Bob Hendrickson, IOHT

ISHPEMING — Outdoor recreation has taken off in a big way this summer as people look for ways to do things that are more COVID-safer.

Historic Old Town Negaunee offers an abundance of opportunity that every age can enjoy from motor routes, paved pathways and singletrack dirt trails. Once a vibrate section of the City of Negaunee, the Old Town section of the city was abandoned and the house either moved or torn down due to potential caving ground from the honey comb of underground mines below the area.

In 2006 a large portion of the caving ground was deemed safe for use again and has become one of the largest public parks in the West End. The first amenity put in was a section of the Iron Ore Heritage Trail (IOHT) which is an asphalt paved corridor between the cities of Negaunee and Ishpeming.

This historical interruptive pathway offers pedestrians and cyclists (in the winter cross country skiers) a chance to learn about the origins of iron mining in the Marquette Iron Range. The Jackson Mine is the original mine in the region which started operation in 1848. The mine overlook is accessible by vehicle, bicycle or foot. Interruptive signage shares the history and impact this mine had on the development of mining locally and nationally.

It wasn’t long after the IOHT was established that a network of singletrack dirt trails started getting beat in and during the process the Range Area Mountain Bike Association (now known just as RAMBA) became the steward of these single-track gems. The trails meander all through Old Town.

Skirting along the base of ridges and hillsides, and climbing over the tops offering fantastic vistas to gaze from. RAMBA’s motto: “Twisted singletrack built with love by twisted singletrack minds.” The trails are open both to hiking and biking and in the winter are groomed for snow biking and snowshoeing.

One of the newest features is the Old Town Disc Golf Course. The challenging 18-hole course plays over and around razed building foundations and wooded forest. The front 9-holes are shorter in distance and designed for a quick outing or beginner experience, while the back nine increases the challenge offering more elevation changes and higher pars. The entire course is groomed very well and easy to navigate. However as with everything on the West End expect it to be more challenging that other disc golf venues in the area.

These are just a few of the outdoor offerings on the West End of Marquette County. Find more adventures and things to do by checking out www.visitthewestend.com.

The GINCC office is reopened to the public. Our hours are 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday. We are still running short staffed and will be out at times on Chamber Business. Please call ahead to confirm we’ll be in office. Our phone number is 906-486-1111.

Editor’s note: Bob Hendrickson is the executive director of the GINCC. He currently resides in Negaunee with his wife, Laura, and daughter, Sierra. He enjoys mountain biking, skiing, fishing and hunting along with family time.