State Hospital Trails PSA-Traverse City

[RegCT]

Via a reliable source inside Garflield Township I have been informed that there has been some trespassing on private property taking place on a parcel at the West end of the main riding trail complex (aka, at the top of the main hill) PLEASE don't access the trails through that residential area, use the designated trail head at the far end of the Copper Ridge Professional building complex parking lot instead. Apparently the property owner has confronted riders and received the bird in return. Not cool. If we were to lose these trails I would personally kill and shun the name and family of whomever crossed the line. Our most important concern out there is keeping the adjacent property owners happy. Here is a link to a photo of the property, the private parcel is outlined in blue. The designated CR parking lot is in the lower right quadrant outlined in a faint white line which I presume is the curb.

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=e135b2be32&view=att&th=129ea990d9896e2c&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=f_gbt9qvu10&zw

If anyone wants to come out and ride and isn't sure how to get to the trail head PLEASE just call and ask for directions before you go galavanting around through peoples yards and junk. My cell number is 231-360-4216 OR you can check out the riders' page on facebook and ask any one of these guys for directions. That link is here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=120944244594786&ref=ts.

Hope to see you out there for the bootleg this Sunday!!

-Regan

[STP977]

Thanks for the direction, i went out there the other day and had some trouble finding the trail, i found the trail near the main hill. The short down hill trail to the left of the copper ridge entrance. But i know there is more that i have seen in video were there are ladder bridges and more trail. if you could give me some direction to the other trail that would b great, its a pain going on a wild goose chase on a big rig. Thanks- Rivers

[RegCT]

Thanks for the direction, i went out there the other day and had some trouble finding the trail, i found the trail near the main hill. The short down hill trail to the left of the copper ridge entrance. But i know there is more that i have seen in video were there are ladder bridges and more trail. if you could give me some direction to the other trail that would b great, its a pain going on a wild goose chase on a big rig. Thanks- Rivers

There is still a wood bridge and a couple big drops but beyond that the man made wood features were removed 2 summers ago. Beyond the main trail matrix right off the parking lot to the West, there are trails to the East of the two track that runs up the hill, and North on the other side of the main ridge...a little hard to explain in writing. We (if its not 90 fire hot out) will be out tomorrow to ride around 3 or 4 and I will be out again sometime this week. Would be stoked to have you join us man and can show you around a bit. If you really do some exploring (I know it sucks on a full squish) you wont be disappointed with what you might find. It takes some time and a lot of sweat to find the goods if you are heading out solo.

Like I mentioned earlier though, use the designated trail head in the back of the copper ridge development and you will be at the front door of everything.

[STP977]

Awesome, thanks the trail i was on was to the East, next time out i will do more exploring. How strict are you on building, im not afraid to get my hands dirty for the good of the trail. I have a bit of building experience ---> built all my self http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUtcmKECvlE

[RegCT]

Awesome, thanks the trail i was on was to the East, next time out i will do more exploring. How strict are you on building, I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty for the good of the trail. I have a bit of building experience ---> built all my self http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUtcmKECvlE

Nice man! Those in Kalkaska? We aren't super strict about building, in fact it's great that you are willing to help since obviously you are aware how much work goes into just the maintenance, but there are some unwritten rules and guidelines to follow.

For starters, I'd like to take some time to show you around a little bit so you get to know the lay of the land well. ie, one section or area of trail would work best for a particular type of feature and another section, another feature, and so on. Some of the bigger stuff is pretty well hidden in the woods, so hikers and dog walkers and the other land users (who have every right to be out there just as we do) will spend all the time they want out there and unless they see someone hitting a feature or hiking or whatever, they'll never know its there. That is the primary goal with most of the builds.

As far as cutting new trail, personally I would prefer to stay away from this for now...at least for this season, and maybe next year once there is a good following and understanding of the rules by the growing number of riders out there then maybe it can be brought up, and something can be well planned out.

Because of some trouble a couple of years back there is a pretty strict no nails policy...at least for this year. From watching your video it seems that wouldn't be a problem with the stuff you build.

Another suggestion would be to join this facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=120944244594786&ref=ts

If you ever have an idea of something you want to build, just post it on there, and the collective can give you some feedback. It will never be critical, just constructive ideas. Plus you can recruit some helpers that way.

Hope this helps man. Did you have something in mind you want to build?

-Regan

PS Feel free to call me or text me anytime too. My cell is 231-360-4216. I've got the summer off so I am always down to ride or show you around some more. There is some pretty gnarly stuff that I guarantee you haven't found

[STP977]

Yeah there in my back yard at our cabin. thanks for all the help, next time there is a trail day or something hit me up, 248 321 3078 rivers. Its hard for me to make it out there, only 15 wont be able to drive till next year, Next year i will probably be out there at least once a week. nothing specific i wanted to do, if i had a shovel there a few maintenance things i would have done. ever consider having a shovel locked up in a place were every one knows of and a code posted on the facebook page (btw i sent a request to join) so that anyone could do maintenance without caring a shovel out

[RedGreen]

I'm thinkin of checking the trails out on Monday morning. Where do I park and how do I get there from Kalkaska?

[RegCT]

I'm thinkin of checking the trails out on Monday morning. Where do I park and how do I get there from Kalkaska?

M-72 West across downtown TC
South on 31 (1mi)
West on Silver Lake Road (1mi)
Right on Copper Ridge Road (.25mi)
Follow Copper Ridge Road left to the top and all the way to the back of the development.
Park in designated trail head parking lot. (Pretty obvious)