Ore to Shore

The Ore to Shore is set in the beautiful Upper Peninsula and utilizes much of the same trail as the popular Noquemanon Ski Marathon. HARD ROCK (48 MILE POINT-TO-POINT) The race course traverses some of the most scenic terrain available in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The course starts in downtown Negaunee, which is the “birthplace” of iron ore mining in Michigan. The first two miles will be a roll-out on pavement, and then the race will hit the dirt as you make your way to Ishpeming. There you will detour through downtown and travel the city streets for another mile. Then you’re back on the trails. The course will roll with the hills as you gradually drop in elevation to Marquette. You will be captivated as you pass by the lakes, rivers, ponds, and wildlife along the way. The course is wide enough the entire way to allow for easy and safe passage, but yet remains “tunneled” by nearby trees to give the sense of winding your way through the forests. Approaching the city of Marquette, you are still in the highlands, look off in the distance for a beautiful view of Lake Superior and the final destination. The course passes through local mining history in the area. Look for the following sites along the way: Cliff’s Shaft, Rope’s Gold Mine Haul Road, L.S. & I. Railroad’s Presque Isle Ore Dock, and many other intriguing points of interest. SOFT ROCK (28 MILE POINT-TO-POINT) Like its HARD ROCK counterpart, the SOFT ROCK rolls over much of the same terrain. From the start in Negaunee, you will immediately begin your journey to Marquette. After a 2 mile roll -out on pavement, you will connect to dirt trails. At about the halfway point, you will merge trails with the HARD ROCK course and will be afforded the same splendid vistas as you make your way to the shores of Lake Superior. SHORE ROCK (10 MILE) The Shore Rock offers an entry-level distance for the rider looking to try mountain bike racing, or for kids wanting to expand beyond the Junior Rock. Starting at Lakeview A