I have a trip planned at the end of next week in Paradise. John Dee's forecast today looks better than it has been. It seems the swamp areas around the falls and south of Paradise take a while to freeze. Is it worth taking the chance or should I change locations or even cancel the trip? I don't want to waste money driving up and back if it going to suck. I know they can get tons of snow fast, but it is useless if there is not a lot of rideable areas.

Opinions?

A few guys and I had a trip planned to the U.P also the same weekend but cancelled. We are going here instead. good luck

Now thats being smart! :div20:

Silver thats what I'm talking about....I'm thinking about selling all my sleds and trailers and go there 2 or 3 tjmes a year.

We might have a open spot on the trailer. You interested. we leave (twin cities ,mn) on jan11th 10pm and be back on jan 17th midnight $600 or so for the trip.

I cant sleep at night now and i have a week to go....

My uncle is up there now. Rain, mud and warm temps. Bad all around and it would take a week+ of very cold temps to get the black creek swamp frozen. Given your time frame, I wouldn't chance it with my $$. I canxd my trip for the end of the month already.

It wont be good. There is green grass in the soo right now and its abot 45 out. I might have to go mow my lawn by the end of the week if this keeps up.

That swamp takes a long time to freeze over. Book somewhere else.

So true!! They will have good snow and cold temps by the time of your trip, but the swamp will be trouble! I would head west to Newberry or Munising, The weather forecst looks pretty good before and after those dates. Keep your fingers crossed....

Or if you're staying in Paradise, Don't head south through the swamp. Head west instead toward Grand Marais. You can make some fantastic runs that way, including a hi miler to include Newberry and Seney. Don't know how many swamps thru there, but the north leg of that is high and right in the snowbelt. If you want to run south, you'll have to choose between running the swamp, the roadside, or tossing the sleds on the trailer an hauling them a few miles past the swamp. The folks in Paradise will appreciate your business, and you'll probably find great riding and few sleds...

Of course, that's assuming it snows there in the next week.

I'm doing the unthinkable, and heading to my cabin in the UP (near Hulbert) on Sunday to do some business on Monday, and at this point I'm not planning on taking a sled- and my cabin is 1/4 mile off the road!

I keep reading the complaints about no snow, but I'll remind you all- we always have a January thaw. Unfortunately this year there was nothing to thaw. There is lots of winter left, and believe me it will snow.

One of these years, we're going to have a real winter... and man are some people going to be suprised.

john dee is calling for 12-24 inches

As far as heading south out of Paradise....in the past couple years they have been grooming a path on the west side of M-123 for sleds to use until the swamp is froze over, I would assume they will be doing the same this year.

We do tons of miles out of Paradise, just going south has always been an issue, but normally you struggle through the swamp area and you are good, but this year with no snow is making it worse. The stretch from Paradise to Rainbow Lodge is a fun section of trail. We have ran to Marquette and back in a day, even with some rough conditions.

My son is going with me and he does not like to do tons of miles since he sits on the seat jack all day. My dad goes too, and he likes to take it a little slower.

If my money were on the line, I would cancel.