07 Feb Boyne City – Trail Town of Northern Michigan
Boyne City – Trail Town of Northern Michigan
—by Michael Sheean (TOMTC board member and President of North Country Bicycle Club)
Boyne City has new trails developing in all directions and a community welcoming the trail users with open arms. It begins with Boyne Mountain, well known for their down hill skiing, cross-country trails and mountain bike trails.Then came the mountain bike, snow shoeing and hiking trails developed on the Avalanche Preserve right in Boyne City. Then came the North Country Bicycle Club (NCBC) which sponsors weekly road and mountain bike rides. These active folks were inspired to get involved in the development of off-road multi-purpose non-motorized trails.
Folks in the Boyne area have been observing the work of the Top of Michigan Trails Council (TOMTC), a trails advocacy nonprofit that works to connect the communities of Northern Michigan with a great trail system. TOMTC has assisted in building over 300 miles of trails over the past 20 years and is currently advocating for the development of over 100 additional miles. Inspired by TOMTC, Boyne residents decided to get into the business of trail development. The Boyne City-Charlevoix Trail, being built by Charlevoix County, will connect Boyne City with the Little Traverse Wheelway and the entire TOMTC network. We will be able to ride, jog or rollerblade to Charlevoix, Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Alanson and then on to Mackinaw City, Cheboygan, Gaylord, or Alpena, and anywhere in between. The first phase of this trail, which follows the Boyne City-Charlevoix Road, was completed last summer, and additional phases are planned during the next several years.
A local group has developed a plan for a Boyne Valley Trailway to connect Boyne City, Boyne Mountain and Boyne Falls with the full support of Boyne City and Boyne Valley Township. The property and funding has been secured and construction will begin in 2018. This will be a very scenic trail through the woods of the Boyne River Valley.
The local restaurants, pubs, sweet shops and bike shops are manning up for the influx of visitors. In fact, two new taprooms and a brewery have opened this year in anticipation of this new business, and a hotel is about to open as well. Make your reservations early to avoid the rush.
In addition, the Top of Michigan Mountain Bike Association (TOMMBA) has been very busy creating a premier mountain biking venue at the Avalanche Preserve. When finished, there will be over ten miles of mountain bike trails suited for all levels. TOMMBA members have also been working on the Boyne City School Forest Trail just north of town. This trail has been a hit with the whole family from kids to grandparents. Mountain biking trails are available at Boyne Mountain, Young State Park, Whiting County Park, the Hill Preserve and several other Little Traverse Conservancy preserves. You can’t get bored around here on your mountain bike.
These mountain biking trails aren’t only available in the summer months. When winter comes, the same trails are a big attraction for fat tire bikers, snowshoe enthusiasts and cross-country skiers.
Boyne City’s water access offers great opportunities for enjoying our water trails. Whether paddling down the Boyne River or along the shore of Lake Charlevoix, you will find many spots to get on and off the water; there are many great restaurants, pubs and places of interest to visit along the way.
So now you see why Boyne City is becoming a premier TRAIL TOWN in Northern Michigan. Come on over and join in the fun!
Michael Sheean
President of the NCBC