Circling Lake Superior this summer

[north-aurora]

My brother in law and I are going to circle Lake Superior this summer. Him on his VTX 1800 and I'll be on the Valk. Was wondering if someone has any suggestions on that route, what we should see, which places are worth to stay at, and any other general observations. I hear the northern route is quite remote, so need to fill the gas any chance you have. I have never really tried this before since I refill about every 120 miles, but how many miles could you get on a Valk on one tank?

[BobB]

I have considered doing the Superior Tour.  There are web sites available to help.

http://www.lakesuperiorcircletour.info/ for one...

[Simmy74]

Google greatlakescircletours

There are sights that will help you plot routes for motorcycle,  and you get the collective experience of 100's of riders.   If you are going clockwise, plan to stay in Grand Marais MI.  Lake superior Brewing is a GREAT place to spend an evening after a day of riding.  There is a good motel within walking distance and a gas station.  In the morning,  get up EARLY and take H-58 through Pictured Rocks national park, one of the best roads on the trip.

The Magnusson hotel in Houghton has covered bike parking, and is right in the middle of everything and a good base for rides up to Copper Harbor,  plus, Keweenaw Brewing co, again in walking distance. ..

Use the on line circle tour info to plan out gas stops.  You should be fine if you know ahead of time where to fill up.  I made it on a chopper that got 150mi/tank and never had to use my reserve fuel bottle I brought just in case.

Good luck, take as long as you can afford- there's a lot to experience.   You're going to love it

[Moonshot_1]

Haven't actually done the circle lake tour but have been up that a way.
Simmy wrote of Grand Marais Michigan. Great place to go. Munising is just to the west. From there you can take a boat ride up the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. I cannot recommend this boat ride strongly enough. It is spectacular. I will second the vote on H-58. Nice road.

One thing to note is that there is a Grand Marais, Michigan (south shore) and a Grand Marais, Minnesota, (north shore) both along the Lake Superior Lakeshore. Both are well worth stopping at.

Duluth is a good overnight stop. The canal district is fun and the freighters passing through the canal is fun to watch.

Duluth to Thunder Bay is the North shore route. Beautiful. Mountains, Big Water, Waterfalls and great views nearly all the way up.

Duluth to Grand Marais is the south shore route. (At least as far as we have been able to go so far)
Usually not as close to the lake as the north shore route but where the route does get close to the lake it is pretty spectacular. We've been up to Copper Harbor at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula. A bit on the rustic side. Lots of trees.

Lake Superior is one of my favorite areas to go. Would love to get there more often.
 

[Alpha Dog]

Agree with Lake Superior Brewing Co. in Grand Marias, MI.  Two years ago I had one of the best craft beers of my life there - A blueberry blend.  Been on Pictured Rocks - what a great boat trip.   East of Grand Marias is 2nd largest falls east of the Mississippi - Tahquamenon, and just above this at Whitefish Point is the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum with the Edmund Fitzgerald Bell and the whole history of Great Lakes Shipping and Coast Guard. Wifes family has a house on Manistique Lake in the UP.  I met here there during a softball tournament in 95 and married her on the same Lake in 98.  We honeymooned on the circle tour although it was in a van, and had a great time.   Would love to do it on a Valk.

[Ice]

We have had Lake Superior round tour planned for several years now, timing and funding have been issues though so it has been on the burner for a while. We have continued to gather a lot of info, this link is a very good starting place...
http://ridelakesuperior.com/

[Willow]

..., but how many miles could you get on a Valk on one tank?

180 +/-

[north-aurora]

Great info! I had just started doing some research and had across some of the sites, but ridelakesuperior.com seems to be the best. Thank you!! I recently got the Zumo 660 so I should be able to even import the whole route including gas stations and motorcycle repair shops (hopefully not needed).

This will be the longest trip so far for me on two wheels. Two years ago we circled Lake Michigan and had a great time. I especially like places that are a little out of the way and off the beaten path, so I will read through some travel blogs to find those. Some of those places might not show up on the official sites like ridelakesuperior.com, since they are paid for by the respective local tourism agencies and therefore somewhat steering you towards their preferred businesses. I read in one blog that Thunder Bay isn't all that great, but of course the site sponsored by the Thunder Bay Tourism Agency will say that it's a must stay...

Thanks again! I'll post some updates once we're back.

[Simmy74]

I read in one blog that Thunder Bay isn't all that great, but of course the site sponsored by the Thunder Bay Tourism Agency will say that it's a must stay...

Every ride, every city, every stop- will be what you make of it.  The BEST adventures I've had always started with no plan, no "must do's", no time constraints,  and an open mind.  The best burger of your entire life might be served by the cutest girl ever... in that dive around the bend that's  not on anyone's map or top 10 list.  It's all there waiting for you,  if you are open to see it.

[Roadman]

I have made this trip several times over 40 years and the best advice I can give is to go clockwise around the lake.keeps almost everything there is to see that is scenic on your right for easy entrance and egress. traffic last summer was the busiest I have ever seen. many beautiful scenes that just pop up and doing u turns and turning across traffic has been the cause of more than a few accidents. Cars, campers, bicycles and motorcycles. never had a problem with fuel availability. great ride. All of highway 61 is breathtaking and Wawa to the Soo  is a stretch you'll want to drive back and forth on. watch out for critters, they are big up there. Be safe

[Moonshot_1]

Although it has been 11 years now and things likely have changed somewhat, our experience in Thunder Bay was to leave as soon as possible. I'm sure there are things to do but we were not real impressed. We went there assuming that there was some development along the lake shore but there wasn't much at all. Lots of potential. In fairness we may have just plain missed it if they had it.

The ride to it was spectacular. Good overnight spot.

[CajunRider]

Hotels are hard to find Fridays & Saturdays... much easier on work nights.  You may want to call a few weeks ahead and reserve rooms for the weekends, though that makes it difficult to do any unplanned sight seeing along the way.  Worst case... try to figure out where you'll be by the evening and call in search for hotel rooms that morning. 

Be sure to ride the coast from Duluth to Grand Portage... absolutely beautiful!!! Lots of water falls along that shore line also... can't see them from the road, but very worth the short hike to them. 

Don't miss Pigeon Falls on the USA/Canadian border in Grand Portage.   

Pictured Rocks just south of Grand Marais is also a must see.

There's also the town of Christmas (a little West of Munising)... not a lot to see there, but it's actually called Christmas.    

Be sure to ride H-58 (Sable Point Trail / Adams Trail) between Munising and Grand Marais.  I think it's part of the loop... but not 100% sure. 

I didn't get to ride the Canadian side, so I can't help you there. 

[Ramie]

You need to stop and see Split Rock lighthouse, Gooseberry Falls (The home of Bulwinkel & Rocky) spend a night in Tofte right on the shores of the lake.

[cookiedough]

Hotels are hard to find Fridays & Saturdays... much easier on work nights.  You may want to call a few weeks ahead and reserve rooms for the weekends, though that makes it difficult to do any unplanned sight seeing along the way.  Worst case... try to figure out where you'll be by the evening and call in search for hotel rooms that morning. 

Be sure to ride the coast from Duluth to Grand Portage... absolutely beautiful!!! Lots of water falls along that shore line also... can't see them from the road, but very worth the short hike to them. 

Don't miss Pigeon Falls on the USA/Canadian border in Grand Portage.   

Pictured Rocks just south of Grand Marais is also a must see.

There's also the town of Christmas (a little West of Munising)... not a lot to see there, but it's actually called Christmas.    

Be sure to ride H-58 (Sable Point Trail / Adams Trail) between Munising and Grand Marais.  I think it's part of the loop... but not 100% sure. 

I didn't get to ride the Canadian side, so I can't help you there. 

good points as well made.  I loved the waterfalls walking into them most less than 1 mile walk if I remember correctly has been 10+ years up there, but bring BUG spray the wooded trails can be horribly buggy and we got bit up terribly up there the biting horse flies will carry you away as well as the mosquitoes are HUGE. 

We made it across the Canadian border when passports were not needed and security was not as tight am sure as is now.  Up into Canada is when the woods get woody for sure and we stopped 3-4 hours up into there at a town that  has what they call Little Niagra falls which you can get pretty darn close to and feel the mist of the water spray is pretty neat stop as well.  There was this one place by sleeping Giant where you could walk across a wooden bridge reinforced with steel cable over a huge canyon drop off but at the time with little kids,  I did not trust both the bridge and my young kids.  We also stayed in Grand Marias, even took Hwy 1 (or was it 2) to Ely MN with MOOSE crossing signs all over.  That is where you will get your best gas mileage from Grand Marias to Ely MN all 50-55 mph driving and 100's of gently twisty and turns in the road.  We even stopped and walked 3-4 miles into the woods in hopes to see a moose, but no luck, but the gas station nearby said her husband hit 2 moose (actually the moose stepped on the hood of both of their vehicles) on 2 separate days all in one week totaling both their vehicles. 

I've driven around Lake Michigan, but never Lake Superior, sounds like a grand time indeed. Enjoy!

[gregk]

Best advice in the world.  Head up to Superior and stop at the tourist info place on the right and get a map of the Lake Superior circle tour(this is a must!).  You may want to take the gun flint trail but take the road up tp Lake Nippigon.  Lutson Mn. Is a Ski area and has a summer mono you can ride. Several little falls in Mn. And a light house to see. Before crossing into Canada get some currency exchanged at Rydens Store. I'm guessing you should be able to stay overnight by Thunder Bay, info by the Terry Fox Monument.  Just west of Thunder Bay a couple miles is Fort William which is a huge Fort,  dont miss it . 24miles West of ThunderBay is Kakabeca Falls which is like little Niagara ,do pay an go across the bridge better vieu.. Between ThunderBay an Quimet you can get some Amethyst for the girls. At Quimet you can go see a canyon , ah it's OK.  At Nippigon make a left turn and go up towards Lake Nippigon 40-50 miles zan back it is very nice. Back on the road again before you get to Terrace Bay their is a Falls on your right. Water flows in on the left an flows down between what appears to have taken since the beginning of time to cut a huge slice in the rock. After Terrace Bay watch for the Yellow Brick Road ( 3 gold mines active.) And dont forget to spot Winnie the Pooh.   By Wawa Watch for the huge Gray Goose wotch is a tourest center , on your right is a road  short 1/4 m. Gravel road that takes you to a magnificent Falls. Back on the trail stop at I think it's pancake Bay ( currency / trinkets). Now go back to the US.and head towards Copper Harbour . along the way if you go go White Fish Point you can swim an see suken boats as that area has the most sunken in the Great Lakes, Or you can go see Tahquamenon Falls (2 of them , 1long an low which cost $ and the better one is free just past the State one and I think is cooler as it looks like root beer it is really stained water). Going to Houghton you may pass Bishop Baraga. Copper Harbour area has a lot to see, fgroom copper mine, beaches, Fort by Copper Harbour. Remem ber copper items are 991/2% bring into the area mostly from Mexico. Hwy  41 will get you home.  Other things you may see before you get to the Bishop are Christmas, an a National Fishery that is really nice.     We made 6 trips around Lake Superior 1400m. 3 days you see nothing. 5 days is good. Just you 2 guys and nobody else I'd plan on 5 days 6 woodbe good . stop at the Beer Store an buy a 6 PK. Of Golden Wheat beer, we cannot get it here in the States. I had to make a beer run once upon a time. Have a great trip    maybe Sueior info could mail you that map, It is vital.

[jdp]

How many miles is it and how long are you going to off? Guess you need a passport also right?

[gregk]

I see I forgot the pictured rocks not sure maybe by Wawa to Pancake Bay. Seen once, its different. Pictures drawn high up on rock walls on the shore of Lake Superior. The Indians must of done it in the winter time. Also I believe their is some pictured rocks maybe by White Fish Point.

[north-aurora]

gregk, awesome info. I will take a bunch of your advice and look for those spots! Some of the things that are sort of out of the way are just what I was looking for. And someone who's done the trip 6 times knows what they're talking about!!

jdp, just over 1,400 miles to circle the lake, then around 600 roundtrip for me to get there and back. Around 2,000 miles plus day trips here and there. We're taking 8 days for the whole thing.

[north-aurora]

gregk, does this include the map you were referring to? page 5 and 6 of the pdf...

http://www.northofsuperior.org/lakesuperiorcircletour2016/LSCT.pdf

[Moonshot_1]

Photo of a section of the Pictured Rock National Lakeshore.
The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is stretched out between Munising and Grand Marais Michigan.
Boat tours are available departing at Munising and are well worth it. Just short of a 3 hour tour up the PRNL coast.
It is a several mile long line of cliffs that naturally have different mineral deposits leach out of the rocks which give them the different colors. Many different formations.
The water clarity is amazing.
Couple smoked fish places in Munising that are real good too!

[~ Timbrwolf]

. ..North...we live in Northern Michigan about 90 miles South of the Mighty Mac.
We,ve explored the UP many, many times, and been to Pictured Rocks more
then a few times. You need to check out Miners Beach, which is right down
the road from the Rocks. As far as Grand Marais, its a tiny spit of a town,
and those who complimented the Lake Superior Brewing are right on, plus its just about the
only good place to eat in Grand Marais as its so tiny. H-58 is an absolute
joy to ride, lots of twisties and places to stop along the way, to check out
numerous waterfalls. And the Bear Trap Inn has some bodacious food, and is
just about half way to Munising. And speaking of Munising , check out the
sunken ship tour there. I sent you a private message about a place to stay
in Grand Marais, that we discovered a few year ago that is awesome and
biker friendly.  

[~ Timbrwolf]

. . ....Not my video, but pretty cool.. 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dJORa0jPb8

[gregk]

I'll comment later on the book.looks good . map is maybe same but the flier is better as not so much to drag along , I sent a bunch out years back. The map I'm talking about will take care of any other map, no need Mn.Wi. Mi. Or Canada. Sitting in car now.

[JerryH]

I did the circle tour many years ago (15) on a 1982 GoldWing.  Gas up when ever you come to a town and you will have no trouble.  Our group started in Petoskey MI, north to Sault Saint Marie, crossed the internation bridge into Soo Canada and headed west.  Stopped along the way to view the "Indian" Petroglyphs on the northern shore of Lake Superior.  Great to see and appreciate.  Stopped at the Indian trading post for gas and a break.  On ward to Wawa---first night stay..there are some great falls to see in the Wawa area.

Next day...west to Thunder Bay for the night.  Great riding.  When they say to watch for Moose....believe them.  We came across a dead moose along the way that had been hit by a semi....they sure are big up close.  Another thing to realize--we have "guard" rails on our highways, Canada has "guard" chains.  Never did want to find out how they would stop me.

The scenery is beautiful, but keep your eyes on the road. It's very easy to get distracted. The highway can be narrow by our standards at times.

The plan was to make this a four overnight trip. Well, as they say "the best laid plains.....".  we took our time heading west towards Duluth MN. and sure enough it started to RAIN-RAIN=RAIN. This trip was in August with lots of travelers on the roads.  About 50 miles north of Duluth we started looking for a room for the night.   As luck would have it...so did everyone else.  NO VACANCY...mile after mile after mile.  Got to Duluth and there was a big summer Jazz festival in town....NO VACANCY.

We kept going and started heading east into northern Wisconsin and slowing down for every hotel we saw...NO VACANCY...did I mentions RAIN--RAIN--RAIN.  One chain motel called ahead for us to hold a room in Ironwood MI..Thanks to them we would have a room.  Arrived in Ironwood around 10:00 that evening.  Dead tired, wet and hungry, but, we had a room.

We had rode about 12-13 hours that day and covered around 400-450 miles. The last hundred miles was at 35 mph.  The next day we left Ironwood and keep riding east to Escanaba MI, and St. Ignace MI.  We stopped for lunch and a few breaks along the way.  Once we hit St. Ignace we were only 1 hour from home.

Great ride, even with the RAIN . As was mentioned earlier, try to get some room reservations if possible.

Enjoy your trip.

[gregk]

OK Now I'm pissed big time. Put the tablet on the clothes basket to take take the wife to the laundry mat and it got cracked some how an on top of that I down loaded the phamplet North Auroria on my cell phone and it will not surface. How ever I got a too fast glance at it and it looks pretty good,Get it looked to have lots of good info. but it is not the map you should have. I called Ashland Wi. Tourism because I know it is good sized. You cannot get the map on line however if you call them they will gladly send you a map, I'm getting 6 to pass out again.         Ask for a trifold that says Lake Superior Circle Tour. Call 715-682-2500.  Also get that brochure I seen.   Happy trails