The northern part of our upper lower is still grappling with the aftermath of blocked trails.
EMMET COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU)
More than four months after a devastating ice storm, Northern Michigan is still grappling with recovery efforts, particularly in clearing debris from its trail systems.
The blocked trails have become a significant hurdle, impacting both local businesses and the tourism industry.
Terry Ledwidge, an Emmet County trail system advocate, highlighted the severity of the situation. “There’s thousands of state land around here and if there’s a brush fire, there’s no access to get any equipment down here. The damage from the recent storm has been so extensive that local volunteers with chainsaws are unable to handle the task of cleaning the trails. So, we need forestry equipment and some professional help to complete this task.”
Trail 71 in Emmet County is one of the affected areas, with debris still obstructing paths.
“Then the small businesses in the area, restaurants, hotels, power sports dealership, people come from far and wide to take advantage of these beautiful trail systems we have here at Emmet County. And this season has been a bust because the trails are impassable. So, enthusiasts are going to the Upper Peninsula and other parts of Michigan to enjoy the trails,” said Ledwidge.
While some debris can be manually removed, the trails require more than just volunteer efforts for a full cleanup.
Local businesses are feeling the impact. Kristin Hasse, owner of Birdie’s Tavern at Chestnut Valley Golf Course, expressed concern about the upcoming winter season. “In the wintertime, we love our local people, but we also rely on the tourism industry, the winter tourism industry, to keep us going. So not only does that include snowmobilers and side-by-sides and four-wheelers or whatever that may bring, cross country skiers, downhill skiers, traveling through from Nubs and Boyne, on the other side of the hill. That’s a huge part of our business plan and part of our revenue for the winter.”
Jeff Obeshaw of Countywide Power Sports echoed these concerns, noting that access to the trails is crucial for businesses dealing with ATVs, off-road motorcycles, and side-by-sides.
“Access to the trails is obviously a very big portion of what our business is with ATV, off-road motorcycles, and side-by-sides, as you can see, as Terry had alluded to, the trail systems we’re basically crippled here in Emmet county, Cheboygan county and the surrounding areas from the ice storms. So, traffic has been slightly down, you know, we’re not getting people into the store because the trails are not accessible. It also leads to shortages in machines that need to be repaired because there out using them. The lack of local trails that are open are creating some of that short-term hiccups of service,” he said.
Ledwidge, Hasse, and Obeshaw are calling for assistance beyond the local community. “So, we need help with clean up and as Terry alluded to it’s going to take more than just our local community, which has been fantastic. We’ve had our local clubs and a whole armament of people that just are trail enthusiasts coming and supporting the cause, but it’s just not enough,” Obeshaw said. •