National Lakeshore to expand multi-use trails

Heritage Trail grows; Kettles, Bay-to-Bay, mountain biking trails on tap?

By Jacob Wheeler
Sun editor

Over the next couple years, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore could vastly expand its network, and range, of trails. By July, the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail will expand south, from the Dune Climb to Empire, allowing bicyclists, rollerbladers, wheelchair-bound visitors and (next winter) cross-country skiers to travel from Glen Arbor to Empire without setting foot in a vehicle and without using the shoulder of a state highway.

The immensely popular Heritage Trail currently stretches 4.5 miles from the Dune Climb (through Glen Haven) to Glen Arbor. Construction of the trail’s third leg, from Glen Arbor to the Port Oneida Rural Historic District, is expected to commence in the spring of 2015.

The Lakeshore has plans for two other trails in its deck of cards, though they are still in the idea stage and must go through environmental assessments and public scoping periods. The Kettles Trail would weave through the Bow Lakes, just east of Glen Lake School, a detached unit added to the Park in 1982. The region is ideal for interpreting glacial phenomenon, says Lakeshore deputy superintendent Tom Ulrich, because nowhere else in Sleeping Bear are kettles and bogs preserved. The Park’s General Management Plan (GMP) envisions a 2-mile or 3-mile loop trail where visitors could park and walk. Sometime this spring the Lakeshore expects to release its plans for the Kettles Trail and solicit public comments.

A prospective “Bay-to-Bay” trail could one day allow visitors to take multi-day hikes through the National Lakeshore and camp along the way. For years, Park staff members have pushed for such a trail, which would offer an alternative to the numerous loop trails, none of which are long enough to facilitate a multi-day camping experience. “One of the more traditional uses of a National Park is to have multi-day camping experiences,” says Ulrich. “To allow visitors to hike by day and stay out at night. Since we’re a National Lakeshore, we could even structure it so you could paddle the trip as well.”

But contrary to a recent story in the Leelanau Enterprise, says Ulrich, the Bay-to-Bay trail is still in its infancy. The GMP also calls for a hiking trail, but environmental impacts and sensitive resources have yet to be determined, flat places suitable for campgrounds have yet to be located, and the Park has yet to officially make a decision. The next step, says Ulrich, is to conduct an open-ended scope and then publish a letter to the public expressing the consideration of a Bay-to-Bay trail.

The nonprofit Friends of Sleeping Bear, a big advocate of a Bay-to-Bay trail, and the group that currently maintains the Heritage Trail and grooms it for cross-country skiing, also hopes to champion an eventual mountain biking trail in the Lakeshore south of Big Glen Lake, perhaps near Burnham and Echo Valley Roads.

Such “creative partnerships” between nonprofits and the National Park are key to developing new initiatives such as a Bay-to-Bay trail and a mountain bike trail, says Ulrich. “In order to move forward, we need help from the community. These aren’t flush fiscal times for us. We don’t have the money to construct, maintain, or even police trails. So the community needs to step forward and work with us.” Friends of Sleeping Bear hopes to send out volunteers to the mountain biking area, study the old two-track paths and map the soils, so the Park can one day present the idea to the public at large.

Introducing Sleeping Bear’s new chief of interpretation, Merrith Baughman

From staff reports

In early January, Wisconsin native Merrith Baughman became the new chief of interpretation at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — a position formerly held by Lisa Myers. According to the Lakeshore’s deputy superintendent Tom Ulrich, the most important aspect of the job is to provide opportunities for the visiting public to form a connection to the National Park.

“It’s not about, ‘here’s a cool beach where I can drink a Corona’,” says Ulrich. “We want people to make the connection to our region and its resources.”

Ulrich added that one new element of interpretation is to incorporate technology into the process. “These days, people are enamored with their hand-held devices. Rather than those devices being a detriment to the experience, how can you incorporate them? How can they help you achieve your goal?”

Another new goal for Baughman will be to engage school children and youth. “We do that now, but I want to make certain that school children who visit the Lakeshore come away with something tangible,” says Ulrich. “We want the kids to connect with what’s meaningful to them. Instead of Park rangers or teachers telling kids what’s important, lets expose them to ideas and let them choose what they like.”

The Glen Arbor Sun conducted the following written interview with Merrith Baughman:

Sun: Describe how you came to work at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore? What, and where, were your previous positions?

Baughman: I heard that the Chief of Interpretation & Visitor Services position would open and definitely watched for it. I was living in Nebraska, working at Homestead National Monument of America. I am from Wisconsin and started my career with the National Park Service (NPS) at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore on Lake Superior while still in College. I have also worked at Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota. Once you have lived on big water I don’t think the desire to be near water ever leaves you. I enjoyed living on the Great Plains but missed water, trees and real winter.

So I have worked for the NPS for over 20 years as a Park Ranger. The kind of Park Ranger that works in the visitor center provides public presentations and gets to work with school children. Besides Homestead, Apostle Islands and Voyageurs, I have also worked at the Gateway Arch (Jefferson National Expansion Memorial) in St. Louis and Jewel Cave National Monument in South Dakota.

Sun: Tell us where you’re from, and about your background.

Baughman: I grow up almost due west of this area near Eau Claire, Wis. and went to school in the Twin Cities. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin — Stevens Point with degrees in Resource Management and Biology. Both my parents were teachers and I loved the outdoors and learning, so working for the NPS has been a perfect fit.

Sun: You’re a Wisconsin native. Does that mean Packers, Badgers and Brewers? Or are you open to Lions, Wolverines/Spartans and Tigers?

Baughman: Definitely a Packers fan! But my favorite sport is hockey … think I am very open to the Red Wings. Any other hockey teams in the area I should follow?

Sun: Who do you bring with you? I.e., partner, kids, pets? And where will the family live?

Baughman: Moving with me to Michigan are my husband, Dean, and our two girls Alexa (13) and Jocelyn (10). We had to find homes for our fish, turtle, lizard and gerbil but still have two cats. My girls are very sure we need a dog now that we live somewhere that is not all farmland and can go for walks. We are still need a permanent home and are looking in the Long Lake and Lake Ann areas.

Sun: What had you heard about Sleeping Bear (and Leelanau) before arriving? What are you impressions upon landing here?

Baughman: Yes, I had heard about the park and area. I know several of the staff at the park. They and everyone else I talked with said what a wonderful area it is to raise a family. That there are so many things to do and see. My impression is that we will like it here very much. It reminds me of home but with cherries and Lake Michigan instead of dairy cows and rivers.

Sun: You probably know that we were crowned the “most beautiful place in America” a couple years ago by the Good Morning America TV show. Do you find that accurate? What are your most beautiful place(s)?

Baughman: Yes, this is a beautiful area. Every once in a while as I have been busily running around settling in, I pause and think ‘wow this is so beautiful and I can not wait to see it during the other three seasons.’ Lake Michigan looks different each time I see it. The views from the Dune Climb are awesome.

Sun: Tell us about being the chief of interpretation. In your mind, what does that mean? What are your key responsibilities and goals with this job?

Baughman: As Chief of Interpretation I make sure that visitors learn the significance of this special place and help them connect with the meanings of the park. My key responsibilities are that visitors have access to park information, that teachers and school children use the park as a resource for learning, and that park fees are collected and managed correctly.

Sun: What are you most excited about with respect to Northern Michigan? What are you most dreading?

Baughman: I am excited that that Northern Michigan offers both outstanding cultural activities (music, art, dining, festivals, vineyards) in the midst of this incredibly beautiful natural setting. What am I most dreading … maybe it is the lack of sun in the winter that I have experienced since I arrived in early December. I do not mind the cold and snow. In fact, I cannot wait to get back on some cross-country skis.

Sun: Do you have favorite hiking/swimming/eating/recreation spots here yet?

Baughman: My family has walked up the Dune Climb and loved it. We love to hike and camp. I do not think we will ever run out of things to do.