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On a cold and snowy day this past Saturday, I had the opportunity to bundle up and hike the Old Mission State Park trail near Mission Point Lighthouse with a few Peninsula Township folks — Planning Commissioner Susie Shipman, Clerk/Town Board Rep/Parks Committee member Becky Chown, Parks Committee member Christine Murphy, and her husband Colin and their two adorable little dogs.
Also hiking with us was Steve Lagerquist, a Land Steward with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy who works on capital project management, recreation and infrastructure. He was a wealth of information as we hiked from the Lighthouse, down the fire trail, and back along the shore trail on the west side of Center Road.
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It was a great hike with fun people, and I learned a lot about the trail system, how best to maintain and preserve it, ideas for improvements and more.
Here are some of the topics we discussed along the trail – big thanks to Christine for taking great notes.
Topics of Discussion Along the Trail
Are downed trees available for the taking? As someone who heats with wood, I asked the group if it’s possible for residents like me to cut up the downed trees and haul them home to burn in the woodstove. Steve said that it’s most beneficial for the forest if dead trees are left on the ground (off the trail) as they contribute to the ecology of the forest. However, Becky noted that anyone interested in helping to clear downed trees from the trail may sign a chainsaw waiver at the Township and help with that task.
Chainsaw class. Steve said that OSHA offers a chainsaw course in the spring, and he will let us know when that’s available. Even if, like me, you’ve been handling a chainsaw for decades, he said the course is very educational and informative, and could help to prevent traumatic injuries. Sign me up.
Old signage and park names. Since I’m out there hiking all the time, I offered to map out where all the old trail signage is located, so that it can be removed. The Parks Committee is working on new signage for the parks, and this will be part of that project.
Also, the 650 acres (the old Murray farm) that span from the Ridgewood Trailhead over to the Murray Road Trailhead are known as “Old Mission State Park.” The current signage calls it “Old Mission Point Park,” but this is incorrect. It’s actually a state park. Decades ago, the land was transferred from the Murray family to the DNR, and at that time, the DNR set up a long-term lease with Peninsula Township, which manages the park.
However, the land where Mission Point Lighthouse is located, along with the surrounding five acres, is known as “Mission Point Lighthouse Park.” New signage will reflect all of this.
Mystery pipe with water flowing through it. Part-way down the fire trail, there’s a pipe sticking out of the bank with water flowing through it. Anyone know the origins of this pipe? Since that land is part of the original Murray farm, it’s possible that it was installed by them back when they owned it.
Rogue Trails. There are several rogue trails that hikers have created themselves over the years. One is located near the Ridgewood Trailhead; the rogue trail winds along the ridge with the shoreline down below. Another is near the Lighthouse, where hikers have created a trail along the bank just above the shoreline. Both of these hiker-created trails pose erosion problems. Steve suggested creating and maintaining actual trails in these areas, but farther back from the ridge and bank.
Murray Road Trail. If mowing is required, consider if there is an alternative to wind the trail through woodlands and allow the grass to grow.
Management Plan. Consider creating a management plan for the parks at the north end, so that everything is in writing for future generations. The Conservancy can provide guidance. The management plan for Pelizzari Natural Area can be found in this document.
Other Considerations
Note that these are only considerations discussed while we were hiking the trail. Nothing is set in stone, and these are simply ideas and suggestions open for discussion.
- At Trail Marker #1, add earthen steps down to the water to manage potential erosion.
- Remove any dead trees hanging over the trail before they fall onto the path. Preferably in winter, as this has less ecological impact than in the summer, when trees could fall on living things.
- Remove downed trees ON the trail. We did our best to clear out small branches as we hiked along, but there are lots of larger trees that have fallen on the trail.
- Add locked gate at entrance to fire trail to keep vehicles from traveling there. The fire department and emergency vehicles would have access to the trail if needed.
- Add “no trapping” to hunting requirements, as the trail is not near a river and traps may pose a danger to hikers and pets. As Old Mission State Park is owned by the DNR, hunting is legal and helps to manage the deer population in that area. However, both hikers and hunters need to be aware that both can be on the trail at the same time.
- For erosion issues, remove the steep slope near the fire trail entrance that connects to the trail above. Instead, perhaps create a bench-cut trail up the bank to that area.
Other suggestions for the north end trails? Feel free to leave comments at the bottom of this story.
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I have been clearing downed trees for the past several years on the trails at Old Mission Lighthouse Park. I usually respond to reports of downed trees from the lighthouse staff as reported by hikers though I do patrol the trails as I have time and try to keep them clear. I have been out of town recently but most of the downed trees you saw came down in the recent high wind storm we had and I have not had chance to get them. Beech trees are dying by the hundreds there – many of them are large and when they come down they take other nearby trees with them. The beeches are especially susceptible to high winds because they are diseased and weakened. I will be back on the job in April to get the trails cleared off – of course help from other sawyers always welcome. Downed trees decaying in place are good for forest health as noted in the article but also since many of the downed trees are diseased it is not good to move them and spread disease.
Just an additional note: closing off the fire road will make it more difficult to get equipment in to clear downed trees. I use backpack for chainsaw or sled in winter but depending upon size of tree and therefore size of chainsaw it is more efficient and shorter hike to be able to drive my truck in as close as possible to the work area. I like the workout but there are miles of trails and it is tough to cover all that area on foot only. Thank you.
Jeff I am an OMP resident who enjoys using our trails often. I appreciate the work you do clearing the trees and branches from the trails. Thank you!! If you ever need some help, please give me a call, text or email message. My husband and I would be willing to help if we’re available.
KATIE GRIER
651-442-3400
What is the status of the east end of Murray Road? Is there still a public right of way into the park there? The current (old?) trail map shows the east end of Murray road continuing into the park and connecting to the trail system at intersection 21. However, during a recent exploration I found this area to be overgrown and covered with “no trespassing” signs.