New Michigan Trail Proposed

I read this today in the paper I used to deliver when I was a kid. I thought others on here might be interested:

http://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/pag...r.html?nav=5002

Detroit to Ironwood trail—Snyder
November 30, 2012
The Daily News

By The Daily News Staff & The Associated Press

IRONWOOD - Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder says the state will work to create a 599-mile hiking and biking trail stretching from Belle Isle park in Detroit to Ironwood on the Wisconsin border in the western Upper Peninsula. (read the rest of the story at the link)

Sounds like a great idea, but who knows if it will come to fruition or is just political talk. I wonder if you will have to ride the ferry out to Mackinaw and then back to the other terminal to cross between the LP and UP. I guess then the walking path around Mackinaw Island would be an integral part of the trek.

I imagine it will be across the norther part of the UP, but I wonder will it go in the LP. I think most of the best hiking areas are on the west coast, but that wouldn't jell with starting in Detroit.

According to the map it shows the UP portion at least very close to the North Country Trail. The governor came up with the idea while he was snowmobiling so I hope that he does not want to turn a hiking trail into a snowmobile trail. It appears that he did not solicit any input from the existing trail organizations. If he wants to promote trails in MI he should promote existing tails.

Where did you find a map?

I can tell you that the whole UP backcountry is a highway of snowmobile trails in the winter time. I would think if anything it would be the other way around. There was a lot of effort put in to allow snowmobile access during the winter. It would be good idea to leverage some of that existing access to allow hikers access in the summer. Snowmobile access to my hometown cuts through my parents field.

The news release I read said the plan was only to connect existing trails to make one long trail.

I would hope if this comes to fruition someone in Wisconsin would look into connecting the Michigan trail to the Superior Hiking Trail in MN. You would be looking at close to 1000 miles of trail! It would be something for BrianLe to do in his retirement.