Although Leelanau County is fortunate to have a national lakeshore to step into with such little effort, it is easy for residents to forget that the park is 35 miles long and spans two counties. We get stuck in our bubbles and forget to explore other angles and ends. As a new year begins, consider stepping out of a routine, working on a New Years resolution, or getting to know the area better by taking on the Trail Trekker Challenge in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
The Homestead Resort’s front lift is open Friday-Sunday to carry downhill skiers up the hill where they can enjoy mesmerizing views of Lake Michigan and fast runs down the front side of the mountain. Meanwhile, the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes report that the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail got about 5-6 inches of fresh light powder last night in Glen Haven and Glen Arbor.
“We have snow, and lots of it,” report the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes. “Come out to Sleeping Bear Dunes while the skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, is at it’s best!” The grooming crew has been busy on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. The Trail has been groomed from Empire to Glen Arbor and North of Glen Arbor at Crystal View trailhead to the Lawr Farm (Wheeler Road). Conditions are really good.
The Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes report that we received a good snowfall yesterday providing about 6-8 inches of fresh powder over warm ground. The Friends report that they don’t yet have the tracks on the groomer, so the trails won’t be groomed until the end of this week if conditions allow. Those seeking to ski on the asphalt parts of the Heritage Trail should know that their ski poles will probably hit the asphalt and might skid.
Biking’s booming popularity, along with record-setting National Parks visitation over the past several years, is creating new ways to love our natural and historic treasures. Adding to these trends is a need to be outside while social distancing during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. And with the 22-mile long, motorless Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail traversing Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Susan Pocklington of Empire came up with a great idea. “People want to bike in the park,” said Pocklington, executive director of Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear (PHSB). “They ride past an old house or barn, and wonder about it. Why not learn about the history you’re riding through?”
Glen Arbor Township will host a community open house on Thursday, Aug. 19, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Township Hall, located at 6394 W. Western Ave, to discuss a preliminary design for a connector route for the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore continues its 50th anniversary activities with a snowshoe and/or cross-country ski on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dune Climb. Join park rangers and volunteers from the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes and experience the park after dark as you snowshoe or ski along the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail under the full moon.
After a year-long process, preliminary design for the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail from County Road 669 to County Road 651 is wrapping up and a trail alignment is being recommended for consideration by Cleveland and Centerville Townships. The recommended trail alignment will be presented by OHM Advisors at the Cleveland Township Board meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 7 pm. The Township will then vote on a resolution on whether or not to support the recommended alignment within Cleveland Township.
Two popular area trails—the Leelanau Trail and the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail—were among this year’s inaugural picks for the Pure Michigan Trail and Trail Town designation program.
Fans of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore are invited to attend a fun and informal snowshoe hike and chili dinner on Sunday, Jan. 20, to help support Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes—the nonprofit group whose volunteers maintain the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail and help in other ways during the federal government shutdown.