Into the Tundra
53 FALL 2022 VOL . 04 / ISSUE 01 SNOWGOER . COM
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topped gorges and changing elevation make for pleasing views and engaging trail riding .
Weather turned against us as snow became sprinkles and then steady rain , eventually degrading the trail down to a bumpy , muddy mess as we followed a fast-moving pack of riders toward our destination . Needing fuel , we pushed into the city limits at our carbides ’ expense .
Also at the end of a cove on Lake Superior , L ’ Anse is a larger town of 2,000 where the land dramatically slopes down toward the lake . We fueled up , ate a few snacks and loitered in the gas station sipping hot drinks while our gear dried in the store ’ s heat .
After the rain withered to a sprinkle , we caught trails 15 and 8 south and east toward Three Lakes , Lake Michigamme and , well after sundown , our home base in Ishpeming .
The rural nature of the Upper Peninsula is a major part of its charm to snowmobilers like us .
Into the Tundra
While the Huron Mountains region northnorthwest of Ishpeming is rural , it pales in comparison wide-open expanse south of town . Aside from a private airport and a labyrinth of fire roads winding between the lakes , this region — part of both the Gwinn and Crystal Falls state forest areas — is largely desolate .
Locals we asked ahead of the trip recommended that we bring extra fuel and supplies ,