You're just a few hours further than me. Maybe campfire is on your way.
CK5
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Overland trip: CK5 wheels the UP 2016 (trip report and pictures going up!)
- Thread starter Blue85
- Start date
You're just a few hours further than me. Maybe campfire is on your way.
If he comes along the west side of the lake, we'd be pretty close. We're in the NE corner of WI.
Just thinking that if multiple people are coming up through Wisconsin, a camp or meet-up place could be arranged. When it gets closer I'll set up something like that for the Mackinaw Bridge travelers, but I'm not much help on the West side. Would love to take the K5 across Lake Michigan some year, but the ferry ride is kind of pricey - hard to justify when it adds 1.5 hours to the trip.
Traveling with other adventurers is kind of fun if you can arrange it. Everybody has different constraints on their schedule.
Traveling with other adventurers is kind of fun if you can arrange it. Everybody has different constraints on their schedule.
I'm good for meeting up with folks on this side of the lake. Just lemme know that you're coming this way and we will talk.
Hey, Luke, I'm looking into the Painsdale Mine & Shaft group and it turns out they offer free tours of the shaft house, hoist house, and the Captain's office. What would you think of having the group stop by on our way through the area? Would be neat to see what it's like inside the house.
I'm planning to head up there this summer either way, but it would be a neat addition to the group tour.
@Blue85
I'm planning to head up there this summer either way, but it would be a neat addition to the group tour.
@Blue85
It would be cool to see. By the current itinerary Friday is too busy, but it might work on Sunday and we could route that way without any real time penalty. I don't know if DH falls will be open to the public by this August anyway, so we could skip that to make more time for a tour. I just want to leave enough daylight to hike down into the canyon after we get to camp.
Really cool! Sub'd
Here's a little press by a guy who rolled with me last year. Some of the locations are the same.
http://dirtroadtrip.com/blog/trips/overlanding-the-upper-peninsula-up-day-3/
http://dirtroadtrip.com/blog/trips/overlanding-up-day-4/
http://dirtroadtrip.com/blog/trips/overlanding-the-upper-peninsula-day-5-6-and-part-of-7/
http://dirtroadtrip.com/blog/trips/overlanding-the-upper-peninsula-up-day-3/
http://dirtroadtrip.com/blog/trips/overlanding-up-day-4/
http://dirtroadtrip.com/blog/trips/overlanding-the-upper-peninsula-day-5-6-and-part-of-7/
Nice reading. What do you know about Roam Auto? I wasn't familiar with them, sounds like they do some cool outfitting stuff.
Roam? Well it's an automotive shop in the middle of the UP, previously called UP AUTO TECH. They used to be right off 28 in Wetmore but recently bought a shop set back a couple blocks from the highway. Happy to expound next weekend at the dune fest.
So is anyone going on this?
Martin
Martin
I'm planning on going. Dave said he's going. Luke said he found someone else who may or may not tag along for the ride.
Would love to have more folks, but we'll see what happens.
Here's more details on the hiking. All of them are out and back walks from our vehicles, so if anybody wants to back out they can just turn around or carry a bag chair for some breaks along the trail. You could also just hang at the rigs to cook hot dogs or do some maintenance.
Hike 1: Summit Peak (Porcupine Mtns): Since they put in a parking lot and vault toilets up on the hill, this is now a 1/2-mile hike each way. It's very lovely old forest with "mountain" terrain, ending at an observation tower that puts you right at about 2000' elevation. At 1958', this hill is the 3rd highest in the state (none reach 2000'). This may not be high in the absolute sense, but keep in mind that Lake Superior is 600', so the Porkies do rise like 1000' in a mile.
Hike #2: Lake of the Clouds (Porcupine Mtns): Although it's not a long drive from Summit Peak, there is almost no hike required to see one of Michigan's most famous views. Not much I can say that isn't on a lot of web pages already: http://www.superiortrails.com/porcupine-lake-clouds.html
Hike #3: Bare Bluff (Keweenaw Point). The destination is the top of that rocky outcropping, where you can see up and down the point, Bete Grese, Mt. Houghton, Smith Fishery and if it's clear, across the Bay to the Huron Mountains (about 30 miles due South). This epic view really gives the feeling of being on top of the world.
As the sign shows, Bare Bluff has a 3-mile loop, plus the 1/2-mile path to the parking area. We will do only the upper section to reach to summit, then turn around and go back. The North section is just a footpath through the woods, which gains elevation slowly. The East section drops through rocky ravines, then runs narrow shelves and switchbacks down the face of the cliff. Really, it's for advanced hikers and rock-climbers. As cool as it is, we'll save time and just walk back out the easy way. That's about 1 mile in each direction. Obviously you have to take some time at the summit to enjoy the view before heading back out. The walk is also slowed significantly when the thimbleberries are out! (Yum).
http://www.summitpost.org/bare-bluff/514501
Hike #4: Sturgeon River Gorge: Hopefully we have time for this, as it's quite scenic. http://www.wilderness.net/NWPS/wildView?WID=582
Assuming it's open, we will camp on a ridge above the gorge, such that you overlook a big expanse of gorge, woods and river. It's possible to hike down to the river from here for swimming, bathing or fishing, but it's definitely challenging. There is also an official trail down the road a bit, which breaks up the elevation change over long switchbacks. It leads to the largest of the falls:
Here's my best frame of reference for the difficulty. On a nice summer day, you might find 2 dozen people swimming below the falls. Some days you won't see anybody. My 3 year old and 6 year had to be carried part of the way back. The 10-year was fine.
Hike 1: Summit Peak (Porcupine Mtns): Since they put in a parking lot and vault toilets up on the hill, this is now a 1/2-mile hike each way. It's very lovely old forest with "mountain" terrain, ending at an observation tower that puts you right at about 2000' elevation. At 1958', this hill is the 3rd highest in the state (none reach 2000'). This may not be high in the absolute sense, but keep in mind that Lake Superior is 600', so the Porkies do rise like 1000' in a mile.
Hike #2: Lake of the Clouds (Porcupine Mtns): Although it's not a long drive from Summit Peak, there is almost no hike required to see one of Michigan's most famous views. Not much I can say that isn't on a lot of web pages already: http://www.superiortrails.com/porcupine-lake-clouds.html
Hike #3: Bare Bluff (Keweenaw Point). The destination is the top of that rocky outcropping, where you can see up and down the point, Bete Grese, Mt. Houghton, Smith Fishery and if it's clear, across the Bay to the Huron Mountains (about 30 miles due South). This epic view really gives the feeling of being on top of the world.
As the sign shows, Bare Bluff has a 3-mile loop, plus the 1/2-mile path to the parking area. We will do only the upper section to reach to summit, then turn around and go back. The North section is just a footpath through the woods, which gains elevation slowly. The East section drops through rocky ravines, then runs narrow shelves and switchbacks down the face of the cliff. Really, it's for advanced hikers and rock-climbers. As cool as it is, we'll save time and just walk back out the easy way. That's about 1 mile in each direction. Obviously you have to take some time at the summit to enjoy the view before heading back out. The walk is also slowed significantly when the thimbleberries are out! (Yum).
http://www.summitpost.org/bare-bluff/514501
Hike #4: Sturgeon River Gorge: Hopefully we have time for this, as it's quite scenic. http://www.wilderness.net/NWPS/wildView?WID=582
Assuming it's open, we will camp on a ridge above the gorge, such that you overlook a big expanse of gorge, woods and river. It's possible to hike down to the river from here for swimming, bathing or fishing, but it's definitely challenging. There is also an official trail down the road a bit, which breaks up the elevation change over long switchbacks. It leads to the largest of the falls:
Here's my best frame of reference for the difficulty. On a nice summer day, you might find 2 dozen people swimming below the falls. Some days you won't see anybody. My 3 year old and 6 year had to be carried part of the way back. The 10-year was fine.
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I've got the rig pretty much ready, as I may be taking it UP next weekend. If so, I'll have nice and recent trail reports on a couple places.
For anybody still on the fence about this, there's still more than 2 weeks left to get ready. It's too soon for a good weather forecast, but next week in the Keweenaw they are expecting mid-70's and humidity around 50%.
For anybody still on the fence about this, there's still more than 2 weeks left to get ready. It's too soon for a good weather forecast, but next week in the Keweenaw they are expecting mid-70's and humidity around 50%.
that's my kinda weather!
I'm staying in St. Ignace Tuesday night.
Do I need a backpack?
my to do list:
Assess spare parts list:
Fluids for all.... done
Distributor parts.....done
1410 U-joint....done
Spare fuel pump....done
Tire pressure gauge/spare valve stem cores/core removal tool
Serp belt, order extra PS hose
Check front wheel bearings/hubs/differential lube
Repair PS line leak
Fix Wipers
Fix defroster
Distributor upgrade
Remove rear seats/plate
Sleeping quarters
Rear compartment mounting for equipment
Spare tire mounting….check lugnut compatibility
Install Doors/Mirrors
Install rear cap/glass/rear opening
Hi-lift mounting
Exhaust routing
Weatherproof truck
Check all suspension fasteners
Grease all suspension/steering
Check/secure all wiring routing
Check/secure all hose routing
Check all fluids
Full size cover?
Maps/Gazetteer
Flashlights
Offroading gear
Camping gear
Ramps for trailer....partially done
Spare tire mounting/lock for trailer
Change trans oil in 99-K2500, check engine oil/fluids
I'm staying in St. Ignace Tuesday night.
Do I need a backpack?
my to do list:
Assess spare parts list:
Fluids for all.... done
Distributor parts.....done
1410 U-joint....done
Spare fuel pump....done
Tire pressure gauge/spare valve stem cores/core removal tool
Serp belt, order extra PS hose
Check front wheel bearings/hubs/differential lube
Repair PS line leak
Fix Wipers
Fix defroster
Distributor upgrade
Remove rear seats/plate
Sleeping quarters
Rear compartment mounting for equipment
Spare tire mounting….check lugnut compatibility
Install Doors/Mirrors
Install rear cap/glass/rear opening
Hi-lift mounting
Exhaust routing
Weatherproof truck
Check all suspension fasteners
Grease all suspension/steering
Check/secure all wiring routing
Check/secure all hose routing
Check all fluids
Full size cover?
Maps/Gazetteer
Flashlights
Offroading gear
Camping gear
Ramps for trailer....partially done
Spare tire mounting/lock for trailer
Change trans oil in 99-K2500, check engine oil/fluids
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