Within the next few weeks, the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail will officially open its third leg, which stretches roughly from the Crystal River dam (on County Road 675, 1.5 miles east of Glen Arbor) up to the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. That 3.4-mile stretch will make the popular Heritage Trail nearly 13 miles long.
Glen Arbor Sun editor Jacob Wheeler took a spin Thursday evening on the newly completed Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail section between the Dune Climb and Empire. It’s a beautiful, hilly ride! Along the way, he interviewed Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Deputy Superintendent Tom Ulrich and Duneswood Resort owner Debbie Rettke, about how this leg of the trail differs from the Dune Climb-to-Glen Arbor leg, what the expanded trail means for the National Park, and for local biking in general, and how folks have reacted to it so far. Check out this video.
The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail’s 5.5-mile expansion from the Dune Climb to Empire is complete. This urban hipster from Chicago enjoyed the trail on June 8.
This sign at the eastern edge of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, as it approaches Glen Arbor, misleads bikers (and everyone else) into thinking they should turn right to access downtown Glen Arbor and its restaurants, shops and galleries. In fact, to reach Glen Arbor, folks should turn left and proceed 0.3 miles on Forest Haven Drive, and then turn right on M-109 (West Harbor Highway) for 0.1 miles. See the Google Map below.
Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation Trails, Inc. is pleased to announce that the Traverse City Track Club issued a $25,000 challenge match for the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. The trail campaign has a goal to raise $200,000 to begin constructing the next four-mile segment from the Dune Climb to Empire in 2013. There will be a bonus of $5,000 if the goal is met before December 31.
Does Glen Arbor truly embrace bikers? These citizens on two wheels represent a growing share of our tourism pie, as northern Michigan appeals to both recreational and athletic bikers. They represent an active lifestyle that fits our outdoor attractions like a glove; they don’t clog roads or parking lots; they don’t consume fossil fuels and pollute our air, and their leisurely pace makes them ideal targets to visit and financially support our shops, galleries and eateries.
The most beautiful place in America … the second healthiest nationwide, with the best beaches and chocolate … an epicurean and film destination. How about one more feather for the cap? Leelanau County could become a prime bicycle destination too.
The first phase of the long awaited Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail — between the Sleeping Bear Dune Climb and downtown Glen Arbor — is nearly complete. Pavement stretches nearly half the way from the Dune Climb to Glen Haven, but the remainder of the trail is already formed and tamped down. The trail’s grand opening is scheduled for June 20. In the meantime, check out this narrated video of a bike ride Saturday along the trail.