Weekly Update
Friday, June 26, 2009

Past Week’s Activities

We had our June Club Ride last Saturday. Seven people participated. We rode the LL Trail and the IRM Trail from Watersmeet to Marenisco and back. Thanks to those who participated!

Our next Mi-TRALE Club Ride will be Saturday, July 11th. We’ll be leaving Adventure Mountain in Greenland and taking the C and P Trails to Bergland and back. We’ll be meeting at Adventure Mountain at 9:00 a.m. EASTERN time, 8:00 a.m. CENTRAL time. JOIN US for a FUN RIDE.

This past week, Mi-TRALE mowed and weed-wacked the Pioneer trailheads, both the southern trailhead and the Norwich trailhead. These trailheads are maintained throughout the year by Mi-TRALE volunteers in an effort to have places for you to unload your machines, park your vehicles and trailers, and ride right from the trailhead.

Mi-TRALE used the new commercial weed-wacker DONATED by www.atvwithcutter.com (www.atvwithcutter.com) and the Trail Riders of America. Once again a special thanks to Dexter and Bernice Luck.

Trail News

We want to inform riders that we do have some washouts on our trails, so please DRIVE SAFELY. We have a washout on the SB Trail between Bruce Crossing and Ewen. We also have some washouts on the Pioneer Trail. Our members have helped by posting warning signs and/or ribbons. If you ever come across a safety concern on a trail, please do your best to put some type of warning at the area of concern, then e-mail me.

With the help of Lac Vieux Desert Tribal Community, we are continuing to look for a north/south trail extension of the LL Trail north of the IRM Trail intersection. We’re getting close, but it’s still not a done deal.

Upcoming Events

July meeting will be on July 6th at Adventure Mountain in Greenland. Meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. Eastern time. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend!

ATV/Truck XTreme Challenge, Saturday, July 25th, Ontonagon County Fairgrounds, during the fair. Hot Runs to start at 3:00 p.m. EASTERN, racing to follow. Cash purse and trophies in the 3 ATV divisions (2WD, 4WD to 500cc, Top Dog) and the Truck division.

Lac Vieux Desert Resort/Casino WHEEL FEST, July 30th-August 2nd. Mi-TRALE-sponsored ATV DNR Certified Safety Training for children 12 to 15 on Friday, July 31st from 9:00 a.m. CENTRAL to 3:00 p.m. CENTRAL.

ATV/Truck XTreme Challenge, Saturday, August 1st, inside the oval of the race track across from LVD Casino. Hot Runs to start at 1:00 p.m. CENTRAL, racing to follow.

ATV OVAL Racing, Sunday, August 2nd. This is a FIRST in the Western U.P.: ATVs racing side by side on the brand new dirt oval track across from LVD Casino. Four Cylinder Bandit/Stinger/Sport Four Stock Cars will also be racing!

Join us for all the fun, and help Mi-TRALE by getting us a new member or two!

Talk to you next week!

This Week’s Update, The Good, The Bad, and The...
Friday, June 19, 2009

Mi-TRALE Club Ride is TOMORROW, Saturday, June 20th (The Good)

Our June club ride is scheduled for tomorrow. It will begin at Headwaters Polaris in Watersmeet. We’re going to be meeting at Headwaters at 9:00 a.m. CENTRAL time. The ride is going to be on the LL Trail to Land O’ Lakes and back to Watersmeet, then to Marenisco and back.

One of our ACTIVE members, Headwaters Polaris, has their own ATV ride going on at this time. You can contact Headwaters for more information at 906-358-8888. They will be having a live band tomorrow night. Russ and his staff are coordinating all their events.

SB Bridge in Kenton is NOW OPEN (The Good)

While the SB Trail bridge at Kenton was not scheduled to be finished and open till the end of July, the construction company finished this $250,000 project WAY AHEAD OF TIME. The bridge and the trail are now open. “Attaboys” go to the construction company and the DNR! I did a WLUC TV6 interview on this. If you go to the WLUC TV6 web site, click on News and Video Archives. It is on page 26 of the archives. You can see the news story.

Trail Riders of America Dexter and Bernice Luck DONATE a Commercial Weed Trimmer to Mi-TRALE (The Good)

One of the individuals responsible for bringing a group of over 50 ORV riders from Kentucky and Ohio, Dexter Luck of the Trail Riders of America, DONATED a Shindaiwa professional trimmer to Mi-TRALE. We are going to have a picture of this on our web site in the near future. This trimmer will be used to maintain our current two Mi-TRALE trailheads. One is the southern trailhead on the P Trail just east of Bergland, and the other trailhead is the Norwich Road (NR/P Intersection) on the P Trail. Our volunteers mow and trim those two trailheads throughout the summer and fall.

Our VP, Paul Zakowski, Porcupine Lodge of White Pine, and Countryside Auto of Hilbert get Mi-TRALE Big Boss Ready for Trailhead and Trail Work (The Good)

Our Big Boss now has a drop hitch that can be used to pull an ATV wagon and a rough cut mower. By having this, we can now pull the different accessories we need to work on the trails and the trailheads. Paul and his staff also put new tires on the front of the Mi-TRALE Big Boss and replaced the front brakes. Paul and the Zakowski family have been helping Mi-TRALE for a number of years!

Mi-TRALE Now Has Its Own Chainsaw (The Good)

It is YOUR membership that helps our club get the needed equipment to do trail work. The club now owns its own Husqvarna chainsaw, which will be used to clear downed trees from ALL of our trails.

Wheel Fest (The Good)

Plans continue on the Lac Vieux Desert in Watersmeet Wheel Fest Promotion. This is going to be 4 days of FUN, July 30th to August 2nd, 2009. LVD is providing camping for ORV riders at the XTreme Challenge/Oval Track located across from the casino. We will be having lots of ATV riding throughout, plus on Friday, July 31st, Headwaters Polaris will have demo rides of the new Polaris ATVs. Also on Friday, Mi-TRALE will be holding a DNR ATV Safety Certification class for children between 12 and 15. This is for the first 12 students signed up. Like ALL of the Mi-TRALE DNR ATV Safety Certification classes, the classes are FREE! Mi-TRALE DNR ATV safety Instructors VOLUNTEER their time for this. It is YOUR membership that helps us do this!

On Saturday, August 1st, starting at 1:00, we will have our ATV/Truck XTreme Challenge. Registration begins at 12 noon CENTRAL time, with the Hot Runs starting at 1:00 p.m. Central time. We will run a 2-Wheel Drive Class, a 4-Wheel Drive Class for ATVs 500 cc and down, and the TOP DOG Class for ATVs 501cc and up. Top Dog is for ANY ATV, including modifications. Then we run the trucks. We will have a CASH PURSE and trophies in ALL the classes, with a BONUS cash purse for any driver who wins both the Top Dog and/or the Truck Class at both the Ontonagon County Fair XTreme Challenge on Saturday, July 25th AND the finals in Watersmeet.

On Sunday, August 2nd, Wheel Fest will include stock cars racing on the oval track for the first time. This will be the Sport 4s/Bandit/Stingers. This very moment we are working on bringing ATV oval racing to the 1/2 mile dirt track. This will not only be a first in the Western U.P., but possibly the first time ATVs will be racing on a dirt oval in the entire Upper Peninsula. Stay tuned for the details on this...

Mi-TRALE Proposed Equestrian Park (The Bad)

Mi-TRALE has been informed that the DNR has rejected the Mi-TRALE plan to build an equestrian park on Ontonagon County-owned forest land, as the DNR says it does not meet their “laws” regarding a “forest.” Hmmm ... all we proposed was to build a parking area, rustic camping, a horse corral, and horseback riding trails through the forest. Yes, we did propose that from Memorial Day weekend to October 14th, we would not allow ORVs on this 800-acre parcel of land, other than the two-track road to Kennedy Lake. Here we wanted to do this to SHOW the public how Mi-TRALE is a MULTI-USE trails organization where both the motorized AND non-motorized community CAN work together.

The DNR did say that our VOLUNTEERS can go through a lot of paperwork to try to get this amended.

Mi-TRALE Proposed Scramble Area (The ....)

After meeting with a couple representatives of the DNR in White Pine on our second proposed scramble area, we were told that the proposed land just outside of White Pine would probably be rejected due to concerns over the topography of the land and having the Big Iron River run through it. This is after we have already received unanimous support from the Carp Lake Town Board and the Ontonagon County EDC. Both the Carp Lake Town Board and the EDC supported asking the Ontonagon County Planning Commission to amend its County Recreation Plan to include a scramble area and to ask the Ontonagon County Board to have an exception to its policy in regards to the sale of private land to the State of Michigan.

It was at this meeting that the DNR did go through an Ontonagon County Plat Book and circled parcels that they thought we would have a better chance at. So this is not all bad news; however, it could have been better.

Search and Rescue June Training (with Skip Participating, It Was UGLY...)

What Mi-TRALE started continues to move forward; that is, the Ontonagon County Search and Rescue and Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT). While this group is autonomous from Mi-TRALE, it is Mi-TRALE’s Rick Varecha who as president is doing a great job in keeping the members informed, educated, and trained. This past Wednesday night, the group did an exercise where an individual was severely injured within the Porcupine Mountain State Park. The SAR/CERT members had to do a line search to find the person, then do first aid, then transport the person (by hand and a wheel cart) to a vehicle. While all those who participated, other than myself, did an excellent job and looked good in doing it, it was an ugly sight seeing me do so much walking and work. That is why this part of our weekly update is the UGLY.

Next Mi-TRALE meeting is Monday night, July 6th, Adventure Mountain in Greenland. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. EASTERN time, and EVERYONE is invited and encouraged to attend.

Weekly Update and Summer Campout Date Rescheduled
Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Trail Riders of America/Harlan Ridge Runners ORV Tour

Last week Mi-TRALE hosted over 50 riders from Kentucky, Ohio, Wisconsin, and South Dakota. This group included the Trail Riders of America and Harlan Ridge Runners. The group was led by Mi-TRALE’s Keith and Sherri Meyer and John and Marie Sayre. The group rode the BN, NF, C, P, G, NR, PF, and E Trails. They were in our area from May 31st to June 6th. This is what I received from Dexter Luck of the Trail Riders of America...

Hi Skip! We had an awesome time in the U.P. and we are very thankful for MI-TRALE. The ride in September is still on the table and I already have people saying they want to come back next June.

Dexter is thinking about starting a ride with himself, his wife, and a few people in northeastern Wisconsin and riding all the way to Houghton. They would pack their luggage and stay along the trail. This is something Mi-TRALE has stated can be done but have never had anyone (that we know of) actually do it.

Mi-TRALE was fortunate to have members of the tour attend our June 1st meeting in Twin Lakes. It was at this meeting that Dexter Luck stated that he was going to DONATE a commercial/professional weed trimmer to Mi-TRALE. The weed trimmer will be used by Mi-TRALE volunteers to keep the two trailheads on the P Trail looking good.

Mi-TRALE really appreciates the Trail Riders of America and Harlan Ridge Runners for choosing our area and the Mi-TRALE ORV Trail System to ride and really appreciate Mr. Luck’s donation of the weed trimmer. (I’m sure all the businesses that this group spent money at are also VERY APPRECIATIVE!)

Mi-TRALE June Monthly Meeting Recap

All of the Michigan DNR Designated ORV Trails have been checked, signed, and brushed. While the DNR only requires Mi-TRALE to do this before Memorial Day and after Labor Day, Mi-TRALE continues to work on ALL our trails, designated and non-designated, throughout the year. Clearing the trails of fallen trees and checking for trail problems in an ongoing project, the club agreed to purchase its own chainsaw. The club is also going to try using an pull-behind old county highway grader in the next month to see if this works.

Mi-TRALE believes strongly in keeping its members, associates, DNR, and the Ottawa National Forest informed of EVERYTHING we do, whether it is through these weekly updates, phone calls, or meetings. Yet we find out “news” through the “grapevine.”

I found out that the multi-use bridge on the SB Trail in Kenton is to open this Friday through our local TV station. I found out about ORV trail Issues in the Ironwood area through the grapevine. Since some may not believe in good communication like Mi-TRALE does, I want to thank those who do pass on any information they hear to me by e-mailing me.

It was at the June meeting that due to a scheduling conflict, our summer campout has been changed from August 8th and 9th to September 12th and 13th. This will take place at the Stannard Township Park. We would love to have as many people take part as possible.

Our next Mi-TRALE club ride will be on Saturday, June 20th. We will be meeting at Headwaters Polaris in Watersmeet at 9:00 a.m. CENTRAL time. We’ll be riding the LL Trail to Land O’ Lakes and back and riding the IRM Trail from Watersmeet to Marenisco and back. This ride is FREE and OPEN TO EVERYONE.

Mi-TRALE members also voted to have Mi-TRALE apply to get the maintenance contract on the IRM Trail extension from Marenisco west, providing this trail is opened by the Ottawa National Forest. Over the past three years, it was ONLY Mi-TRALE that attended Ottawa N.F. meetings and the Gogebic County Road Commission and Gogebic County Board meetings on getting this trail extended. Mi-TRALE was also one of the leaders in getting a new Trailhead built in Marenisco. If the IRM Trail extension west of Marenisco is approved by both the Ottawa N.F. and the Michigan DNR, this would not be officially open until the summer of 2010 at the earliest.

A report was given on the upcoming ATV/Truck XTreme Challenges. The first one is Saturday, July 25th at the Ontonagon County Fairgrounds, and the second one is the following Saturday, August 1st, across from Lac Vieux Desert Resort Casino in Watersmeet. Mi-TRALE needs your help working one or both of these events. Let me know if you can help out.

Bruce Johanson and I are looking at this year’s program for our annual meeting/awards banquet. We may go to a PowerPoint presentation as to all that Mi-TRALE has done since our conception, or we may go to having a couple speakers like we did last year. Stay tuned...

“Girls of Grit” Fundraiser Ride for Breast Cancer Research

It was at our June meeting that I asked those in attendance to approve a “Girls of Grit” Ride as a fundraiser for breast cancer research. The club voted to support this idea. The idea is that women ONLY would ride 50, 75, or 100 miles. The girls would get a minimum of $50.00 to sponsor the ride, with ALL the money going to breast cancer research. This ride would take place during the summer of 2010. The idea is in its very early stages. I am looking for ideas and suggestions from anyone.

One of the issues we are going to have to work on is the DNR’s “event fee policy.” While Mi-TRALE worked hard in starting the process of getting this policy changed, the current policy is still law. That means that Mi-TRALE would have to pay $50.00 to APPLY for the permit to have the “Girls of Grit” fundraiser for breast cancer research, plus we may have to pay up to an additional $1,000 just to have this ride on Mi DNR Designated ORV Trails. While I cannot speak for the whole organization, I personally would rather see this money going to breast cancer research. The other issue is picking a date and where the ride would actually take place.

A few weekends ago, Mi-TRALE participated in the Lake Trout Classic Fishing Tournament by providing the PA system for the awards banquet. This fishing tournament is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

Mi-TRALE Equestrian Park

The Michigan DNR’s Director of Forestry in the Upper Peninsula has been sent the legal description of the county forest land that Mi-TRALE has proposed as an equestrian park. Now we are waiting for the DNR to not only let Mi-TRALE know, but also the Ontonagon County Forestry Committee whether it is legal for Mi-TRALE to build a parking area, horse corral, horseback riding trails on this Ontonagon County owned/managed land or not. The question that the DNR in Lansing has to answer is whether or not this park can be closed to motorized vehicles from Memorial Day Weekend to October 14th or not. The 2-track road on this land that goes to Kennedy Lake would be open year-round. Motorized vehicles would be allowed from October 14th (hunting season) to the following Memorial Day. It’s in the hands of the DNR right now...

Mi-TRALE Scramble Area

This coming Thursday, Mi-TRALE officers will be meeting with officials from the MiDNR to look over a portion of the proposed 1,100-acre parcel where Mi-TRALE would like to build this scramble area. Mi-TRALE has already received the UNANIMOUS support for the scramble area on this parcel from the Carp Lake Township Board and the Ontonagon County Economic Development Corporation. However, this Wednesday Mi-TRALE will be asking the EDC to support having the Ontonagon County Planning Commission amend its Recreation Plan to include this scramble area, and to support having the Ontonagon County Board amend its policy of the sale of private land in the county to the State of Michigan.

Roy Mussatti of Bessemer, one of our long-time competitors in the Truck XTreme Challenge, is really helping me out on this MAJOR project. A scramble area is a series of trails and roads for 4x4 trucks, Jeeps, off-road motorcycles, and ORVs. The Michigan Legislature approved the funding for only ONE scramble area in the entire Upper Peninsula ... all we can do is work hard in getting that ONE scramble area designated within the extensive Mi-TRALE ORV Trail Network. On a side note, this land is currently Commercial Forest Act Land; thus the county will NOT LOSE any tax money on the sale of this land to the State!

Annual Mi-TRALE Legislators/VIP Ride a Part of the Senior Citizens’ Fall Color ORV Ride

The date of this year’s ride will be on Thursday, September 24th. It will be a part of the Annual Mi-TRALE Senior Citizens’ Fall Color ORV Ride. Mi-TRALE wants our elected and appointed government leaders to not only see our beautiful fall color but to also see the success of our senior citizens’ fall color ORV ride. In the next month, we will be sending out our invitations to those in government, and we will also be looking for businesses to help sponsor the senior citizens’ ride.  We need to raise money to pay to transport the senior citizens to and from the ride and the lunch Mi-TRALE provides the senior citizens. If you can help us by donating $25.00 to this ride, that would be GREAT! We need to raise around $150.00 for this ride.

Special Thanks to Eileen Holmstrom and Dale Koski, Former M-107 Highway Clean-Up

Dale and Eileen did the spring highway clean-up on the former M-107 in Silver City. This is a section of highway that Mi-TRALE members have been cleaning the shoulder of for years. It is just one of the MANY community projects done by Mi-TRALE. The club voted to donate a Mi-TRALE cap and shirt along with sending them a special letter of thanks.

Mi-TRALE Map Sales

The club voted at our June meeting to allow for the sale of maps via the mail. However, the map price through the mail will be $5.00 or more depending upon the number of maps, as those wanting maps sent to them will also have to pay for the postage. Businesses that want more maps need to contact me, and I will get maps to them as soon as I can.

Mi-TRALE Board of Director Expansion

For the past 4 months, Mi-TRALE has been discussing expanding the board of directors from 3 to 7. This was brought up again at the June meeting. Even though the board would expand from the officers and 3 trustees to the officers and 7 trustees, the quorum requirement would remain at 4. This will be voted on at the October 3rd, 2009, annual meeting.

Next Mi-TRALE meeting: Quarterly membership meeting, Monday, July 6th, Adventure Mountain, Greenland, 7:00 p.m. EST. Everyone is invited to attend!

Mi-TRALE Graduates 9 Students

Graduation is not just for seniors in high school and college, but it’s also for 12-15-year-olds who successfully complete the Mi-TRALE ATV Safety Program. On Saturday, May 23rd, Mi-TRALE graduated 9 students in the organization’s spring ATV safety class in Ontonagon.

The classes began under a “classroom” setting with students given a Michigan DNR ATV Safety Book. Mi-TRALE volunteer instructors, Bruce Johanson and Rick Varecha, are both ATV safety certified by the MiDNR. The instructors went over the proper preparation children should make before going for an ATV ride. The students were then told the safe way to drive an ATV, including a strong emphasis on responsible riding.

“Just like at a previous ATV safety class, Mi-TRALE strongly points out how important it is for ALL ATV riders to ride on designated ATV trails, whether they are a MiDNR designated trail or one of the hundreds of miles of ATV trails that Mi-TRALE has permission to have a trail on,” stated Johanson.

Another topic that was addressed was the problem of modified exhaust systems. “The after-market mufflers that are loud are not only illegal in Michigan, but hurt our sport in getting trails open,” stated Varecha.

Varecha, who is also the president of the Ontonagon County Search and Rescue/Citizens Emergency Response Team, handled the chapter on survival.

The final chapter was devoted to ORV legal requirements in Michigan. Mi-TRALE President Skip Schulz explained the laws regarding children between the ages of 12 and 15 driving an ORV. Schulz also explained what Michigan requires to be in operating condition on an ORV.

The students then went to the specially-prepared ATV field training course, built and located behind Schulz’s house. Here the students were taught the correct way to drive an ATV. Then they had to demonstrate the safe and proper handling of an ATV on many different courses. The courses ranged from a simple oval to slalom to uphill/downhill operation to a trail built through the woods.

After the instructors believed that the students had the knowledge and skill to safely operate an ATV, they were taken for a trail ride.

At the end of the day, the students had to take a 50-question test, a test that all the students passed.

Schulz states that Mi-TRALE will continue to hold ATV safety training classes for children throughout the Western Upper Peninsula. “ATV safety training for children is just one of the many ways that our organization is proactively involved in the Western U.P. Mi-TRALE has one scheduled for Watersmeet on July 31st, and we’re working on other sites to hold the class in other areas this summer,” Schulz added.

Schulz reiterated how Mi-TRALE is a volunteer organization, not just with ATV safety training, but also on many other projects. This [now past] weekend, Mi-TRALE will be assisting with the Lake Trout Classic Fishing Tournament, which is a benefit for the Ontonagon Chapter of the American Cancer Society.

“Right after helping with the Lake Trout Classic, Mi-TRALE will be hosting a group of over 50 riders from Kentucky and Ohio. This group selected the Western U.P. based upon the popularity of the Mi-TRALE ORV trail system,” according to Schulz. “This group will have an economic impact in our area of over $25,000,” added Schulz.

This spring Eileen Holmstrom and Dale Koski picked up litter along the former M-107 in Silver City. For many years, Mi-TRALE member Jerry Yaklyvich did the M-107 litter pick-up. This winter, Mi-TRALE worked with the Sno-Valley Riders Snowmobile Club in doing a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. Once again this summer Mi-TRALE will be sponsoring the ATV/Truck XTreme Challenge at the Ontonagon County Fair on July 25th. The following Saturday, August 1st, Mi-TRALE will be sponsoring another XTreme Challenge at the Lac Vieux Desert Wheel Fest.

The popular Mi-TRALE Senior Citizen ORV Fall Color Tour ride is planned for September 24th.

Mi-TRALE continues to work on a Mi-TRALE equestrian park and a Mi-TRALE scramble area. For more information and to join Mi-TRALE, you can contact Schulz at 906-884-9101.

I want to thank all the Michigan DNR, the DNR’s Western U.P. Citizens Advisory Council, the Konteka, and all the people who made it to last night’s meeting at the Konteka in White Pine.

The DNR gave their presentation on the current status of ORV group fees, the current MiDNR ORV signing program, and proposed changes. After the DNR presentation, I gave a presentation as to the voluntary and Mi-TRALE paid ORV signing program, along with what the Mi-TRALE Board of Directors decided to propose in regards to ORV group fees.

Before both sides were given the opportunity to present their case, the DNR’s U.P. Field Director, Stacey Welling, stated that the MiDNR will allow Mi-TRALE to keep its signs posted on the Mi DNR designated ORV trails.

After both presentations, a number of people spoke in support of Mi-TRALE’s ORV signing program and opposition to the current ORV group fee structure. We had people from Wisconsin along with different communities in the U.P. voice their support of Mi-TRALE. Plus we had a large number of people who took the time to attend the meeting to show support for Mi-TRALE.

Then the WUP-CAC board voted overwhelmingly to support the Mi-TRALE ORV trail signing program. The WUP-CAC also agreed with Mi-TRALE and the MiDNR to “compromise” on the ORV group fee structure. The compromise is to allow groups, clubs, and families to have up to 75 riders at an “event” before the permit process goes into effect. However, private and commercial operations, guide services, tours, and events where fees are charged would stay at 20.

The third motion that I asked the WUP-CAC to support is to ask the MiDNR Natural Resources Commission to work with the state legislature in allowing ORVs the use of the shoulder of a state or federal highway bridge where an ORV trail goes to a creek, wetland, or river crossing. The WUP-CAC also supported this.

It’s important to remember that this FANTASTIC support from the WUP-CAC is only a “step” in a long process of actually taking these recommendations to the next “level.” Now we need the support of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission and then the state legislature.

We now will see if the Citizens Advisory Councils have any “input” into the legislative process.

It is also important for all of us to realize that the best way to make things happen legislatively is by working WITH local, county, state, and federal agencies and government. Mi-TRALE has worked very hard over the past 8 years in developing a solid cooperative working relationship with the MiDNR. It showed last night by the DNR’s willingness to listen, reason, and use common sense on the signing and ORV group fee issues.

What's Next For Mi-TRALE?

While we do not know if anyone from Mi-TRALE will be asked to participate in any further discussion regarding a consistant, standardized ORV trail signing program in Michigan, we do know that the DNR realizes the 3-year program on ORV trail signing that Mi-TRALE implemented WORKS. Nor do we know if the Michigan ORV Advisory Council is going to agree with the numerous local, county, and state groups, organizations, agencies, and ORV riders from all over in supporting the Mi-TRALE ORV trail signing program, but we can always hope! Nor do we know if the Natural Resources Commission is going to finally address this issue or whether the state legislature will follow the fantastic support of Mi-TRALE’s signing program.

What we do know is that the same process for getting HB4323 (ORV Road Ordinance) passed is the same process for making progress in changing from mere “confidence markers” to an ORV trail signing program, such as the one Mi-TRALE has been successful with and is now starting to roll.

Other Projects on the Table for Mi-TRALE

Mi-TRALE continues to keep our fingers “crossed,” hoping that the DNR’s Forestry Division will approve the Mi-TRALE equestrian park. Once the DNR approves this, we then will go for support from the Ontonagon County Forestry Committee, then the county board.

Mi-TRALE is also continuing the long process of getting the necessary local, county, and state support for the scramble area. This afternoon, Mi-TRALE will take another step by getting the Ontonagon County Planning Commission to agree to amend its Recreation Plan to include a “scramble” area.

All This, and We’re Still Working on ORV Trails!

Last weekend, a good number of Mi-TRALE volunteers were out working on the SB and IRM Trails. The only Michigan DNR Designated ORV Route that we have left to do by this weekend is the IRM Trail from Iron River to Marenisco. Then we’ll continue to work on the P, PF, E, and LL Trails. The non-designated C Trail is complete, and the BN MiDNR Designated Trail has also been completed.

Thanks again to all those who are helping on the trails!

ATV Safety Training Class is THIS SATURDAY

Mi-TRALE-member DNR Certified ATV Instructors will be holding another ATV safety class for children between 12 and 15 this Saturday behind my house at 610 Greenland Road in Ontonagon. The classroom portion will start at 9:00 a.m. EST, with the field training beginning at 12:30 p.m. EST. Those who successfully complete the course and pass the test will be given a temporary DNR ATV Safety Certificate. The MiDNR will then send out their permanent ATV safety certificate in the mail. We still have a few openings for students. If you’re interested, call 906-884-9101. We do have a $3.00 fee for lunch. The class and field training are provided at no charge by the MiDNR and Mi-TRALE.

Skip Schulz
Mi-TRALE President

Lac Vieux Desert Casino will be hosting “Wheel Fest” from July 30th to August 2nd. One of the many events associated with Wheel Fest is the “Zak Challenge.”

Zachary “Zak” Zakowski of Hilbert, Wisconsin, has never been defeated in a Mi-TRALE ATV XTreme Challenge event. This past year, Zak has been competing in national ATV events and is considered to be one of the top professional ATV races in the nation. Zak is a member of Michigan Trails and Recreation Alliance of Land and the Environment, commonly known as Mi-TRALE.

Zak Zakowski at a professional event in Florida

Lac Vieux Desert Casino, Mi-TRALE, and Zak have agreed to pay the first driver to defeat Zak at this year’s ATV XTreme Challenge at Wheel Fest $200. The first 5 drivers to pre-register to compete against Zak will be given a chance to compete against Zak in the challenging new ATV XTreme Challenge Track. This track will be built in the infield of the Stock Car Track. This is located across from Lac Vieux Desert Casino, US-45, Watersmeet, Michigan.

In addition to the “Zak Challenge,” Mi-TRALE will be offering DNR Certified ATV Safety Training Classes on Friday, July 31st. The classes are for 12 children between the ages of 12 and 16. Upon successful completion of the classroom and field training, the students will be given a temporary DNR ATV safety certificate. The Michigan DNR will be sending the children their permanent ATV safety certificates in the mail. For more information about the class, you’re asked to contact Skip Schulz, Mi-TRALE president, 906-884-9101.

Wheel Fest will also include a Truck XTreme Challenge on Saturday, August 1st, along with Two Wheel Drive, Four Wheel Drive up to 500 cc, and Top Dog ATV classes. A total cash purse of $2,000 will be offered in the Truck division and the 3 ATV divisions. The Mi-TRALE ATV/Truck XTreme Challenge will begin at 1:00 p.m. Central time.

Wheel Fest will conclude with the Debut Stock Car Race. The 4-Cylinder Bandit Stock Car Race will have a purse of $1,500 to the top 10 stock cars that advance to the 15-lap Feature Race. The stock car races will take place on Sunday, August 2nd, and will start at 4:00 p.m. Central time.

Wheel Fest will include ATV demo rides on Friday, July 31st from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. CST.

Mi-TRALE NEEDS your help by simply . Then on the subject line please put “Comments on OHV Connector Routes Project.” We're asking that you simply state your support for Alternative 3; however, state that you are DISAPPOINTED that the Ottawa National Forest did not provide ANY opportunity to connect the SB Trail in Sidnaw to the Baraga Plains, or a connector trail from Marenisco to Presque Isle (WI). If you would rather fax a letter, the fax number is 906-932-0122. The mailing address is: Susan J. Spear, Forest Supervisor, E6248 US Highway 2, Ironwood, MI 49938.

Remember the deadline for public comment is May 5 on an issue that Mi-TRALE has been working on for a number of years.

Mi-TRALE to Offer ORV Safety Class

Michigan Trails and Recreation Alliance of Land and the Environment, commonly known as Mi-TRALE, will be offering an ATV safety class in Ontonagon on Saturday, May 23rd. The class provides children between the ages of 12 and 16 with the chance to acquire the Michigan Department of Natural Resources ORV Safety Certificate.

Under Michigan law, all children between the ages of 10 and 11 years old may operate a 4-wheel ATV only when all of the following conditions are met: The ATV is being operated on land owned by the child’s parent or guardian, the operator is under the direct visual supervision of an adult, and the operator possesses a valid ORV safety certificate.

Children 12 to 15 years old may operate a 4-wheel ATV only when the operator is under the direct visual supervision of an adult and the operator possesses a valid ORV safety certificate. Children under 16 years old may operate other ORVs, such as trail bikes, only when the operator is under the direct visual supervision of an adult and the operator possesses a valid ORV safety certificate.

According to Michigan State Law, “direct visual supervision” is defined as having direct observation with the unaided eye and being close enough to come to the immediate aid of a youthful ORV operator.

Mi-TRALE DNR certified ORV safety Instructors will provide up to 12 students both classroom and ORV field training. The class and the field training will take place behind Skip and Sandy Schulz's home at 610 Greenland Road in Ontonagon. The Michigan DNR provides the classroom books; students are asked to bring their own ATV.

A $3.00 fee will be charged for lunch. Mi-TRALE and the Michigan DNR provides the materials at no charge. Mi-TRALE asks that parents join the organization so that Mi-TRALE can continue to provide this required ORV safety training at no charge. The first 12 students to pre-register by May 15th will be accepted. To pre-register, send the student's name, address, and phone number to: Mi-TRALE, c/o ATV Safety Training, P.O. Box 248, Ontonagon, MI 49953, and include a check for $3.00 for lunch. Family membership in Mi-TRALE is $30.00/year. Mi-TRALE membership is not required to take the course.

Students who pass the written exam and field training will be provided a temporary ORV safety certificate which is valid until the student receives his/her ORV safety certificate from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

For more information, you can call Mi-TRALE President Skip Schulz at 884-9101 or .

To: Superior Snowmobile Club
c/o Mike Sabo
Parkside Drive
Toivola, MI 49965

Dear Mike,

On behalf of the board of directors and the entire membership of Mi-TRALE, we want to congratulate the Superior Snowmobile Club on your new groomer garage. With both a board member and our president privileged to have been at your grand opening, Mi-TRALE commends your organization for all the work and planning that went into such a beautiful and useful facility.

Mi-TRALE is PROUD to have had such an excellent working relationship with your organization. A cooperative relationship that benefits numerous users of the trails that both organizations share in the maintenance. A cooperative relationship that was evident when Mi-TRALE was proud to give the Unity Award to the Superior Snowmobile Club at the 2008 Mi-TRALE Annual Meeting.

It is this cooperation amongst the two organizations that Mi-TRALE hopes will continue for many years to come. Mi-TRALE hopes that the cooperation between our organization and yours will show other trail organizations the benefits of working together.

Once again, Mi-TRALE congratulates the Superior Snowmobile Club on having such an excellent groomer garage!

Sincerely,
Skip Schulz
Mi-TRALE President

Monday Night Monthly Meeting and the Important DNR Meeting on May 18
Thursday, April 2, 2009

The regular monthly meeting of Mi-TRALE will be this coming Monday night, April 6th. The meeting will be at the Konteka in White Pine and starts at 7:00 p.m. EST.

After over a year of a lot of paperwork done by our secretary, we’re hoping to have a report as to Mi-TRALE getting 501C4 status from the Internal Revenue Service. Once we have the 501C4 status, Mi-TRALE will be trying to obtain some much needed grants. We’re going to have an update on the proposed Mi-TRALE equestrian park. Hopefully we’ll hear from the Michigan DNR by Monday night’s meeting. I’m also hoping to hear from Rob Katona on any news regarding any of the proposed trailheads.

It will be this Monday night that we’re going to be looking for volunteers to help with our spring ORV trails. If you cannot make the meeting but would be willing to check for spring washouts, fallen trees, brush, and signs on any of our hundreds of miles of trails, please e-mail me.

On the subject of signs: After years of our volunteers working hard to properly sign the BN, SB, and IRM Trails so that these signs would correspond with the Mi-TRALE Western U.P. ORV Map (a map that cost our club over $10,000), the Michigan DNR is requiring Mi-TRALE to take ALL those signs down. Mi-TRALE never asked for a penny to be reimbursed for the signs, posts, or the work in putting them up; however, it sure would have been nice if we could have at least received an “atta boy.” In place of the “atta boy,” they are telling us to take them down.

This will be an agenda item at a very important May 18th DNR Western U.P. Citizens Advisory Board meeting at the Konteka in White Pine. This meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. EST. For those who are willing to help Mi-TRALE out and are willing to speak during the public comment portion, you need to be at the Konteka from 6:00-6:30 p.m. EST to sign up. Also on that agenda is the DNR’s policy of requiring any organized ORV group of over 20 riders to pay an application fee, then wait for the application to be approved, and if approved, pay an additional fee. This is above and beyond the $16.25 annual trail user fee that everyone is required to buy.

On the subject of that fee, while we would love to have as many Mi-TRALE members and potential new members join us for our FIRST CLUB RIDE OF THE SEASON, on Saturday, May 9 ... if we are fortunate enough to get 20 or more riders, we’ll have to break up. The ride is planned on leaving Adventure Mountain and going to the Wildlife Refuge Trailhead in South Range.

Also on the agenda of this coming Monday night’s regular monthly meeting for Mi-TRALE will be the SB Trail and the Kenton Bridge redecking. Due to the fact that we cannot take a short detour around the bridge on M-28, this trail will be closed down at the bridge until possibly the end of July.

We’re also going to be going over the Trail Riders of America ride on our trail system, June 1st to the 7th. We’ll be talking about an annual newsletter to members, setting the dates for the spring and summer ATV safety training classes, find out what other businesses are willing to sell our Mi-TRALE apparel, and talking about expanding the Mi-TRALE ATV/Truck XTreme Challenge Series to include a special event in Watersmeet on August 1st.

I will also be giving a recap of this weekend’s Wisconsin ATV Association annual meeting in Wausau, Wisconsin. Mi-TRALE will be talking about our popular Senior Citizen ORV Tour. We will also have Mi-TRALE maps for sale, along with some of the clothing, so if you plan on attending the WATVA Convention and would like a map, you'll be able to pick one up at the convention.

Hope to see you at this coming Monday night’s, April 6th, Mi-TRALE meeting at the Konteka. Again, the meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. EST.

Please don't forget about the important Michigan DNR Western U.P. Citizens Advisory Board Meeting at the Konteka in White Pine, Monday night, May 18th.

March Board Meeting and Weekly Update
March 9, 2009

The Mi-TRALE Board of Directors held their regular monthly meeting on March 2nd at the Parkview Lodge in Twin Lakes. Here are some of the items on the agenda:

Mi-TRALE Equestrian Park

With two guests in attendance at the meeting representing Ontonagon and Houghton County Back Country Horseman, the board stuck with the decision that Mi-TRALE members voted on earlier this year. That is to continue to pursue the Mi-TRALE Equestrian Park on an 800-acre parcel off of Himanka Hill Road south of Bruce Crossing. However, the board did change its original proposal to use this land for horseback riding from Memorial Day weekend to October 15th to an ending date of October 30th (which was the original date on our proposal to the Ontonagon County Board). The Mi-TRALE board also proposes to keep a two-track road for motorized use open to Kennedy Lake. Currently we do not have any Mi-TRALE or MI DNR Designated ORV trails or preferred routes that go to or from this parcel of land. If a snowmobile and/or ORV trail or route is built to connect to this parcel, then Mi-TRALE will work on developing a trail separate of the EQ trails in this park. This proposal now goes to the Ontonagon County Forestry Committee, which states that this county-owned land is under control of the Michigan DNR. It is important for everyone to remember that Mi-TRALE stands for...Michigan Trails and Recreation Alliance of Land and the Environment. Mi-TRALE is an organization where the motorized and non-motorized community WORKS TOGETHER.

Mi-TRALE Scramble Area

As most of you know, I have been working on this project for over a year. I have found an 1,100-acre parcel, originally owned by Copper Range, south of White Pine. I am in the process of submitting this information to the Michigan DNR. The scramble area is an area where the 4x4/Jeep community, the off-road motorcycle community, ATVs, and sde-by-sides would have an area for them to enjoy. As stated above, Mi-TRALE is a MULTIPLE USE trails organization!

PA 240

This is the new Michigan State Law that allowed the Northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula county boards to vote on opening local and county roads to ORV travel. Mi-TRALE was the ONLY organization representing the ORV community at the Houghton, Ontonagon, Iron, and Gogebic County board meetings when those boards passed PA 240. The only county in our extensive ORV trail network that has not yet passed this legislation is Baraga County. Mi-TRALE is working closely with representatives from Baraga County in getting PA 240 passed. Once this is passed, we will let you know.

Pioneer Trail

While it does not look good that the 15-year project of building the P (Pioneer) Trail will become a Michigan DNR Designated ORV Trail this summer, Mi-TRALE will continue to maintain this beautiful trail through the Ottawa National Forest with membership money and volunteers. Hopefully in 2010, this trail will become a part of the Michigan DNR Designated ORV Trail System.

E Trail

This is the trail that Mi-TRALE built over 2 years ago, connecting the P and PF Trails to White Pine. This is NOT a trail for beginners, and those riding this trail should be aware of the different slopes and angles of this trail. Recently Bruce Johanson and I met with representatives of the Michigan DNR and the North Country Snowmobile Club in possibly having a MULTI-USE bridge built over the Mineral River north of White Pine. Once a MULTI-USE trail bridge is built, then Mi-TRALE will then begin trying to obtain private property trail agreements that would extend the E Trail into Silver City. Mi-TRALE awaits word from the DNR as to where they will decide to put a bridge over the Mineral River before work is done in getting those private landowner trail agreements.

501C7

Our secretary, Bruce Johanson, is making a lot of progress in getting Mi-TRALE 501C7 status. This long process through the Internal Revenue Service will offer Mi-TRALE the opportunity to apply for much needed grants. Mi-TRALE has developed one of the most extensive ORV trail systems in the nation since our conception in July of 2001. The signing, development, and maintance of the hundreds of miles of trails has been done with very little money. In addition to all the miles of trails, Mi-TRALE resurrected a search and rescue unit, did fund-raisers for a county fair and Habitat for Humanity, co-sponsored a senior citizen ORV fall color ride, sponsored ATV safety training classes, and attended over 100 meetings with local, county, state, and federal officials. We're hoping that once we get our 501C7 status, we'll be able to get grant money that will help us in get some trail maintenance equipment and supplies.

Wisconsin ATV Association Annual Meeting

Mi-TRALE will be attending that meeting in Wausau from April 3rd to the 5th. WATVA is an EXCELLENT organization and it is good to keep a close working relationship with them!

Mi-TRALE Clothing

You will find a good selection of the Mi-TRALE clothing for sale at Krupp's Mini-Mart in Twin Lakes, Bergland Bay Bar in Bergland, and Joe's Auto Service and Back40 ATV Guide Service, south of Bruce Crossing. Mi-TRALE wants to thank these businesses for purchasing an excellent supply of Mi-TRALE clothing for resale.

Snowmobile Drag Race to Benefit Habitat for Humanity

With the excellent cooperation of the Snow Valley Riders Snowmobile Club, Mi-TRALE assisted in raising close to $200 for Habitat for Humanity. The local Habitat for Humanity chapter is building a house just west of Ewen for an elderly couple. Plan for construction start-up is this fall. This is another example of Mi-TRALE working with other trail users to BENEFIT our area! The snowmobile drag races took place at the Sidnaw Airport with the support of Brad Fredricks, airport landowner, and help from the EMTs from Covington. Temps at the start of the drag races were over 25 BELOW ZERO ... so turnout of drivers and fans was not as good as projected.

OTHER NEWS, Not From the March Meeting

Mi-TRALE wants to congratulate Zak Zakowski for doing so well on the GNCC Tour this winter, and wish him the best at the races this spring. Zac is the son of Paul and Linda Zakowski. Paul is our vice president.

The multi-use bridge on the SB Trail in Kenton will be re-decked this spring and summer. The Michigan DNR has advised Mi-TRALE that that portion of the SB Trail will be closed for April, May, June, and possibly July of this summer. The DNR states that they do not have a detour around this bridge construction ... so please be aware of this when making your ORV traveling plans this spring and summer.

For the first time in recent history, the Michigan DNR will be holding a meeting in Ontonagon County. As your representative and a representative of the off-road motorized community, I am on the DNR's Western U.P. Citizens’ Advisory Board. It is this board that is going to be meeting on Monday night, May 18th, at 6:30 p.m. EST. I proposed that this meeting be held at the Konteka in White Pine. The actual location of that meeting has not been decided as of right now. Once it is, I will let everyone know.

It is IMPERATIVE that we have a good turnout of people at this meeting speaking during the public comment period in SUPPORT of all the work and Mi-TRALE MONEY spent on signing ORV trails in the entire Western U.P. We have been told by the DNR to TAKE DOWN ALL of the ORV trail signs on the BN (Bill Nichols), SB (Sidnaw to Bergland), and IRM (Iron River to Marenisco) trails. Then if we were fortunate to get any of the many miles of ORV trails our organization built, developed, and maintained with OUR OWN MONEY, we would then have to take down all THOSE signs. It is also at this meeting that the topic of the special Michigan DNR ORV group fee where any group of over 20 people that has an organized ORV ride has to pay $50.00 to APPLY for a special permit. Then if your permit is accepted, that group has to pay another fee. This is above and beyond the state law requiring residents and non-residents to pay for the annual trail sticker fee. Both of these topics will be addressed at the DNR's Western U.P. Citizens' Advisory Board Meeting in White Pine on Monday night, May 20th. PLEASE, PLEASE, try to attend and speak.

Please look at our Web site for the dates and locations of this year's Mi-TRALE club rides, and plan on riding with us. We would love to have you take part in our summer campout/cookout ride. It is NEVER too early to make sure you plan on attending this year's Mi-TRALE Annual Membership Meeting and Banquet! This will be October 3rd at the Root Cellar on the east shore of Lake Gogebic.

Our next Mi-TRALE meeting is a general membership meeting. It is scheduled for Monday night, April 6th, at the Konteka in White Pine. The meeting is open to EVERYONE; it starts at 7:00 p.m. EST.

Story about Copper Peak on ESPN Blog
Sunday, March 1, 2009

Corey Tomesh of www.exconfreeride.com, which is putting together the DVD of this year’s Copper Peak Hillclimb, submitted a GREAT story on this year’s Copper Peak Championship Snowmobile Hillclimb to ESPN. Click on the following link and check it out!

http://espn.go.com/action/snowmobiling/blog?post=3938048

For those of you that are looking to order the DVD of the hillclimb, below is Cory’s address and phone number. I’m anxious to get a copy!

Cory Tomesh, Drift Media
http://www.driftmedia.net
715-719-0298 - Office
715-651-9858 - Cell

Also, this past weekend, we had a great time at our Debut MASTERS Snowmobile Drag Races at the Sidnaw Airport. The Snow Valley Riders Snowmobile Club did a FANTASTIC job in setting up the course and getting landowner approval. The event was co-sponsored by Mi-TRALE and was a benefit for Habitat for Humanity. I will be sending out a press release on the races.

Just like at Copper Peak, it was Kenny Kolitsch and Karen Solberg of the International Watercross Association who helped us at the Drag Races. Karen did her usual FANTASTIC job at the finish line, and Kenny tossed the flag like an “old pro”! My wife, Sandy, did a great job on the charts, and the DRIVERS were FANTASTIC! Not one complaint, question, concern, or criticism of the event! We even had Scott Kneirim DONATE ALL his prize money back to Habitat for Humanity!

That’s it for this year’s MASTERS Circuit. I now turn my attention to the World Series of Watercross with the International Watercross Association and the Mi-TRALE ATV/Truck XTreme Challenge race(s).

Thanks again everyone!

Skip

Mi-TRALE a Partner at Copper Peak Hillclimb—Organization’s 6-Wheeler Used to Haul Sleds Back to Pits

Van Kalker and Gustafson take Copper Peak!

Levering, Michigan's Joe Van Kalker and Roseau, Minnesota's Nick Gustafson won the coveted Copper Peak Championship Snowmobile Hillclimb Pro Stock and Pro Mod King of the Hill this past Saturday. Gustafson, who took a second in last year's competition edged out last years Pro Mod King of the Hill, Matt Tingstad. Van Kalker defeated the 2007 and 2008 Pro Stock King of the Hill, Wyler Miller.

Van Kalker followed Coon Rapids, Minnesota's Jesse Stanton as the first two drivers to qualify for the Pro Stock King of the Hill "shootout." Stanton won the Pro Stock 500 Class, followed by Van Kalker taking the Pro Stock 600 Class. It was in that Pro Stock 600 Class that Van Kalker first defeated Tingstad. Tingstad took a second in that class. Van Kalker beat Tingstad by over 4 seconds. Then in the Pro Stock 700 class, the Ski-doo driver kept Miller from securing a spot in the "shootout'" by beating the 2007 Pro Stock King of the Hill by over 4 seconds, with an amazing second qualifying run of 17.46 seconds. Miller came back to win in Pro Stock 800 and Pro Open Stock.

That meant only 3 drivers would compete for the $1000 "winner-take-all" Pro Stock King of the Hill and the automatic invite to the World Championship Snowmobile Hillclimb in Jackson, Wyomng. Miller drew first in the "shootout" and posted an impressive 17.26-second run. Van Kalker went next and narrowly beat Miller with a 16.61-second run. Miller came back and ran a 17.53-second run. This left only the Pro Stock 500 qualifier, Stanton, to have a shot at defeating Van Kalker. Stanton in his first time competing at Copper Peak posted a 19.14-second run, giving Van Kalker the Pro Stock King of the Hill.

With so much on the line, and people from all over the Midwest looking to dethrone the perennial favorites in the Pro Mod Class, MIller and Tingstad, Wyler "Wild Man" Miller of Pelkie, Michigan, and Tingstad of Bessemer, Michigan, brought an arsenal of sleds this year. Tingstad on Arctic Cats and Miller on Ski-doos. Miller took one of his Ski-doos to a slim win in the Pro Mod 600 Class over Tingstad. Miller posted an 18.22 in his second qualifying run, with Tingstad having an 18.76. Long-time Copper Peak competitor, Lance Forcia., Jr., of L'Anse, Michigan, took a third on a 2009 Polaris.

Tingstad, known as Tinger in the World of Snowmobile Freestyle competition, got revenge in Pro Mod 700 by beating Miller's first qualifying run time by two seconds. Miller failed to make the hill on his second attempt. That meant that time was running out for last year's Pro Mod King of the Hill runner-up, Nick Gustafson. During the first round of competition, it appeared that this was not going to be the year for Gustafson, formerly of neighboring Hurley, Wisconsin.

The driver that works in the Polaris factory turned to his crew to make sled adjustments for the changing hill conditions. In the Pro Mod 800 class, Gustafson opened the second round by turning in a fast 17.58-second run. The huge crowd then thought Gustafson secured his spot in the Pro Mod King of the Hill. Problem was, Van Kalker was the last to run in Pro Mod 800. Van Kalker turned in a 17.15-second run, and left Gustafson wondering what happened.

That meant that Gustafson would have to win the Pro Open Mod class to earn a shot in the Pro Mod King of the Hill "shootout." After the first round of qualifying in Pro Open Mod, the leader was Miller with a 19.80-second run. With the second run being on a different route around the 3 gates and to the "timing shoot," Gustafson knew he had to go "all out." Due to the draw on Friday night, Gustafson had one "ace" in his back pocket: that is that the Polaris Assault driver would be the last to run at the very steep Copper Peak cliff.

Marquette, Michigan's Jason Carter opened up the second round of Pro Open Mod qualifying with an 18.49-second run. That knocked Miller out of first place in the class. Stanton on a different Arctic Cat from his Pro Stock 500 qualifier had an 18.61-second run, then Tingstad had an 18.74-second run, then Cheboygan, Michigan's Chuckie Robiadek had an 18.75 run. This left it down to Van Kalker, Miller, and Gustafson. Van Kalker had an 18.75 shot up the hill, Miller posted a time of 18.51.

Now it was up to Gustafson with one last shot to get into the "shootout" and keep Carter from getting his first shot at qualifying for the much heralded Pro Mod King of the Hill.

Gustafson took off out of the "starting shoot" like a rocket. He made a perfect turn around the first gate and the second gate. Then he had to get over the steepest part of the hill, what is known as "the wall." Gustafson easily cleared "the wall." Problem a majority of the drivers had on the second qualifying course was that the approach to the third gate was down to dirt, with an erosion-preventing log fully exposed. Gustafson went over the log fully under control, and then made a "beeline" to the timing shoot. After the roar of the crowd dissipated, Skip Schulz, Mid America Snowmobile Tournament of Expert Racers, MASTERS Circuit, announced "Nick Gustafson just turned in a time of 16.83 seconds, thus winning Pro Open Mod and qualifying for the Pro Mod King of the Hill shootout."

In the Pro Mod King of the Hill "shootout," four drivers would compete for the $1,000 "winner-take-all" and an invite to the World Championships. Tingstad drew first, Gustafson second, Miller third, and Van Kalker would end the competition.

Tingstad had a 23.00 run. Gustafson had a very "beatable" 19.13-second run. The attention was now on Miller. Miller failed to make it around the tough third gate. Last at the line, Van Kalker, who had already won Pro Stock King of the Hill and pocketed $1,650.00, failed to make it over the top, giving Gustafson the Pro Mod King of the Hill.

Even though Miller failed to win a Stock or Mod King of the Hill competition for the first time in 3 years, Copper Peak was not without a Miller at the top of the throne. However, it would not be a "King of the Hill," but a "Queen of the Hill." Wyler's daughter, McKenna, captured the 120cc "Queen" of the Hill. McKenna went higher up the mountain then Eli Talsma and Morgan Miskovich.

Due to warm weather, the hillclimb was postponed from the Saturday before. While 6 inches of snow did fall from the "meltdown" of the previous week, the hill and the snowmobiles took a beating. Numerous snowmobiles came tumbling down to the applause of the crowd and the ahs of the drivers. In one attempt, De Pere, Wisconsin's Matt Cook's Arctic Cat went off the course and the stand that one of the videographers was perched on. The cameraman was knocked off the stand and came tumbling down the hill. While bruised and beaten, the individual was able to complete the filming of the event. Other than this person and dozens of snowmobiles, once again this year no one was hurt.

The MASTERS Circuit that sanctions this event selects the top drivers from throughout the Midwest to compete at this event. "Copper Peak is the most extreme snowmobile hillclimb in the Midwest and that is why we select a limited number of drivers," stated Schulz. "While we don't have the 'distance' of the hills that the Pro drivers compete at in the Rocky Mountains, Copper Peak is 700 feet that is so steep, one cannot even see the bottom of the hill from the timing chute at the top," remarked Schulz.

With all the carnage on the hill, one would think that the majority of the drivers would leave the Western Upper Peninsula dismayed.

"I look forward to competing in this event every year," stated Layne Stank of Menomonee, Michigan.

"I wouldn't miss competing, no matter how many sleds I've destroyed," said Scott Smith of Ewen, Michigan.

"I didn't know I was competing until a few days before the event. When Skip (Schulz) told me he had a spot for me with a cancellation due to the postponed, I jumped at the chance," stated Jesse Stanton of Coon Rapids, Minnesota. The same misfortune on the change of the date for some drivers also opened up a spot for Jordan Sherwood of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota. However, Sherwood was not as fortunate as Stanton. Sherwood failed to make it over the top after four runs.

"This event is not only good for the tourism economy of the Western Upper Peninsula, but it also gives us the chance to showcase the Western Hemisphere's highest ski flying jump," stated Charlie Supercynski of Copper Peak Ski Flying. Some of the money raised at the snowmobile hillclimb goes to a fund to bring ski flying back to Copper Peak. Fans were given the chance to take the chair lift up the steep bluff to get a view of the acres of cars in the parking lot for the hillclimb.

Plans and the date for the 2010 Copper Peak Championship Snowmobile Hillclimb will begin in March. Till then the MASTERS Circuit now focuses on this coming Saturday's snowmobile drag race in Sidnaw, Michigan, for Habitat for Humanity.

Results of 2009 Copper Peak Championship Snowmobile Hillclimb Pro Stock 500: 1) Jesse Stanton, Coon Rapids (MN), Arctic Cat; 2) Cory Bull, Ironwood (MI), Arctic Cat; 3) Tim Staddick, New Ulm (MN), Ski-doo
Pro Stock 600: 1) Joe Van Kalker, Levering (MI), Ski-doo; 2) Matt Tingstad, Bessemer (MI), Arctic Cat; 3) Jesse Stanton, Coon Rapids (MN), Arctic Cat
Pro Stock 700: 1) Joe Van Kalker, Levering (MI), Ski-doo; 2) Wyler Miller, Pelkie (MI), Ski-doo; 3) Layne Stank, Menomonee (MI), Polaris
Pro Stock 800: 1) Wyler Miller, Pelkie (MI), Ski-doo; 2) Matt Tingstad (2nd Run), Bessemer (MI), Arctic Cat; 3) Tingstad (1st Run)
Ironwood Super 8 Pro Open Stock: 1) Wyler Miller, Pelkie (MI), Ski-doo; 2) Nick Gustafson, Roseau (MN), Polaris; 3) MattTingstad, Bessemer (MI), Arctic Cat
Pro Mod 600: 1) Wyler Miller, Pelkie (MI), Ski-doo; 2) Matt Tingstad, Bessemer (MI), Arctic Cat; 3) Lance Forcia, Jr., L'Anse (MI), Polaris
Pro Mod 700: 1) Matt Tingstad (2nd Run), Bessemer (MI), Arctic Cat;  2) Wyler Miller, Pelkie (MI), Ski-doo; 3) Tingstad (1st Run)
Mountain View Lodges-Silver City Pro Mod 800:  1) Joe Van Kalker, Levering (MI), Ski-doo; 2) Nick Gustafson, Roseau (MN), Polaris; 3) Wyler Miller, Pelkie (MI), Ski-doo
Ironwood Super 8 Pro Open Mod:  1) Nick Gustafson, Roseau (MN), Polaris; 2) Jason Carter, Marquette (MI), Ski-doo; 3) Wyler Miller, Pelkie (MI), Ski-doo
Indianhead Motel of Ironwood 120cc King/Queen of the Hill: 1) McKenna Miller, Pelkie (MI), Ski-doo; 2) Eli Talsma, Bessemer (MI) Polaris; 3) Morgan Miskovich, Wakefield (MI), Polaris
Pro Stock King of the Hill:  1) Joe Van Kalker, Levering (MI), Ski-doo 2) Wyler Miller, Pelkie (MI), Ski-doo; 3) Jesse Stanton, Coon Rapids (MN) Arctic Cat
Pro Mod King of the Hill: 1) Nick Gustafson, Roseau (MN), Polaris; 2) Matt Tingstad, Bessemer (MI), Arctic Cat; 3) Wyler Miller, Pelkie (MI) Ski-doo

Correction on yesterday's update (below)
February 5, 2009

At our last meeting, we had Darla Lenz, Ontonagon Ranger District Supervisor, speak. I made the mistake to not let Darla know that we were going to be talking about “group ORV fees,” so she did not have the specific information we needed.

Dawn Buss-Glodowski, Recreation Specialist for the Ontonagon District of the Ottawa National Forest, sent me the following e-mail today...

Skip, there is a discrepancy with your notes below. You’ve stated that the Ottawa requires user groups over 20 to have a permit. This is not accurate. I know we’ve discussed this before that user groups over 75 participants must apply for a special use permit on National Forest Lands.

I apologize for my mistake.

On another note, Bruce Johanson and I met with Ron Yesney, John Mattila, and Dan Laux of the Michigan DNR today. Also at that meeting were Dave Martin and Jerry Yaklyvich of the North Country Snowmobile Club. The meeting looked at different options that BOTH snowmobilers and ORV riders could have in regard to a trail from White Pine to Silver City. Some of the options require the construction of a multi-use bridge over the Mineral River. It was an EXCELLENT meeting, and Mi-TRALE looks forward to working with both the DNR and the North Country Snowmobile Club in finding a trail that we can BOTH use. I will keep all of you up to date on this very important project.

I also want to thank the Mi-TRALE Board of Directors for agreeing to allow the Mid-America Snowmobile Tournament of Expert Riders (MASTERS) Circuit the use of the Mi-TRALE Polaris Big Boss for use at the upcoming Copper Peak Championship Snowmobile Hillclimb on February 14th.

As all of you know, Mi-TRALE was instrumental in resurrecting a search and rescue unit. Here is their latest press release:

Ontonagon Search and Rescue Meeting Wednesday

The Ontonagon County Search and Rescue (OSAR) Unit will be meeting this Wednesday night. The meeting will be at the Porcupine Mountains State Park Headquarters. The meeting will start at 6:00 p.m. EST.

Bill Doan of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will go over search and rescue emergency equipment. Doan will be explaining the use and how to use the equipment. Doan, a member of the Ontonagon County Search and Rescue Unit, has given informative presentations to the group over the past year.

Last week four members of OSAR participated in a mock emergency at the Porcupine Mountains State Park. The members participated as victims of an emergency. The Michigan DNR, Michigan State Police, Ontonagon County Sheriff’s Department, U.S. Forest Service, Beacon EMS, Ontonagon Hospital, Grand View Hospital, Carp Lake Township Fire Department, and Ontonagon Emergency Services were a part of the drill.

OSAR has been meeting on a monthly basis since April of 2008, with each meeting focusing on special search and rescue training for its members. All of the members of OSAR are volunteers, and the group is always looking for new members. While there are no membership dues to OSAR, members in the past have paid for some of their own equipment and training. The group is working with Ontonagon County Emergency Services Director Bill Johnson in obtaining the funds to purchase search and rescue equipment.

“Ontonagon County Search and Rescue members will be ready to help local, county, state and federal officials in case of search or an emergency. However, we hope that all of the training we have been through will never be needed,” stated OSAR President Rick Varecha of Silver City.

If you would like more information or to join OSAR, you’re asked to contact anyone of the group’s officers, President Rick Varecha at 885-5256, or Vice President Skip Schulz at 884-9101.

That’s it, folks (... at least for a few days ...)!

Weekly Update
February 4, 2009

Recap of Feb 2nd Mi-TRALE Board of Directors Meeting

Darla Lenz, Ontonagon District Ranger of the Ottawa National Forest, explained the process that the Ottawa must now go through to get the connector trails and routes that Mi-TRALE has played an important role in the past couple years. This includes the LL Trail from Watersmeet to Land O’ Lakes, the Lake Gogebic West Shore Trail, the IRM extension from Marenisco to Wakefield, the north/south connector from the IRM Trail in Iron River to Kenton, the north/south connector from Sidnaw to the BN (Bill Nichols) Trail, and FR 630, which would connect the PF Trail to the P (Pioneer) Trail.

What you will not have noticed is Mi-TRALE’s proposed connector from Marenisco to Presque Isle (WI). It was at the meeting that the owners of Alpine Resort in Presque Isle were on hand. Lenz told them and the board that while a connector trail to Presque Isle is not currently being considered, the Ottawa will look at this after the current connector trails are decided upon.

You will also notice that the Ottawa still will not consider opening FR 2200, east of Sidnaw. Mi-TRALE has asked for that trail to be opened for over two years as we need this to connect the SB Trail to the Baraga Plains ORV trails. Once we have that connection finished, we can then start to work on trails east of the Baraga Plains. A long-time goal of ours is to eventually connect to the ORV trails in the Central U.P.

Darla told us that once the environmental analysis is completed, the public will have a chance to choose one of three alternatives. Then the final decision, hopefully at the end of this year, will be made by Susan Spear, Ottawa National Forest Supervisor. I’ll keep you posted!

Rob Katona of the Michigan DNR was also at our meeting. Rob talked about the work he is doing with Mi-TRALE, townships, and counties in establishing four State Designated ORV Trailheads. Earlier in the day, Rob met with officials from Marenisco Township in putting in a trailhead right in town. Rob also talked about building a trailhead on the Canal Road in Houghton. This trailhead would have a reader board letting people know about getting the police escort across the Portage Lift Bridge. Another trailhead that Rob and the DNR is looking at is along M-26 between Greenland and Mass City. This would be a BN (Bill Nichols) Trailhead and would also serve the riders that want to head west to the P (Pioneer) Trail.

A trailhead that Mi-TRALE hopes the DNR will look at is in Sidnaw. I have met with a landowner who also owns a beautiful garage/meeting place. This garage could serve as a place for both the Snow Valley Riders and the Baraga Tourism Association groomers, along with Mi-TRALE equipment. The building would also serve as a meeting and conference center for many different trail users. Hey ... all we can do is ask and hope, right?

Mi-TRALE and the Ottawa National Forest will continue to maintain the P Trailheads, including the one just east of Bergland and the one on the Norwich Road. However ALL OF US are very concerned about the lack of ORV/snowmobile crossing warning signs on the Norwich Road by that trailhead. This is a “blind crossing,” and we’re all fearful of a serious accident happening there.

Rob is also working with Mi-TRALE and the Snow Valley Riders Snowmobile Club in getting the SB Trail from Sidnaw to just west of Bruce Crossing graded this coming fall. Rob and the DNR are also working on getting the IRM Trail and the BN Trail graded this coming fall.

There was a lot of discussion dealing with both the Michigan DNR and Ottawa National Forest group fee structure. Groups over 20 need to apply for a special use permit; however, one can have any number of groups of 19 people or less. This is an issue that I will be bringing up at the February 23rd Michigan DNR Western U.P. Citizens Advisory Board meeting in Crystal Falls. Rob stated that this issue will also most likely be addressed by the Michigan DNR ORV Advisory Council.

A lot of discussion dealt with getting the P (Pioneer) Trail as a Michigan DNR Designated Trail. This trail was originally built by the Michigan National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve, Ottawa National Forest, Michigan DNR, and TRALE-UP in 1994. Fifteen years later, it is still not a Michigan DNR Designated Trail ... however, we’re getting close. It is this trail that has become a template all around the State of Michigan, as Mi-TRALE secured PRIVATE landowner trail agreements ... something that has not been done with ORV trails in Michigan. However, we still need to get one more landowner agreement and a letter from the Ontonagon County Road Commission. It looks good that in 2010, the P Trail will become a Designated Michigan DNR ORV Trail. The trail is open to ORVs and is maintained by Mi-TRALE through our membership money.

In the proposed opening of the P Trail, we are including the C Trail from Rockland to Greenland. A stream crossing is what the issue on that segment of trail is right now.

The proposed Mi-TRALE equestrian park was addressed. Former Mi-TRALE VP Joe Pietila addressed the group with his concern about shutting down 800 acres of publicly owned county land to motorized recreation. Others at the meeting had the same concern. I brought up the need for Mi-TRALE to hold true to its founding and its name ... that being Michigan Trails and Recreation Alliance of Land and the Environment. I formed the group to be a group of multiple trail users; however, with the travel management rule, Mi-TRALE was forced to focus on ORV trails; thus a lot of people think of our organization as just being an ORV group ... which we are not.

However, due to the logging company not returning its contract on the parcel of land that was to have a timber harvest, this project has been put on hold. It was the logging roads that would have helped create the equestrian trails.

Another major project that Mi-TRALE has been working on for over a year is a “scramble” area. This would be a 1000-1500-acre parcel that would have roads and trails for Jeeps, 4x4 trucks, off-road motorcycles, and ORVs. I sent one proposal to the DNR and am working on another. Hopefully Mi-TRALE will get the “ball rolling” on this.

Mi-TRALE and the Snow Valley Riders are teaming up to raise money for the local Habitat for Humanity. This is going to be done by co-hosting a snowmobile drag race on February 28th at the Sidnaw Airport. WE CAN USE ANY HELP WE CAN GET ON THIS ... just contact me. We’ll need security on the grounds, parking attendants, gate people, and people to possibly help with the Habitat for Humanity fundraising concession stand. WE ALSO NEED SNOWMOBILERS that would like to compete. We’ll have Stock, Modified, Vintage and a 120cc Class. Mi-TRALE and the Snow Valley Rider president and Mi-TRALE board member, Beckie Faulkner, pitched in for first-place trophies in all the classes.

It is important that all our Mi-TRALE members know that our organization is a very important SERVICE group in our area. Besides helping Habitat for Humanity, Mi-TRALE was instrumental in resurrecting the area’s search and rescue unit, we host numerous events to help local groups and communities, provide ORV safety training, offer senior citizen ORV color tours, and is active in local, county, state, and federal issues that will have an impact on where you recreate.

Bruce Johanson submitted the 2009 Mi-TRALE budget, from which Mi-TRALE will purchase its own computer and set money aside for different community events. Of those, Mi-TRALE is looking at adding two more ATV/Truck XTreme Challenges this summer, possibly in Bruce Crossing over the 4th of July and one for the Ewen Log Jamboree at the end of September. This is in addition to the fan-popular event during the Ontonagon County Fair the final Saturday in July.

The board voted to once again host the CP2R Award this year. This is the award that goes out to anyone that can actually ride their ORV on the entire IRM, BN, SB, P, PF, E, and LL Trails. Five Mi-TRALE members accomplished this amazing feat last year.

As you can see, we held a very busy and important meeting on February 2nd. Our next meeting will be March 2nd at the Parkview Lodge in Twin Lakes. Hope you can make it!

Weekly Update
January 27, 2009

Next meeting: This coming Monday night, February 2, at Twilley's in Bruce Crossing.

The meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. EST/6:00 p.m. CST. Darla Lenz of the Ottawa National Forest will be at the meeting to go over the ORV “connector” routes that Mi-TRALE has proposed. Rob Katona of the Michigan DNR will be at the meeting to go over potential ORV trailheads, along with the P (Pioneer) Trail getting DNR ORV designation.

The P Trail was “officially” opened by the Ottawa National Forest and Mi-TRALE on June 30, 2007. The trail was built in the summer of 1994. We are hoping that 15 years later, the trail will become a Michigan DNR Designated ORV Trail.

Trail News

Mi-TRALE continues to plan on extending the “E” Trail from White Pine to Silver City, now that the former M-107 through Silver City is open to ORV traffic. It will be at this coming Monday night’s meeting that we will find out what it will take to get DNR ORV funding to re-grade the SB Trail, IRM Trail, and the BN Trail, along with finding out what it will take to secure ORV funds for redecking some of the bridges on those multi-use trails. Mi-TRALE continues to hope that we can get a meeting with officials from Gogebic County in regard to possible new trails from Wakefield to Bessemer and to Ironwood. Mi-TRALE is also working with officials from Baraga County in getting Baraga County to approve PA 240 (the legislation that opens county roads to ORV traffic).

Mi-TRALE/Snow Valley Riders Snowmobile Drag Race for Habitat for Humanity

This will take place on Saturday, February 28 at the Sidnaw Airport. This is just ANOTHER event where Mi-TRALE and surrounding snowmobile clubs are working TOGETHER.

Mi-TRALE Equestrian Park

We have hit another “setback” on the idea that Mi-TRALE has had for over a year. The company that was awarded the timber harvest contract for this 800-acre parcel of Ontonagon County land has not sent the contract back to the county board. This may prompt the county board to not allow Mi-TRALE to proceed with the equestrian park. Mi-TRALE has already received the support from the Ontonagon County Planning Commission and Ontonagon County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors. Before Mi-TRALE received word that the timber harvest will not take place, the county board supported the Mi-TRALE equestrian park, providing we receive the support from the Ontonagon County Forestry Committee. This idea is just another example as to how the off-road motorsport community and the silent sport community can and should WORK TOGETHER.

These and many more issues will be discussed at the February 2nd Mi-TRALE meeting. If you can, please try to attend.

Snowmobile Drag Race for Habitat

Matt LaCosse, MASTERS Circuit # 1 Drag Racer.
Photo courtesy of Archy Archambeau.

The Sno Valley Riders and Mi-TRALE are going to “team up” to raise money for the Ontonagon Habitat for Humanity by hosting a snowmobile drag race. The MASTERS sanctioned race will take place at the Sidnaw Airport on Saturday, February 28.

This year Habitat for Humanity will be building a home for John and Sandy Smith of Matchwood Township. John Smith is currently residing in a Long Term Care Unit, and his wife is living in an apartment in the Village of Ontonagon. A donation to watch and/or compete at the exciting snowmobile drag races and proceeds from the concession stand will go toward building the Smith home.

The Sno Valley Rider Snowmobile Club is currently preparing the race surface, along with the pit area. This active and community-minded snowmobile club grooms the trail to Sidnaw, where the Baraga County Tourism and Recreation Association then takes the trail from Sidnaw to L’Anse. Mi-TRALE officially opened the SB Trail from Sidnaw to Bergland last summer. Mi-TRALE and the Sno Valley Riders have had different projects where the two groups work closely together.

“This very worthwhile event could not have happened if it was not for the private landowner of the Sidnaw Airport allowing us to use his land,” stated Sno Valley Riders Snowmobile Club President Beckie Faulkner. Faulkner is also a member of the Mi-TRALE Board of Directors.

“I also cannot thank the landowner and the Sno Valley Riders enough,” stated Mi-TRALE President Skip Schulz. Schulz is also the president of the Mid America Snowmobile Tournament of Expert Riders, MASTERS Circuit. The MASTERS Circuit has sanctioned numerous snowmobile events in the Western U.P. over the years, including the popular Copper Peak Snowmobile Hillclimb.

The MASTERS will be running four Vintage classes for 1960-1979 sleds. This includes a Vintage Free Air/Fan-Cooled Class, Vintage 340, Vintage 440, and Open Vintage. The MASTERS also runs classes for Stock machines. They are Stock 500, Stock 600, Stock 700, Stock 800, and Open Stock. The Modified classes includes Mod 500, Mod 600, Mod 700, Mod 800, and Open Mod.

For more information on the MASTERS Sanctioned Snowmobile Drag Races at the Sidnaw Airport, co-sponsored by the Sno Valley Riders and Mi-TRALE, you’re asked to or call him at 906-884-9101.

Download Driver Registration Form
Word document
PDF

Download MASTERS Rules
Word document
PDF

Weekly Update
Update and Recap of First Meeting of 2009
January 8, 2009

The 2009 Mi-TRALE Annual Membership Meeting/Awards Banquet is Set!

This will take place on Saturday night, October 3rd, at the Root Cellar on the East Shore of Lake Gogebic. Not only does the Root Cellar have EXCELLENT FOOD and GREAT SERVICE, right on the ES Preferred Route, but they also have a new motel. Book your room now and make plans to take in this FUN night! Social hour will run from 5-6 p.m. Central time, dinner serving at 6:00 p.m. Central time. We’ll have more on this throughout the coming year.

Gas

Lately different Web sites, along with the expected “chit-chat” network amongst snowmobilers and this coming summer’s ATV riders, are stating that White Pine will be without gas.

I was called by Mi-TRALE business member the Konteka in White Pine that they will be having gas in about 3 weeks.

So don’t think you will be without gas for your snowmobile or ATV in the White Pine area...

Mi-TRALE Equestrian Park

After receiving the support from the Ontonagon County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, Ontonagon County Planning Commission, and the Ontonagon County Board of Commissioners, this proposal now goes before the Ontonagon County Forestry Committee. This park would be located on Ontonagon County land, south of Bruce Crossing, off of Himanka Hill Road. This 800+ acre parcel is scheduled for a timber harvest in the next two years. At the conclusion of the timber harvest, Mi-TRALE looks to utilize logging roads and to develop a horseback-riding trail system. This park would have a parking lot and a rustic campsite. While it is on county land, Mi-TRALE did inquire with the Michigan DNR to make sure that our organization would not need special approval from them. We’re hoping the Ontonagon County Forestry Committee will give its approval!

Mi-TRALE proposes that this park not be open to ORVs from Memorial Day weekend to October 31st.

ORV Trails

After 15 years, we’re getting close to finally getting the P (Pioneer) Trail as a Michigan DNR Designated ORV Trail/Route. This is the trail that was planned and developed by our predecessor, TRALE-UP, and built by the Michigan National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve Unit from Hurley, Ottawa National Forest, and Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Mi-TRALE looks to secure a land agreement from a couple private landowners in the next few weeks. Right now that is one of our last “hurdles” in getting this DNR-designated. The trail was officially opened to ORVs on June 30th, 2007, by Mi-TRALE and the Ottawa National Forest. This past summer, Mi-TRALE and the Ottawa put in a new Pioneer Trail trailhead a couple miles east of Bergland, right off of M-28. The trailhead sign was erected, and Mi-TRALE maintained the trailhead. Mi-TRALE also maintained the Pioneer Trail trailhead on the Norwich Road.

The P Trail currently goes from the SB Trail intersection just east of Bergland and goes to Rockland. In Rockland the P Trail then connects with the C Trail, which takes ORV riders to the BN (Bill Nichols) Trail at Adventure Mountain in Greenland.

Trailheads

Mi-TRALE is working with Rob Katona of the Michigan DNR in getting a trailhead developed at Adventure Mountain in Greenland, along with a trailhead on the north end of the BN. Right now Mi-TRALE is working closely with both Mr. Katona of the DNR and Marenisco Township in getting a new trailhead located at Donald McKenzie Park in Marenisco. Bruce Malner, Marenisco Township Police Chief, Katona, and myself will be meeting in the next few weeks to go over details on this new trailhead.  urrently this trailhead would be at the western point of the IRM Trail; however Mi-TRALE hopes that our proposal with the Ottawa National Forest to get the IRM Trail extended to Wakefield WILL HAPPEN. Mr. Katona is going to be at our Feb 2nd Mi-TRALE board meeting at Twilley’s in Bruce Crossing to go over those trailheads, along with the P Trail designation.

Mi-TRALE Proposed New Trails/Connector Routes in the Ottawa National Forest

Mi-TRALE has been informed that the proposed north/south connector trail from Iron River to Sidnaw, the proposed north/south connector trail from Sidnaw to Mass City, the IRM Trail extension into Wakefield, opening FR 630 as a connector from the PF Trail to the P Trail, the LL Trail from Land O’ Lakes to Watersmeet, and the Lake Gogebic West Shore Trail...that “there has been no decision made by the Ottawa National Forest on these trails. The environmental analysis document that reveals alternatives will be released to the public for comment early this year. After that public comment period, a decision will be made by Susan Spear, Forest Supervisor, regarding which additional roads or trails will be open to OHVs.” This is from Darla Lenz, Ontonagon District Ranger. Mi-TRALE has invited a representative of the Ottawa National Forest to be at our February 2nd Mi-TRALE board meeting. We have not heard yet if they will have a representative at that meeting.

We’re also hoping that at that time we will be informed as to why Mi-TRALE is unable to get a proposed connector trail from the SB Trail in Sidnaw to the Baraga Plains ORV trails and a connector trail from the IRM Trail in Marenisco to Presque Isle, Wisconsin.

Maps

The new revised Mi-TRALE Western U.P. ORV Maps are now available at many of the businesses that are Map Advertisers. The businesses that have not gotten the new maps can pick them up at my (Skip’s) place or e-mail me and I’ll do my best in getting them to you. It was at our January 5th membership/board meeting that it was voted to allow businesses that are not advertisers to purchase the maps for $3.00 and resell them or give them away. It was also voted that from now on all maps will be paid for up front.

Mi-TRALE Apparel

The great-looking Mi-TRALE shirts, sweatshirts, caps, and lanyards will now be sold ONLY at the following businesses: Roger’s Bar, Watersmeet; Bergland Bay Bar, Bergland; Joe’s Auto Service/Lost 40 ATV Guide Service, Bruce Crossing; Mountain View Cottages, Silver City; Wildlife Refuge Cabins/South Range BP, South Range. If your business wants to sell the clothing, e-mail Skip.

PA 240 (the law allowing for the legal riding of an ORV on county roads in Northern Michigan/Upper Peninsula)

Iron County voted on Dec 23rd to open their roads to 16- and 17-year-olds with a Michigan ORV Safety Certificate, and everyone 18 and older. The last county we need to get PA 240 approved is Baraga County. Mi-TRALE has been in contact with Baraga County and we will be in attendance of their February meeting in an effort to get this passed. Houghton, Ontonagon, and Gogebic all approved this in October of 2008. This also means that the former M-107 that goes through Silver City and up the Porcupine Mountains is now open to ORVs...that is, from the M-64 intersection to the old mine shaft, approximately 5 miles up the Porkies. HOWEVER, ORVs will not be allowed past the old mine shaft. This was voted upon at the December Ontonagon County Board of Commissioners Meeting.

Mi-TRALE Instrumental In Bringing 2 Groups From Kentucky to the Western U.P.

This summer Mi-TRALE will be proud to have 2 ORV groups from Kentucky coming to our area to ride our trails for a week. We are very proud to host these groups and other groups. If your club, organization, or group is looking for a great place to ride your ORV, contact us and we’ll let you know about the many SCENIC trails to ride!

Mi-TRALE Web Site Advertising

Due to the excellent number of “hits” our Mi-TRALE Web site gets, we have had an inquiry about placing an ad on the Web site. This was discussed at both the November and January meetings, and it was decided not to engage in any advertising on our Web site at this time; however, the club will take another look at this issue at our June 1st meeting.

Snowmobile Drag Race Fund-Raiser

Mi-TRALE is looking to team up with the Sno Valley Snowmobile Club in possibly holding a snowmobile drag race on February 28th. The idea is to have this drag race be a fund-raiser for Ontonagon Habitat for Humanity. Ontonagon Habitat for Humanity recently awarded an elderly couple from Topaz the construction of a new home. This family’s son was one of our charter Mi-TRALE members back in 2001. A lot of planning is still being done whether we will be able to do this or not.

Scramble Area

In an effort to help the sagging Western U.P. economy, Mi-TRALE continues to look at the possibility of garnering the support from the Michigan DNR in developing a new scramble area in the Western U.P. I have come across a 1500-acre parcel that may work for this scramble area. I will continue to work on that. For those that may not be familiar with a scramble area, this is an area where 4x4 trucks/Jeeps, off-road motorcycles, and ORVs would have a specially built trail/road network.

ORV Trails/Equestrian Park/Snowmobile Fund-Raiser/4X4 Truck-Jeep Scramble Area/Dirt Bike Trails...

All this is based upon what Mi-TRALE stands for...Michigan Trails and Recreation Alliance of Land and the Environment.  Mi-TRALE has ALWAYS been an organization of many different trail users. At our January 5th meeting, Mi-TRALE trustee and Sno-Valley Snowmobile Club President Beckie Faulkner brought up the idea of Mi-TRALE working on establishing a Michigan statewide organization based upon all the work our group has and currently is doing. While Mi-TRALE would LOVE to see a unified statewide organization like Mi-TRALE, our organization will remain a Western U.P. organization with the hope that we can work on bringing other organizations together, especially snowmobile and ATV clubs.

It was at the 2008 Mi-TRALE Annual Membership Meeting/Awards Banquet that the Superior Snowmobile Club received the Unity Award. This past fall Mi-TRALE worked with the Sno Valley Snowmobile Club in putting down rubber matting on the Baltimore River trestle. Mi-TRALE has and will continue to work WITH snowmobile clubs.

Mi-TRALE membership includes snowmobilers, ATV/ORV riders, equestrian enthusiasts, personal watercraft riders, and dirt bikers, to name a few.

2009 Budget

Mi-TRALE Treasurer Roberta Johanson and Mi-TRALE Secretary Bruce Johanson will be preparing a preliminary 2009 Mi-TRALE operating budget. This budget will be presented at the February 2nd meeting for approval.

Membership

It is membership dues that provide the funds for Mi-TRALE to maintain the HUNDREDS of miles of ORV trails, continue to work on developing an equestrian park, work on possibly building a scramble area for 4x4 trucks/Jeeps/dirt bikers, and to DEVELOP NEW TRAILS. Mi-TRALE was the ONLY organization speaking at Western U.P. county board meetings to adopt PA 240. Mi-TRALE is the main Multi-Use Trail Organization working with the Michigan DNR and the Ottawa National Forest in getting new trails opened. We’re represented on the National Land Use Advisory Committee, and we’re on the Michigan DNR Western U.P. Citizens Advisory Board. We’re the group that brought the Ontonagon Search and Rescue unit back to life. We’re on the school board, Habitat for Humanity board, Economic Development board, Historical Society board, and involved in many other organizations. Mi-TRALE signs and works on the TRAILS, we’re AT the MEETINGS, WE NEED YOUR MEMBERSHIP.

Next Meeting

The next Mi-TRALE meeting will be Monday night, February 2nd. The meeting will take place at Twilley’s in Bruce Crossing. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. EST/6:00 p.m. CST. Rob Katona of the Michigan DNR will be at that meeting, and hopefully a representative of the Ottawa National Forest. ALL Mi-TRALE meetings are open to the public, and everyone is encouraged to attend!

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

Skip Schulz
Mi-TRALE President

Weekly Update
Equestrian Park
December 19, 2008

First of all, on behalf of Sandy and myself and the Mi-TRALE Board of Directors, we want to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season.

Mi-TRALE Equestrian Park

This past week, most of our attention has been on the proposed Mi-TRALE Equestrian Park. As our name states, Michigan Trails and Recreation Alliance of Land and the Environment, our organization represents a diverse user group. One important segment of our organization is the equestrian riders.

It was at our November board meeting that the board supported the development of a Mi-TRALE Equestrian Park. This proposed park would be built on Ontonagon County land south of Bruce Crossing, off of the Himanka Hill Road. The land is scheduled to have a timber harvest in the next couple years.

Our concept is to turn the logging roads used for this timber harvest into equestrian trails. Part of the plan is to build a parking area, a horse corral with a water tank, and a rustic campsite. The park would have a sign at the entrance, “Mi-TRALE Equestrian Park.” We will be asking the Ontonagon County Road Commission to put information signs directing people to the park on US-45.

Mi-TRALE would check the trail every year before Memorial Day for downed trees and possible maintenance. Construction and maintenance costs would come from donations and Mi-TRALE’s efforts to successfully obtain grant money.

This past week, Mi-TRALE secured the support for this concept from the Ontonagon County Economic Development Corporation and the Ontonagon County Planning Commission. At this week’s Ontonagon County Board of Commissioners meeting, the board unanimously supported the development of this park based upon getting the support from the Ontonagon County Forestry Committee and Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Earlier today, I sent a letter to the Michigan DNR seeking their support. Time will tell whether they will support this and/or put roadblocks in our way. Currently the entire western Upper Peninsula only has 13 miles of equestrian trails on state-managed land; that is called Thunder Valley. The idea of an actual equestrian park is new in our region, possibly in the entire Upper Peninsula.

I will keep everyone updated on this concept.

Mi-TRALE Western UP ORV Maps

The new maps have now been distributed to: Headwaters Polaris (Watersmeet), Rogers Bar (Watersmeet), Bam Bam’s (Marenisco), Bears 9 Pines Resort (Marenisco), Gogebic Lodge (Marenisco), Bergland Bay Bar (Bergland), Bergland Mobil, Gogebic Retreats (Ewen/Bergland), Konteka (White Pine), Porcupine Lodge (White Pine), and Tulppo’s (Bruce Crossing).

The maps will be distributed to other map advertisers in the near future. If you are in the area snowmobiling, pick up the new map. The new maps are $3.00, and include the new VC Trail and the new RM Preferred Route. They also have the new map advertisers.

Trail News

After over 10 years, 7 of which have been under the non-funded volunteer maintenance of Mi-TRALE, things are starting to move ahead to get the popular P (Pioneer) Trail as a Michigan DNR Designated ORV Trail. After Mi-TRALE and the Ottawa National Forest officially opened the trail on June 30, 2007, we have been working on getting this trail designated by the Michigan DNR.

I really want to thank Ron Yesney and Rob Katona of the Michigan DNR and Dawn Buss-Glodowski of the Ottawa National Forest for all their help.

While our fingers are crossed, we’re hoping that this trail will get DNR designation by the spring of 2009. This designation will include the C Trail that intersects with the P Trail in Rockland and connects ORV riders to the BN (Bill Nicholls) Trail.

It was at the recent Ontonagon County Board of Commissioners meeting that I was informed of the progress of the ORV trail on the west shore of Lake Gogebic. According to the letter, it appears that the Lake Gogebic Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking DNR designation and the funding for this trail.

Mi-TRALE has not received any word as to what is happening on the north-south connector trails from the IRM Trail to the SB Trail and from the SB Trail to the BN Trail. This is all in the hands of the Ottawa National Forest. We also have not heard as to the progress of extending the IRM Trail from Marenisco to Wakefield, nor have we heard what is happening on opening up FR 630 from the PF Trail to the P Trail. Public comment on all this ended this past June. We were originally informed that a decison on those trails would be made this past fall.

While we await those decisions, it does not look good that Mi-TRALE will receive the support of the Ottawa National Forest in connecting the SB Trail in Sidnaw to the Baraga Plains ORV Trails. Nor does it look good that we will get a trail from Marenisco to Presque Isle, Wisconsin. However, this will not stop Mi-TRALE in hoping that the Ottawa National Forest will work with us on those two important connectors.

Rob Katona of the Michigan DNR sought our ideas and suggestions regarding ORV trailheads. Currently we have a trailhead for the Pioneer Trail just east of Bergland and on the Norwich Road. It is Wildlife Refuge Cabins of South Range that put up a fantastic-looking sign for that trailhead on the north end of the BN Trail. While it is not “officially a trailhead,” we do have parking available on the south end of the BN Trail at Adventure Mountain in Greenland. Same scenario, not official, but we do have parking in Bruce Crossing at the Stannard Park along the SB Trail.

We have not heard from Bruce Malner of the Marenisco Township Police Department as to their request for funding to construct a building and a trailhead in Marenisco. Currently, that is the only “possible” trailhead on the IRM Trail.

Mi-TRALE will continue to seek any and all trailhead opportunities and looks forward to working with Rob and Bruce.

While most of our Mi-TRALE members are now enjoying the snowmobile and skiing season, Mi-TRALE continues to work hard on numerous multiple-use trail opportunities!

Weekly Update
December 4, 2008

Map/ATV Safety Instructors

For some of you this is your first Mi-TRALE e-mail update. I send these out on a regular basis to let people know what our organization is doing. If you do not want to receive these, just reply back with “stop Mi-TRALE updates” on the subject line and I will take you off the mailing list.

New Mi-TRALE Western U.P. ORV Trail Maps Are Out!

The second printing of the Mi-TRALE Western U.P. ORV Map is done and the new maps are in! The new maps include the new VC Trail and the RM “Preferred Route.” The new maps also include many new advertisers that helped us pay for the map!

This past week I dropped off the new maps at the Bergland Mobil, Bergland Bay Bar, Root Cellar, Rogers Bar, and Headwaters Polaris. Once the snow stops in our area, I plan on getting the new maps out to many more of our advertisers. Those advertisers that want the new maps right away, please drop me an .

While the ORV riding season is over for 2008 in our area, we wanted to get those maps out to snowmobilers and encourage them to come back to our area. Best way to do this is to sell them a map. The map shows the hundreds of miles of ORV trails we have in the Western U.P. The maps are $3.00 and only available through our Map Advertisers.

PA 240

Baraga County is going to be voting on this in December. On December 23rd, Iron County will be holding their public hearing on this at 1:00 p.m. Central time. It was Mi-TRALE that worked hard in getting PA 240 (allows for the legal use of ORVs on county roads) passed in Gogebic, Houghton, and Ontonagon Counties.

Mi-TRALE Now Has 3 Michigan DNR ATV Safety Instructors

Past Mi-TRALE VP Joe Pietila of Lost 40 ATV Tours and Rick Varecha of Mountain View Lodges in Silver City have become Michigan DNR ATV Safety Instructors. Joe and Rick join our secretary, Bruce Johanson, in being DNR certified to teach ATV safety training. I will be sending in my paperwork in the next couple weeks and hope to join these 3.

Mi-TRALE will be holding regular monthly ATV safety training classes next spring, summer, and fall.  While the classes are required for children between 12 and 16 to operate an ATV in Michigan, Mi-TRALE wants to get people of ALL ages to take these classes.

Apparel Sales

At our last Mi-TRALE Board of Directors Meeting, we voted to have businesses sell the great-looking Mi-TRALE sweatshirts, T-shirts, caps, and lanyards. The businesses that will be selling the clothing include Rogers Bar of Watersmeet, Bergland Bay Bar in Bergland, and Mountain View Cottages of Silver City. Kieth and Sherri Meyer have volunteered to distribute this clothing. The clothing is not at these places yet, but once they are, I’ll have it on a future Mi-TRALE e-mail update. The clothing sales is one of our fund-raising efforts.

Kentucky ATV Club Thinking About Bringing Their Group to the Western U.P.!

While I get many e-mails on a weekly basis from people looking to come to our area to ride the Mi-TRALE ORV trails, every so often I get an e-mail from a group looking to come to our area. Here is the e-mail that I received today...

Good day! My name is Dexter Luck and I live in Bloomington, Indiana. My wife and I have been riding ATVs for several years and I now have a ATV-related Web site.

We ride with several other friends who share our love for the outdoors. We are also members of a ATV club in eastern Kentucky, The Harlan County Ridge Runners, which is a large ATV club that hosts a very large riding area in eastern Kentucky, Black Mountain Recreation Park, and also offer many miles of off-park rides. Every year we get together and take a vacation to other areas of the country and this year we are looking at the U.P. of Michigan. We would be interested in four to five days of riding with another day for just relaxing and possibly doing some fishing. We understand that Michigan has a law that requires large groups of over twenty riders to have a special insurance and approval from the state DNR. We had forty-four riders go the the Black Hills of South Dakota in 2007, and thirty five riders attended our vacation ride this past August in northern Wisconsin. Our group has also been to Moab in Utah. We would no doubt exceed the twenty rider limit and would need to get DNR approval. Would your organization be able to provide information on lodging and restaurant facilities for a group our size? And, would you possibly be able to assist us in getting the proper forms filled out and give us some direction on how to proceed? We are a group of mostly middle-age riders, over forty, with some being in their mid-seventies, so we are pretty laid back and not inclined to create problems. I am including the Web site information for the Harlan County Ridge Runners and the name of their club president. We plan to make this trip the first week of June, 2009.

Thank you in advance.

While I don't know if we will be fortunate enough to get them to come to our area, I sent them one of my usual “short” letters. The reason I have this in my update is to prove once again as to how much of an economic impact the hard work of the VOLUNTEERS of Mi-TRALE do when it comes to building, maintaining, and developing a CONNECTING ORV trail system. This letter is just another example as to how important it is for our local, county, and state government, along with law enforcement and the road commissions to work COOPERATIVELY with Mi-TRALE in developing connector trails and routes. One tourist attraction we have in our area is the former M-107, now an Ontonagon County Road. Mi-TRALE wants to merely go up a few miles into the Porkies on this county road so that tourists can see an old mine shaft and see the Lake Superior Overlook. While the current Ontonagon County Board does not have a problem with this, it now sits in the hands of the Ontonagon County Road Commission. Time will tell whether they shut this short section of county-owned road down to ORVs.

Mi-TRALE Equestrian Park

Mi-TRALE is going to be presenting an idea to turn one of the many Ontonagon County-owned parcels of land into an equestrian park. This land is located south of Bruce Crossing and is scheduled to have a timber harvest. Mi-TRALE will be proposing to both the Ontonagon County EDC and the Ontonagon County Board of Commissioners that the roads that will be built for the timber harvest be turned into equestrian trails when the timber harvest has been completed. We’ll see at the December 10th Ontonagon EDC meeting and the December 16th Ontonagon County Board of Commissioners meeting if this idea will be supported or not. I asked to have this on the agenda of the November Ontonagon County Planning Commission meeting, but this board did not meet. I still may bring this idea up to the planning commission at their December meeting.

Baraga County ORV Trail Development

At the request of the Baraga County Tourism and Recreation Association, Mi-TRALE has been asked to help develop more ORV Trails in Baraga County. Presently Mi-TRALE has the SB Trail in Baraga County, which ends in Sidnaw. Our organization has asked the Ottawa National Forest many times to open FR 2200 to ORVs. By opening FR 2200 and using forest roads the Ottawa currently has open to ORVs, we could FINALLY get the SB Trail connected to the popular Baraga Plains ORV trails. However, the Ottawa National Forest has stated that they do not plan to open FR 2200 and have not offered any other ways for us to connect the SB Trail to the Baraga Plains ORV trails.

We have been asked to work on developing connector ORV trails and routes to Baraga, L'Anse, and the Pesheekee Grade Trail. We have been reluctant to do that, as Mi-TRALE does not want to “step on the Baraga Sno-Drifters’ toes.” The Baraga Sno-Drifters have the DNR contract to maintain the Baraga Plains ORV trails. However, I will continue to work with the Baraga County Tourism and Recreation Association and the Michigan DNR to see what Mi-TRALE can do to get connected to the Baraga Plains ORV trails and to develop other ORV trails in Baraga County.

Gogebic County ORV Trail Development

I have received word that the Gogebic County Economic Development Corporation administrative secretary would like to see Mi-TRALE develop ORV trails in their county. Currently we have the IRM, ES, and LL Trails in Gogebic County. We have wanted to finish the A Trail, just north of Watersmeet, but need the help of the Ottawa National Forest on that one. We are waiting to see if the IRM Trail will be extended past Marenisco to Wakefield. If this trail does get extended, then Mi-TRALE will begin working on connecting the IRM Trail from Wakefield to southwestern Gogebic County. While Mi-TRALE has asked on numerous occasions to get the Ottawa National Forest to allow us to connect the IRM Trail to Presque Isle, Wisconsin, representatives from the Ottawa are not responding positively to that request.

Ontonagon Search and Rescue

Many Mi-TRALE members are also active in search and rescue. The next search and rescue training session will be on Wednesday night, 7:00 p.m., December 10th at the Ontonagon high school. Jim Waters will be doing a presentation on his topographical software. Wal-Mart in Ironwood donated 3 general-purpose Johnson and Johnson, first aid kits to the Ontonagon County Search and Rescue. It would be great if you could make that meeting!

Habitat for Humanity

Mi-TRALE continues to be one of the most active and involved organizations in the Western U.P. Currently I am on the Ontonagon Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors. Tonight our board selected the family that we will be building a home for next year. While I am not at liberty to announce who that family is...I can tell you that it is a family that has been a part of Mi-TRALE. Right now we are looking for fund-raising events. One of the events that I would like to see Mi-TRALE do for Habitat for Humanity is a snowmobile drag race...problem is we would need a snowmobile club to simply groom the track, and the club that used to do that did not want to help last year, so I don't think they will help this year. If you have an idea that we could do to raise money for Habitat for Humanity, please let me know.

Mi-TRALE Is “In the News”

I’ve received word that the 2009 Mi-TRALE Club Ride and Event Schedule is going to appear in the Wisconsin ATV Association Trail Tales Winter Edition. Thank you, Ann Harden! The WATVA fall issue had a story about our successful Senior Citizen ORV Fall Tour!

Next Mi-TRALE meeting is a board of directors meeting. This will take place on Monday night, January 5th. Location is yet to be determined.

Thanks everyone!

Skip Schulz
Mi-TRALE President

Mi-TRALE Plans For 2009 Club ATV Rides

Every summer, people call area chambers asking about ATV trails. Many want to know about the many "scenic" trails the area has to offer. For those who would rather not hire one of our local ATV guides, you're invited to ride with Mi-TRALE on one of the club's rides.

Mi-TRALE, which stands for Michigan Trails and Recreation Alliance of Land and the Enviornment, invites members and non-members to participate in a club ride. While you will be required to sign a "waiver of liability," you will not be required to join or pay a fee for the ride. Each ride takes place on a different trail that the club maintains. Mi-TRALE has hundreds of miles of trails.

The club has so many miles of trails they even have a special award for anyone that can actually ride a majority of their trails. The award is called the CP2R Award, which stands for "Certified Pride to Ride." In 2008, only 5 of the club's 80 members were able to ride all of the CP2R required trails, one of which is the SB Trail from Bergland to Sidnaw. Another is the IRM Trail from Iron River to Marenisco. Other CP2R trails include the BN Trail from Greenland to Houghton, the LL Trail from Watersmeet to Land O' Lakes, the P Trail from Bergland to Greenland, and the PF/E Trail to White Pine.

One of the most scenic club rides is the one on Saturday, July 11th. This ride starts at Adventure Mountain in Greenland and takes the rider all the way to Bergland (and back if you want). For those who really want to experience the "camaraderie" of Mi-TRALE, you're invited to take part in the club's annual summer picnic/campout. This is on August 8th and 9th. Riders camp and start at the Stannard Park in Bruce Crossing and ride both directions from Bruce Crossing on the SB Trail. This includes a ride to the scenic Agate Falls Trestle overlook.

Due to the hard work of the volunteers of Mi-TRALE and the club's membership dues, the club has built a connecting ATV/ORV trail system where a rider can actually ride from north of Green Bay all the way to Calumet. Some of the connector routes use county roads, which are signed and open to riders 12 and older. However, Michigan state law requires that all ATV riders from 12–16 take a DNR ATV Safety Class. Mi-TRALE offers these classes throughout the year.

Mi-TRALE also has the Western U.P. ORV Trail Map that covers not only all the trails that the club has developed and maintained but also adjoining county ATV trails. These maps are $3.00 and available at the map advertisers on this Web site.

While the map shows you all the trails and how they are identified and signed, you will find that it is a great way to meet new friends and see how beautiful our area is by going on a Mi-TRALE club ride. Mi-TRALE reminds ATV riders that ALL of the signed Mi-TRALE trails are open to "side-by-sides."

The Mi-TRALE trail network uses an alphabetical system. The alphabetical letters of the trail are on the trail signs that correspond with their map. Look for the black alphabetical letters on the white signs to know which trails are open for ATVs/ORVs. While the ATV/ORV trail caution and STOP signs are the same as our snowmobile trails, not all snowmobile trails are open to ATVs/ORVs.

"That is why we invested over $1,000 of our membership money in making and erecting the signs. That is to make sure the ATV riders are not riding on snowmobile trails that are NOT open to ATV riding. We also did this so the ATV rider knows where he/she is in case of an emergency," commented Mi-TRALE founder and president, Skip Schulz.

Here is the schedule of the 2009 Mi-TRALE Club Rides:
May 9 - Start at Adventure Mountain, ride to Wildlife Refuge Trailhead and back
June 20 - Start at Headwaters Polaris in Watersmeet, ride to Land O' Lakes and back, then to Marenisco
July 11 - Start at Adventure Mountain and ride to Bergland
August 8 - Summer picnic/campout at Stannard Park, Bruce Crossing. Ride SB Trail to Sidnaw
September 12 - Start at Headwaters Polaris and ride to Iron River

Mi-TRALE Offers DNR ATV Safety Certification Class

They say that neither rain nor sleet nor snow can stop the postman from delivering the mail. It was at the recent Mi-TRALE ATV Safety Certification Class that students and adults had to "weather the rain, sleet, and snow" in order to complete the DNR requirements.

Mi-TRALE provided 7 students between the ages of 12 and 16, along with 3 adults, classroom instruction and field training. The classroom portion of the program took place at Skip and Sandy Schulz's house, with the field training taking place behind their Ontonagon residence. The class was taught by DNR ATV Safety Certified Instructor and Mi-TRALE secretary, Bruce Johanson.

The State of Michigan requires all ATV/mini-bike/dirt bike operators under the age of 16 to successfully complete an ATV safety class taught by a DNR Certified Instructor. The first step to becoming a Certified DNR ATV Safety Instructor is that the adult must take the same class that youngsters take. After the classroom portion of the program, all of the students were required to pass a 50-question test. All of the students passed the written exam.

The students are also taught the safe way to ride an ATV during field training. The field training included going around and through different courses. One course instructed the students on the safe and proper way to turn an ATV, along with instructions on going up and down hills.

While the course is not meant to show students how to handle an ATV in muddy conditions, the weather required the students to learn the difficulty of steering and stopping an ATV anyway. "I have to give all the students a lot of credit for persevering through some of the worst weather conditions you can imagine! While they were wet and cold, every student not only completed all of the field training, they even went for a short trail ride afterwards," stated Mi-TRALE President Skip Schulz.

Schulz, along with Joe Pietila and Rick Varecha, all intend to go through the different steps in becoming DNR ATV Safety Certified Instructors. Once they are all certified, all intend to offer safety certification classes throughout the Western Upper Peninsula.

Dates of the Mi-TRALE 2009 ATV safety classes will be posted, announced, and on this Web site.

Senior Citizens Enjoy ORV Ride!

Recently Michigan Trails and Recreation Alliance of Land and the Enviornment, commonly known as Mi-TRALE, teamed up with the Ottawa National Forest in providing 32 senior citizens with the chance to see the Western Upper Peninsula's fall colors up close. Real close...from within the Forest!

Mi-TRALE did this by taking the senior citizens on an off-road vehicle ride on the popular Pioneer Trail. The senior citizens rode on what the industry calls "side-by-side" or utility vehicles. The units included the Polaris Ranger Crew, Yamaha Rhino, Kawasaki Mule Crew, and Arctic Cat Prowler, all of which allowed the senior citizens with a safe and comfortable ride, and the chance to see sights that only an ATV or side-by-side could take them.

Senior citizen morning tour starting on the tour from Old Victoria historic site

Mi-TRALE members handled the driving to scenic overlooks and historic sites. Dawn Buss-Glodowski of the Ottawa National Forest informed the senior citizens as to the "science" of why the leaves change color along with an informational talk as to forest management. Bruce Johanson, Mi-TRALE secretary and a member of the Ontonagon Historical Society, informed everyone about the history of the different copper mines along the tour.

Due to the number of people who wanted to participate and the availability of "side-by-sides," two tours were given, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The two groups were united for lunch at the Adventure Mountain Lions' Clubhouse in Greenland, which is located at the BN Trailhead. Lunch was provided by Krupp's Mini Mart and that included the region's popular food, "pasties."

Senior citizens on top of Minesota Mine bluff

Ontonagon County's public transit system, On-Tran, transported the senior citizens to the tour's starting points and from the departure point. Funds for On-Tran were provided by Plum Creek Timber, a timber-holding company that has an excellent working relationship on trails with Mi-TRALE.

Polaris Industries from Roseau, Minnesota, brought two Ranger Crew units for the tour. This allowed 5 senior citizens to ride together in each unit. The local Yamaha Rhino Dealer, Pat's Yamaha, and the local Arctic Cat dealer, Superior Sport 'N' Rental, also provided the units. The Ottawa National Forest provided the Kawasaki Mule, with Mi-TRALE members providing the other "side-by-sides."

"You would have had to see how excited the senior citizens were the second they came off the On-Tran bus," said Mi-TRALE President Skip Schulz. "I can assure you that we didn't need to say 'all aboard.' They were sitting in the ORVs before we had a chance to explain where we were going to ride!"

Dawn Buss-Glodowski of the Ottawa talking about forest management

The tour included a stop at "The Church on the Hill," located in Rockland. It also included a stop on top of a high bluff of the Minesota Mine. With clear skies, people could see for 50 miles. While some of the participants didn't want to walk to the bluff, others were quick to take out their cameras. Mi-TRALE members assisted the senior citizens at all stops on the tour. The senior citizens ranged in age from 60 to 85. None of the senior citizens had even ridden on and in an ORV "side-by-side."

"This tour was absolutely perfect. From the coordination of all the activities, the planning, to the excitement displayed by the senior citizens, I just cannot commend Mi-TRALE enough," commented Ron Rockis, Safety Specialist from Polaris Industries.

"The riders I had with me talked about their parents working in these mines and woods," stated Keith Meyer, Mi-TRALE member, who drove a Yamaha Rhino.

"The lady that rode with me had me chuckling most of the way," stated Jerry Johns, who drove the Arctic Cat Prowler.

Dawn Buss-Glodowski of the Ottawa National Forest talking about the science of the color change in leaves

"A BIG thank you to you, to the drivers and the members of Mi-Trale for the wonderful outing!It was GREAT and so much fun," said Yvonne Roehm. Fellow senior citizen Donna Watkins echoed Roehm's response. "Thank you, Skip Schulz, Mi-TRALE, Polaris Industries, Pat's Yamaha, Superior Sport 'N' Rental, volunteers and the U.S. Forest Service for sponsoring the fall colors ATV tour for senior citizens. I appreciate (and I'm sure I speak for all who participated) your efforts and expense in planning the tour. It was a wonderful experience and lots of fun!"

When departing on the bus, the senior citizens gave loud applause to show their appreciation. A common response when leaving was, "We can go a little further next year, right?" The tour was 11 miles.

"If I had a dollar for every smile from these very special people, I could bail out Wall Street myself," concluded Schulz.

Senior citizen afternoon tour leaving Adventure Mountain and the BN trailhead

The local NBC TV Station, WLUC TV-6, was on hand to do a news story of the ride.

Witz, Zakowski XTreme Challenge Winners

Skanee's Bob Witz won the first Joe Beebe Memorial Truck XTreme Challenge, and Hilbert, Wisconsin's Zak Zakowski swept all the ATV classes in the ATV Xtreme Challenge. This popular Mi-TRALE annual event was a part of the Ontonagon County Fair.

Witz made it into the Truck Division "Shootout" by posting the fastest qualifying time of 25.53. Also advancing to the "Shootout" was Scott Smith of Ewen and Landon White of White Pine. Smith in a GEO Tracker had a qualifying time of 26.05. White improved his time from his first run to his second run by over 3 seconds. White's second run was 27.21.

In the Joe Beebe Memorial Shootout, Witz in a Ford F350 turned in a 24.18. White had a 30.56, and Smith was unable to climb the final hill to post a time.

Sean Richard of L'Anse narrowly missed the cut by a mere three-tenths of a second in his first run. Right after the finish line, Richard's truck broke a rear axle. Greenland's Lena Wascher missed advancing by 1 second, and Wakefield's Roy Mussati was less than 2 seconds from advancing.

In the ATV XTreme Challenge, Zakowski opened up by winning the Sport 600 class in an exciting battle with Ewen's Jake Smith. Smith advanced to the finals by defeating Ontonagon's Mike Pestka. Zakowski was on a CAN-AM, Smith was riding a Polaris, and Pestka was on an Arctic Cat.

Zakowski then came back to garner the top seed in the Top Dog Class. Past Top Dog Champion, Eli Gustafson of Bruce Crossing, defeated fellow Yamaha driver, Ryan Huff of Ontonagon, to set up the championship run. Zakowski beat Gustafson for his second win of the day.

Zakowski was the clear favorite in the Pro Class; however, the question was: who would Zakowski take on in the finals? The semi-finals came down to both Cody Sanchez of Calumet and Patrick Rogan of Kenton, both winning when they ran in Lane 1. That meant it would go down to each running against the clock to determine who would take on Zakowski. Sanchez on a Polaris turned in a 25.42 second run, with Rogan on a Yamaha having a 25.12.

This set up the ATV Pro Class finals between Zakowski and Rogan. Zakowski won from both lanes to take a clean sweep of the ATV classes.

The XTreme Challenge has ATVs racing side-by-side over hills, through mud and water, over rocks, and having the ability to stop within the parameters of the "Stop Box." The course starts out by having the drivers go over a series of bumps. As the competition progresses, the hills become "slicked down" and challenging for the drivers to make it over the top of them.

The trucks use the same course; however, they race against the clock. The trucks do not have to stop in the "Stop Box." This style of racing was started by Mi-TRALE in 2001. While different circuits give this type of racing different names, it stems from what Mi-TRALE started in 2001 in Watersmeet.

Mi-TRALE plans on hosting the ATV/Truck XTreme Challenge once again next year on July 25. It will once again be a part of the Ontonagon County Fair. If your community is interested in hosting an ATV/Truck XTreme Challenge, you're asked to contact Mi-TRALE President .

(Pictures available on request)