Upper michigan
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: michigan
i went up to houghton from saginaw in the first week of sept. the weather was perfect although it tends to get kinda cold at nite. most of the summer tourists are gone so thats a plus. the weather turns over so quickly up there so if u go just pack for the conditions that u mite encounter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 55
Likes: 90
From: Minnesota
I have not been there yet in the summer (many snowmobile trips, though), but I'm building a new home for a couple who grew up there; they recommend avoiding the UP in June because of black flies. They said July or later would be good. I'm going there this July, can't wait!
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 2
From: the frozen tundra of the "Windy City"
I would caution the black flies also or the deer flies, they are huge and when they bite you it feels like a bee sting I can only imagine what they feel like going at speed if they hit you. But for scenery it cannot be beat! As someone else mentioned the tequaminan falls are something not to be missed it is a bizzare sight to see a river that flows north! Enjoy, and stop in some of those small towns they have great grub!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 25
From: St George, UT
My brother lives in Gulliver and I rode back to see him five years ago in June. It was perfect riding weather, and I didn't encounter black flies. Don't they ever open the paved section of the Mackinac Bridge? I rode the grate too, a bit freaky for sure.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 5
From: Northern Virginia
The grate on bridge is freaky. One of the last times I was up there my mom told me to be careful crossing the bridge...because the wind took a car off the bridge...I was like...argghhh...mom don't tell me that...I am on a motorcycle...lol.
Anywhere you go in the UP is a great ride!
Anywhere you go in the UP is a great ride!
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 97
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50
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Traveling the Great U.P.!
Here's the scoop from the resident Yoop! (Yooper that is, or person that was born & raised in the U.P. of Michigan)
If you choose May thru July-, keep in mind that if you travel along the lake (the Straits of Mackinac at St. Ignace to Manistique or Lake Michigan or Lake Superior) or the bay (Green Bay from Menominee to Gladstone) expect temps to be 10 to 20 degrees cooler than the mainland. Otherwise, as everyone has mentioned here, July & August are your safe bets.
As far as bugs are concerned, May and early June are the worst time. Actually, that's the worst time anywhere in the upper midwest. AND ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR DEER - NO MATTER WHAT THE TIME OF DAY IS!!!
Traffic is usually worst on weekends from St. Ignace to Escanaba on US 2, but there are now quite a few passing lanes that allow you to get around the many campers that are traveling that route. Other than there, traffic shouldn't be an issue. There are places that you better check you gas guage!!
As previously mentioned, the state HOG Rally is taking place in Escanaba, which is only 30 miles north of me, so if anyone needs info, let me know.
J.
If you choose May thru July-, keep in mind that if you travel along the lake (the Straits of Mackinac at St. Ignace to Manistique or Lake Michigan or Lake Superior) or the bay (Green Bay from Menominee to Gladstone) expect temps to be 10 to 20 degrees cooler than the mainland. Otherwise, as everyone has mentioned here, July & August are your safe bets.
As far as bugs are concerned, May and early June are the worst time. Actually, that's the worst time anywhere in the upper midwest. AND ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR DEER - NO MATTER WHAT THE TIME OF DAY IS!!!
Traffic is usually worst on weekends from St. Ignace to Escanaba on US 2, but there are now quite a few passing lanes that allow you to get around the many campers that are traveling that route. Other than there, traffic shouldn't be an issue. There are places that you better check you gas guage!!
As previously mentioned, the state HOG Rally is taking place in Escanaba, which is only 30 miles north of me, so if anyone needs info, let me know.
J.
