Backroads and Waterfalls BY JIM DUKE CONTRIBUTING WRITER
A
s the seasons change and the weather warms, as the snow melts and gives way to soft ground and mud puddles, and as the snowmobile enthusiasts put away their sleds and get out their summertime toys, all thoughts turn to new and exciting adventures. Reaching out to my many snowmobiling acquaintances that also enjoy the great outdoors when the snows have melted away, I asked what other forms of recreation are of interest, taking into consideration which state they are from and what recreational opportunities exist. Beginning with the question of what the most popular and up-coming recreational pursuits is, the answers were quite varied, primarily due to the type of outdoor activity and whether motorized or self-powered. Topping out as the most popular in the non-motorized was mountain biking and hiking while the most popular by far in the motorized category was side-by-side ORV touring with riding quad-runners coming in a close second. I was amazed that in almost every state the trail touring to seek out waterfalls was a high priority. While there are plenty of options for a good story in any one of the categories mentioned, my preference has been touring via side-byside and have decided to do both research on the topic and some extensive field work as well.
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JUNE • 2022 • MICHIGAN SNOWMOBILER + ORV
ABOVE: Bond Falls, a yearround attraction assessable by conventional vehicle, off-road vehicles, and snowmobiles. LEFT: Miners Falls, This one will require a bit of a hike to view it, but well worth it. Located within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore & Park, Alger County
