I'm planning a last minute trip with a buddy for next week to the U.P. of Michigan. The last time I went, it was with our snowmobiles. My buddy has never been in the U.P. despite living in Michigan his whole life.

My plan is to leave Monday in the afternoon or possible Tuesday morning early. We live in S/E Michigan so we could be to the Mackinaw bridge in about 4 hours. I'd rather just take I75 to get up there quickly as we've been all over the lower peninsula. We plan on getting back home Thursday sometime. Here's what I was thinking:

Ride to the bridge and stay the night if we leave in the afternoon. The next morning, leave on US-2 to the west to Escanaba, north on 41 to Marquette or continue on 2 towards Crystal Falls to 141 north. I would like to get up to Copper Harbor, maybe Brockway Mountain, and then come back through Marquette to Munising to see the pictured rocks. Maybe hit Tahquamenon Falls on the way back before hitting the bridge to come home. I know we probably need more time but does this look doable? If we leave early enough on Monday, we could make it to Escanaba in the moonlight? Thats 434 miles from home. I'll take any suggestions. Oh, we'll probably hotel it although taking a tent isn't out of the question.

 

definitely add H-58 to your ride ... You'll enjoy it!

 

H 58 is a must do.

 

Up to Copper Harbor from the straights (Houghton-Handcock) is a really nice ride.

 

a lot of roads were washed out near there from all the rain they had earlier this summer. just be aware of that.

 

If you can make the bridge in 4 hrs, Manistique is another 1 1/2 hrs west of St. Ignace on US 2, but it depends on what you want to see and do in Straights area. I would suggest checking out Porcupine Mt/Lake of the Clouds, better roads than Brockway Mt. As stated by others H-58 is a must do, Check out Miners Castle just outside Munising.


Lake of the Clouds

 

I called the visitor bureau this morning and she confirmed that most of the roads have been repaired. At least the paved roads we'll most likely be on.

 

It has been added to my list. It looks like we can catch H-58 in Munising, see the pictured rocks, and then head back south in Grand Marais on 77? Then maybe we'll hit 28 over to the soo.

 

If you get to Copper Harbor, ask for directions to the Jampot Bakery near (if it's still open). You will NOT be disappointed!

 

Give yourself an extra day or two to really enjoy the trip instead of stressing about "where we need to get to".