REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Addicted to Marquette

3365 Views 28 Replies 9 Participants Last post by BBOC, Sep 2, 2009

wheelock

Discussion Starter · Jul 2, 2009

I'm a Green Bay rider who has gotten bit hard by the Marquette bug. I was up there a few days last week and had a blast. Broke some stuff on the bike, and still have a sore shoulder from that unforgiving tree.

Alas, I've already planned a return trip. It'll be brief, but will include a full day of riding. I had a local friend show me the South Marquette Trails last time I was up there. I was using Gorgeous as a warm-up, then riding the Pioneer, Mqt Mtn trail, and took a turn on your mom. My '07 HKEK wasn't really well prepared for your mom, but we still had fun.

I'll be coming into town the evening of the 11th, staying overnight, and riding all day Sunday and heading home. I'm thinking of hitting the South Trails in the morning, and then stopping by Al Quall for an afternoon ride and then on to home. Is there anything in Marquette that I should absolutely change my plans for to hit up? Also, what is the access for the more difficult trails in the back of the park at Al Quall (or however the hell that's spelled).

Bringing up a buddy I ride with all the time to show him the trails I've fallen in love with, and I'm sure there'll be trips every couple weeks now. Any local guidance on what should be explored, and what to watch out for is greatly apprecaited :thumbsup:

1 - 20 of 29 Posts

badgermtb

· #2 · Jul 2, 2009

a couple of thoughts...

south trails are nice if you are not from the area. they are well marked, and maintained regularly. a good starting point. if you havent yet, make sure to check out the "harlow farms" loop...very sweet, and not yet over ridden. "no touch" trail is very cool, too. downside can be attitude of other cyclists that are members of the "groups" in town. boo. oh yeah, i think that lycra may be required in addition to the trail pass.

heading west to al qual would be good...the trails out in ishpeming are amazing. best in the area, without question. lots of climbing and technical and lost of climbing...did i mention the climbing? a nice mix. the only bummer is that there are so many trails out there that youcan easily get lost. two weeks ago, there was an 8.5 hour ride in ishpeming. they rode all the snigletrack in ishpeming, with no repeats...that's a LOT of trail. the folks in ish are very nice. you won't have a hard time with them. no tril pass needed or requested.

try and get your local friend to take you to the north side of town. trails there are less ridden in (eroded) and very technical. tons of fun, and you most likely won't run in to anyone. if you do, they are bound to leave you be...they wont ask you for a pass like the noquemanon police on the south trails.

my two cents, eh.

wheelock said:
I'm a Green Bay rider who has gotten bit hard by the Marquette bug. I was up there a few days last week and had a blast. Broke some stuff on the bike, and still have a sore shoulder from that unforgiving tree.

Alas, I've already planned a return trip. It'll be brief, but will include a full day of riding. I had a local friend show me the South Marquette Trails last time I was up there. I was using Gorgeous as a warm-up, then riding the Pioneer, Mqt Mtn trail, and took a turn on your mom. My '07 HKEK wasn't really well prepared for your mom, but we still had fun.

I'll be coming into town the evening of the 11th, staying overnight, and riding all day Sunday and heading home. I'm thinking of hitting the South Trails in the morning, and then stopping by Al Quall for an afternoon ride and then on to home. Is there anything in Marquette that I should absolutely change my plans for to hit up? Also, what is the access for the more difficult trails in the back of the park at Al Quall (or however the hell that's spelled).

Bringing up a buddy I ride with all the time to show him the trails I've fallen in love with, and I'm sure there'll be trips every couple weeks now. Any local guidance on what should be explored, and what to watch out for is greatly apprecaited :thumbsup:

See less See more

wheelock

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 6, 2009

Thanks for the info

bucksaw87

· #4 · Jul 6, 2009

i mentioned to someone else to stop in the local bike shops...they're more than happy to point you in the right direction for some trails.

wheelock

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 8, 2009

Yeah. I spent more than enough of my vacation money at QSBS last time I was up there

QSBS

· #6 · Jul 8, 2009

Thanks, We appreciate that. We always do our best to point our guests in the right direction to find all the sweet spots. Stop on in if you are in the area.

bucksaw87

· #7 · Jul 8, 2009

QSBS said:
Thanks, We appreciate that. We always do our best to point our guests in the right direction to find all the sweet spots. Stop on in if you are in the area.

haha, you guys are on here? i just put one of your stickers on my bike this afternoon!

nightmoves001

· #8 · Jul 9, 2009

Nice stuff ill be looking into these trails for the future im from the east part of the U.P and looking for some new trails to ride. Glad you had fun in marquette it is truly beautiful over their, you might even enjoy the copper country and brockway mtn area ive been wanting to head up their for awhile now don't know jack about the trails though.

wheelock

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 10, 2009

QSBS said:
Thanks, We appreciate that. We always do our best to point our guests in the right direction to find all the sweet spots. Stop on in if you are in the area.

It had looked like just a single day of riding, but now we've freed things up to stay through Monday :thumbsup: Probably going to stop by then just for its and giggles...and what, stickers?

I'm really excited about some killer new parts that went on this week. New fork, casette, chain, front mid/big rings

Just don't want to bail until the final day. Had to get x-rays done of the shoulder from my last trip. It's all okay, but still not doing so well more than two weeks later

bucksaw87

· #10 · Jul 10, 2009

wheelock said:
It had looked like just a single day of riding, but now we've freed things up to stay through Monday :thumbsup: Probably going to stop by then just for its and giggles...and what, stickers?

I'm really excited about some killer new parts that went on this week. New fork, casette, chain, front mid/big rings Just don't want to bail until the final day. Had to get x-rays done of the shoulder from my last trip. It's all okay, but still not doing so well more than two weeks later

mqt general is a good spot for x-rays :eekster:

ProfGumby

· #11 · Jul 13, 2009

QSBS said:
Thanks, We appreciate that. We always do our best to point our guests in the right direction to find all the sweet spots. Stop on in if you are in the area.

I second stopping in at QSBS! Always friendly, have time for you and do not pressure you to buy something or ignore you if you are just looking or want trail info! They even offered some advice on my Giant Ranier while I was there! (They don't sell Giant)

And besides anyone who links to Blue Bike Burrito can't be bad!

(If your in Mariette, you HAVE TO eat at Blue Bike!)

And as to Ishpeming, I was just there yesterday and took the Trance with me, but did not have enough time to hit a trail....

wheelock

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jul 14, 2009

Anyone care to guide Al Quall next time I come up? That was a total f-show. I hit a hidden section of single that ended up being amazing, and ended up into a residential area, but that was the highlight of the park there. Olympic was horrible doubletrack mottled with brief sections of good single, and I just didn't have much left in me to explore more beyond that. I see that there is probably some great trailt here, but you must have to know how to find it.... sad.

Otherwise, great trip. Good riding at south trails, north trails, and aq was okay too. Big bummer when my saddle bag broke open on the highway and my brand new cb multi tool, pedros, and tube disappeared forever

Other than that, no accidents or injuries, and great times had by all. Thanks to Marquette for showing me a good time yet again.

wheelock

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 14, 2009

dblpost

BBOC

· #14 · Jul 29, 2009

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I'm heading into the area the first week of August from Boulder, CO and will get to do a day or two of biking. My plan is to hit the South Marquette trails since I know how easy it is to get lost in the UP without good signage.

I'm very curious if there is a trail I should hit on the north side of town somewhere near Buckroe/Sugarloaf. I used to spend a lot of time as a kid at a family place in the area (on the south edge of the Granite Loma property) and I'd love to get a new perspective on the area from a MTB. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I know I live in a MTB mecca, but I must say I'm super stoked to ride Marquette!

BeakJones

· #15 · Jul 30, 2009

BBOC said:
Sorry to hijack the thread, but I'm heading into the area the first week of August from Boulder, CO and will get to do a day or two of biking. My plan is to hit the South Marquette trails since I know how easy it is to get lost in the UP without good signage.

I'm very curious if there is a trail I should hit on the north side of town somewhere near Buckroe/Sugarloaf. I used to spend a lot of time as a kid at a family place in the area (on the south edge of the Granite Loma property) and I'd love to get a new perspective on the area from a MTB. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I know I live in a MTB mecca, but I must say I'm super stoked to ride Marquette!

Jedi comes to mind... I haven't been there in years though. Maybe QSBS or other locals can confirm Jedi is still there and doing well? If it's not you could spend days riding all the south trails... they're incredible. Do not miss gorge-ous; it's brand new and damn good.

http://trails.mtbr.com/cat/united-states-trails/trails-michigan/trail/PRD_168564_4555crx.aspx

http://blindstoker.com/potluckmap.aspx

bucksaw87

· #16 · Jul 30, 2009

BeakJones said:
Jedi comes to mind... I haven't been there in years though. Maybe QSBS or other locals can confirm Jedi is still there and doing well? If it's not you could spend days riding all the south trails... they're incredible. Do not miss gorge-ous; it's brand new and damn good.

http://trails.mtbr.com/cat/united-states-trails/trails-michigan/trail/PRD_168564_4555crx.aspx

http://blindstoker.com/potluckmap.aspx

jedi and gorge-ous were still both up as of last fall

wheelock

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jul 31, 2009

gorgeous is a great warm-up lap for the south trails. Just up the road from Sugarloaf there's a parking area on the left hand side for some lake...I forget the name. I had a local take me through some really great trail up there the last time I was up there, but I think you'd need a guide to get through it proper. Hopefully someone can show you around.

Don't know when I'll get there next. Hoping for another trip in August, but might have to wait until September!!!

Enjoy your time in MQT

bucksaw87

· #18 · Jul 31, 2009

wheelock said:
gorgeous is a great warm-up lap for the south trails. Just up the road from Sugarloaf there's a parking area on the left hand side for some lake...I forget the name. I had a local take me through some really great trail up there the last time I was up there, but I think you'd need a guide to get through it proper. Hopefully someone can show you around.

Don't know when I'll get there next. Hoping for another trip in August, but might have to wait until September!!!

Enjoy your time in MQT

harlow lakes...great spot for trucks, wannabe rally cars, as well as some prime hiking and mtb'ing stuff.

edit:
september? PM me, i'll be up there this fall

palo92

· #19 · Aug 3, 2009

North Trails

From Clarks Gravel Pit I would recommend riding up the "Top of the World" Trail down "Jedi".

These trails were part of the 12 hours of Potluck course that was just held in July. It's a 6 mile loop.

Other trails on the north side are Songbird, BJ, and bareback.

wheelock

Discussion Starter · #20 · Aug 3, 2009

How do you get about following these named trails over by north? I've never seen anything really for signage along the way. I have the Marquette area trail map that I snagged while at QSBS, but I don't recall those names.

1 - 20 of 29 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.