Has anyone ridden either one of these trails, what are they like. thanks for any info

 

I've ridden both. Actually, I just got back after a few days at the Flambeau system.

I have a map of the Flambeau trails that I am still working on. I've been tracking it with my GPS unit as I ride. There is a printed map available also, but is lacking in detail and needed a few corrections.

What kind of trails are you interested in?

The Flambeau trail is a relatively clean, nice and scenic system. It doesn't have any mud per se. There are a few spots here and there that you could dig into though. It has one long high water stretch (about 100 yards or so) and a few other water holes on the trail. You need a bigger machine to make it through the deep water. 2x4 machines and those with low profile should avoid going through. Most bigger machines make it without incident, but it still claims a few victims every now and then. Slipping belts are the most common trouble. The trails overall are mostly a mix of sand and rock. The southwest side of the system has some hilly twisty sections that are fun to run. Just watch the blind corners and slippery rocks.

The Deadhorse is a muddy, rocky, nasty run. We love it; and have two planned runs each year. The spring and fall are when the trail should be at it's worst and usually is. Someone always gets towed home out of our group of 15 or more. It gives us confidence in riding such a nasty trail when you have so many good riders and people willing to help you out when in trouble. It makes the ride more fun that way. You aren't afraid to get stuck or get wild in the worst the trail has to offer. We like to ride, stop, eat, drink, BS, play in the mud, and have fun. Although, along with that comes fixing problems, rinsing clogged radiators, and towing broken machines. We usually start at 8am and are happy if everyone is back by 11pm.

We are planning an overnight camping run on the Deadhorse July 14th and back on the 15th. We dont' expect it to be like the spring or fall, but could be fun if we get some rain before the ride. So far we have about 10 riders going with potential for many more. We plan on camping by Clam Lake. Some will tent and others will stay in a hotel there.

PM me for more info.

 

Thanks for the info on the trails both sound fun, How many miles is the dead horse, trail? also do you think it is possible for 2x4 to make it through , we are going next weekend, a couple guys have 2 wheel drives, the rest have 4x4s thanks for info.

 

It is about 80 miles round trip from Loretta. We ride out of Ojibwa, down the Tuscobia (dusty) trail, to the trail head. That adds about 40 miles to the trip, there and back.

We always have 2x4 machines on our runs. When the trail is bad then a pull, push, or winch is occasionally required. No big deal. You just can't intentionally run into the deep holes with them like you can with the 4x4. This trail can put your front locker to good use.

With as dry as it has been I don't think the trail will be bad. They did have some rain up there this last week, but I don't think it was enough to make a big difference. Hard to say. You'll find out when you run it. The dust may be the worst part.

Back in April it was pretty tame. Although, after 12 machines went through it was harder coming back down the trail for some. A few machines needed to be winched out. The following week it poured 5 inches in the area. The trails were wicked the week after that. My friends pics from that ride.

July should be tame also.

Watch the radiators for clogging and overheating machines. It is common there with the mud, dust and water. We take along a 12v blaster pump from Cabelas and stop at water holes to rinse out when needed (usually half way back from the top). There is a deep water hole, mid way somewhere, that we run through a few times also. It has a solid rocky bottom so have at it.

High Water Spot (6MB) on the 101 at the Flambeau trail system. You need the DIVX codec first to view my clips.

Have fun.

 

I thought the trail exit off of the Tuscobia to the Deadhorse was right by the gas station in Loretta, but my friend corrected me. If I was on the trail I could figure it out, but from memory I recalled it different. The little details blur when you are following someone who knows the trail well.

Here is the transcription:

Ostie,

Loretta is 5 miles from where the trail leaves Hwy 70? I thought that exit trail, heading north, was right next to the gas station in Loretta? No? Or is that Draper?

No that is fine. We'll go in where ever you think we should. I am just trying to remember where we got off of the Tuscobia at. I recall the gas station. Then I thought the trail exiting the Tuscobia was right next to the gas station in Loretta. After that, I thought we ran north, a bit, to the start of the Deadhorse.

I ask because I want to make sure I give someone else the right information. Someone whom is heading there next weekend.

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After we fueled up we hopped back on the Tuscobia, headed east 4 or 5 miles and that is where we hooked up with the Dead Horse. I know what your talking about because we cross back over hwy 70 when leaving the station, but it is east.

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I hope this helps.

DWB

 

Hey Dirty White Boy , do you ride anywhere locally ? I think we might br headding out by zion to waukegan this sun.

 

The Deadhorse trailhead at Loretta is around 1.5 - 2 miles north of Loretta on County Highway GG. It is on the west (left as you go north) side of the road. It is marked with a brown sign. There are other places to access the trail as well, but this one has lots of parking. You can not go as fast on Deadhorse as most other trails (if you ride safely) because of the mud,rocks etc, hence it takes longer to get anywhere. Get an early start if you want to go past Clam Lake. As for the Flambeau trail system, I always put in at the trailhead east of Fifield on Hy 70. Its around 6 miles? east of Hy 13 and on the north side of Hy 70. It is also marked with a brown sign-here you have to pay $3.00 to park. There are scattered mud holes on this trail, and some are actually pretty good. On trail number 101 there is a "lake" in the trail. It is around 150 yds long (you can not see one end from the other because of a bend in the trail) and comes up to the top of my tires on my AC 400I with 27" tires. Stay in the center as it's all gravel. The forest service is building a trail around this section so if you don't go through it soon you will not have the chance.Last weekend 10 made it through (2 AC, 3polaris, 3 honda, and 2 yamaha), but 3 honda 300's drowned out. Be careful. We usually ride to the Moose Jaw resort, have lunch, and head back on different trails. Around 50-60 miles round trip. Here you can make pretty good time if you want to. Have fun

 

No, except occasionally the chain of lakes when they are frozen.

We usually ride all over the upper half of WI.

Where do you ride around Waukegan? I recall a short track and/or an MX area down there somewhere. A guy I worked with used to race MX and practiced there.

I prefer the longer trail runs.


BA,

Where are they putting in that trail? I was just up there and have been quite a bit lately. I didn't notice any trail work. What makes you say that they will close off that high water spot altogether?

It would be nice if they would complete a 103/104 connector to the 105 so people wouldn't run down the ditch. Or just let them run the ditch legally....

Where is the parking off of GG? North of the trail head? Each time I have been down the Tuscobia to the DH I have yet to see a parking lot near the trailhead. It would be nice to know.

 

We follow the train tracks from wuakegan that go past the kenosha power plant . There is some hairy creek crossings and some mud pits.

 

When we were putting our machines back on the trailer at Flambeau, the Forest Service Ranger was there. He asked my wife and I if we went through and how deep it was. He told us they are building a bypass around the "lake" because too many people complain they don't want to go thru it and have to turn around. If I remember correctly, he said the new trail will be north of the water and not anywhere near it.
The parking at Loretta is around 2 miles north of 70 on GG. It is on the left (west) side of the road marked with a brown forest service sign. There is an outhouse there and a trail map. Parking is free.