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Copper Harbor Pathway
5 reviews
4.6 of 5
One of the most exciting cross country trails in Michigan. Lots of climbing leading up to the extreme downhill sections. Be sure to visit "Paul's Plunge" if your looking for an intense experience. For a really good time, race the Fat Tire Festival on Labor Day weekend.
In the Keweenaw - Follow US 41 all the way to Copper Harbor. Take a right when 41 Ts off, then a final right on 2nd st. Visit the Keweenaw Adventure company for info or rentals. Grid 118 in the Trail Atlas of Michigan.
Summary: I learned to mountain bike in Copper Harbor, and it even prepared me for riding out west! These trails are exciting and challenging. Finishing a ride is a great accomplishment. The single track whips you past trees and great views. Lots of trails in a compact radius means lots of great loops to take. The downhill is always worth the uphill! The air is so fresh here that it feels good to take those hard deep breaths. Would recommend these trails for intermedeate to advanced riders, but even beginners can make it the whole way!
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Volunteers from the Copper Harbor Trails Club (CHTC) have been hard at work this summer. As a result, over 3 miles of sweet, benchcut singletrack have been developed which now contribute to nearly 30 miles of designated human-powered trails on the hillsides surrounding the village. The nucleus of these trails have been built at the county-owned Keweenaw Mountain Lodge. Some of the new highlights include a 22 switchback, 450'+ vertical, 2-mile climb/decent between the Mt Lodge & Copper Harbor and a technically challenging, yet sweet trail along the edge of a 50' cliff/gorge. The CHTC invested in a gas powered jackhammer this season that allows them to benchcut singletrack into the area's abundent bedrock deposits. In total, over 14 miles of new singletrack has been built to IMBA standards since the summer of 2005.
In addition, 16 new bridges and boardwalks have been built in 2007, inlcuding a 350' boardwalk on the Garden Brook Trail, a 165' bridge spanning accross a drainage of the Ma Maki Trail and an 800'+ boardwalk currently in progress in "Clyde's Crack".
The CHTC has been diligently working with 4 neighboring land owners to establish "official" trails for the past few years. Support has been well received and an effort place more permanent signage on these trails is a high priority heading into the Fall & Winter months.
Of all of the trails that Copper Harbor has, quite honestly, Kamikaze does suck, unless you're a glutant for punishment and a bone-jarring ride and is the least recommended of them all...this is an original "old school" trail and the trail building skills and knowledge have greatly evolved since this time.
Recommended Route:
Garden Brook Trail (intermediate) *3 mile climb/decent
Keweenaw Mountain Trails (~ 4 miles of looped trails connecting to the greater trail system) (easy/intermediate)
Copper Harbor Ridge Trail (aka "Here We Go") (intermidiate) *2 mile climb/decent
Ma Maki Trail (intermediate, with advanced option) *1 mile clmib/decent
Ma Maki Connector (aka "Say Hello") intermediate *1 mile climb/decent
Dancing Bear Trail (intermediate) *2 mile climb/descent
Red Trail (advanced) *2 mile descent: recommended as a one-way trail
Paul's Plunge...the infamous (advanced) *1 mile descent: recommended as a one-way trail
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Summary: I first rode this trail last year for the Copper Harbor Fat Tire Festival. I walked most of it. We rode it again yesterday, and it was one heck of an experience (more fun *on* the bike)! There are plenty of climbing opportunities, steep descents, rocks, roots, ridges, and the scenery!
The red trail and Paul's Plunge were humbling in spots, technical in most, and quite fulfilling for the rider who wants a challenge. Dancing Bear is a merciless climb with bridges and twists and a fun technical section towards the end, after the long climb. Garden Brook was a nice start for the ride. It was a somewhat difficult climb, and I hear it's quite a fun descent.
Lots of work has been done on these trails, and lots more is to come. Sounds like more trails are going in.
Your full suspension *will* get one heck of a workout in Copper Harbor!
Recommended Route: Pick your poison. http://www.keweenawadventure.com/ch_trail_map_1meg_05.jpg
Other recommended trails in the same area: Calumet: Swedetown
Hancock: Maasto Hiihto/Churning Rapids
Houghton: Michigan Tech Trails
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Summary: I would not say advanced.went up sat/sun rode both days.. i was fooled to travel to the UP to try a trail that has kamikaze in it. The trail was fun but not worth the 10 hr drive for me. I had more fun xc-running the trail. The uphill parts was not to demanding, the downhill sections were steep at parts but to short. Decided to travel up the Kamikaze hill to get a work out. It was not fun going up...very hard. When going down hill,the Kamikaze hill had 1st fall after punctured front tire. Sharp rocks. Very,Fun but short :(. Kamikaze trail was ruts, ruts, ruts, ruts.....2nd flat tire and neck sure hurts. . the trail is not well marked. The map at bike shop is ok but main roads on map has fancy names, but roads on trail are marked with numbers not names. Great swim after bike ride..love lake superior, clear, cool water.
camp sites rip off $31.00.
Recommended Route: Pauls plunge-fun, black bear-very fun, red trail -fun
Avoid kamikaze trail-nothing but ruts.
kamikaze hill-steep, sharp rocks, short but very fun. careful with the sharp rock on tires and on body.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Pinckney, north county trail
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