Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Shown is a metal tepee set up on Bald Mountain by the Gogebic Range Trail Authority. Inside of the tepee are benches, a fire ring and a notebook to sign. Despite the fact that the tepee is not yet two years old, a multitude of signatures from visitors also line the walls.
By PAMELA JANSSON
GOGEBIC RANGE - If you're looking for a bit of adventure, it's hard to go wrong by hitting local ATV trails.
Think muddy ruts and fallen trees, along with regular curves, hills and pools of water. Then there is the added interest of meeting another trail traveler, head-on, from the opposite direction. In short, wear your seatbelt.
On Monday, Jerry Nezworski - president and trail boss for the Gogebic Range Trail Authority - took representatives of The Globe and the Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce for a tour that started at the Historic Ironwood Depot in Ironwood and proceeded to Bald Mountain Trail and Trail 160 in Ironwood Township.
As a seasoned driver, Nezworski was not fazed by any given off-road peril. He drove over or around fallen limbs and trunks, gamely plowed through standing water, and maneuvered even precarious angles as though it were no big deal, or as the kids say: NBD.
"There's water everywhere this year," said Nezworski. "It just didn't have a chance to dry up."
Sometimes, when the water looked too deep, Nezworski went off the given trail to avoid it, which opened potential for even more adventure.
Despite all the obstacles, he said that additional, separate routes are earmarked specifically as mud runs or added trials (er - fun). "Some people - they like to get muddied up," said Nezworski.
As for how vehicles such as ATVs and 4-wheelers can take the ongoing abuse of the trails, Nezworski said there is nothing special about the tires. "They're rubber tires," he said. "There's just not much air in them - maybe eight or 10 pounds."
Finally, there is the real point of being out in the woods, and that is - of course - the trees, the wildflowers, occasional wildlife, and even designated sites.
Along the way, Bald Mountain Lookout overlooks not only an endless stretch of trees, but also an additional span of Lake Superior. "Tell me that ain't beautiful," said Nezworski.
Not too far away is the Bald Mountain tepee, literally a metal tepee that includes in its interior a fire ring, benches and signatures of travelers all over the walls.
"That's really cool," said Dedria Moore of western Kentucky as she exited the tepee. She was checking out the location with her husband, Chris, and their muddy-faced dog, Gus, who was living his best life.
"He loves to ride," said Dedria, adding that he hangs his head out the window despite the regular splashing from puddles.
"We've seen some deer," said Chris. "We've seen some grouse. Rabbits."
Outside the tepee are picnic tables, a grill, an enlarged map, and a distant view of Copper Peak.
According to Nezworski, the tepee was a $15,000 investment in 2022. In 2017, GRTA also had the Mud Creek Bridge constructed at a cost of $85,000.
Another key site is the Montreal Gorge. "This is awesome," said Nezworski as he stood at the edge of the cavernous view overlooking the west branch of the Montreal River. "Some people get married here."
As he gazed down the channel of water, Michael Meyer, executive director of the chamber, said, "This is one of the very early communication routes."
He also said of the woods in general, "I'm imagining being out here in the 1880s," when people were cutting down trees and creating homesteads. "It's fascinating to think what that was like."
The ride also went past a deer yard, which is a designated area where officials from the state Department of Natural Resources feed deer in order to help them survive hard winter months.
"You come through here in the winter - you'll see deer everywhere," said Nezworski.
He believes that older generations are more likely to appreciate the grandeur of the remote trails. "The younger people just zoom by, and they don't even see it," he said.
Regarding safety on the trails, Nezworski said that cell phone service is not available in some spots, but texting usually works.
General advice is to inform others of your travels, wear appropriate clothing and shoes, do not travel alone, note weather reports, take along an emergency kit, and bring water and healthful snacks. A waterproof tarp, matches and blankets also could prove helpful.
