40 Volunteers Clear 15 Miles of Michigan Bike Trails

After a harsh Thanksgiving snowstorm toppled trees across Copper Harbor's beloved mountain bike trails, 40 volunteers showed up with one mission: get riders back on the dirt.

The small Upper Michigan town of just 130 year-round residents faced a bigger cleanup challenge than usual this spring. Adam Yeoman, executive director of the Copper Harbor Trails Club, says the winter storm damage made volunteer help more critical than ever.

On Sunday, the volunteers cleared fallen trees, limbs, and debris from 15 miles of trail at the East Bluff Bike Park. The turnout marked the strongest volunteer showing the trails club has seen in years.

"Everybody's just itching to get out there," Yeoman said. "It was a long winter, lots of snow. People are happy to come volunteer and help us out."

The Ripple Effect

The volunteer effort does more than prepare trails. It strengthens an entire community that depends on outdoor recreation.

Copper Harbor's riding community stretches far beyond the tiny town's borders. Cyclists from across the Keweenaw region and beyond make the trip to experience the trails.

Those visitors fill local restaurants and hotels, giving back to the community that maintains the trails. The volunteers who show up to clear debris get rewarded with the best possible riding experience once the season opens.

"We couldn't get the trails open without our volunteers," Yeoman said. The early work sets up the maintenance team to make final adjustments and ensure quality experiences for all riders.

The Brockway Mountain and Keweenaw Mountain Lodge trails are already open for riding. The East Bluff Bike Park and Point Trail will welcome cyclists before Memorial Day, right on schedule thanks to the volunteer crew's dedication.