Watch This BEFORE You Go To DRUMMOND ISLAND (Part 2/2)

[@dennisdeman3514]

Glad I traveled and hunted the island before you guys ever showed up - now it’s trashed.

[@TrailExpedition]

I practice tread lightly and actively pick up trash while trail riding. I’d like these trails to stay open as long as possible. Maybe don’t point fingers and place blame where it is not warranted.

[@dennisdeman3514]

@@TrailExpedition i’m not talking about actual trash. I’m talking about the actual trashing of the roads on the island and average person used to be able to drive their pick up truck or even two wheel car around the island. Those days are long gone. The trails may be open to you with your $80,000 Jeep but they’re not open to anybody else that’s what I’m talking about.

[@TrailExpedition]

Well with the recent “smoothing” of the trails they recently did up there, all the 2WD pickups can get just about anywhere on the island. The steps at Marblehead were recently destroyed to allow all traffic to pass through it.

[@dennisdeman3514]

@@TrailExpedition ok to be quite honest I haven’t been up there to travel the back roads in probably 20 years. I’ve been up to the island many times the last 20 years as a matter of fact, just a month ago or so but the last time I tried to travel the back roads it was impossible, even with a four-wheel-drive truck so perhaps things have changed and not as bad as they were last time I was back there. That’s a plus 👍🏻

[@TrailExpedition]

@@dennisdeman3514 I guess it depends on what you’re into. A lot of the off-road community is upset as the trails are no longer a challenge. It was the last place in Michigan that was challenging. For hunters and fishermen the smoothing of the trails is probably a blessing. Michigan no longer offers any offroad challenges.

[@vitomitchell1]

That was an ingenious recovery. Not sure why anybody would be upset.....

[@TrailExpedition]

Right! I recently saw a clip of one jeep pulling another jeep out on its axle housing because the same thing happened to them. Ruined the front end of the jeep and tore up the trail. If only they had an old Cherokee door to use as a sled!

[@charliedee9276]

I stopped going to Drummond 30 years ago because of all the quad rider aholes. Knew they were going to ruin it for the future, appears that I was right. Back then the locals were cool, but I can see why they have attitudes now.

[@TrailExpedition]

It’s changed so much just in the last ten years. You should pay the island another visit to see how much it’s changed.

[@trailtothevoid]

We didn't go through Connors Hole... my friends were worried about it... I wished we did. We did go up through by the tank traps but we came from marblehead through that area. (We even had a stock JKU taking that on.. so it has bypasses. Lol.)

[@TrailExpedition]

I could see where Connor‘s hole could look intimidating. At its deepest it might be two to maybe 3 feet deep during the wet season. The upside is it does have a hard bottom so you pretty much always have traction. The tank traps have changed so much in the last 10 years. It used to have no bypasses whatsoever and you had to go through all of the hard stuff. Once they logged it a few years back all the bypasses popped up. Thanks for the comment, and I look forward to your video!

[@Michiganjeeper]

Ive never been to drummond, always wanted to go but all my jeep friends have moved on to new hobbies. Im from muskegon area and have been to all the parks in michigan except the island.

[@TrailExpedition]

Right on. Honestly, Michigan doesn’t offer a lot for off-roading compared to out West. The UP and Drummond specifically are the best it has to offer.

[@AdventuresOfRogersAndHenderson]

I’m gonna have to make the trip just to play on the steps!

[@TrailExpedition]

The steps at Marblehead are definitely one of the highlights of the island!

[@AdventuresOfRogersAndHenderson]

@@TrailExpedition have you ever tried wheeling there in colder months?

[@TrailExpedition]

@Rogers.Henderson October is the latest we’ve gone. Once snow starts flying the trails tend to get dominated by snowmobiling.

[@surgicalinstrumentsexplained]

Scott, you really need to include me on your next Drummond trip. I’m not bringing my truck! But I would love to ride along.

[@TrailExpedition]

You got it dude!

[@surgicalinstrumentsexplained]

@@TrailExpedition alright there Mary Kate and Ashley. LOL

[@TrailExpedition]

😂

[@loveracing1988]

The jeep cherokee you mentioned is gone now. Saw some pretty neat pictures of it getting loaded onto a trailer by some co-workers. First time in 3 years we didn't make it to the island this year, miss it already...

[@TrailExpedition]

We figured it was cut up and taken out in pieces. We haven’t missed a year since 2015. We used to go for a full week but now just mostly do a long weekend.

[@crashedking1931]

Hell with those ass holes who complained. apparently they dont wheel they just hug trees and think that everything's was put here for them only. Dont ever let those self entitled pricks have any of your thoughts or time. Pretty good idea on the door thing, Looks like you and your crew had a good time. The audio in your video picks up every sound seriously sensitive clear microphone. Thanks.

[@TrailExpedition]

Hey, thanks for the comment. Doing KZbin I definitely had to develop thick skin because of all the negativity that is out there. And I was using an external microphone for awhile but I went back to just straight up using my iPhone. I adjust the audio in edit so the talking points come through loud and clear.

[@MUCKFOOT399]

worried about tearing it up, but logging is ok? wtf

[@TrailExpedition]

Not to mention the intentional “smoothing” of trails they recently did up there. So dumb!

[@MUCKFOOT399]

@@TrailExpedition smoothing it out! no!

[@TrailExpedition]

Yeah man, they took out half the steps at Marblehead along with some of the other smaller ledges.

[@MUCKFOOT399]

@@TrailExpedition what! no way, that makes me furious!. they are the ones destroying.

[@TrailExpedition]

@@MUCKFOOT399 a lot of people are pissed off about it. Drummond will never be the same.

[@AdventuresOfRogersAndHenderson]

Sorry I’m late!!! Work got crazy… LET’S GO

[@TrailExpedition]

Do it to it!

[@DarksideOffRoad]

Insane the common sense people lack about the door thing. Great video dude! Showed me all the parts I missed out on Twisties lol

[@TrailExpedition]

Thanks! Yeah the twisties is definitely a fun area but high potential of getting stuck. Always a good idea to do that portion with a friend and a winch.

[@2ndchancesadventures]

We love Drummond Island. We SxS, so inevitably people who aren't jeepers can be pretty rude. I saw the video, and while it was creative, I think you should have removed the axel and just gone 3wd to get out. They really need to bulldoze tight Twisties as it's gotten to the point of no longer passable in a couple of spots. We have 17 inches of clearance and 35" tires and was immediately high centered in 2 different areas. Winch for the win, but honestly it's time to redo that trail

[@TrailExpedition]

Tight Twisties is a lot more rutted out now vs ten years ago when we first started going there. However, there are more bypasses now as well. Also, removing the axle shaft would have still resulted in the axle housing dragging along the ground and rutting it up. The door was our best option.

[@wolfe_overland]

When you guys go through the Tight & Twisties section do you stay on the high side or ride the low side? Went through for the forst time a couple months ago and that low side path looked like a challenge if attempted. Wasn't sure what the bottom was like.

[@wolfe_overland]

Hey imagine that. Continued watching the video and my question was answered just a minute later when you got to that section. Lol.

[@TrailExpedition]

Ha! There ya go!

[@jvoss6606]

Crazy how people were complaining about ruining the island, we were up there this weekend and a group was bragging that they were the ones trying to rut out twisties by doing everything in 2wd. Which they were

[@TrailExpedition]

Yeah, people were not happy about us using a door to drag a disabled Jeep out. It honestly was our best option to keep trail damage to a minimum.

[@jvoss6606]

@@TrailExpedition disappointed to see that most the trail from South beach to the main lot has been redone, and is now a level gravel road too.

[@TrailExpedition]

@jvoss6606 I noticed that. Kinda sucks when you’re out there looking for trails.

[@zekeharouff6983]

This place definitely looks like a LOT of fun!! If this is all on an island, must be a BIG island. Where is it? Where are you located? I’m in VA. And to the people who were bashing you about using the door, let them hate. Sounds genius to me. And the fact that you took the door with you and disposed of it properly. How is that ruining anything?! But yes. A wrecked Cherokee and a totally rusted out truck that doesn’t even look like a truck anymore isn’t ruining anything. People are so stupid!! Also. Does this place stay this wet all the time? Or is there a “dry season”? Haha. Nice videos!

[@TrailExpedition]

Hey there! We’re located in Michigan’s lower peninsula and Drummond island is in Michigan’s upper peninsula all the way to the East. It’s a short ferry ride to get to from the town of Detour. And it’s a very big island but it has a small town feel. Only two gas stations, a handful of restaurants, etc. the off-roading is the best Michigan has to offer. And typically it always has water on the trails, however, mid summer to late fall tends to be much drier.

[@zekeharouff6983]

@@TrailExpedition Oh, okay! I understand. When you said it was an island, I didn’t even think it was habited by anybody. But it’s actually a VERY BIG island. I thought it was just terrain with trails. Haha. Thanks for the reply! If I ever find myself up that way for whatever reason, I’ll check it out!

[@TrailExpedition]

@zekeharouff6983 you should! It’s the best off-roading in Michigan!

[@GaryGreenway]

Premiering 3 weeks from now? What kind of experiment is this?

[@TrailExpedition]

I’ve been putting out a ton of content lately and have been spacing the videos five days apart. Uploading them as I finish editing them to keep extra storage cleared up on my computer.

[@jimknarr]

This island is getting trashed to hell by these ATVs and the party goers. Locals are unfriendly and I can totally see why. Not a fun place to go to any more.

[@TrailExpedition]

I do agree that the island has changed drastically in the last ten years. It was a lot more fun when it was unknown. For example, the tank traps used to be impossible but now there are so many bypasses.

[@great207]

Nice video. I was at Drummond for the first time last weekend. I drove my 2015 JKU. My brother in law and his dad drove their Samurais. Tight Twisties was our favorite trail. I hope to visit there again soon.

[@TrailExpedition]

Nice! My JKU is a 2015 as well. Tight Twisties is definitely one of my favorite trails there. Thanks for the comment!

[@GaryGreenway]

A word of advice. Parking out on that far on Marblehead at 13:29 is illegal. There is a line of boulders a couple hundred feet back that you drove through that marks the legal limit from driving and parking. There is, or was, signs saying that. If the DNR sees this, expect some hefty fines. They would love to make an example of a youtuber. You also risk closure of that trail for everyone. Added to that you give the anti-ORV locals fuel for their stereotyping of irresponsible behavior by Jeepers. Please pull this video down until you can edit out that shot.

[@TrailExpedition]

Noted. No sign there when we were there.

[@ForeverJeep]

I gave hell for this awhile back when there was a sign, it was ignored then by all offroaders amd snowmobilers alike. The signs have been gone and boulders gone for past 2 years. Unfortunately the DNR collects funds but does absolutely nothing for trail maintenance.

[@GaryGreenway]

@@ForeverJeep I was up there a couple weeks ago and saw a bit of trail maintenance just north of Connor's hole. I assumed it was getting ready for some winter logging operations, but that's just a guess.

[@TrailExpedition]

We saw several trees marked for logging while we were there.

[@The_GobiJeep]

Yes, it is illegal to be out on the ledge at Marblehead!!! Sounds like you want to be responsible so please spread the word. Education is the key. Thanks