Michigan Snowmobiler & ORV - July 2023

*Rate Restrictions: Valid only for Choice Privileges members (program enrollment is free). The reservation must be made on ChoiceHotels.com/Michigan-Hotels at participating hotels and must be made at least 7, 14, 21 or 30 days in advance, which will vary based on the hotel for which a reservation is being made. Subject to availability, the rate starts at 15% off Best Available Rate, is non-cancellable, non-changeable and non-refundable. Your credit card will be charged for the total reservation amount within 24-48 hours of booking. This rate has a seven (7) night maximum length of stay. Rooms at this discount are limited. Offer is not available to groups and cannot be combined with any other discount. Choice Hotels reserves the right to change or discontinue this offer at any time. Eligibility restricted to U.S. and Canadian residents. Members must book direct at ChoiceHotels.com/Michigan-Hotels or call 1-888-228-5050. All Choice Hotels properties are independently

from the editor

At Michigan Snowmobiler and ORV we traveled from home to Manistique and it was sorta like homecoming at a few of our favorite restuarants and we were able to make a few new friends.

We started our trip with a breakfast at Chesaning Showboat restaurant in downtown Chesaning. This is a local favorite. You will see Scott and I there quite often on weekends. The service is excellent with food that feels like it was cooked by your favorite mom, dad, aunt or uncle. Plus you will often see members of the Saints Snow Club from St. Charles as well.

From there we managed to make it all the way to Manistique without another meal – but crossing the bridge sure felt like seeing an old friend I had been missing terribly for a long time. Can’t put it into words – it just was awesome. Something about that particular place just feels like no other place on earth for me. So it was especially great to read Mike Olmstead’s article describing our Mighty Mac on page 6. Mike goes into detail from “before” the bridge to the

building process and what is was like to take a tour of inside the towers. I’m a bit envious!

Then on to Manistique to visit Karen and staff at Clyde’s Drive-in. Home of the Big “C” ¾ pound burger! Always a must stop for us when we are in the area. If you get a chance, sit at the counter and try to guess how many burgers have been cooked on their grill.. only the grill knows for sure and if that cook top could talk! Plus it’s fun to hear the staff turn in their orders in the diner talk – I have no idea what they’re saying. But it’s just fun.

The next day we traveled to Newberry and Grand Marais. We checked out the Wolf Inn Grill and Spirits in Newberry. Just a bit off the trail so a great place to take a break and get an excellent meal. We took a few pictures and posted them on social media if you want to check them out. Very nice folks.

As we traveled home, we stopped in at Cops and Doughnuts for doughnuts and coffee in Clare. The counter person was so awesome. It made the stop a true treat.

My point to all this is - as we travel down our trails, visit our restaurants

and taverns, please be courteous to the staff and owners. Most of them are pretty amazing people that often turn into great friends. So please remember courtesy in our local businesses. It really matters.

As always at Michigan Snowmobiler and ORV, we hope each of you is enjoying good health while dreaming of fun and the smell of revving engines in our pages! We look forward to seeing everyone at local events, chapter meetings and volunteering in support of Michigan Snowmobiling and ORVs. The good folks at the Keweenaw ATV Club deserve an extra shout out and support this year for their monumental efforts on ATV Trail BD (Snowmobile Trail 3) – make sure to check out the Lake Linden article on page 22. Another great motivator to support our clubs! Please remember to keep all our veterans and first responders in your thoughts and prayers. Please feel free to reach out to us. We love to hear from our readers. Be safe and enjoy the trails until our next issue:

As alway, you can reach out to us at Michigan Snowmobiler at scottd@faragoassoc.com

PUBLISHER | Peter Farago

EDITOR | Ann Drzewiecki

VOLUME 56 - NUMBER 9

Founded September 1967

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destination adventure!

Big Mac!

BY MIKE OLMSTEAD CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Whether you’re pulling a trailer full of sleds, ATVs, or driving your Jeep, if you’re headed for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP) from just about anywhere in the lower mitten, you’re going to have to cross the Mackinac Bridge! I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that just about everyone reading this article in Michigan Snowmobiler + ORV knows the proper pronunciation, however, just in case, ‘Mackinac” is pronounced “MAK-e-naw”!!

Sure, not all of us trek to the UP for our trail riding, but there are a whole bunch of us who do!! Many of us travel regularly to the UP to take advantage of the excellent trail systems (not to mention the plethora of other recreational opportunities!). Many only make the trek occasionally, and yes, there are those who’ve never been to the UP to ride the trails but just know in their hearts they’re going to make the trip eventually! Bottom line though: No matter which group you fall into, to get ‘there’ from ‘here’ (Michigan!), you will have to cross the Bridge!!

So with that in mind, even though we tend to take the Mackinac Bridge for granted sometimes, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at one of the world’s iconic bridges, and share some of the history and background behind Mighty Mac!

Prior to the opening of the Bridge, travel between the peninsulas was by ferry boat. The State of Michigan Highway Department owned and operated a fleet of seven ferries that made the trek back and forth across the straits, with a total capacity of 635 autos. It was about a one-hour trip to get across the five-mile wide Straits on one of those ferries – once you finally got aboard! Seasonal delays were common; and it was not unusual to wait as long as 24 hours to cross the Straits on one of the State Ferries in deer season!

In addition, every year right up to the Bridge’s opening traffic across the Straits increased. In 1957, the year the Bridge opened, the State Ferries were hauling 90,000 cars a month across the Straits.

continued on page 8

The “bridge from nowhere to nowhere” that opened up amazing vistas from the Upper Peninsula to Pacific Northwest.

Big Mac!

“To illustrate the impact the bridge had on the area, the first month of traffic saw almost 120,000 cars and trucks cross the Bridge. And in 1958, the first year of operation, there were a total of 1,411,000 crossings, compared to 900,000 for the last year of ferry crossings.”

THE MACKINAC BRIDGE OPENED UP THE UP! And not just the UP! In addition to the UP, the Bridge has had a positive impact on Wisconsin and Minnesota, not to mention it’s a positive alternative to Chicago for east-west travel for long-haul truckers coming from the Pacific Northwest, the Dakotas, and Minnesota.

The Mackinac Bridge

is the longest suspension bridge in the western hemisphere, and depending who you talk to, it is the 5th longest suspension bridge in the world.

Construction started on the Mackinac Bridge in 1954 with a $99,800,000 budget, and it was opened to traffic in November 1957 – just in time for that year’s deer season! Official opening ceremonies and dedication were conducted later in 1958, in the hopes of friendlier weather.

To my knowledge, it is the only one of the world’s major bridges built literally in the middle of nowhere! In fact, that was one of the original criticisms to building the bridge, it was called the

Mackinac Bridge under construction

continued from page 7

Mike Olmstead in August 1957

“bridge from nowhere to nowhere”! No major cities or metropolises on either end, essentially just northern Michigan wilderness. Yet despite that, the Bridge is the economic lifeblood of the region’s economy.

The Bridge wasn’t only an engineering marvel of its day, it remains an engineering marvel yet today. The Bridge in total is five miles long, with pier and truss construction at either end joined in the center by 7,800 feet of suspended span. The two magnificent towers - 3,800 feet apart - rise up out of the Straits 552 feet like ivory spires reaching to the heavens. In tandem they carry the massive main cables that in turn hold

the smaller cables that actually support the bridge deck below.

It took a total of 3,500 workers on site four years to build this impressive structure – and that’s not even working year round! Because of the northern locale, work through the winter was just not possible. Consequently, work out in the Straits ceased every year once winter had set in hard and didn’t continue again until the following spring.

Here’s just a couple of the construction details to illustrate how massive this undertaking was:

• Number of Steel Rivets: 4,851,700

• Number of Steel Bolts: 1,016,600

continued on page 10

Big Mac!

continued from page 9

• Length of Wire in Main Cables: 42,000 Miles

An interesting fact about the Bridge is like all suspension bridges it’s designed to be flexible, and depending on the wind the center span can “sway” or move as much as thirty feet at the center of the span! The Bridge Authority is quick to point out however that to the casual observer this is almost impossible to detect. Next time you cross the Bridge note the massive expansion joints in the road deck at each of the towers!

The bridge is open 24-7, with rare exceptions for inclement weather, usually high winds and/or icing conditions. The bridge is built to withstand winds up to 150 miles per hour.

However, it’ll partially close when winds gust 50 miles per hour and entirely closes at 65 miles per hour.

Under those conditions it’s not unusual to allow passenger car traffic to pass while holding back ‘high profile’ vehicles back until the weather abates (high profile vehicles would be large trucks and trailers, and may include camper trailers as well the trailers we use to drag our ‘toys’ back and forth).

Even in the harsh weather condition that the Bridge is subject to, it has an amazing safety record.

Throughout its history, only two vehicles have fallen off the side of the Mackinac Bridge. However, none of them were the result of wind

Another feature about Big Mac is that there is no provision for walking across the span. Researching this article I discovered that there is no hard and fast rule for the major bridges when it comes to allowing pedestrians to cross! In addition to the Mackinac, the Verrazano Narrows (NYC) and Detroit’s Ambassador bridges do not accommodate pedestrians, while the George Washington, Brooklyn, Golden Gate, and Detroit’s newest suspension bridge, the Gordy Howe all have pedestrian walkways.

But if your heart is set on walking across the Mackinac Bridge there is a way! Since the Bridge’s first full year in 1958 they have conducted their Annual Bridge Walk on each Labor Day. The Bridge is totally closed to vehicular traffic on Labor Day morning for participants to make the walk. 26,000 people participated in the 2022 Bridge Walk, with

the largest participation in 1992 when an estimated 85,000 walkers made the walk! If you’re interested and would like some more information, here’s a link from the Bridge Authority with everything you need to know about this year’s bridge walk: www.mackinacbridge.org/events/ walk/ Oh, one other thing: If you are going to or coming from the UP over Labor Day, stay away from Monday morning!

Another view of the Bridge that only a relatively few people have had the opportunity to see is the Mackinac Bridge ‘Tower Tour’. I had the good fortune to take the ‘Tower Tour’ a few years ago with my granddaughter and it was incredible!

It starts with a ride out to the south tower in one of the Bridge Authority’s work vans, climb

through an access hatch, ride a tightly cramped elevator up the east leg of the tower to a platform about 30’ below the tower’s peak. We then snake our way through a labyrinth of steel superstructure cells, and then the hard part!

A 30’ climb up a vertical steel ladder to a hatch at the top, and then you step out onto one of the coolest places I’ve ever been: the top of the Bridge tower!!

The view is breathtaking to say the least. If you’re afraid of heights this is not the place to be! You’re accompanied by a Bridge employee who is first well versed in what you can see, the ‘how fars’, ‘how highs’ and ‘how manys’, but second, probably more importantly, watches you pretty close to follow the rules and

continued on page 12

Hatch Into Tower

Ladder to the top

Mike & Kaitlyn

West Shore Resort

make sure you stay safe!

As we exited the tower I took note of the ‘massive expansion’ joint in the roadway at the tower. What was very interesting was that you could actually see it ‘working’, i.e., moving a couple inches back and forth as the Bridge’s main span flexed in the breeze!

The Mackinac Bridge brought a lot to the area besides just an expedited trip across the Straits! Because of the Bridge and the subsequent exponential growth of both St. Ignace and Mackinac City, tourism flourished, both with local attractions and as an oasis for travelers & truckers passing through. Nearby Mackinac Island is world known, and an hour north lie the “World Famous Soo Locks”! Several casinos have also sprung up in the general area providing some diversity to the menu of things to do.

On the heels of this growth are some events that should be attractive to all of us motorsports enthusiasts! Each of these events typically includes an actual drive across

the Bridge as a single file group! Here they are:

• Jeep the Mac – May 1214, 2023; Jeeps only!

• Bronco the Mac – June 9-11 2023; Broncos (any year!) only!

• Trek the Mac –September, tbd.; ATVS and SxS’s only!

• Antique Snowmobile Crossing – December 9, 2023; Machines must be at least 25 years old or older to participate and also have a wheel kit installed.

There aren’t too many things cooler than crossing the Bridge with a bunch of ‘brothers in arms’! More information about these events, as well as other events in the area (St. Ignace does one heck of a classic car show every June!) can be found on the St. Ignace website here: https://stignace.com/ major-events/

So, that’s the short story on the Mackinac Bridge! Additional information about the Mackinac Bridge can be found at: https://www. mackinacbridge.org/,

I’ll bet you never take it for granted again! •

The Brawl is ON!

Baja Acres delivers a motocross experience for every skill level, plus nationally ranked championship competitions.

BY PATRICK GRZEBINSKI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Baja Acres is synonymous with a fun, yet a grueling experience for motocross racers everywhere. Since it’s change in ownership in 2000 (to Patrick, Rosanna, Jacob and Marcella Grzebinski). Baja Motocross track has served up some of the most exciting battles between national motocross hopefuls and high-profile professionals alike from all over the country.

The overall layout, obstacles, and terrain combination has been described as “one of the best ways to train.” for the transition from amateur to pro”, which might explain why so many young amateur prospects have raced Baja Acres. Furthermore, unlike many other tracks across the country, Baja Acres allows close and elevated spectator viewing for roughly 90% of the track.

For an outdoor motocross and entertainment facility, Baja MX is top-notch when compared to

similar outdoor venues and motocross tracks. Not only is it easy to find (follow Birch Run Road for 7.4 miles east of I-75, it’s so painless!) but it also has a customer and sponsor friendly infrastructure, designed to take full advantage of the 80+ acres of beautiful grass covered meandering hills and spring-fed ponds. Moreover, Baja Acres has evolved its reputation as an active and fun environment with great music and quality, seamless announcing from professional voiceover, and multiple personality extraordinaire, Peter “The Great” Daoust.

Baja Acres usually opens in April weather permitting. OPEN RIDING is offered throughout the year generally every other Sunday. This gives riders a chance to practice riding, honing their skills or some come just to watch or hang out with friends while making new friends. Open Rides offer split groups based upon riding skills.

continued on page 16

The Brawl

continued from page 15

Also, there’s a Jr. Track for the groms ages 4 and up.

AMATEUR YOUTH RACING

This past June Baja Acres hosted the 2023 AMA Mid East Youth Regional Championship. This event is for amateur youth riders to qualify for the AMA Amateur National held at the weeklong event at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Tennessee. 690 Racers prequalified to race in this region, only 102 riders will make it to the National. This sets the stage for extreme racing.

For some riders this race means everything to them and their families striving for factory sponsorship and the dream of someday competing professionally and for others it’s to see where they gauge against the competition. Either way The Baja Acres track kept all honest with its natural terrain and mixed soil conditions.

BAJA BRAWL CHAMPIONSHIP

Now in its 23th year of epitomizing summer fun, the Baja Brawl is arguably one of the most popular motocross events in the country. Originally established as a simple Labor Day weekend of motocross racing, the Baja Brawl has evolved into so much more with 4 days of knock down, drag out racing; outdoor festival activities; and entertaining night life. Furthermore, in the last three years of this progressive transformation (and despite a dwindling economy), the Baja Brawl has over doubled their spectator attendance from just over 2000 people in

2019, to 7000 in 2022!

Large attendance draws national riders such as past Brawl Champions like Chase Sexton who just won last year’s AMA Supercross Championship. Whether you’re a serious motocrosser racing for fame and fortune or just someone looking for a weekend of family fun, you’re sure to find it at the 23th annual Baja Brawl.

From the time the first group of riders pour onto the track for Friday’s open practice, till the last few motor homes trickle from the sunsoaked Baja property on Monday evening, spectators and athletes alike will be treated to four jam-packed days

continued on page 18

The Brawl

continued from page 17

of fun and entertainment. In fact, aside from watching national caliber racers attack the grueling Baja Acres Motocross course, spectators will have a variety of interactive track and vendor activities to watch and participate all weekend long.

Starting on FRIDAY, racers will get a practice in before the big race weekend while spectators get an early look at who has the speed to take home the biggest chunk of the PRO -AM cash purse and over $100k more in OEM

contingencies.

BEST WHIP Probably one of the most exciting events ever to come to Baja Acres, with exception to the racing, would undoubtedly be the Best Whip Championship. Following the Friday practice crowds circle the East side Big Jumps to watch advanced riders, go for broke in an effort to jump and whip their bikes into fame and a cash purse.

Lastly, Friday evening will end with a relaxing circle of friends around the bon fire pit.

On SATURDAY, the excitement will really revup when over 1000 riders explode from the gate to conquer the beast that is Baja Acres. Meanwhile, over in the distance faint screams and laughter will be heard as both kids and adults will find cool relief swimming in one of 5 spring-fed ponds on the Baja property. Also, immediately following the end of the day’s racing on the big track, spectators will hear a low rumbling from the pits as a mob of nearly 100 mini bikes emerge to start practice for the evening PITBIKE RACES. These riders are challenged by a difficult course that results in cut throat racing excitement for the thousand spectators just having a good ole time.

Racing action gets jacked up even further on SUNDAY as the 2nd motos of 3 racing continues throughout the day. Riders that win their moto race roll up on the large stage with a enormous LCD screen back drop this gives the opportunity for riders to talk about their race and thank their sponsors and mom and dad of course.

As the day of racing comes to a close, spectators will be sure to stick around for the annual SXS RACE as they watch crazed Utv drivers and passenger hit the front section of the track to do things never imagined possible on a buggy. Once the SXS’s has finished, and all crippled carts dragged off the track, spectators will transition to the center of the facility where aquatic entertainment awaits. Spectators will not only get to witness some of the best Jet Skiiers in the country as they jump, flip, and 360 their way across the water. This corresponds with The Brawls BELLY FLOP Championship” contest. This sideshow of sorts will showcase some of the pit’s most magnificent bellies, and the wakegenerating capabilities that have gone largely unappreciated… until now. Best of all, we’re rewarding these gorgeous girths with the most appropriate prize we could think of… $1000. This POND PALOOZA of sorts from all the splashes and flipping action, hilarious announcing duos grace the mic for comic play-by-play.

AMA

Baja Acres

8683 Birch Run Rd., Millington MI. 48746

www.bajaacres.com

After the laughter and hysteria have subsided, The After Party concert starts with earth pounding music, dancing, and great community vibes.

MONDAY – on the last day of the Baja Brawl, continued on page 20

BAJA ACRES est. 1974.

Motocross Race Track, State of Michigan Licensed Campground, State of Michigan licensed Medical agency, NEW now offering weddings at the newly built “Odins Owl”.

AMERICA’S LARGEST TRAILER SELECTION FOR ALL YOUR TOYS HUNDREDS OF OPEN & ENCLOSED OPTIONS IN-STOCK

The Brawl

spectators will be sure to stick around for final race motos of the 3-moto format as racers fight to the finish for the overall Baja Brawl Championship #1 Plate and receiving the

one-of-a-kind Brawl Battle Shield award.

Everyone says “ The Brawl!..it’s hard to explain, you have to experience it.

As the summer ends Autumn enters with all the

old oak trees turning brown and the maple leaves rustle on the ground its time for Baja’s Halloween Race “THE MONSTER MASH”. This race generates local racers and families from all around Michigan and Canada. The soil of Baja Acres changes to a softer consistency allowing for some the best riding conditions. The event starts with a Friday practice followed by a evening community fire. Saturday is its own race day followed by a Halloween costume contest with a long line of kids putting on a show for all. Trick or treating the campsites and hayrides

of course. Then the heavy equipment comes in to bring the BIG logs for the Monster Fire that you could see from space. This will keep the 200 or so people warm and that will stick around for MUSIC, dancing on the dirt and the adult Halloween costume contest.

This Halloween Race is sanctioned by the AMA and still has serious competition. It’s the only time Baja Acres include QUAD RACERS to compete. Sunday is another race day for Bikes and Quads to compete for the last event of the year at Baja Acres. •

September, 2019

Celebrates With

around the end of the first part of Not in June. I got this einviting me over burgers, brats, corn cob, and a few marshmala second thought I had about a month Had some issues lately took a good those pill botknow what I

PARK MANISTIQUE

they made the move to make the move.

Anyhow, it worked out pretty good. Martin said, “We ha d a really good turn out. Some really good fun. And, some really good comradery.”

Sault

But, when I got Martin told me just decided up to June.

No long nap

Sault Groomer Barn, where everything happens. Here is Dennis Hank of Chippewa Motors, and LeeAnn Izzard.

fire for his grand daughter Alexa. She really seemed to enjoy traditional tasty treat of summer. However, I did somewhat faux paux. At first, mistook Alexa for a OK, she is 13, skinny, and had short But, not a him. A

Seems that year, many SSA always have somedo around the the picnic, so

fire for his grand daughter Alexa. She seemed to enjoy traditional tasty summer. Howdid somewhat faux paux. At first, mistook Alexa for a OK, she is 13, and had short But, not a him. A

Sault Groomer Barn, where everything happens. Here is Dennis Hank of Chippewa Motors, and LeeAnn Izzard. fire for his grand daughter Alexa. She seemed to enjoy traditional tasty of summer. HowI did somewhat faux paux. At first, mistook Alexa for a OK, she is 13, skinny, and had short But, not a him. A

for his grand daughter Alexa. She seemed to enjoy traditional tasty summer. Howdid somewhat paux. At first, Alexa for a OK, she is 13, and had short But, not a him. A

Anyway, back to the SSA. Martin happily me that the club about 60 Family memberships, which translates into about

As for me, of course I had to sample all of this, in the name of journalistic integrity, of course. So, I can say that without a doubt that the burgers were really good. The corn on the cob was awesome. Martin and I both commented on the fact that this was really tasty corn for the early part of summer. And, the funky green marshmallow fluff stuff was also downright tasty. Plus, Prince, my little five pound ShiTsu mix side kick told me that the hot dogs were also just perfect.

150 members. Then, they also have about 30 Commercial members. Martin also told me that at the moment, they groom about 102 miles of Trails. Including 9 miles within the City Limits of the Soo. Which is pretty cool, in itself. A+ for the Soo on being sledder friendly.

the fire for his grand daughter Alexa. She really seemed to enjoy the traditional tasty treat of summer. However, I did somewhat of a faux paux. At first, mistook Alexa for a him. OK, she is 13 , skinny, and had short hair. But, not a him. A her.

Anyway, back to the Martin happily me that the club about 60 Family memberships, which translates into about

Anyway, back to the Martin happily me that the club about 60 Family memberships, which translates into about

150 members. Then, they also have about 30 Commercial members. Martin also told me that at the moment, they groom about 102 miles of Trails. Including 9 miles within the City Limits of the Soo. Which is pretty cool, in itself. A+ for the Soo on being sledder friendly.

150 members. Then, they also have about 30 Commercial members. Martin also told me that at the moment, they groom about 102 miles of Trails. Including 9 miles within the City Limits of the Soo. Which is pretty cool, in itself. A+ for the Soo on being sledder friendly.

150 members. Then, they also have about 30 Commercial members. Martin also told me that at the moment, they groom about 102 miles of Trails. Including 9 miles within the City Limits of the Soo. Which is pretty cool, in itself. A+ for the Soo on being sledder friendly.

Then, I watched as Martin’s brother Al toasted up some marshmallows over

Anyway, back to the SSA. Martin happily told me that the club has about 60 Family memberships, which translates into about

150 members. they also 30 Commercial bers. Martin me that ment, they about 102 Trails. Including miles within Limits of Which is pretty itself. A+ on being friendly. The SSA groomers, and a

They are

Anyway, back to the Martin happily that the club about 60 Family memberships, which translates into about

The SSA has three groomers, two Tuckers and a Piston Bully. They are pulling two

The SSA has three groomers, two Tuckers and a Piston Bully. They are pulling two

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Lake Linden

Trail construction to connect trail communities, ready by 2024

BY JESSE WIEDERHOLD VISIT KEWEENAW PUBLIC RELATIONS/EVENTS COORDINATOR

The Lake Linden area in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula is home to gorgeous lakes, waterfalls and impressive vistas that shimmer under the sun. Life seems to move a little slower there – in the best way. You can take a break from your daily adventures to picnic at Torch Lake at the Lake Linden Village Park or grab a nice bite to eat at the drive-thru Depot diner. Historically, people were able to travel to Lake Linden and neighboring towns by trails on ATVs, snowmobiles and other side-bysides. You could ride from Hancock, to Dollar Bay, Lake Linden and all the way to Copper Harbor.

However, a torrential downpour struck in 2018, leaving parts of the Keweenaw damaged to this day. According to the National Weather Service, widespread rain measured nearly seven inches in select spots. It caused massive amounts of damage to the city of Houghton, and plenty more damage to recreation trails through the Keweenaw.

“The culverts were overwhelmed and the [BD] trail blew out in many areas between Lake Linden and Dollar Bay,” said Keweenaw ATV Club President Daryl St. John. “Since continued on page 24

continued from page 22

then, it’s been a push to get the money up to get the trail repaired simply because of the economic impact on the area.”

Uniquely, the trail is owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Despite owning this portion of the system, it is up to the club to maintain it. The Keweenaw ATV Club has worked hard since the damage was done to help document damage and push for repairs.

This summer, incredible work is happening to engineer and fix ATV Trail BD (Snowmobile Trail 3). It’s expected to be open for snowmobile traffic by winter 2023 and will be open for ORV/ATV use in 2024. St. John says it’s something to look forward to for many reasons.

“It’s quite an engineering feat, because some of the areas are beyond repair so the trail has to go up and around in certain areas from different railroad grades,” explained St. John. “This is the main trail that comes down from Calumet and Laurium, down through Lake Linden, straight through to Dollar Bay around to Ripley. So, it forms a loop when you include from Hancock, the upper trail to Calumet.”

Speaking to engineers and construction workers, they agree it’s no quick feat. But, it’s good work for the area and is pouring nearly $8.5 million into locally contracted jobs.

“Our job is one of the biggest done on the trails, I think it was $3.5 million,” said B&B Contracting Owner Brain Bonen. “We’re from the trestle here [coming into Lake Linden] to Hendrickson Road. This one has the biggest culverts. There’s nothing shallower than 20 feet deep.”

Bonen’s crew is tasked with repairing a raised approach to a bridge. His crew will have to dig down nearly 60 feet or so to access parts of a massive culvert on either side of the trestle entry. If that sounds like a big job, you should see his machinery.

“[The culverts are] 18 tons each,” said Bonen. “This is a 670G John Deere excavator. It weighs 155,000 pounds. There’s only one other I know of in the U.P. of Michigan. I bought this for this so I could do this job.”

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Much of the repair work is water management. These culverts will all help keep the water off the trails.

VISIT KEWEENAW

Flowing valleys in the woods like this used to be passable by ATV. Now, they’re washouts. The trail repair will go up and around these divides to reconnect the trail system.

Bonen says paperwork was the hardest part of getting started. He says the construction work will come along easy enough. The Trail BD project is split into seven different contracts. B&B Contracting is taking on the trestle section, and other local groups got the rest.

“The other thing is, this is a popular route for people that want to go to Gay,” said St. John. “[All of it is] more overgrown, it’s hillier, curvier. It’s just an enjoyable ride for snowmobiles or ATVs. With this trail closed, that leaves only Hancock to Calumet. Which is our Trail B and

Trail 17 snowmobile. But, 100% of the traffic [currently] has to go through that corridor and it just gets really, really beat up. It’s hard to keep up on maintenance there.”

Trail maintenance can get expensive, let alone repairing and engineering new ones to replace old washouts. St. John says everything took years to get going after the damage, and materials have only gotten more expensive. The rising costs of fuel, labor and materials have hindered the initial momentum of the project. But, through perseverance, lots of outreach, connections and

reminders, the ATV club was able to secure state funding to get things going this year.

“Now that they see the equipment on site, they actually see things happening, people in the area are just tickled,” said St. John. “We do get a lot of compliments now. People in the area are very aware of the efforts that the ATV Club put in to get this trail fixed. We had a lot of support.”

St. John says there are also some bridges near Dollar Bay that will be repaired as part of the project.

“The other thing is remediation

continued from page 24 For more information check out our facebook page, East Jordan Trailblazers

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LEFT: Keweenaw ATV Club President Daryl St. John travels the beaten trail to check in on the beginning stages of construction. The project will help keep the trails dry and ready for rainstorms. RIGHT: High Rock Bay at the tip of the Keweenaw is a popular destination for ORV/ATV riders. Check it out on your next ride.

STOP BY MICKEYS FOR ALL YOUR SNOWMOBILE ATV UTV AND PWC NEEDS

Since 1998, Mickeys Sleds Inc. has provided Michigan with Powersports parts. Whether new or used, we’re sure to have something in stock. If we don’t, we’ll get it next day from one of our warehouses.

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and landscaping above on the watershed to ensure this isn’t going to happen again,” said St. John. “The water has to be managed above and below the trail grades. The trail will remain closed for the rest of the year, snowmobiles will be able to use it [this winter].”

Next time you’re riding an ATV or ORV in the Keweenaw, take a second to thank the Keweenaw ATV Club. Without the determination of its leadership, like St. John, Trail BD would have been lost. Now, it’s going to put more people on the trails in different towns, enjoying new views. Consider donating to the club or becoming a member at KeweenawATVClub.com or follow along on Facebook at Facebook.com/KeweenawATVClub. When you’re riding this summer, make sure you know where you’re going. You can find this year’s ATV map, and information about lodging along the way at VisitKeweenaw.com. •

Northern Exposure

Deer Park Lodge offers everything you could want all-year-round, including some surprising amenities including on-site chiropractic services.

BY KIM KISNER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Over eight feet of snow falls each year in Newberry, Michigan, and Deer Park Lodge owners Kristi and Rick Jackson love every inch of it.

They also love to snowmobile, and this is the place to do it.

The resort sits on Muskallonge Lake and is 1,800 feet away from Lake Superior, making it a “snow tunnel” of sorts. “When no one else has snow, we have snow,” says Kristi.

Deer Park Lodge also offers direct access to Trail #8 and Trail #9 which connects to Grand Marais, making it even more desirable for snowmobilers and ORV enthusiasts alike. Because if you’ve experienced the trails in the UP, you know they are serene, picturesque, and just plain fun.

Deer Park Lodge is often referred to as the “Hidden Gem of Michigan,” and Kristi says “It really is – no one has the view that we do.” She goes on to say, “It’s a very different kind of place because it’s in the middle of everything you want to go to and see and do in the UP, but it’s secluded, peaceful, and calm.”

She would know, as she and her husband fell in love with the UP during childhood and made Deer Park Lodge their year-round home six years later.

Kristi, a Chiropractor for the past twenty years with her own practice, and Rick, who still works in the trucking and mining industry, saw an ad on Facebook that Deer Park Lodge was selling and decided to take a look. Kristi was looking to slow down on her fifty patients a day and they decided to make Deer Park Lodge their “working retirement.” Says Kristi, “I told Rick that if I was going to shift to a working retirement it had to be someplace great, so here we are.”

Since purchasing the resort they’ve made significant upgrades to the cabins, and now rent the cabins closest to the lake during the winter months, which is something that was not done previously.

The resort offers six cabins, each with its own character and charm, fully outfitted with kitchenettes, dishes, and cookware and linens. They also offer boat rentals by day or by week and there is a general store and a laundry mat on site.

With 350 feet of pristine and sandy beach frontage, it’s the perfect destination for snowmobilers and ORV enthusiasts alike, who also love fishing, hunting, great sunsets, and a relaxing atmosphere.

For sightseers interested in visiting other Upper Peninsula treasures, Tahquamenon Falls is 41 miles away, Shipwreck Museum is 45 miles away and Pictured Rocks is 75 miles from the lodge.

There are also some great places to grab lunch or dinner and a drink

nearby as well. Pine Stump Cook Shack and Dinkery is a mere six miles from the Lodge. Or, check out Wolf Inn Grill and Spirits in Newberry, Timber Charlie’s Food & Spirits also in Newberry and the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub in Paradise.

Kristi continues to offer Chiropractic services on-site at the Lodge, saying “It’s a great perk for those who pull a muscle or something while on the trails and I still love doing it so it works out well.”

If you are interested in renting a cabin, act fast. The resort books up fast and Kristi is currently taking reservations into 2025!

When asked what her favorite thing is in terms of running the resort, Kristi says the people. They’ve had visitors from as far away as Europe. Says Kristi, “It is kind of crazy that someone living overseas who comes to America and has the country to choose from chooses to stay with us. But I also understand it because, for us, it’s a wonderful place to call home.” •