Dec. 21, 2016

Contact: Pete Glover, 906-346-9201, ext. 102

Snowmobile Trail #14 in Marquette Township to reopen

In order to maintain land permission, snowmobilers must avoid off-trail riding

Thanks to the efforts of several local trail partners and cooperation of a key landowner, a segment of Snowmobile Trail #14 in Marquette Township (Marquette County) soon will reopen to public use. The trail segment had been closed in recent months due to loss of land permissions.

The reopening would not have been possible without collaboration from the Big Bay 550 Snowmobile Club, Hiawatha Trails Inc., snowmobile advocate and business owner Bob Taylor, the landowner, and Pete Glover, snowmobile contact for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Gwinn Management Unit.

“Snowmobile Trail #14 connects Marquette and Big Bay,” said Glover. “With the reopening of this segment, riders now will be able to get to Big Bay from Snowmobile Trail #8 – a huge benefit for riders and local businesses.”

Off-trail riding will lead to trail closure

In order to maintain the permission for trail access, Glover said it is absolutely critical for all riders to stay on the marked trail. If off-trail riding occurs in this area, the trail will be closed. Law enforcement officials will be patrolling the area.

Big Bay 550 Snowmobile Club members are set to install “private property” and “stay on trail” signs and snow fencing Thursday, Dec. 22.  Once signing and fencing installation are completed – hopefully by this weekend – the trail will reopen.

For more information, contact Pete Glover, 906-346-9201, ext. 102 or gloverp@michigan.gov or Rob Katona, 906-228-6561 or katonar@michigan.gov.

Learn more about snowmobiling trails and other recreational trail opportunities on the DNR website www.michigan.gov/dnrtrails.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.