Trail Closure Wakefield Trail 2

[Doug]

Sounds like some progress was made by Wakefield with a meeting held by all parties per Big Sky's Facebook page.  

[SkisNH]

17 hours ago, f7ben said:

Faggot ass Harley riders and their bullshit faggot pipes are 10x worse than faggot boondocking aledneck wannabees with their faggot Brap cans 

Harley Davidson, the most efficient way to turn gasoline into noise without adding horsepower. 

[f7ben]

15 minutes ago, SkisNH said:

Harley Davidson, the most efficient way to turn gasoline into noise without adding horsepower. 

Nailed it , throw in an oil stain on every garage floor and you’ve perfectly defined an HD 

[Doug]

Big Snow Resort

15h  · 

 

Today, Snowriver management and ownership met with representatives from the Township of Wakefield and Town of Bessmer along with the GRTA President Steve Hamilton and the Michigan DNR, to discuss the Route 2 snowmobile trail. The meeting was very productive and alternatives were discussed. One such option has a reroute through the Snowriver property alleviates traversing the parking lot and the lodging area, would then join back up with the trail system. We appreciate all the representatives and the GRTA for meeting today. The discussions will continue towards a solution for this winter and we are very optimistic based on todays meeting, that a happy conclusion will be found

 

Edited September 29, 2022 by Doug

[racinfarmer]

i WeIgH 325 pOuNdZ wIt GeArZzZ oN aNd NeEdS tOo SaV 7.3 pOuNd On My NeW 840!!*%*#@!!!#%*)#%!!!!

[SayatodaU.P.eh?]

On 9/21/2022 at 12:23 PM, Jimmy Snacks said:

The best course of action IMO is for the DNR, Clubs, MSA…ect…to figure out a way to purchase land especially in areas that may be prone to closure…eminent domain is theft IMO. 

That costs a lot of money. Money that no one wants to part with. Just raising the trail permit $5 pisses everyone off. Not to mention, misorva just completed adding a bunch of permeant trail easement land to that program, last year. Hopefully, they can keep that going. 

On 9/21/2022 at 9:55 PM, Doug said:

That is great for you guys.  The average age of active members in our club is 45+.  A number of active members don't even ride anymore and just don't want to see their work over the years go to waste

Same with my club. I’m one of the younger ones at 45. 

On 9/28/2022 at 12:14 PM, Skidooski said:

Ignorant fucks that don't give a shit about anyone but themselves will kill the sport of trail riding soon enough!

"Hey I paid my $50 trail permit so I can do as I please!!!!" idiots

In the areas that I am in, UTV/ATVs cause a lot more trail closure and property damage issues that snowmobiles do. 

Edited September 29, 2022 by SayatodaU.P.eh?

[spin_dry]

The golden age of snowmobiling was over years ago in the Midwest. I would imagine it’s still good out west in the high country. 

[Doug]

Here's from a news story Northern News now.  The proposed agreement is a "sunset" agreement that if they run the trail on any of the Ski hills land its only agreed upon until spring of 2023.  After that it will need to be rerouted off the ski hills land.

Sounds like some progress was made but still a lot of questions and work.  Thanks for the efforts of Gogebic Range Trail authority http://gogebicrangeta.org/

   

Gogebic County ski resort, trail group seek solutions after trail closure

Big Snow Resort(Annette Giachino)

By Annette Giachino

Published: Sep. 28, 2022 at 9:01 PM CDT

 

 

 

 

 

WAKEFIELD, Mich. (WLUC) - Snowriver Mountain Resort is working with the Gogebic Range Trail Authority and Snowmobile Club to find an alternative route that would replace the closed portion of the Gogebic County Snowmobile Trail 2.

This follows the resort’s decision earlier this month to block snowmobile access to the trail segment on its property due to safety concerns.

“It wasn’t a good fit so our intention is to discontinue the trail, and we’ve been talking to local officials about a couple of different options to have the trail continue through the U.P. in this area,” Midwest Family Ski Resorts President Charles Skinner said.

Skinner said he met with the Gogebic Range Trail Authority and Snowmobile Club and the DNR Wednesday. There were two main solutions presented in the meeting.

“Most of the solutions revolved around the re-routing of the trail either through different locations of the Snow River Mountain Resort complex or moving off to private property that surrounds the complex,” Wakefield City Manager Robert Brown Jr. said.

The City of Wakefield acted as a neutral party during Wednesday’s meeting. Brown explained the importance of finding another route for the trail in Gogebic County.

“Without that trail, snowmobilers will have to utilize another access point coming from Wisconsin which would bypass the Gogebic Range area which would generate a loss of income for our businesses and housing market,” Brown said.

Brown said options presented at Wednesday’s meeting will be looked into further.

“Not only discussion with landowners will be evolved but also questions with utilities that currently run through there and at the moment those are the best two options. Both groups are committed to finding a solution to the 2022-23 snow year,” Brown said.

Brown said a leading proposal would allow tentative access to Snowriver Mountain Resort property using a modified trail route and several conditions to be met to enhance pedestrian and snowmobiler safety. The proposal would sunset in the spring of 2023 if adopted, Brown said.

The GRTA would eventually need to locate a trail outside of the Snow River Mountain Resort and reach an agreement with property owners.

TV6 will continue to follow this developing story.

 

[racer254]

I am sure someone has probably proposed this, but what about a 25mph speed limit for the time being and make sure there are signs to explain it.  Maybe the distance is too far, IDK, I haven't been on this trail in a while.

[Jimmy Snacks]

10/10/2022 
WAKEFIELD TRAIL 2 CLOSURE UPDATE

At this time there remains no agreement with our new landowner to keep trail 2 in Wakefield open for this upcoming season. As of today there are no known alternate routes viable outside their large tract of land; GRTA never asserted there were other options viable.  Both Snowriver and GRTA are working together to find a solution and in respect of those efforts we are not commenting further.  Please be sure to support our incredible sponsors who want you and your family's business at their Lodge. We are a 100% all volunteer club working to provide critical infrastructure for our community and guests.  Join us today. http://gogebicrangeta.org/membership/

📸 Steve Hamilton - 2021 Warren Miller Fundraiser for local high school ski team

Steve Hamilton 
President 
GRTA

[Skidooski]

And as it gets closer to winter there's more and more "looking for loudest can for my 06 SDI" posts on FakeBook 

Followed by "How do I pull the skis up at anytime but have it handle good in the trails"   

[Doug]

21 minutes ago, Jimmy Snacks said:

10/10/2022 
WAKEFIELD TRAIL 2 CLOSURE UPDATE

At this time there remains no agreement with our new landowner to keep trail 2 in Wakefield open for this upcoming season. As of today there are no known alternate routes viable outside their large tract of land; GRTA never asserted there were other options viable.  Both Snowriver and GRTA are working together to find a solution and in respect of those efforts we are not commenting further.  Please be sure to support our incredible sponsors who want you and your family's business at their Lodge. We are a 100% all volunteer club working to provide critical infrastructure for our community and guests.  Join us today. http://gogebicrangeta.org/membership/

📸 Steve Hamilton - 2021 Warren Miller Fundraiser for local high school ski team

Steve Hamilton 
President 
GRTA

Not sounding and time is getting short

[spin_dry]

Zelinsky had the trail closed. 

[snoughnut]

2 minutes ago, spin_dry said:

Zelinsky had the trail closed. 

More than likely it was a Democrat, they hate motorsports and they also hate to see people having fun unless it's something they enjoy doing like cross country skiing or kayaking. 

[spin_dry]

3 minutes ago, snoughnut said:

More than likely it was a Democrat, they hate motorsports and they also hate to see people having fun unless it's something they enjoy doing like cross country skiing or kayaking. 

Kayaking is great. 

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, spin_dry said:

Kayaking is great. 

But do you run Class VI rapids like Revkev??? In a styrofoam kayak?

[spin_dry]

7 minutes ago, HSR said:

But do you run Class VI rapids like Revkev??? In a styrofoam kayak?

I run it in a styrofoam Budweiser cooler. 

[Guest]

1 minute ago, spin_dry said:

I run it in a styrofoam Budweiser cooler. 

Wild man 

[Doug]

Update

Trail will remain closed

The GRTA regrets to confirm that Michigan snowmobile trail 2 in far western Gogebic County will be closed this season from Sunday Lake in Wakefield to Ramsay Crossing in Bessemer Township.

Snowmobile trail 2 is the western most gateway to thousands of miles of world-renowned snowmobile trails in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. On peak holiday weekends nearly 3,000 snowmobiles a day travel the route. Currently there is no agreed upon road route or other option with any township or other governmental entity to re-connect the trail. The club is starting those efforts and seeks community support.

We sincerely thank the City of Wakefield’s Robert Brown & Mike Zeckovich, Bessemer and Wakefield Township Supervisors Jeff Randall and Mandy Lake, Michigan DNR Law Enforcement Officer Jennifer Hanson, Rep. Greg Markkanen, and the Michigan DNR for standing by the GRTA as we wade through this economically catastrophic situation.

In our first in-person meeting with Midwest Family Ski Resorts (owner of SnowRiver Mountain Resort) September 28th, they made it clear their interests were preventing snowmobilers from entering their property. Midwest Family Ski Resorts stated they do not view snowmobiling as a family friendly sport compatible with “their style of family-friendly” business. Midwest Family Ski Resorts outlined three ultimatums to achieve a one year temporary trail. Firstly they requested local stakeholders provide a $12 million excess layer liability policy in addition to the $2 million already provided; the city of Wakefield, Townships of Wakefield and Bessemer, and the Michigan DNR indemnify Midwest Family Ski Resorts; and finally a modest reroute of the trail around the old Indianhead summit. Midwest’s owner Charles Skinner expected all costs be the responsibility of local governments or other various stakeholders but suggested they would donate $5k towards the costs.

Within a few days after that meeting it was relayed back to Midwest Family Ski Resorts that indemnification wasn’t something local governments could lawfully provide. Additionally, no local government was able to get anywhere with their insurance providers. The feedback from insurance providers was the request lacked precedence and risk due to stout Michigan landowner liability protections. Insuring snowmobiles beyond that as a governmental entity would be uncharted territory and cost prohibitive. As communications continued Midwest Family Ski Resorts reduced their insurance coverage request down to $5 million and said they’d ask their insurance provider for a quote since all other sources returned no-quotes. During the wait for feedback on their investigative efforts our partners at the MDNR requested the state’s Attorney General’s office to offer a one-on-one meeting with Midwest Family Ski Resort’s team. On October 14th GRTA followed MDNR communication with an offer to purchase a small sliver of land around the exterior of their property to fully vacate any perceived liability exposure. Midwest’s concern centered on safety and liability and these solutions resolved both. The club was only able to offer that purchase gesture after being approached by regional donors looking to solve the issue and provide access.

On the evening of October 18th during a GRTA board meeting Mr. Skinner issued a statement to the GRTA expressing the conclusion of their efforts working with GRTA, our communities, and the MDNR to save Snowmobile Trail 2. Skinner’s team said on the phone the primary hurdle was their insurance company allegedly now just becoming aware of the snowmobile trail on their property. Skinner’s team elaborated further that their insurance provider, Safehold Insurance, would not insure them going forward if they engaged in snowmobile activities across the property. Safehold is the same vendor the previous owners utilized the last 7-years the trail ran on the property. This was shocking news as the previous ownership advertised and offered snowmobile rentals from their Indianhead location. Complicating our understanding is that Safehold also insures another U.P. ski hill that advertises and markets to snowmobilers, Ski-Brule of Iron River, MI.

We call on businesses across the Midwest who support Midwest snowmobiling to start drafting your letter of support and impact. We ask you – the snowmobilers and skiers – to draft your letters of support and impact. You can mail them to GRTA, 708 W Longyear ST, Bessemer, MI 49911. You can email them to info@gogebicrangeta.org. Please, contact your local representative and senator and demand their action in saving snowmobile trail 2 and building phase 3 of the Iron Belle Trail through this difficult area. It’s time the Western U.P. permanently connects its tremendous trails for the benefit of all.

Pictured is Ramsay Crossing, 10/19/22

-GRTA Board of Directors

[Mag6240]

Wow.  This won't play out well this winter...

[spin_dry]

So this is about an insurance company not willing to take on the risk of financial loss? 

[Matt]

How'd they ever lose the grade in the first place?  It sucked, but it was a vital artery.

[Crnr2Crnr]

well, that certainly sucks for some.

[Crnr2Crnr]

5 minutes ago, Matt said:

How'd they ever lose the grade in the first place?  It sucked, but it was a vital artery.

great ❓

[Doug]

The previous owner is a very successful developer from here in town.  Guys in our snowmobile club has worked with him before and he is a very detailed guy.  If there was an insurance issue with a snowmobile trail running through the resort his Risk Management team would have reviewed this and raised a red flag.

The new owner of the resort don't like motorized recreational vehicles and kept on throwing road blocks up to give the appearance he's working with the club with really no intent to let the trail run through.

If you read the full article the club including the Michigan DNR offered to buy an outside sliver of land to put the on but he refused.  This would have fully released any liability that the resort would have had.

it's not an insurance issues.  He don't like snowmobilers