The
snowmobile/ATV trail from Montreal, WI, to Wakefield, MI, is part of a
vast network of trails in Northwest Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula
of Michigan. The (~4 mile) Wisconsin segment we'll visit
is the Wisconsin DNR Trail #77; aka the "Iron Horse". The
other 12 miles from Ironwood, MI, to Wakefield, MI, appears to be
Michigan DNR's Trail #2.
This trail is a former Chicago and Northwestern (CNW) rail line which
served the iron mining industry there from the 1890's until the
1960's, when mining shut down. While not technically challenging,
the trail can be rough, rocky, muddy, and loose red dirt; e.g.,
mountain bikes, only! From a personal safety point, you are never
more that a few blocks from US Hwy #2 and never more than 2 miles from
the nearest towns of Hurley, Montreal, Ironwood, Bessemer, Ramsey, and
Wakefield. It's really urban riding with a wilderness theme!
Unless otherwise noted, all
photos from July 1-2, 2009.
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We'll start this part of our tour about 2 blocks south of Kmart
in
Ironwood, MI. Signage points out other services closer than Kmart.
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We're still in Ironwood when "Bambie" shows up! This is a typical
trail surface.
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This section is on the outskirts of Ironwood. It is the Gogebic Range Solid Waste Management
Authority bypass and not part of the CNW roadbed; hence it
lacks the usual rocks and can be muddy after rains, like today.
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As we approach Bessemer, MI, we ride under an abandoned Soo Line truss
bridge. The SOO had tracks parallel to the CNW, but ended
service about 2 miles east of Bessemer.
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We're now entering downtown Bessemer, MI. We'll ride
parking lots, city streets, back alley's, and through a Citgo gas
station!
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Wildflowers dot the edge of the trail east of Bessemer, MI. |
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