“If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life but still the same amount of snow.” – Anonymous
Our Michigan snowmobile adventures have taken us to the frozen shore of Lake Superior, across the ice bridge to Mackinac Island, and into the heart of the Hiawatha and Huron-Manistee National Forests.
But one trip we had yet to make was riding to the Mackinac Bridge. In late February 2021, with the blue ice winding down, we made it in the nick of time — before the March meltdown that closed the snowmobile trails early in most of the Lower Peninsula.
The blue ice that forms in the Straits of Mackinac is a tourist attraction in itself. People flock to the area to take photos and walk out on the ice chunks that pile up along the shore.
What creates blue ice?
Blue ice is a natural phenomenon that’s actually pretty rare. It requires the right conditions to form, meaning it doesn’t show up every year. And you have the best chance of seeing it in the Straits of Mackinac, where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron converge, during the late winter.
I looked up a couple of articles, which you can read in the Detroit Free Press and The Times Herald, but didn’t get a clear reason on how or why the blue ice forms. You can read more in this Smithsonian Magazine article from a few years ago. According to a physical scientist quoted in the article, three factors contribute to its formation.
“One is that water absorbs other colors of the spectrum, the second is the lack of bubbles in the ice, the third is the ice thickness and density. And they’re all factors in what causes this phenomenon,” according to George Leshkevich, physical scientist emeritus at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory.
I wouldn’t say the ice was super blue when we saw it. But I love the Mackinac Bridge, so it was a real treat to stand on the ice in front of the Mighty Mac.
The ice itself isn’t blue. It just looks that way because of how light is reflected on it. And it helps to have clear, clean water. I also read on MyMichiganBeach.com the unique ice formations occur when snow on top of the ice is compressed and squeezes out all of the air bubbles. This increases its density, allowing the ice to absorb colors. Voilà — vibrant chunks of blue ice.
When the light hits the ice, and it isn’t covered in snow, the blue ice is something to see. Most people travel by car, but we took Trail 7 up to Mackinaw City. Fortunately, there was enough snow to get in and out of town, but this can always be dicey on a snowmobile. We were in and out of town in less than an hour because we wanted to ride more of the trail system.
Moose Jaw trails connect to Mackinaw City
We first rode the Moose Jaw Trails a couple of years ago. This trail system covers over 100 miles of trails in northern Lower Michigan, serving the communities of Alanson, Brutus, Pellston, Levering, Carp Lake, Mackinaw, Cross Village, Larks Lake, and Harbor Springs. Since 1975, the Harbor Springs Snowmobile Club has groomed and maintained the trails. The club also hosts one of the longest-running snowmobile rides — The Moose Jaw Safari — in the country.
On this trip, we stayed at the unique and cozy Crooked River Lodge north of Alanson, which provides direct access to the trails and plenty of trailer parking. This four-season lodge overlooks the Crooked River and has an indoor pool and hot tub, full hot breakfast, and a communal outdoor fireplace. Each room also has a balcony. We really enjoyed our stay!
Besides the railroad grade run to Mackinaw City, the Moose Jaw trails wind through the woods north of Harbor Springs. Many snowmobilers enjoy the ride to Moose Jaw Junction, a local hangout for food and drinks in downtown Larks Lake.
Michigan snowmobile trail system unique
Winter is a lot more fun when you have a hobby, and we’ve sure had a lot of fun snowmobiling. Michigan has 6,500 miles of groomed snowmobile trails from the Indiana-Michigan border to the far stretches of the western Upper Peninsula and the Keweenaw Peninsula. The trail system is unique for several reasons. The Michigan snowmobile program is 100% self-funded. Trail permits and snowmobile registration fees are reinvested into the trails for the benefit of snowmobilers.
More than 50% of Michigan’s snowmobile trails cross private property, so snowmobilers have access to sites that other people never get to see in the winter!
Local snowmobile clubs across the state devote countless hours to making sure the trails are brushed, groomed, signed, and safe. The clubs do their best to make sure the trails are well-maintained so snowmobilers have fun — and have a positive experience so they return.
Snowmobiling supports economic activity and tourism, especially in the winter, and generates $26 billion in consumer spending annually in the United States alone. Many isolated Upper Peninsula towns survive in the winter thanks to snowmobilers.
You can read about Michigan’s unique trail system in my story, Throttle Therapy, in the 2022 winter issue of Michigan BLUE magazine. Unfortunately, warmer winters continue to create problems for snow sports and businesses that support them.
Read about Michigan’s changing winters in my story for Michigan Advance: As snow and ice disappear with climate change, some Michigan businesses struggle. I also wrote a story about pending legislation that would prohibit wheeled vehicles on groomed snowmobile trails during the snowmobile season, in an effort to protect the trails from damage and keep snowmobilers safe.
Michigan snowmobile trails link towns, attractions
The Upper Peninsula consistently ranks as a top snowmobile destination in North America. That’s because Michigan’s snowmobile trail system links towns, points of interest, and other trail systems. Snowmobilers are always looking for a “destination,” and Michigan’s trails deliver.
We’ve also explored many areas we never even see during the summer, especially in the UP. You can read those blogs here:
Snowmobiling around Pictured Rocks always a highlight of winter
Ice, ice baby: Crossing ice bridge to Mackinac Island adventure to remember
Snowmobiling returns this Hoosier sled chick to her roots
Michigan’s trail system runs through six state forests, three national forests, and hundreds of acres of privately owned lands. The Upper Peninsula offers more than 3,000 miles of full-throttle fun and promises an adrenaline rush through rugged and remote wilderness.
Snowmobilers can zip down rail trails, enjoy the scenery on twisty wooded trails, and venture into fresh powder on backcountry terrain. Across the UP, snowmobilers can visit scenic overlooks or head deep into the woods. The trails take riders to rivers, frozen waterfalls, lighthouses and areas closed off in other seasons.
See the sights on a snowmobile
A Michigan snowmobile trip, especially to the Upper Peninsula, won’t be a disappointment. The region normally receives 200 inches of snow per year. It’s like riding in a real-world snow globe in the snowbelt regions along Lake Superior. Here are some of the UP attractions accessible by snowmobile:
- Miner’s Castle and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
- H-58 between Grand Marais and Munising
- Crisp Point Lighthouse
- Lakenenland Sculpture Park
- Eben Ice Caves (accessible by foot)
- Kitch-iti-kipi, Manistique
- Tahquamenon Falls, Paradise
- Keweenaw Peninsula
- Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum, Naubinway
- Mackinac Island’s Ice Bridge
- Brockway Mountain, Copper Harbor
- Lake of the Clouds, Porcupine Mountains (no snowmobiling within the park)
- Mount Marquette Overlook, Marquette
We haven’t ventured farther west into the Upper Peninsula, but we hope to someday. There are so many beautiful sights to see. Some people turn their nose up at snowmobiles because they are loud, gas-powered machines. But snowmobilers love the sound and smell of a 2-stroke engine! All I know is they’re a heck of a lot of fun, and you’re missing out if you sit at home and complain all winter. Braaaap!
Marla R. Miller is an award-winning journalist, travel writer, and content marketing writer who lives in Norton Shores. Please “like” or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
