. Cams and the board chatter confirmed the bridge was down. We booked rooms out at the tip and headed up for the night. Low and behold, the bridge was down, but the gates were closed. Not a single track on the channel. We had rode a fresh groom down to the bridge so we looked for the groomer tracks to see where he went. They were sitting on the side of a street waiting for a police escort across the bridge. It was interesting talking with the guys running the groomer. They were peeved that the gates were still closed. Nothing they could do either. Cop showed up and he wasn't exactly pleased either. We were all in agreement. They also mentioned the ice was probably not good. Ended up just going across following the groomer on the highway. It snowed a little during the week and conditions improved where they had enough to groom. Still had clangers bouncing off on the grades and the random big buggers around the hills. This was some of the better snow we saw during the week. Normally spend quite a bit of time around the western up. I've seen a lot over the years for conditions. This year is a little odd with some snow all the way across. It isn't much, but it isn't dry ground for miles between the good. Conditions were a little hard on the sleds. Personally, I wouldn't plan a trip in these conditions especially if you want to ride some big miles. It takes too many parts. Buddies kid has the itch and holiday break is really the only shot. Oh well, the kid will learn how to fix sleds too. Looks decent to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
favoritos Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 (edited) 15 minutes ago, Dave said: Looks decent to me. It isn't terrible. The pic is a little misleading. Nobody ever shows pics of the ugly one they brought home. The picture is the beauty queen of current conditions. Edited January 3, 2021 by favoritos 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Contributing Member Jimmy Snacks Posted January 3, 2021 Platinum Contributing Member Share Posted January 3, 2021 3 minutes ago, favoritos said: It isn't terrible. The pic is a little misleading. Nobody ever shows pics of the ugly one they brought home. The picture is the beauty queen of current conditions. Great post and glad you got out!👍🏼🇺🇸 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodtick Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 2 hours ago, favoritos said: It isn't terrible. The pic is a little misleading. Nobody ever shows pics of the ugly one they brought home. The picture is the beauty queen of current conditions. We were up and realized real quick that long rides weren’t in the cards. We stayed in the heavy pockets of snow. Ended up having a great time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Contributing Member Jimmy Snacks Posted January 4, 2021 Platinum Contributing Member Share Posted January 4, 2021 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
500ssman Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 Sorry this is the best I can do right now.. looking at getting back into the sport next season.🤫🤫 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old indy Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 no offence intended buuuuuut, that looks like the Indan goddess Kali fell down in the snow. yup, gonna skip sledding this year myself. first time in 19 years without a sled and its both a drag and a relief at the same time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Contributing Member Jimmy Snacks Posted January 4, 2021 Platinum Contributing Member Share Posted January 4, 2021 Well fuck it...might as well add to the tab even if there is no snow...pretty slick unit though! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anler Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 4 minutes ago, Jimmy Snacks said: Well fuck it...might as well add to the tab even if there is no snow...pretty slick unit though! Hey spend another $1000 and get you a new klim outfit! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awful knawful Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 Cut trails for 5 hours. Trails suck 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 8 minutes ago, awful knawful said: Cut trails for 5 hours. Trails suck Enough snow to groom? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Contributing Member Jimmy Snacks Posted January 4, 2021 Platinum Contributing Member Share Posted January 4, 2021 1 hour ago, Anler said: Hey spend another $1000 and get you a new klim outfit! Another week without snow and I just might!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Contributing Member Rigid1 Posted January 4, 2021 Platinum Contributing Member Share Posted January 4, 2021 2 hours ago, Jimmy Snacks said: Well fuck it...might as well add to the tab even if there is no snow...pretty slick unit though! I can't wait to see that thing on the snow!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awful knawful Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 1 hour ago, Dave said: Enough snow to groom? There was. But it melted then we got another 20cm. This is not the main trail, trail going to buds camp, ungroomed. Main trail is brutal. 30-40kmh 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireball 440 Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 Came home from work and see my wife has washed her new snowmobile belt. She's a keeper! 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racinfarmer Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 7 hours ago, old indy said: no offence intended buuuuuut, that looks like the Indan goddess Kali fell down in the snow. yup, gonna skip sledding this year myself. first time in 19 years without a sled and its both a drag and a relief at the same time. Kind of did a big change for us this year too and I'm looking forwards to just going out and riding a bit again. No chasing the snow or the circus. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awful knawful Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, Fireball 440 said: Came home from work and see my wife has washed her new snowmobile belt. She's a keeper! Your wife owns more snowmobiles than some guys on here. Edited January 5, 2021 by awful knawful 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Contributing Member Jimmy Snacks Posted January 5, 2021 Platinum Contributing Member Share Posted January 5, 2021 3 hours ago, Rigid1 said: I can't wait to see that thing on the snow!! You aren’t the only one! 😳🤷🏻 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokin george Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 My buddy rode his sled over and we loaded our sleds and trailering 45 min north of here. The trails are pretty good there and should make for a fun day. The wife made sammiches and is filling the thermos with hot chocolate/ peppermint schnapps in the morning. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DriftBusta Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 45 minutes ago, smokin george said: My buddy rode his sled over and we loaded our sleds and trailering 45 min north of here. The trails are pretty good there and should make for a fun day. The wife made sammiches and is filling the thermos with hot chocolate/ peppermint schnapps in the morning. Loading up my brothers new Backcountry tomorrow morning and headed north solo. Snow's gonna be scratchy, but just wanna get out of Dodge for a few days 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 6 minutes ago, DriftBusta said: Loading up my brothers new Backcountry tomorrow morning and headed north solo. Snow's gonna be scratchy, but just wanna get out of Dodge for a few days We got a bunch of freezing rain here today...im starting to believe this global warming thing...might take off for BC next week if a few buddies can get time off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GGNHL Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 (edited) 13 hours ago, DriftBusta said: Loading up my brothers new Backcountry tomorrow morning and headed north solo. Snow's gonna be scratchy, but just wanna get out of Dodge for a few days I tell you what, I rode about 30 miles on Sunday cutting brush and checking to make sure our bridges were still there after this big rain, no way I'd take my 8fiddy out right now, nothing to this snow and with my tundra or club Skandic you went right down through it. Hope Jackman kept some snow for a base from that Christmas rain or the skis are gonna be chattering like dentures on an ol Northland girl getting plowed in the men's room. Did try to pack a swamp to try to break the shell ice and freeze it down good by myself, dumbest idea I had and nearly got fucked right here, lot more water than it looks like and the PTO ski was absolutely buried on that 850 lbs beast and she wouldn't go backwards right on the edge of the actual frozen part with 6 inches of ice, my back still hurts, that's what I get for getting more aggressive on the return trip... Edited January 6, 2021 by GGNHL 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Contributing Member Jimmy Snacks Posted January 6, 2021 Platinum Contributing Member Share Posted January 6, 2021 Just came in the mail...EJ Club is next... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awful knawful Posted January 6, 2021 Share Posted January 6, 2021 32 minutes ago, Jimmy Snacks said: Just came in the mail...EJ Club is next... Martin is a native name here, kemosabe😂👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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