Copper Harbor lies at the end of US 41 at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Situated in the center of Lake Superior, it's a little off the beaten path. When the folks at Trek first mentioned this trip I had to dig out the map to see just where we would be going. The adventure had Shandro and myself heading from Vancouver to Houghton County Memorial Airport in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where we would be met by Hansi Johnson, the regional IMBA director, and Aaron Rogers, the Copper Harbor Trail Club President. We weren't sure what we were in for but the locals showed us a good time both on and off the bike, in true Midwest style.
The purpose of the trip was to experience and capture some of the riding and celebrate the designation of the Copper Harbor trail network as an IMBA Ride Center, one of only 7 in the world. In addition to the Ride Center designation, the Copper Harbor Trails Club held a grand opening to a new gravity fuelled jump trail, "Flying Squirrell".Copper Harbor has been a favorite lesser known Midwest riding gem, so Midwest-based Trek Bicycles has invested heavily in their trail network, providing a $10,000 matching contribution to the Copper Harbor Trails Club to help establish the trails. In addition, $10 from every full-suspension bike Trek sells goes to IMBA to build and support riding areas like Copper Harbor.
My gal and I go to Copper Harbor every July for a week. We love the trails, kayaking and even a little 4x4 action! We look forward to this every year and weeks from today it happens! Go visit..its awesome.
Just want to say thanks to Trek, Shandro, Aaron, and everyone else that helped make this happen... Copper harbor is an awesome place and its about time they start getting some recognition. I lived there for over a decade and some of he best riding in the country lives here and there are no crowds, the locals are happy to show you the best trails and entire community is always working to make things even better. That said there are 3 other major trail systems in the area with amazing riding as well... If anyone does make the trip... As you should... Stop by The Bike Shop or Down Wind Sports for info.
These trails are what got me into mountain biking (They are about 40 minutes from my school)! I'm proud to say I can shred these trails, in Michigan nonetheless
So pumped this made it to pinkbike! This is f'in sweet! I went to school up there and have been going there the last few years. Trail didn't take off till after I left, but it keeps me going back. Anyone within driving distance should make the drive up there, and make sure to check out the MTU tech trails and dirt jumps too!
Aaron showed me these trails about two years ago and I was blown away. If you have ever ridden in Michigan, Copper Harbor is almost another world in itself. There is altitude, rock formations, trail worthy dirt and biking and building trails is are totally kosher. Looks like they have build a ton since I have been there. The riding and terrain really reminded me of ridding in Whistler. Super stoked for the area to get some publicity.
I love stories like this about towns and regions that "get it". Understand that mountain biking is a good activity that's beneficial. Understanding that encouraging people to visit and that mountain biking tourism can be a real shot in the arm to a region's economy.
I was gonna go last weekend with my buddy, but opt'd for 7 springs bike park because the weather wasnt favorable, only to our discovery it was pretty riding weather all weekend there instead. Def, going to copper harbor soon!!!!
A friend and I rode Copper Harbor two weeks ago. People are all super nice in town, Keweenaw Adventure Co guys are great, $18.50 gets you a shuttle van to the top from 12-5, and Flying Squirrel is the coolest trail I have ever been on. We're going to the Marquette Bike Jam next weekend, then back up to Copper Harbor the weekend after.
I'm in the Pacific Northwest now but lived in Michigan my whole life until I moved here 5 years ago. Even went to Michigan Tech but had no idea about trails in Copper Harbor. Looks like I have a good plan for my next vacation!
So pumped this made it to pinkbike! This is f'in sweet! I went to school up there and have been going there the last few years. Trail didn't take off till after I left, but it keeps me going back. Anyone within driving distance should make the drive up there, and make sure to check out the MTU tech trails and dirt jumps too!
Copper Harbor is on the list...
I grew up in Appleton, WI but never got to ride much of anything good, just some local short singletracks in the parks, etc. Made it back to WI a few years ago and just got back from a visit there. Rode Underdown trails near Irma, WI, Ninemile in Wausau and the Cable trails. All highly recommended, also found some kind of fun singletrack in Peninsula State Park a few days ago.
If you're going up to Lutsen or anywhere near there along the north shore, stop in Knife River at Russ Kendalls to pick up some great smoked whitefish
Some things to point out from the video: 1. Want to camp for free and get hammered? Go to where they were shooting skeet and climbing around the chimney. (See point 3 for what beer to buy, or your gay) 3. KBC beer in hands on the beach...BEST FU**IN BEER IN THE WORLD 2. Flying Squirrel? Excuse me, but I prefer to call it The Midwest's A-Line 4. Stairway to heaven is cool, but a tad over-rated. In my opinion, red line is the harbors root and rock hidden gem. 5. Copper country has SO MUCH to offer other than MTB as well. But don't tell too many of your friends...one of the reasons I love the area is because of it's seclusion. 6. 3 comes before 2 because don't you dare tell me you don't go buy beer BEFORE every single epic ride you take
All that aside, the keewenaw is an awesome place to live and the people are one-of-a-kind. Oh, and norcal77....GO f*ck YOURSELF!
Wow, that's about as remote as it gets for michigan. It is an incredibly beautiful part of the state however. Nice to see solid dirt on the trails! Much of the trails I've ridden in Michigan have had a high sand content. (Petoskey region) This looks like dirt and rock. Would love to get up there some time. Lots of other good riding going on in the UP elsewhere too.
There's dope trails all over MI...went to school up that way, but that was 12yrs ago and never heard of anything then. Hope to get up there during the week of Labor Day! Rider of 22yrs
VERY KEWL!!!...its awsome to see all these places that non of us have herd of that has epic riding. I LOVE IT!!! Going to have to put this on my places to ride list.
Went to school up that way, but that was 12yrs ago and never heard anything then. Gonna try and get up there the week of Labor Day...MI has dope trails Upper and Lower! Rider of 22yrs!
My rockshox judy shot the spring out of the top and hit me in the ear on Red Trail. Then it was time to get something better! Is pauls plunge really gone?
So proud to live in Copper harbor and work at KAC. These trails are an amazing breath of life to midwest biking, anyone in the area should check it out.
My favorite trails to ride and they just keep getting better. Big thanks to Aaron and the rest of the trail crew. Great to see this made it to Pink Bike.
I've known for a long time now. Moving from Utah to the Yoop mostly for the mountain biking. I've ridden all over the country: Park City, Moab, Fruita, Sedona, Tuscon, GC, Asheville/Brevard, Bootleg, ect....and the riding in the Yoop is just as good(better in most cases) but without all the trail crowding and blown out trails from over use! If you want quality, quantity, variety, without all the crowds....Marquette, Houghton/Hancock, and especially Copper Harbor can not be beat!
i heard the term world class trails thrown around pretty liberally in this video. Im not saying these trails dont look fun and i dont want this to be a knock on Michigan, however Michigan doesnt have the elevation to be considered world class for my style of riding. Im sure this is a great place to ride for anyone with in 100 miles, but to me world class means lots of vert. Just because trek went a shot a video in a beautiful place and put some sappy music in the background doesnt mean im going to jump on a plane and leave Northern California for "world class" mountain biking in Michigan. Ice fishing maybe....mountain biking no. sorry trek your kool aid has too much sugar in it for my taste.
73 Comments
1. Want to camp for free and get hammered? Go to where they were shooting skeet and climbing around the chimney. (See point 3 for what beer to buy, or your gay)
3. KBC beer in hands on the beach...BEST FU**IN BEER IN THE WORLD
2. Flying Squirrel? Excuse me, but I prefer to call it The Midwest's A-Line
4. Stairway to heaven is cool, but a tad over-rated. In my opinion, red line is the harbors root and rock hidden gem.
5. Copper country has SO MUCH to offer other than MTB as well. But don't tell too many of your friends...one of the reasons I love the area is because of it's seclusion.
6. 3 comes before 2 because don't you dare tell me you don't go buy beer BEFORE every single epic ride you take
All that aside, the keewenaw is an awesome place to live and the people are one-of-a-kind. Oh, and norcal77....GO f*ck YOURSELF!
Looks great..
www.copperharbortrails.org/trails
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