Had a question and thought some you might have the answers. I'm thinking about riding from Dallas up to Tenn, Smoky Mt Nat Park, and then north up the east shore of Lake Michigan up to Sault Sainte Marie and then around the north shore of Lake Superior to Duluth, maybe Wisconsin and then back south to Texas. I can leave anytime over the next few months so I'm flexible schedule wise. When is the best time is to make this ride??? I was thinking mid August but from what I've read the upper Michigan PI is really crowded. I also thought about leaving right after Labor Day. Curios about how cool the weather is around north shore of Lake Superior and how thick the black flys and bugs are this time of year. I would like to leave tomorrow to get out of this 100+ degree Texas heat but I know better than to try and go on a trip like this when kids are still out of school. Any advice or must see ideas from any of you would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

In the MI U.P., weather after Labor Day can be miserable or nice, but personally I wouldn't wait until then to so the south shore (U.S.) of Lake Superior.

I'd suggest that you consider starting your tour in Mackinaw City (just south of the "Mighty Mac" bridge) or in St. Ignace (just north of the bridge). picking up some brochures and going from there to Sault Ste. Marie and then west to Paradise and Whitefish Point and working your way west.

Perhaps others can give more detail regarding the "fly" situation but I've been fortunate in not having a serious problem with them but I try to keep my riding limited to daylight hours so I think that may help.

I would recommend the Keweenaw Peninsula (N/W part of the U.P.) Cooper Harbor and Brockway Mtn. area and on the western shore, the Porcupine Mountain area Lake-of-the Clouds near Silver City is worth visiting as well as Lake-in-the-Clouds.
If the Mariner Restaurant is still in business in Copper Harbor, I'd recommend their seafood chowder and as you come south on the western shoreline, there's a bakery called the Jampot that is ran by monks that's a "must do" if you can locate it.

Once you head north out of the Houghton-Hancock area, be sure to fill your tank as fuel is expensive the farther north you go.

Let us know how you enjoyed your trip!

 

When its hot out that's the time to circle the lake, the Mighty mac bridge is cool , A elevator ride to the top of copper peek ski flying hill in Ironwood mi. is exciting, check hours of operation.

 

what is "upper michigan PI"?

 

Poison Ivy, place is covered with it. : >)

 

 

 

don't look down while crossing the Mighty Mac bridge

 

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