GOGEBIC COUNTY, MI – An Upper Peninsula community has rallied to save a snowmobile trail that serves as an important part of its winter tourism economy.
What appeared to be an insurmountable challenge has resulted in a “brand new, incredible, safer trail,” Steve Hamilton, Gogebic Range Trail Authority president, told MLive.
In September, the new owners of a ski resort revoked permission for snowmobiles and ATVs to operate on their property. The decision created a gaping hole in Trail No. 2, eliminating access between Wakefield and Ironwood, which also affected Bessemer.
The trail loss was expected to cause a “massive disruption” to winter tourism bookings, said Hamilton, who also owns Hamilton’s North Coast Adventures, which rents snowmobiles.
“This particular closure puts snowmobiling opportunities and connectivity in the western U.P. in a tough spot,” Ron Yesney, Michigan Department of Natural Resources U.P. trails coordinator, said in October.
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The DNR and trail authority quickly got to work on a reroute, but it was no easy feat. There seemed to be no way around the Black River, Plymouth Pit lake, private land holdings and high-traffic paved roadways.
Then someone stepped up.
Jerry Nezworski, vice president of the trail authority, reached out to a landowner who had, as recently as two years ago, said no to routing the trail through their property.
However, under the current circumstances, Sandra and Cory Leuzzo said yes to a one-year trail access agreement.
The new segment is expected to route snowmobilers onto Old U.S. 2 and then through the Leuzzos’ property. There are no road crossings on this route, compared to crossing five lanes twice in the previous iteration through the ski resort.
The trail was approved by the city of Wakefield and Bessemer Township boards at special meetings on Monday, Nov. 14.
“It’s definitely important to the economy of the area,” said Bessemer Township Supervisor Jeff Randall. “That’s what I love about the people of the north woods: They can get things done when it’s needed.”
The next step is to turn over paperwork to the DNR, which is expected to expedite the approval process so that snowmobiling “doesn’t miss a beat,” Hamilton said.
“It’s been the greatest reward after such a difficult time to see the community come together behind snowmobiling,” Hamilton said. “It’s a tremendous family friendly, family focused, healthy outdoor recreational activity that does more for our communities than most.”
The snowmobiling season officially begins on Dec. 1.
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