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OHV Trail Safety

We are fast approaching the 2023 Riding season and here are a few things to remember. All this information and more is in the MI-DNR OHV Handbook

OHV Rider Safety Rules and Tips

  • Respect riding conditions and trail closures.
  • During firearm deer season (Nov 15-30) a person cannot operate an ORV in an area where public hunting is permitted from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 to 5 p.m.
  • During snowmobile season (Dec. 1-March 31), it’s preferred that ORV riders use trails and/or open roads not open to snowmobiles.
  • ORVs are not legal on snowmobile trails located on private and federal lands. Know where you are.
  • Snowmobile trail groomers lay smooth paths for snowmobiles. If you encounter a groomed snowmobile trail, it’s imperative that you ride slowly or choose another trail, so you don’t undo the work of trail groomers or inadvertently tear up the trail.
  • Make sure that you are riding trails with an ORV confidence marker.
  • ORVs can tear up terrain easily (even when the ground is frozen). Reckless and careless operation are civil infractions, including fishtailing, doing donuts, locking up the brakes and riding in a manner that causes environmental damage.
  • Be sure your vehicle is in good mechanical order and has fuel for the ride.
  • Wear protective clothing for the environment you will be traveling in.
  • Always use a helmet and goggles to protect yourself from road debris and twigs.
  • Do not remove or replace factory muffler or air box. All machines must have a spark arrestor to operate on MI Trails.
  • Make sure your lights work properly-ride with lights on for safety (some states like WI require lights on while moving).
  • Ride at a safe speed.
  • Ride Right. Stay Right on Trails and Authorized riding areas.
  • Ride sober and safe.
  • Ride with a group.
  • Operate within the limits of your ORV and yourself.
  • Only transport a passenger when the ORV has been manufactured to carry a passenger (2 Up). Aftermarket add-ons do not permit a passenger to ride on/in a machine legally. Refer to the manufacturer’s user manual for clarification.
  • Stay on the trail an ensure the area you intend to ride is open to ORV activity.
  • Stay off state highways (those designated as M or US).

Be Prepared

  • Expect the Unexpected-Severe Weather, Illness, Injury Mechanical Failure or being Lost
  • Know your terrain and be prepared to adjust for changing environmental conditions.
  • Carry First Aid kit, Current Maps, GPS and Cell Phone.
  • Create a ride plan and share it with others. A ride plan includes the times and locations you will be riding, along with check-in points.
  • Tell Someone where you are traveling and with whom and when you will return.

Get Ready-Get Set-RIDE

Attention Horse lovers! It’s time to drag the tack out and prepare for the 2022 riding season. It’s time to start the chore list:

1. Clean and treat all leather surfaces 2. Check all the leather strapping for tears or breaks that might fail when out riding 3. Check, clean and polish all metal surfaces to remove dirt and rust 4. Clean all Horse blankets and pads removing dirt and foreign objects that may injure your animal 5. Check you maps to be sure they are up to date and that the trails you want to ride are or may be closed because of logging 6. Make reservation’s if required at any campgrounds you plan on using. 7. Check your First Aid kits and replace all out of date items.

The Courtney Campground is close to being finished. We have small amounts of signage and ground prep that needs to be done. Please consider helping this fabulous project to a completion by attending a work day. Email the MI-TRALE Equine Director, Cathy, for information on how to help.

2023 Dates to Remember

Check out the 2023 Calendar for Meeting Dates, Rides and Events. You will also find Ride specific dates under Rides. We will post the itineraries closer to the ride dates. Posting of any Equestrian rides will be coming soon. If you have any questions please contact any club Officer or Director

Geocaching

Geocaching is a fun activity that is enjoyed by many worldwide. You can look for Cache’s everywhere in your area as well as around the world. MI-TRALE sponsors a number of of these fun treasure finds that are hidden in our area.

Watch for more on this exciting sport and Check out our new Geocaching page under Club Stuff. Download the Geocaching app and get ready to JOIN the FUN. If you’d like to help in maintaining a few of our cache’s contact any club officer.

TRAFx Counters

Our counts for the season have been completed and we are now looking at our trails under the snow. We get lots of hits to count as you can imagine especially when a tractor pulling a big hunk of iron over the counter.

Check out the new TRAFX tab under ATV/ORV for more information and what kind of reports we can generate!

Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac

Just a reminder! Poisonous! Do not touch!!

Spring Riding Where and When?

Everyone’s getting restless to get out on the trails and over here in the Western UP we have a mixed bag when it comes to where you can ride before May 16. You need to do your homework for the early spring riding to assure you are riding on legal trails

  • DNR has multi-use routes that are open all year. The routes are BN, SL, SB, OR, a portion of the LL & P
  • Ottawa National Forest has trails with a seasonal designation and those are closed March 16-May15
  • MI-TRALE’s has many club routes on county roads and they are open all year CL, CR, CE, NR, CW, G, F, CCE, CCW, ES, DH
  • M-DOT ROW’s are closed Dec.1 to April 30: MI-TRALE’s trail system has ROW (highway right of ways) where it is legal to ride on the highway but only May1 to Nov 30. So right now you cannot use them. These ROW’s are main connectors and very important to the trail system so please respect the Law, we don’t want to lose them.
  • ROW’s are located on
  • LL Route you cannot go along US45 by Northern Waters Casino in Watersmeet or in Paulding along US45
  • ES Route south of Lake Gogebic you cannot go along US2 to connect to the SL
  • NR Route you cannot go along M64 in Ontonagon
  • P Trail you cannot go along M28 in Bergland

Check out MI-TRALE’s FREE map app “Michigan UP Trails” google play store or apple store

ROW’s for ORV’s (Highway Right of Way)

M-DOT ROW’s are Closed Nov.30 to May 1: Lots of people are wanting to ride already, just remember in the MI-TRALE trail system we have ROW (highway right of ways) where it is legal to ride on the highway but only May1 to Nov 30. So right now you cannot use them. These ROW’s are main connectors and very important to the trail system so please respect the Law so we don’t lose them. ROW’s are located on

  • LL Route you cannot go along US45 by Northern Waters Casino in Watersmeet or in Paulding along US45
  • ES Route south of Lake Gogebic you cannot go along US2 to connect to the SL
  • NR Route you cannot go along M64 in Ontonagon
  • P Trail you cannot go along M28 in Bergland

Spring ORVing

3-12-2021 It may not feel like it right now, but spring is coming. It is a good time to do your routine maintenance and such to your rides to have them ready to go. Check or change your fluids, make sure nothing is loose or worn out, refill your first aid kits and make sure nothing is outdated. Spring will be here before you know it….Jim

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