Petoskey MI

Our first ride of the 2001-2002 Season.

On December 28th of 2001, the word of our first good snow was out. Tony and I decided to head north towards Petoskey Michigan. This would be our first ride of the season. And our first time ridding in Petoskey.

While heading north on I-75 we finally saw snow around Houghton lake and Grayling. We pulled off in Gaylord around 10 p.m. to check out trail conditions from follow riders. We thought that maybe we would take a quick ride, and then continue north. Not much to our surprise, we met two guys just off the I-75 Gaylord exit. They had told us the trails where nothing but snirt (snow / dirt). They had proceeded to say that they where packed up for the night, and would be Petoskey bound by morning. Looks like we where are heading in the right direction.

As we got off on the Wolverine exit and road, to head west toward Petoskey the snow was falling in buckets. Tony and I started to get the first ride butterflies. Tony was very anxious to ride his new 2002 ZR 800 LE CCE. I just couldn't wait to ride anywhere! Tony started to get nervous of my driving in the snow. As we reach the downtown area of Petoskey, we now where in about 3 to 4 feet of snow. And it was still falling like mad! Yes, we where smiling ear to ear!

Now in Petoskey at about midnight, it was time to get a hotel near a trail head. We had stopped at a 7 Eleven in town to asked where the nearest hotel and trailhead was. Tony had returned to the truck with a attitude! He had exclaimed the local worker had no clue where the closest hotel was, nor where a trail head was. Tony had exclaimed to the man "Don't you live around here!". We then headed south on 131 from directions given to us at a gas station. There we found out by the attendant that they don't usually get many sledders in their area. But due to all the recent lake effect snow, we where all heading their way. They said they didn't like having this many sledders in town! We couldn't believe our ears. They should be loving the business we bring.

Back to heading south on 131 towards Dickinson's Lodge. The snow is now falling so bad, we cant see more than 20 feet. Finally reaching a lodge at the trail head, we find that the office was closed. We also see that there is about 150 or so sleds. We then had to head back north on 131 to find a hotel with rooms available. To make a long story short of hotels trying to price gouge us at 1:30 a.m. on room. "Just because it was snowing." a hotel attendant exclaimed. We ended up at a Holiday Inn.

The next morning we headed to the trails by trailer. We went to a local snowmobile club parking lot. This would be a local trail head. Since another foot had fallen overnight, none of the roads where plowed. This was not a problem for my new "02" Dodge Ram! But our local Petoskey hospitality had shown its face again. A snow plow had came through and plowed us in as we sat in the truck putting on gear!! What a mess we had.

While putting on our gear and getting ready to ride and women and her daughter asked if we could lead her to the trail head. We said not a problem, we can find it together because this was our first time riding here as well. We ended up running into them at the trail heads and for dinner. It was nice to see Kelli was introducing young Jordan the the sport of snowmobiling as they rode doubles in the trail. Special thanks to Kelli and Jordan! It was nice riding with you guys.

We finally took off ridding for the day. The trails where not marked very well in the least. With 3 to 4 foot of lake effect snow made the powder ridding a little tough, but we managed. The next day of ridding was quite rough. No grooming had been done, and we had tons of washboard trails. We did find many good areas to play, like SpringBrook Golf Course.

Well anyways, despite the cold hospitality of Petoskey Tony and I where able to pull off a decent first ride. We hope you enjoy our pictures from our trip. Keep posted for upcoming rides, stories and pictures!

Pray for more snow with us!
Sincerely,
Ken Page