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
Whether your Fourth of July plans include fireworks, camping, off-road vehicle riding or free time to work around the yard, take care to keep from sparking a wildfire.
“Nine out of 10 fires are caused by people, and we all need to be careful when we’re using fireworks or doing other outdoor activities,” said Paul Rogers, fire prevention specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Fire danger has been on the lower side this year due to regular rain, but that doesn’t mean there is no risk, especially with fireworks.
“Don’t shoot fireworks into the woods or tall grass, as you can easily start a fire that way,” Rogers said. “Also, it’s important to check local ordinances to make sure you respect your neighbors and use fireworks only on the holiday and adjacent days when they are allowed.”
Here are some other fire safety tips to keep in mind through the holiday and the weekend.
At camp
| Build your fire in a fire ring on bare ground, away from trees or low-hanging tree branches.When finished with your fire, douse it thoroughly with water, stir the ashes and douse again. Repeat until cool.Watch for embers that can float out of a fire and ignite dry grass or leaves. |
Learn more about fire safety and burning at Michigan.gov/FireManagement.
A long holiday weekend means many people will enjoy one of the fastest-growing recreation activities in Michigan – off-road vehicle riding. If you’ll be on a quad, side-by-side, dirt bike or other type of ORV, the DNR wants everyone to Ride Right to ensure you ride again.
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 these important safety tips in mind:
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.
Questions? Email Cpl. Mike Hearn at .
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
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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
!REMINDER! !REMINDER! !REMINDER!
If you haven’t already done so, this is just a friendly little reminder from your MI-TRALE Membership Committee to please send in your Membership Renewal Dues for 2024.
Your Membership dollars are crucial to our being able to maintain and improve our trails in the excellent condition that we do for safe and premium riding for all trail riding enthusiasts that travel our trails throughout the year in our beautiful section of the Western UP of Michigan.
As a “Thank You” for your Membership, you receive MI-TRALEs 2024 colorful Membership Decal, (to proudly display on your ATV!), your 2024 MI-TRALE Membership Card and a copy of our paper trails map. (Don’t forget you can always use our Map App: MICHIGAN UP TRAILS.)
Renewal is easy! You can go to our website: HYPERLINK “https://www.mi-trale.org” www.mi-trale.org, select the CLUB STUFF tab/Membership option and it will give you all the information you need. You can renew there via PayPal or print out the application form, fill it out, and mail it in with your check to the address shown above ATTN: MEMBERSHIP. If you should have any other questions, please contact Membership Chair Cathy Wainio at: HYPERLINK “mailto:”
We truly appreciate your continued Membership and loyalty to MI-TRALE. Without your funds we wouldn’t be able to keep on doing all that we do to have such awesome trails. Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
MI-TRALE Membership Committee
