a.k.a. U.P. Mountain Biking MARQUETTETRAILSFEST.COM 2 In This Issue: UPMTB Wanderlust a.k.a. U.P. Mountain Biking 4 - Find Your Fix Here This is some good quality dirt. 8 - Hotspot Connections Publisher Bob Hendrickson You won’t find an app for that. Editor Ryan LaBar Contributing Writers Carol Fulsher Lori Hauswirth Frank Louis Jon Neufeld Mindy Nannestad Lyle VanderSchaaf It’s so cool here you’ll flip. Contributing Photographers *Michelle Brittnacker *Chris Schmidt, xmatic.com Meanderings UPMTB x-files 12 - Pack a Lunch *And that one guy You’re going to need it. *significant contributions to Center Spread, pgs. 16-17 18 - Discover the Past It’s a lot closer than you think. Cover Credit graphic design by Ryan LaBar photo by Chris Schmidt Ride hard & let off a little steam. This issue is dedicated to: Greg Potvin One of the MQT MTB Originals Perspectives 20 - Ride Like a Girl -- Gratuities Appreciated You wish! -- 22 - Best of Frank ©2014 U.P. Mountain Biking™ All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in Fried chicken is good for part without permission is prohibited. the soul. Views and opinions of contributors are their own and may differ from those of U.P. Mountain Biking™ magazine. U.P. Mountain Biking™ is a Microcosm Adventures, L.L.C. publication. -- WARNING KIDS: U.P. Mountain Biking DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME Negaunee, MI 49866 Publisher’s Note: It’s going to be an interesting season. There’s been a shuffling of the www.upmtb.com -- deck with events and involvement. The region is growing in terms of quantity and quality of trails and club organization. There have been a Some of the activities covered in U.P. few growing pains but that is to be expected, but over all it’s a positive Mountain Biking may carry significant risk. We recommend abstaining from trend. Think Dirt! these activities if you are not qualified. We assume no responsibility for Cover: Pete Karinen powering over the cobblestone creek crossing at the 2013 your actions. Keweenaw Chain Drive 30-mile race. He took fifth overall in the long race. Where The Pavement Ends The following is not an all inclusive list. The trail information was looping around back to the trailhead. The ride is easy to moderate, provided to UPMTB by the respective region’s DNR, chamber of sometimes a little dusty when dry but really nice just after rain fall. It commerce, tourism associations or council, U.S. Forest Service, local is a marked DNR trail system and a recreation passport is required. mountain bike club, and by our own personal experiences. For more information contact the DNR Newberry Field Office at 906.293.3293 or search for it on the Michigan DNR website: www.michigan dnr.com EASTERN UPPER PENINSULA Drummond Island Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Schoolcraft County Location: Drummond Island, the eastern most point of the Up- Boarded by Highways M-28 & M-77, the Seney National Wild- per Peninsula, is the largest freshwater island in the United States. life Refuge is a great place to take the family or if you looking for The island contains over 87,000 acres with well over 100 miles of a mellow ride through some of the most diverse wetlands in the terrain to explore. There is also a technical riding area called Tur- Upper Peninsula. This place isn’t about epic trails. It’s about getting tle Ridge which is a limestone out cropping that allows numerous into nature, taking a relaxing cruise on the dirt/gravel roads which routes and trial challenges. For those freeriders looking for a chal- are only open to automobiles one-way, and checking out some truly lenge this is the place to go. Island trail guide books are available at unique U.P. wilderness. the Drummond Island Resort & Conference Center, 906.493. 1000 Comprised mainly of wetlands, the Seney Wildlife Refuge is or 800.999.6343 or call the Drummond Island Tourism Association home to all types of native animals and migratory birds. The land is at 906.493.5245 or 800.737.8666. managed for wildlife. Water levels on over 7000 acres are regulated using a system of spillways and dikes. Cyclists can see this manage- Canada Lakes Pathway, Luce County ment system first hand as they pedal along the streams and pools. Located 5.5 miles southeast of Newberry via M-123 & Co. Rd. The visitor center is located near the town of Germfask off Hwy 403, the Canada Lakes Pathway offers 14 miles of trails broken into M-77. It is open daily from May 15-Ocotber 15 from 9am-5pm. three loops. Although the soil is a little on the sandy side, the trails Exhibits, and orientation show and friendly staff will help you get are well used and a stable tread winds it way through a jack pine for started with your visit, for more information call 906.586.9851 or forest and on the back loop it climbs into a hardwood forest before online at www.fws.gov/refuge/seney. CENTRAL UPPER PENINSULA The island contains 22-square miles of land with 300’ sandstone cliffs Bruno’s Run Trail, Alger County on the north side, beaches and historical buildings. For more infor- Bruno’s Run Trail is located approximately 11miles south of High- mation call the Munising District Ranger Station at 906.387.3700 or way M-28 on Forest Highway 13. The trail may be accessed from online at www.grandislandmi.com. Widewater and Pete’s Lake campgrounds, as well as Forest Highway 13 at Moccasin Lake and Forest Road 2173 at Grassy Lake. Limited Noquemanon Trails Network, Marquette County parking is available at each site. The Noquemanon Trails Network is a 501c3 organization dedi- The trail offers a nine mile loop ideal for advance beginner to cated to developing, maintaining, signing and mapping non-mo- intermediate mountain bikers. Described by many as an enchant- torized trail networks throughout Marquette County. The multi-use ing trail it winds its way past small lakes, over rolling hills and along trail system is being created to connect communities, foster stew- ridge tops and valleys. For more information call the Munising Dis- ardship and draw tourism. The NTN feels a trail network is an im- trict Ranger Station at 906.387.3700. portant asset to the health of the residents and economy. A jewel of the NTN system is the South Trails of Marquette. This Valley Spur Mountain Bike Trails, Alger County multi-loop system offers great mountain bike singletrack. The trail- The Valley Spur Mountain Bike Trail System is located five miles head is located just off County Road 553 just south of the City of southwest of Munsing on Highway M-94 and is part of the Hia- Marquette and just before the downhill ski area Marquette Moun- watha National Forest. The Friends of Valley Spur are the caretakers tain. For more information go online to www.noquetrails.org. of the system. The trails offer riding opportunities from beginner to intermediate. It offers four loops that provide 26-miles of marked Range Mountain Bike Trails, West Marquette County trail. Riders travel through northern hardwood forests, meadows, The Range Mountain Bike Trails are located in and around the past lakes, hemlock groves and giant white pine stands. For more in- cities of Ishpeming and Negaunee. It has marked and un-marked formation call the Munising District Ranger Station at 906.387.3700 trails that are easily accessible via Highway US-41. The Iron Ore or online at www.valleyspur.org. Heritage Trail runs between the two communities. This paved greenway connects the two communities and allows access to sev- Grand Island, Alger County eral trails within the location called Old Town. Grand Island is a Congressionally-designated National Recre- The best way to experience the Range Mountain Bike Trails is to ation Area (NRA) located in Munising Bay for recreational pursuits. join up on an open ride on Wednesday evenings leaving at 6:30pm from Jasper Ridge Brewery, Ishpeming. For more information con- Follow the signs off US-41 for the ski trail. tact the Greater Ishpeming Negaunee Chamber of Commerce at In Houghton, the Michigan Tech Trails offer a variety of chal- 906.485.6323 or online www.gincc.org. lenges, from beginner loops to expert dirt jumping & technical features. The stacked loop system is located just south of the MTU SOUTH-CENTRAL UPPER campus off US-42 turn on McInnes Drive. Follow the road up the PENINSULA hill and past the football field and turn on to Sharon Drive. Look for Days River Trail System, Delta County the water tank and turn left. Take the dirt road to the trail head. Located about five miles north of Gladstone, the Days River One of the gems of the area is the Maasto Hiihto Trail/Churn- Trail System offers riders a looped run of up to nine miles. With ing Rapids Trail Systems which offer scenic views of the Swedetown scenic lookouts and rolling hills this is one of the more popular trail Creek Gorge, dramatic up-hills and down hills, plenty of singletrack systems in the south central U.P. and a rhythm pump-style track section that is sure to bring a smile. The trails are well marked with four loops from two miles to The trailhead is behind the Houghton County Arena in Hancock. nine miles. Several unmarked singletrack connectors add some The Swedetown Trails located near Calumet host the annual mix the system. For more information contact Brampton Bike & Great Deer Chase mountain bike race in mid-August.