My Copper Harbor trips were around 2011-12. I’ve only ever owned a hardtail so that’s what I rode. This was back before the land disputes when Stairway to Heaven was still open. We didn’t get shuttle rides to the top, we’d spend 2 hours climbing, then a half hour descending, twice per day. We’d hit all the trails at the time (nothing wast of the road then) other than double-diamonds. I rode one and got torn up, it was beyond my skill.
I returned briefly with my kids in 2021 but a lot of the trails were closed down and the kids weren’t In the right frame of mind, so it was an abbreviated ride. I know almost all were re-opened but I’m over 50 now without a crew, so I might be finished with those trails. I’d ride Marquette or Houghton again, but CH might be pushing a bit too far.
2021 was a tough year up there, access was terrible. We were up there last year and everything was easy to access and open. They've added more trails to the East Bluff network which are amazing.
No shuttle here either, woopidy woo trail all the way up. I still like the old hand cut stuff the best. There's some really challenging trails and the rock is super cool.
Looking forward to the island vibe in the northwoods setting too. No cell service, no hurry, everyone is always chilled out and cool. It's a pretty unique place.
Yup, I remember when we’d finally get to the top of Woppidy Woo and I’d hear a chorus of text dings as everyone’s texts since the last climb finally arrived. We’d take a break from the climb, mostly fail to reply to some texts, then hit the downhill or head over toward the lodge to go east.
There are some great rocky bits on those trails - I remember a spot I think near the top of Woopidy Woo where the best line was to ride on a little 2” wide ledge where you couldn’t pedal fully or your left pedal would hit the rock - had to either have enough speed to coast through or do some half-pedals and half-backpedals.
I did have some trouble with a skinny across a little gorge. I rode it a few times but never felt comfortable. Somewhere over by Mango I think.
While Stairway to Heaven was really cool and a great entry point to the trails, I was there when it was really slimy once and nobody could even walk up the boardwalks - everyone just slid off the edges. That blind 2-way boardwalk section hanging off a cliff was just an accident waiting to happen, so it might be best that it’s closed.