Snowmobiling the Bays De Noc, Michigan Area
From here, you can go anywhere! Delta County’s snowmobile trails are a part of the state’s vast trail system in the Upper Peninsula. And with the U.P.’s large forested areas and unplowed roads, traveling by snowmobile may be the only way to experience the U.P. in winter.
“There’s lots of woods, lots to see.” says the coordinator of the Bays de Noc Convention and Visitors Bureau in Escanaba. “I like to snowmobile at a slow pace to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the area.”
She suggests using Escanaba, Gladstone or Rapid River as a central point to exploring the region. “You can get anywhere you want in the Upper Peninsula from here,” she said. “From Rapid River you can head north to Munising or east to Manistique. You can access many of the trails, and we have a mild enough winter to do other things here.” Delta County, Michigan Escanaba and Gladstone Area
The trail in Delta County is split into two parts. Efforts are being made to connect the trails across the Whitefish River near Rapid River, but for now the Felch Grade trail ends about a half mile north on Rapid River on U.S. 41 and the Nahma Grade has a trailhead on County Road 509 east of Rapid River.
The Nahma Grade trail travels east from Rapid River to Federal Forest Highway 13. Turning south at that junction takes you to U.S. 2. Turning north at the junction takes you to another trailhead that splits in two – east to the Garden Peninsula and Manistique, and north toward Munising, on Big Bay de Noc, is a small community with restaurants, bars, a service station and small shops.
Rapid River is slightly larger community with small motels, restaurants, bars, service stations, stores and a snowmobile dealer. There are several service stations near downtown on U.S. 2 and two other service stations where U.S. 2 and 41 join just west of town.
The Nahma Grade trail is maintained by the U.S. Forest Service which has a district office in Rapid River. The Felch Grade trail that heads west out of Rapid River is maintained by the Michigan DNR which has a district office in Escanaba. “The trail is flat with some of it running on county roads,” said Russ McDonald, DNR recreation officer. “There’s a couple of spots that it goes through swamps which causes some problems early in the year.” Michigan’s snowmobile season lasts for 16 weeks, from December 1 to March 31. But it depends on winter conditions. Less snow falls in the Bays de Noc area compared to many other parts of the peninsula, so McDonald suggests checking on trail conditions.
The Felch Grade travels west through Delta County. “From here, you can get up to Gwinn or over to Iron Mountain,” McDonald said. “There are some trails that are not state funded that go into Wisconsin.” The Felch Grade runs directly towards Crystal Falls with several breaks toward the Iron Mountain area. Past LaBranche, the trail also turns north toward Gwinn which then splits to Marquette or Munising. In Escanaba, the trailhead appears next to the Days Inn on the west side of North Lincoln Road and U.S. 2, 41 and M-35. A snowmobile dealer is also located at the trailhead.
The U.S. Forest Service’s forest headquarters is located near the trailhead and the DNR’s district office is a short distance north across the Escanaba River. A spur runs directly into Gladstone for snowmobilers to stay at motels, buy fuel, eat or shop. The spur leaves the trail at two places which come together near the Gladstone Sports Park. From the sports park, the spur runs under U.S. 2 and 41. It breaks to the left toward several small motels and cabins, and right towards downtown Gladstone. “We allow people to drive their snowmobiles in town, but they have to use the most direct route as an access,” said Joe Dehlin, director of parks and recreation for the city of Gladstone. The city started allowing snowmobilers in Gladstone five years ago. “It’s brought in people. They come to fuel up and grab something to eat,” said Dehlin. Turning left from under the highway, there is the Shorewood Motel, Bays Shore Resort and Lindberg’s Cove Resort.
This area also accesses much of the ice fishing activity on the Bays de Noc during the winter. Although no official trails are designated on the ice, many fishermen use snowmobiles to access the bay. “There are no trails across the water,” said McDonald. “Basically, you are going out on your own risk. Common sense goes a long ways when you’re going out on the ice” The Great Lakes Racing Association does hold snowmobile races for its members each Saturday on the Escanaba River west of Gladstone, depending on the ice conditions. The 1 p.m. races run on an oval track above the Mead dam.
Much of the trail system in the area is located on private land. Landowners have given easements for snowmobilers to cross their property. “We ask people to stay on the trails and not wander off into farm fields or whatever,” McDonald said.
Trail permits are required to ride on Michigan’s trails, even for non-residents. They cost $10 and are available at any DNR office and businesses that sell sporting licenses. Michigan residents are also required to purchase a three-year registration sticker for each snowmobile. Winter is a wonderful time in the U.P. Snowmobilers can enjoy our communities, explore our natural resources and venture throughout the region’s vast trail system.
