NEW TRAILS PLANNED
Plans Call For New Tennessee ATV Riding Area
ATV And Motorcycle Trail Planned In Minnesota A group called the Trail Prospectors Alliance is asking the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to approve plans for a 130-mile ATV and motorcycle trail that would connect four communities in the northeast part of the state: Ely, Babbitt, Tower and Embarrass. The trail would also connect to Vermillion State Park and Bear Head State Park. Proponents say the trail, which is dubbed the Prospectors Loop, would help boost local economies. The trail would connect with the Lake County regional ATV trail system. The project is expected to cost $1 million. Supporters are exploring various funding options.
Officials Consider New Trail in Utah The federal Bureau of Land Management is expected to release an environmental assessment this year as part of a proposal to designate a 14mile motorized trail in San Juan County, Utah. County officials believe the route would help bring some economic activity to the nearby town of Blanding. Opponents argue a motorized trail could increase the creation of illegal trails and might increase the risk of vandalism of American Indian sites in nearby remote areas.
WHERE TO RIDE
Bull Gap Off-Road Vehicle Hill Climb and Trail Mio, Mich. Michigan is an off-highway rider’s paradise, with 3,700 miles of routes— half of which are ATV trails. According to the state Department of Natural Resources, riders in Michigan will find trails that are lightly groomed and they will encounter narrow sand trails, rough moguls, steep hills, stumps, rocks, brush, loose surfaces and other hazards. A very special place for riders in Michigan is the Bull Gap Hill Climb near Mio, Mich. The two-tenths-ofa-mile-long sand hill has a 35- to 40-degree grade, and is open to both highway legal and non-legal vehicles, including ATVs, dune buggies, Jeeps, trucks and motorcycles. There is a designated traffic pattern for the climb, one loop for vehicles 50 inches in width or larger and one loop for vehicles 50 inches in width or less. At the top there is a sand play area. While the hill is a big attraction, the Bull Gap Trail itself offers some 100 miles of fun. You’ll ride through woods, up hills and on forest roads. Be sure to stay off “motorcycle only” trails. Campsites are available from May 19 to Dec. 1 at the Mack Lake
Campground that is operated by the U.S. Forest Service. Fees for a single site are $15 a night. The campgrounds offer parking, fire rings, toilets and water. For more information, contact the Mio Ranger District, 107 McKinley Rd., Mio, MI 48647. Telephone: (989) 826-3252. Motorized vehicles may only be operated on designated roads, trails or areas open to that use. To find what roads and trails are open to a particular use, visitors should obtain a Motor Vehicle Use Map. Any road or trail that doesn’t appear on the Motor Vehicle Use Map isn’t open to motorized vehicles. Off-road vehicles must display a valid ORV sticker as required by state law. ORV stickers may be obtained from the state Department of Natural Resources. Directions from Grayling: Travel east on M-72 for 30 miles. Go straight and continue east on S. River Rd. for 5 miles. Turn right and travel south on FR 4332 for 2 miles. Turn right and travel west on FR 4276 for 1 mile. The site is on the right. For more information, go to http:// www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/hmnf/ recarea/?recid=18948.
May/June 2014 7
A PUBLICATION EXCLUSIVELY FOR ATVA MEMBERS
A developer has earned a conditional use permit from Clinton, Tenn., for a 180-acre ATV riding area. The facility will be called the Crossroads ATV and Recreation Park. Although it will initially cater to ATV riders, developer Morgan Johnson hopes to eventually add horseback riding, mountain bike riding and paintball. The facility will be located in Clinton’s industrial park on the city’s west side. No date has been set for construction to begin.