The Waterloo Trail will be constructed in the eastern portion of Waterloo State Recreation Area, 30 minutes west of Ann Arbor and 30 minutes east of Jackson, Michigan.
The trailhead will be located off of M-52, approximately 7 miles north of Interstate 94 Exit 159, Chelsea, Michigan/M-52.
Corridor clearing for the first loop, Green Lake, will begin in April 2015, with final build out of Green Lake Loop anticipated to be completed by the end of 2015. The remaining four loops of the trail are planned to take an additional four years to build. The planning vision is “5 x 5 = 25”, or, five loops with one loop built per year over five years for a total of 25 miles. Actual construction will be dependent on a number of factors including fundraising, scheduling with contractor Spectrum Trail Design, weather cooperation, level of volunteer participation, etc. It should be noted it is anticipated that the trail could be completed much faster than the five year time horizon if fundraising goals are met sooner rather than later.
The Waterloo Trail will not be a paved, graded or have an aggregate or asphalt surface. It will be a natural (dirt) surface trail of a primitive, rustic construction. The best way to envision the trail’s appearance at completion is to view pictures of similar trail constructed on the Spectrum Trail Design.
While the Waterloo Trail will be a purpose-built non-motorized trail, tailored primarily for the mountain biking user group, foot traffic will not be precluded from using the trail. Indeed, due to the build quality and scenery, we anticipate the trail will be coveted by both foot traffic (hikers and trail runners), as well as, by the intended primary user group, mountain bikers. Another possible use for the trail is cross-country skiing in winter. Motorized vehicles, including electric-assist bicycles and mopeds will not be allowed on the trail. The trail will also be closed to equestrian use and to other pack animals. Dogs will be allowed on the trail in accordance with MDNR leashing policy. Motor vehicles parking at the trailhead parking lot will be required to have an MDNR Recreational Passport. This will not be required of users riding or walking in to use the trail.
The science of trail building has changed significantly in the past 20, and even last 10 years. Prior to this period, primitive “hiking” trails were largely constructed wherever the designers and builders wanted to take the trail. If you wanted the trail to climb to the top of a steep hill, you routed the trail right up the fall line (steep pitch) of the hill. The result was that many of these “old school” trail constructs did not hold up well over time. The reason for this is that the steep trail grades eroded quickly with the effects of rain and use. Today, the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) is leading the way to construct “sustainable” trails with moderated grades and out-sloping so that water can sheet off the trail without material sediment displacement. These modern, sustainable and environmentally friendly techniques will be utilized in building the Waterloo Trails.
In addition to trail construction techniques, it should be noted that as a user group, mountain bikers have been shown to have an impact on trail tread not dissimilar to that of foot traffic, per capita.
It is the long-term intent of both Poto IMBA and the MDNR to connect the Potawatomi Trail and the new Waterloo Trail via a new construction connector trail which is open to bicycle use. First things first! We need to actually build out the Waterloo Trail before it can be connected to any other trail!
In its most basic form, a primitive natural surface trail is not difficult to build. Indeed, animals such as Whitetail Deer and people “bushwhacking” the same routes in the forest time and time again make these trails all the time. However, the construction of a permanent trail that is both environmentally sustainable, as well as, desirable to use with a “fun factor” consisting of many interesting twists, turns and features requires much more planning, thought and nuanced building techniques. The estimated cost ranges per linear foot to build the Waterloo Trail are in-line with other trail systems which have been recently constructed in the Midwest.
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