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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula Posted May 3, 2004 Text © 2004 Michigan Department of Natural Resources, courtesy Ann Wilson, DNR communications representative, Office of the Press Secretary, Marquette.

Keweenaw Point Advisory Committee: Appendix A Non-motorized Trail Committee Notes
03/31/04

Trail Recommendations: 

Development of non-motorized sustainable multi-use trails that interconnect to "greater" Keweenaw trails (Copper Harbor System, Estivant Pines, and Horseshoe Harbor).

Trailheads to be located at developed parking areas throughout Tip of Keweenaw including Hoar Lake, Keystone Bay, Schlatter Lake and along Mandan Rd. (near Horseshoe Harbor). Additional network trailheads that allow access would include: Copper Harbor, Keweenaw Mtn. Lodge, and Estivant Pines.

Primary trail will be a "shoreline trail" that begins at Hoar Lake, accesses the Montreal Falls and Mouth of the Montreal then heads east along shore to Fish Cove, Keystone Bay, Keystone Point, Schlatter Lake, and then north-west paralleling Mandan Rd towards Horseshoe Harbor. Trail would connect control points including: parking areas, scenic locations and campsites. Additional "short" loops would be developed that allow for options from specific trailheads. A preference will be given to using existing sections of trails during the layout of all new routes. Trails will not be designated single-use (i.e. hiking only) at this time as topography will dictate the type/level of non-motorized use.

Trail easements (or land purchase) for connecting trails will be needed from Estivant Pines (to Mandan Rd) and Hoar Lake (to Mouth of Montreal). Easements (or land purchase) will also be needed at Keystone Bay and Tip of Keweenaw to develop recommended direct trail routes but second option would be to work around current private parcels.

Additional Recommendations:

A priority must be to keep all motorized vehicles off of shoreline areas (non-winter use is the primary consideration). Parking areas should be backed away a short distance from shore with gates or other control methods to keep down damaging activity. Areas of greatest concern include: High Rock Bay, Keystone Bay and Fish Cove because of current ease of accessibility.

Campsites are suggested for the following locations:

Motorized accessible campsites: Schlatter Lake, Highrock Bay, Keystone Bay, and Hoar Lake. 

Foot and water-accessible campsites: Mouth of Montreal, Fish Cove, Keystone Point, north of         Keweenaw Point. 

Work with property owners near Smith Fisheries to acquire easement and develop additional parking area at western end of property. Maintain non-motorized trail from west to Mouth of Montreal. 

Work with Fort Wilkins to complete trail connection on eastern end of Lake Fanny Hooe to Copper Harbor-Kamikazee Trail on south side of Lake.

Return to Minutes of Apr. 6, 2004 Meeting

*Editor's note: Keweenaw Now is providing this Michigan Department of Natural Resources information as a public service.