• Thursday-What'sUP May 28 - 10:06 pm

If you've never been four wheeling in the Keweenaw, you need to add it to your "must do" list. My hubby and I recently went on our first trip with a group of friends and enjoyed seeing the Copper Country from paths less traveled. These shots were from a pole line near Gratiot Lake. It was quite a steep climb and the four wheeler pictured almost didn't make it, which was pretty scary to a first time ATV'er like me. The driver made it up to the steepest spot of the hill and started tipping over backwards, but thanks to a basket he had on the back of the machine, he didn't flip right over. In the first shot you can see the front wheels just off the ground, with several of the group holding it from flipping over backwards. Then a Rzr in the group positioned itself halfway between the "stuck" four-wheeler and after hooking a tow rope around a tree to anchor that machine, it started winching the other ATV up the incline. Once the four-wheeler was pulled up to where the Rzr was tethered, it was winched the rest of the way up the hill, inch by inch, using another of the machines in the party stationed further up. With everyone safe and sound at the top of the pole line, we all relaxed and enjoyed recounting the event, while looking back to where we'd come from down below. It may have been a harrowing experience, but the view of Gratiot Lake from above, in the last photo, was well worth the scare!

Good morning U.P. from Ramstein Germany. (too bad it is afternoon here).

looks like fun.
nothing better than the noise of ATVs in the wilderness.
My son once had an enlightening experience when we went fishing on the Sturgeon River.
He said "Listen .... Listen " . "WHAT"? I asked.
"I don't hear anything except the river and those little flies buzzing. Its really quiet and peaceful".
Living in the city, he never experienced how quiet and peaceful it can be out in the woods. Its glorious. He was 16 at the time.

That is a lot of fun..getting down and dirty! ATVing + Snowmobiling + Motorcycling = good times!

WOW! I would have had to go home and change my pants before continuing along, lol. Looks like fun from the top of the hill though.

Mary says: Jim and I (along with several others in the group) took the sensible way up that hill, which went around and up at a more gradual climb. It was still a bit steep in one spot for me, but I just closed my eyes and held on!! And no, I wasn't driving at the time. :->

Trail riding is alot of fun. We used to ride sandrails (dune-buggies) in the Rose City, MI area and at Silver Lake sand dunes.
Good times and it will keep you off the streets :)

Sounds like an adventure. Glad you had fun Mary.

Lot's of rain in this area yesterday afternoon, up to 3".
Today the wife and I are celebrating our 21st anniversary. I'm a lucky guy!

I wonder if that's Mt Horace Greeley?

Ever try backing up the hill?

As the French say, Mary - chacun a son gout (each to his own
taste). The last shot tells me I'd like to be up there, too, but I
would opt to climb on my own 2 feet & bypass all the things I don't
like about loud, dangerous, polluting, expensive machines of any
sort.

Mary says: You make a good point, Joe. Most recreational vehicles are loud, dangerous, polluting and expensive...sports cars, snowmobiles, boats, jet skis, motorcycles, ATV's, etc...but if they're driven responsibly and respectfully, they can be lots of fun. Some take you to places you can't normally go if you're unable to hike (like the top of Mount Houghton or Isle Royale, for instance, only reachable by seaplane or boat) and that's when you get to enjoy the most spectacular views and the peace and quiet can still be enjoyed once the engines are off! The key words here though, are "responsibly" and "respectfully."

Joe, I agree with you!

Mary, Marty and I were UP this past weekend in that same general area 4 Wheeling in his SUV. Sorry I didn't call, but your last email sounded like you were kind of busy too. We had a great time around Gratiot Lake, High Rock Bay and Keystone Bay. We'll be UP again in July boating in Lac La Belle and Bete Gris with the rest of the family.

Mary says: Sorry to have missed you this trip, Uncle Chuck. I joked around with Jim on Friday, that if we had known where your camp was, we could have headed out your way on the trails! Maybe next trip...

Hey Uncle Chuck; when in July will you's be there?? The Dr. and I will be in the area in late July/early August so maybe we'll run into you.......

Happy Anniversary Webbtrolls...good for you! I hope you celebrated in a big way!

I enjoyed the trails and climbed the hills of the Keeweenaw with my fat tire, over powered, loud as ••••, FJ40 Toyota Landcruiser 30 years ago. Probably climbed that same hill, got stuck at the same place and winched off that same tree. OK, maybe not the same tree but 'my tree' looked alot like 'those trees'. Glad to see people still enjoying the 'wilderness', which truly looks no worst for wear...POR!