ATRA Trail Town moves to Michigan

Each month, the American Trail Running Association features a different town in its online Trail News section at www.trailrunner.com. Moving around the country, a recent feature landed in Houghton, Michigan, chosen for its great trails, and unique region situated on the Upper Peninsula of the 26th state to enter the Union.

Houghton is dubbed the gateway to the Keweenaw. A college town – home to Michigan Technological University – Houghton lies adjacent to Hancock, separated by Portage Lake with Houghton to the south and Hancock to the north. A double-deck bridge, built in 1959, connects the two towns.

MTU is the snowiest university in the United States with annual snowfall totals topping 200 inches. This distinction is well deserved and as such, Houghton offers a winter playground for Nordic and Alpine skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, and snowshoers with a vast array of trails, which transition perfectly for trail running in the non-snowy months.

Runs out of the Houghton/Hancock provide flat and rolling terrain as well as ascending and descending. A climb to the top of the Mount Ripley Ski Area in Hancock offers 440 feet of vertical gain and beautiful views of the portage canal. It is a must-do in the region if a steep climb is in a trail runner’s plans, as is a tour around the nearby Maasto Hiihto Trails.

Mount Ripley has a high point of 1074 feet. The terrain is rocky in sections and the slopes are primarily grass-covered with little to no shade, as the majority of trees have been removed save those at the upper sections on the ski hill and a few outcroppings on the hill itself. Some of the grass, even after being mowed, is a bit “stemmy” so the downhill requires “sure-footedness” to avoid tripping over an errant stem or root. For a safer trip down, traversing is an option especially on the steepest sections, which range from 25-35%.

Heading up under the chair lift is probably the steepest pitch on the “hill.” Once at the top, there are service roads winding toward the old Quincy Mine, which, though closed to mining, now offers tours. Those service roads spill onto route 41, connecting to side streets, which, after a mile or so, lead to the Maasto Hiihto trail system.

This system adjoins that of Churning Rapids for a total of 14.2 miles of both single-track trail and wide open pathways. The elevations range from about 600 feet to 1100 feet. There are well-constructed wooden bridges over the stream crossings, although after a heavy rain some of the nearby grass-laden trails can get a bit marsh-like with muddy conditions ripe to suck off a loosely tied shoe.

The trails are not marked at all of the junctions causing some consternation at intersections. In fact, newcomers to the area should study the trail map in advance of a run to be sure of their intended direction including which “route number” to follow. What starts as trail 3 changes to trail 4 and seemingly is the same trail. The route numbers are affixed to trees – though not at regular intervals – and there are also small and worn yellow signs on random trees indicating the way to the “chalet.”

There are even some pathways marked, “no entry” which abut service roads to active logging areas within the system. There is also a service road near the trail head which is posted “no entry” yet it seems to be a potential access point for some of the trails.

The single-track trails are true gems in the system. The undulating and often leaf-strewn terrain within the woods provides a peaceful outing with some challenge afforded by occasional switchbacks as a trail winds down to the stream below. Keep moving to avoid the mosquitoes and be sure to watch the terrain underfoot to avoid a misstep on a recently fallen twig, rock, or partially exposed tree root.

As is evidenced above, and supported by Houghton local Arin Ronis, owner of Down Wind Sports, there are lots of options for trail running in and around Houghton. “You could easily hit a trail in Houghton in the morning, then head to Porcupine Mountain State Park in the afternoon,” says Ronis. “This makes Houghton a great launching pad for outdoor fun. There are hotels and restaurants, and lots of other activities in addition to trail running,” adds Ronis. “There is sea kayaking, and mountain biking in the spring, summer, and fall, and cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.”

For more details on this great trail town, click here. Recently featured trail towns include Estes Park, Colorado,  Del Norte, Colorado, Exeter, New Hampshire, Bainbridge Island, Washington. Next up, the City of Wildwood, Missouri.

If you are interested in having your town considered as an ATRA Trail Town, contact nancyhobbs@trailrunner.com.

The post ATRA Trail Town moves to Michigan appeared first on Endurance Sportswire.

from Endurance Sportswire http://ift.tt/2bwMmiK
via IFTTT