Spring Is Here! An Update From The Trail Crew
With a weekend as wonderful as that we've just enjoyed, you can't miss the notes of spring playing on the trail. Nearly all of the snow is gone, and even the shaded sections of trail will be clear by the middle of the week. And when you do get out to enjoy Glacial Hills this spring, you're going to have an especially charming experience thanks to our volunteers.
This past Saturday, we were taken aback at the outpouring of support at our Spring Clean Up. In addition to our ten normal trail crew workers, we had 25 people join us at Vandermark for a few hours of important trail work. The more hands we have for what we consider 'general house cleaning', the more we can focus the crew's time on more specific projects on other days. To have so many helping, willing hands in the woods is a total game-changer, and we were able to tackle a lot of sections of trail that really needed addressing.
Split into groups, we were able to clear several months worth of sticks, limbs, and leaves covered in this winter's snow and ice. We were able to cover plenty of ground with so many helpers, which gave our chainsaw crews times to hit a few sections that had reported downed trees. We were also able to get a head start on a new shortcut that will connect between 12-23 and 16-17.
With clear trails, it's a wonderful time to go explore and seek out nature's expressions of spring. Bob Holtzman has already heard of a few sightings of leaves and shoots of wildflowers. We'll be seeing all of our seasonal blooms in the next few weeks, including the beautiful Bloodroot, Dutchmen's Breeches, and more! Remember to enjoy and appreciate these seasonal offerings with respect, tread lightly, and leaves these flowers for others to enjoy. Here's a handy list of flora and fauna you can find at Glacial Hills.
If you didn't get your fill of trail work, consider making the drive to Traverse City to help NMMBA get the course ready for May 4's Mud, Sweat and Beers. MSB is a the biggest fundraiser of the year for Mt. Holiday, a non-profit ski hill on Traverse City's east side. You can help the TC guys get the course they've whipped up get, well, whipped into shape on Sunday, April 28 at 12:30.
On behalf of everyone involved with Glacial Hills, we want to thank all of the volunteers for spending a substantial part of their Easter weekend with us. We hope you feel the same special sort of pride in your contribution to making these trails even better. Thank you, and happy trails!
