Bill Nicholls Multi-Use Snowmobile and ATV Trail in the Keweenaw Peninsula Food and Lodging on the Snowmobile Trail Conditions for the Upper Peninsula
The end points of the trail are at Houghton and Adventure Mountain, near of Mass City, MI. Suggested trailheads are at Houghton, South Range, Toivola, Twin Lakes, and Mass City. Length: 40.5 miles ATV and Snowmobile Multi-Use Trail If you are looking for a rail trail in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan that is scenic and challenging, this could be the trail for you. After all, how many rail-trails have Adventure Mountain and the old Adventure Mine as a trailhead? Abandoned in 1972 by the Copper Range Railroad, this corridor has served primarily as a snowmobile and ATV trail since its acquisition by the Department of Natural Resources in 1974. The trail begins on Canal Drive, west of downtown Houghton, and parking is available at Veramize Park (south of the trail) along the Portage Lake Ship Canal. From the park, go up the hill on Lake Avenue and turn right on Canal Drive. The trail starts on the south side of the road. The trail turns south about 11/2 miles later, where a scenic overlook offers views of the Portage Lake Ship Canal. Beyond the overlook the trail continues to climb for another 2.5 miles, you will cross your first road before approaching some houses.
A mile beyond the houses, the trail splits and you should stay to the right. The trail splits again 0.3 miles later at a location known as Mill Mine Junction. Here you veer to the left. The trail to the right is the Freda Trail. After another mile, you will reach a sign over the trail welcoming you to South Range 5 miles south of Houghton. This town offers various services, most of which appear listed on the sign over the trail. If you want a great place to stay on the trail, try the new Wildlife Refuge Housekeeping Cabins in South Range. 4 cabins sleep 1-6 and 2 cabins sleep up to 10. Fireplaces, sauna, TV, VCR, rental snowmobiles and ATV's delivered to your cabin. A couple of miles south of South Range, outside the community of Painesdale, the trail enters an area heavily impacted by mining activities. The trail passes old ruins and mine tailings as well as an old Copper Range Railroad rail car. The trail continues past another old mining operation and through a tunnel of trees. Then, with a tower as your beacon, you arrive at the community of Toivola, which offers a restaurant and a small grocery store. This is nearly nine miles outside of South Range. From Toivola to the State Park at Twin Lakes - about eight miles-the trail passes several small lakes and traverses scenic woodlands. The trail parallels M-26 for seven miles, allowing easy access to nearby businesses that cater to park users and also to Twin Lakes State Park.
Stop at Krupps Mini Mart in Twin Lakes for something to eat, hot coffee, gas, sparkplugs or belts. You will usually find some great pasties waiting, along with delicious broasted chicken and sandwiches. If you want a weeks lodging or just to spend the night contact Richard and Sandy at Krupps Resort, make your reservations early. The Parkview Lodge, Lounge, and Grill is across from Twin Lakes State Park in Twin Lakes and offers lodging and a full service restaurant and lounge. Stop and warm up by the fireplace or check out the latest sporting event on the big screen satellite TV. Large groups will find the Yooper Lodge in Twin Lakes perfect for their group. The four bedroom lodge sleeps up to 14 people. Yooper Bungalow and Yooper Cabin are available for smaller groups. Twin Lakes is the highest snowfall area in the midwest with an average snowfall of 390 inches. The snowfall in this part of the country is perfect for snowmobiling. It isn't measured in inches, it's measured by feet ! (usually around 16-20 feet between December and April.)
After crossing the bridges, the trail crosses M-38 less than two miles after the last bridge and then splits a half-mile later. Stay to the right, although it looks as if you should go to the left. This section is quite rugged. Look for a sign that points you to the right. From here the trail goes cross-country for 1.5 miles to the trailhead at Adventure Mountain. Food and Lodging on the
Trail: Big Buck Rental Cabin, Highway M-38, Greenland, MI 49929, Phone: 906-884-4715. Newly built log cabin with one bedroom, sleeping loft with 2 twin beds, and a sofa sleeper in living area. Complete kitchen, gas fireplace, and easy access to snowmobile, atv, and mountain bike trails. 13 miles south of Ontonagon near the Ottawa National Forest and only a short distance from the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Krupps All Season Resort, 32170 Emily Lake Road - Twin Lakes, Toivola MI 49965. 906-288-3404. Weekly & Nightly Rates for Modern 1,2, &3 bedroom Lakefront Cabins on beautiful Twin Lakes! Sleep from 1 to 8 people. Campground. Reasonable Rates. Located 23 Miles South of Houghton Michigan on M-26. Highest snowfall area in the midwest. 390" average. Parkview Lodge , Lounge, and Grill, 32423 N. Highway M-26, Twin Lakes, Toivola, MI 49965. Phone: 906-288-3288. The Lodge has 16 rooms with queen-sized beds, satellite TV, refrigerators, and coffee makers. Handicap accessible unit. Indoor heated pool, whirlpool, and sauna. Full service restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Lounge with big screen satellite TV. Internet access available. 26 miles south of Houghton on the Bill Nicholls snowmobile trail and across from Twin Lakes State Park for ice fishing and cross-country skiing. Twin Lakes Resort, 32970 N. Parkside Drive, HC 1, Box 213, Twin Lakes, near Toivola, MI 49965. (906) 288-3666. Midway between Houghton and Ontonagon in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan. Quiet and comfortable lakefront vacation cottages on Lake Roland, fully equipped, 2 and 3 Bedrooms, monthly rentals available. Sand beach for swimming and water sports. Good fishing spot. Open mid-May thru mid-Oct. Wildlife Refuge Cabins, 101 Wildlife Lane, P.O. Box 508, South Range, MI 49963. Call 906-482-1001 or 888-510-1001. Six fully furnished new housekeeping cabins, 3 cabins sleep 1-6, 2 cabins sleep up to 10, and 1 is handicap accessible. Fireplaces, sauna, TV, VCR, on the Bill Nicholls Trail. Rental snowmobiles and ATV's delivered to your door. 5 miles south of Houghton on M-26, within walking distance of taverns, restaurants, gas and supplies. Yooper Lodge, Yooper Bungalow, and Yooper Cabin, 31372 Highway M-26, Twin Lakes, Toivola, MI 49956. Phone: 906-288-3734. Yooper Lodge is located on 8 acres of wooded land with a full kitchen, satellite TV, VCR, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, and sleeper sofas in the living room. Sleeps up to 14. Yooper Cabin is nearby and has a full kitchen, one bedroom with twin beds and a sleeper sofa in the living room. Easy access to Bill Nicholls trail for snowmobiling and ATVing. Gas nearby. Twin Lakes State Park for swimming, boating, and fishing 2 miles north of the Lodge and 3 miles to Wyandotte Golf Course. The Bill Nicholls Trail is also open for ATVing and mountain biking. There are connecting trails and back roads to use in the Mass City area that connect to the Rockland to Bergland Trail. Please use designated trails and back roads and not the snowmobile trails.
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The
trail continues on for about 15.5 miles to the trailhead at
Adventure Mountain. Near the park, the trail parallels M-26
for a few miles. After crossing M-26 you will enter the
trail's most scenic section, which stretches nearly 11
miles. The highlights include crossing the Firesteel River
(on three successive steel bridges that total 1,288 feet in
length and have a maximum clearance over the water of 85
feet).