Over the past few years, MI-TRALE has been working with the Ottawa National Forest Service on specific plans for improvements at the Courtney Recreation Area in Mass City, Michigan. 
To effect the latest of these improvements-Campsites #2,3,4 & 6 will be closed from Saturday, August 3rd to Tuesday, August 6th.  

Check out the HORSE TRAILS tab, Updates option, here on the website, for full details on this improvement, as well as future updates.

MISERY BAY LAKE SUPERIOR HORSE RIDING

An opportunity for horseback riding along the Lake Superior Shoreline is happening! The sands are, once again, plentiful and safe for you and your mount to enjoy. The beauty and force of a vast lake that meets the great expanse of the sky is something you will surely want to experience~~We promise! Check out the HORSE TRAILS tab, Maps/Trails option and scroll down a little. You will find directions on how to get to this beautiful location.

                        ~~Your MI-TRALE Equestrian Committee

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources wants to know how you use and enjoy the more than 13,400 miles of state-designated trails in Michigan. If you’ve ever been out on a state trail, please take some time and fill out our survey at: 

https://midnr.info/TrailsExperienceSurvey. The department is committed to making trail experiences the best they can be, so please tale a minute to let them know about your experiences and interests. Thank you and pass along to other folks who hike, walk, run, ride, ski, or paddle throughout Michigan.

Saturday, June 29, 2024
9 AM – 3 PM

Where: Meet at:
Hamilton’s North Coast Adventures 28905 L P Walsh Rd Ontonagon, MI
(46.74750, -89.46963)
W3W: charismatic.sketch.dished

Join Tread Lightly! & OnX Offroad to Do Your Part to #ProtectTheAdventure and #ProtectTheFun during our Tread Lightly! Day Michigan event for a cleanup project in the Ottawa National Forest.

What to bring: Long Pants, closed toe shoes, safety glasses, sunscreen, bug spray, headnets, metal tine rake, scoop shovel, work gloves, snacks and water

Adopt some helpful habits you can use all year

The Michigan Invasive Species Program is joining the North American Invasive Species Management Association to promote PlayCleanGo Awareness Week, taking place this year June 1-8. The annual event aims to educate outdoor enthusiasts on the importance of stopping the spread of invasive species while enjoying the great outdoors.

“Nearly 50% of endangered or threatened fish, wildlife and plants are at risk due to invasive species, which people unintentionally spread with their boots, tires, boats, firewood, pets, horses and more,” said Joanne Foreman, Invasive Species Program communications coordinator with the Department of Natural Resources. “But the good news is, by taking a few easy steps, everyone spending time in nature can be part of the solution.”

On every outdoor adventure remember to:Clean footwear with a boot brush.Remove invasive plants and dispose properly.Pick seeds and burrs off clothes and gear.Clean mud and seeds from dogs and horses.Hose off bikes or all-terrain vehicles with water or compressed air.Clean, drain and dry boats, and dispose of any invasive plants.Don’t move firewood; buy it where you burn it.”PlayCleanGo Awareness Week is about more than just spreading awareness – it’s about taking meaningful action to protect our environment,” added Teagan Wilmot, North American Invasive Species Management Association education and prevention manager. “Together, we can make a difference and stop invasive species in their tracks.

Ride Right’ for safe, responsible, off-road fun

Off-road vehicles are fun year-round, but ORV activity ramps up in spring and summer as people head to Michigan trails and ORV scramble areas to enjoy world-class riding experiences.  Keeping safety in mind is vital on any ride, for you and others. According to 2023 statewide ORV crash data, 93% of ORV fatalities could have been prevented. These crashes were primarily due to excessive speed and a lack of helmet/seat belt use.“Always ride within your and the machine’s capabilities,” said Cpl. Mike Hearn, DNR law enforcement ORV and snowmobile specialist. “When operators ride too fast, they are more likely to lose control when they hit even the smallest bump, try to make turns or stop. Riding sober and at a safe speed are the best ways to stay safe.” All ORV operators are urged to “Ride Right” and keep this important guidance in mind: Operate within the limits of your ORV and your own capabilities. Ride at a safe speed. Ride sober. Ride on the right side of the trail. Keep lights on when riding. Always wear a helmet. Do your part to ensure everyone returns home safely; read more about ORV safety at Michigan.gov/RideRight. For more on where to ride and ORV laws in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/ORVInfo.

Before you strike that match, take steps to keep your fire contained

Summer is the season of grills, campfires, sparklers and fireworks, and with hotter, dryer weather comes fire season. To protect people, wildlife and landscapes, it’s important to follow fire safety tips and be prepared in case your fire does something unpredictable. Here are some basic safety guidelines:  When making a campfire, build it in a ring or pit. Never leave a fire unattended, even for a moment. When you’re done, douse your fire thoroughly with water, stir and douse again.When using fireworks, keep a hose handy and make sure to soak used sparklers in water before discarding them. Never shoot fireworks into dry grass, brush or trees. When barbecuing, never leave the grill unattended and keep a water source nearby.If you are planning work, not play, for your holiday weekend, make sure your yard cleanup is safe. When towing trailers or equipment, ensure tow chains don’t drag and cause sparks, and avoid using heavy machinery like lawnmowers in dry areas. Always keep a water source handy.Debris burning is the top cause of wildfires in Michigan. Check whether burn permits are being issued or if weather conditions allow for safe burning before you burn. Check the burn permit page or call 866-922-BURN (866-922-2876) for more information. Use firewise landscaping tips at home, too, to maintain a safe space around your house. Trim low branches, remove dead vegetation and keep firewood piles a safe distance away.Nine out of 10 wildfires are caused by people. If you see a fire grow out of control, call 911 immediately. Swift action can save lives.

ICYMI: Tips to stay healthy during poor air quality days

The 2024 North American wildfire season is underway and warmer weather is increasing the risk of higher ozone levels.In case you missed it, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is suggesting Michigan residents take steps to protect themselves from risks related to poor air quality.Monitor the air quality index on the AirNow website, or sign up for alerts through the EnviroFlash system. Keep an eye on the news and weather and be prepared in case of smoke.Before a wildfire smoke event, MDHHS recommends you: Familiarize yourself with your forced air HVAC system or your window air conditioning unit. If it has a fresh-air intake or outdoor air damper, you will need to close it during a smoke event.  Ensure you have replacement air filters that are rated MERV-13 or higher. Consider purchasing a portable air cleaner. If you don’t have one, you can make a do-it-yourself air filter.  Help neighbors and family members plan for possible wildfire smoke. If you have asthma or other respiratory illnesses, heart disease, diabetes or another health condition that may make you more sensitive to wildfire smoke, talk to your health care provider ahead for guidance. Children under 18, anyone over the age of 60, pregnant people and outdoor workers are also more at risk. Talk to your health care provider ahead of time to make a plan. Find more information on the MDHHS Your Health and Wildfire Smoke page.

Brush up on Great Lakes beach safety tips

Summer temperatures are here, and the water is calling! Many state parks, but not all, offer swim areas identified by buoys or markers, a beach flag warning system and water depth less than 5 feet at the time of installation. Before you jump in, make sure to keep safety in mind, especially on big water. Remember the Great Lakes are large, powerful water systems that hold more than 20% of the world’s fresh water. Strong currents can catch even the most experienced swimmer off guard.To keep everyone safe, follow these must-know tips: Check weather conditions and beach flags in buoyed swim areas (double-red flags = water access closed, red flag = high hazard, yellow flag = medium hazard, green flag = low hazard). By law, you cannot enter the water from the beach when double-red flags are flying or if otherwise directed.  Choose buoyed swim areas located in state parks. Swim areas offer additional safety measures and visual cautions. It’s important to note that not all state parks have designated swim areas.  Never swim alone, especially children. Keep close watch on children and weaker swimmers: Stay within arm’s reach, have them wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, be conscious of their limits and take breaks frequently. Be aware of water temperatures. Water can be much colder than the ambient air temperature might suggest, especially in larger bodies of water like the Great Lakes. Sudden immersion and/or sustained time in cold water can cause cold shock, making it hard to breathe and increasing your risk of drowning.Learn more about these beach safety tips, including information about the benefits of buoyed swim areas, the beach flag warning system, how to spot (and escape) Great Lakes currents and more at Michigan.gov/BeachSafety.

Below are the snowmobile and the ORV permits and use through January 2024.

2024 Snowmobile season (2023-2024) sales is lowest in 5 years so far for obvious reasons.

The ORV stickers sales while decreasing the last four years is still up from 2020. Trail use is actually up from the previous year some but a decline from the high-point report year dated 2021. PLEASE NOTE: Sales and use under 2024 is actually 2023 use/sales (and so on). Seasonal overlap is at minimal by the state reporting these numbers end of January

DNR celebrates reopening of Dollar Bay to Lake Linden trail segment

By JOHN PEPIN

Deputy public information officer

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Supporters and partners joined the Michigan Department of Natural Resources today in Houghton County to celebrate the reopening of a roughly 8-mile segment of snowmobile and off-road vehicle trail devastated by a historic storm in 2018.

In what is likely the Michigan DNR’s largest trail repair project, $10.5 million was spent for work that took contributions of time, money and expertise from numerous sources and years to complete.

“The bottom line of why we do this stuff and why we spend the money and the resources and that’s to provide people with an enrichment and in the end it’s lifelong memories,” said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division. “’Cause when you ride down a trail like this, what you remember is what’s important and the experience that you have.”

Olson said the trail also provides opportunities beyond economic benefits and tourism for improved health and well-being. He said a trail outing can help reduce stress.

“You can ease yourself and you can enjoy yourself and forget about some of the problems of the day,” Olson said.

The Father’s Day flood in June 2018 dumped 7 inches of rain over the Houghton-Hancock area in the span of only a few hours.

Coupled with the steep terrain of the surrounding hills, the rain rushing downhill washed out or plugged numerous culverts and damaged or destroyed roads, homes, streets, trails and other places where the water sought its level.

Among these features was the Dollar Bay to Lake Linden segment of Trail No. 3, which was constructed from a decommissioned railroad line.

In the wake of the historic storm, repair work was needed at 171 sites along the 7.8 miles of recreation trail. Just over 100 culverts needed to be replaced and 34 major washouts needed repair.

“Some of the washouts were 80-feet deep and 240-feet across,” said Ron Yesney, Upper Peninsula trails coordinator for the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division.

The damage to this part of the trail was so great that many feared the trail segment might never be rebuilt. But with the help and considerable efforts of several state agencies, lawmakers and other partners, the nearly $11 million project to reopen the trail has now been realized.

“Getting this project engineered and constructed was a monumental task,” Yesney said. “I’m real proud of the effort to restore this trail and I am thankful to all those who participated in the reconstruction.”

Speakers at today’s ribbon-cutting commemoration, along the trail in Dollar Bay, included Olson, Yesney and DNR U.P. Field Deputy Stacy Welling-Haughey and state 110th District Rep. Greg Markkanen, Daryl St. John of the Keweenaw ATV Club and Ryan LaPorte of the Keweenaw Snowmobile Club.

“This trail is just incredible,” Markkanen said. “I want to commend the DNR for their commitment to this project, and they finally get it done, everyone’s here today, it’s just a very emotional moment.”

Markkanen also praised the “phenomenal” work done by construction crews on the trail restoration project.

He applauded restored access to recreation opportunities going north from Dollar Bay to Lake Linden.

“It’s so important to our economy, to our local businesses, to our groups and to our communities as a whole,” Markkanen said.

Those gathered for the ceremony stood on the trail behind a red ribbon drawn tautly to be cut by St. John in celebration of the trail work’s completion.

“Everyone here had something to do with this, please come and stand here with us,” Haughey said.

About 60 people attended the event.

Funding for the $10.5 million project was derived from numerous sources, including $4 million in a state general fund appropriation allocated through the Michigan Economic Development Corp., $2 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, $2.1 million from state ORV funds compiled from fiscal years beginning in 2018, $1.5 million in federal Land and Water Conservation Fund granting and $.5 million in snowmobile program money.

DNR partners on the project included the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the Michigan Department of Transportation, Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, B&B Contracting, DP Construction, Bacco Construction Co., MD Contracting, Blue Line Sit Solutions and OHM Advisors.

Find out more about Michigan’s thousands of miles of recreational trails.

Check out previous Showcasing the DNR stories in our archive at Michigan.gov/DNRStories. To subscribe to upcoming Showcasing articles, sign up for free email delivery at Michigan.gov/DNREmail.