Indiana Dunes State Park Works to Reopen Trails

Indiana Dunes map (graphic from Indiana Dunes State Park)

from Indiana Dunes State Park

Although this is located in Indiana, it's just barely not southwest Michigan. Due to the storms of the past week, it would probably be a good idea to check before visiting any park in southwest Michigan with plans to hike a particular trail.

Indiana Dunes State Park staff worked to clear nearly 20 trees in the park on Friday. At this time, all roads and trails are open with the exception of one stretch on Trail 2 (see photo). This location is impassable and unsafe. We are asking guests to cooperate by refraining from hiking this section until our crews have cleared the debris. We expect to complete this by the end of the day Monday, June 15th

See Indiana Dunes


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Significant North Country Trail Detour

damage to Highbridge Road (photo origin uncertain)

by jhy

The recent high water and flooding in Michigan is having significant impacts on a multitude of recreation facilities and opportunities.

Perhaps two of the most significant are in the Manistee National Forest. There are two areas of closure. One is a part of the North Country Trail, and the other concerns the Manistee River Trail which has formed the eastern part of what may be the most popular loop trail in the state of Michigan.

Highbridge Road, north of Highbridge over the Manistee River has experienced washouts on both sides of the road and the structural integrity of the road surface is compromised. The picture above does not show the extent of the damage. The Forest Service has closed the road EVEN TO PEDESTRIANS, which means that hikers can not cross the river at this bridge. There are very few bridges across the Manistee.

What this means for at least a month is that any thru hikers (northbound or trail WEBO although the local direction of travel is east) will need to follow M-55 east from Udell TH for 11 miles to Warfield Rd, turn north and then west on Coates Highway to Red Bridge. There, you can access the connector to rejoin the NCT. (south or trail EABO should follow the connector to Red Bridge, take Coates Hwy east, south on Warfield, and M-55 west to Udell TH)

This is a 17- mile detour, but the total length of the skipped trail is about the same, so mileage is approximately equal, but the experience will definitely be compromised. Note that this entire route will be busier than usual with vehicle traffic as all the usual Highbridge traffic will also be using this road detour.

Perhaps the best news is that since Highbridge is a main county thoroughfare, the road will be repaired in good time.

The other huge impact is that for the foreseeable future, the entire Manistee River Trail is closed. The Forest Service is still evaluating damage. Any plans to hike the loop will need to be postponed.

See Manistee National Forest trail alerts updates


These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch

Grand Haven Pettys Bayou Bridge - 4 Month Closure

Pettys Bayou Bridge Grand Haven Tribune

The heavily traveled multi-use trail along Fruitport Road, and vehicular traffic will have to take a 4-mile detour until June 2008.

The Ottawa County Road Commission started reconstruction of the Fruitport Road Bridge over Pettys Bayou on February 7, with a completion target of June 27. The bridge was originally built in 1948.

Both lanes of the bridge will be closed during all phases of construction. The weather will determine how quickly work can progress, but the plan is for agressive construction, with hopes of completing early.

Construction isn't expected to interfere with boat traffic very much, except when beams are being lifted into place.

The new bridge will include an 8-foot-wide bike/pedestrian lane on the west side.

Anlaan Corporation President, Ryan O'Donnell, said, "We'll go at it as hard as we can and just try to give this community a nice-looking quality project on time."

from Grand Haven Tribune, "Pettys Bayou bridge to close for 4 months", Jan 31, 2008
These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch