TRY MICHIGAN’S EASTERN UPPER PENINSULA FOR UNIQUE TRAILS AND AWESOME SCENERY

By Rick Fowler

The clearance of the trail and the fact that it has well marked, visible trail cues, maintain the popularity of this trail near Curtis.

The snowmobile trails north of the Mackinaw Bridge which connects Michigan’s peninsulas, are well known throughout the Mid-west. There are literally hundreds of miles of them occupying the Upper Peninsula of this Great Lake state for winter enthusiasts to enjoy. However, there are fewer people who realize that though less, there are also miles of trails available for ATV’s. Since 1989 the State of Michigan has expanded and regulated this unique opportunity for off-roaders with the development of specifically designed trails.

According to the “Summer Guide to the Tahquamenon Area”, “the number of trails has not expanded significantly over the last fifteen years, yet the quality of the paths with specific standards of maintenance observed through the system which are funded through a Department of Natural Resources grant program”. For instance, in the Newberry area much of the upkeep of trails is done by local ATV enthusiasts like the Tahquamenon Motorcycle Club whose members perform a variety of maintenance work. Because of their unselfish work an eight-foot by fifty inch opening for ATV’s and an eight-foot by forty inch opening for motorcycles is consistently available. They also brush the trails and remove hazards like fallen logs.

In addition, placing confidence markers, five by five inch triangle signs (bright orange) are in place. These signs are posted every one tenth of a mile and are an important and environmental precaution for riders to stay on the trail from start to finish. According to Wayne Wheeler, off-road vehicle specialists for the Michigan Department of Natural

Many of the trails in the Eastern Upper Peninsula offer a myriad of views of wetlands, streams, rivers and lakes. This is one such stream near the trail off of H-33 near Curtis.

Resources, “The off road vehicle program tries to impact the environment as little as possible. After all, riding snowmobiles across frozen ground cannot do the same damage as ATV’s, so we have to be conscious of where trails are placed. Off-road trails are carefully planned, and can include all types of terrain, including open areas, dense pine forests, hills and two-track straight aways. In the Upper Peninsula, State Forest roads are always open to off-road traffic unless otherwise posted.”

Five trails are open to riders in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. The Naubinway-Sandtown, Silver Creek, Newberry-Brevort, Trout Lake, and the Pine Ridge-Two hearted trails. In addition, many county roads permit ORV’s if riders are single file within the outer five feet of the road.

For more information about off-roading regulations and detailed maps, contact the DNR’s Newberry Operational Service Center at (906) 293-5131.