UPDATEWe will meet in
Whitehall, MI (20 mi. N. of Muskegon) at
8:00 AM on Saturday April 1, 2006. Grab bagels & coffee. Plumb's Deli (before Taco Bell) on main street (Colby Rd.) just off US. 31. Get organized and be ready to roll by 9:00 AM.
Section OneA forest two track along a creek valley with some technical climbs, descents and a couple mud holes. Should take about an hour to compleat this section. Stock rigs can bypass or park and ride/watch the bad spots.
Optional idea. Demonstrate recovery from mud hole with a HiLift jack.
Section TwoA forest two track along a river. Some steep tight climbs. One very difficult climb (lockers, big tires, lift). Some mud and ruts. 2 miles of paved roads then back on two tracks for another 8 miles. Should take about an hour to compleat this section. Stock rigs can bypass or park and ride/watch the bad spots.
Section ThreeA short forest trail through an open ORV area the DNR propose to close in the future. Some short sandy hills to climb. Some rutted mud holes to cross (spring rains will help). Should take less than an hour to compleat this section. Stock rigs can bypass or park and ride/watch the bad spots.
Section FourTwo track and powerline. Some steep sandy hills along the way. Tight, winding two track that leads to a tall steep hill with several trails up and down it. Good place to sit and watch each other attempt the climb. Several stub trails around the hill with different levels of difficulty. Should take about an hour or so to compleat this section. Stock rigs can be assisted or bypass first sandy hills and park and ride/watch the big hill.
Lunch at Zeek Lake roadside park on M-20 (restrooms). Bring your own food.
Section Five Continue on a hilly twisting snowmobile trail (Private but we have permission) a few miles. All rigs should be able to handel this section. Cool trails though. Then take a back road for several miles.
Section Six The climax. Take a long muddy two track across a swampy area and across a stream and then come to a big steep hill (Crystal Lookout). Some steep technical climbs for the hard core wheelers. Should be fun to watch each other attempt different runs.
Note: Overall these trails are not extreme so save your rock buggy for the Cliffs or Badlands and drive a street legal Zuk. Several miles are on paved backroads. An ORV sticker is a good idea to keep the DNR happy. Since most the trails are on public land we will try to tread lightly by running in 4wd on any soft areas, etc.