The mission statement of O.U.T. (Outdoor Use of Trails) House Consortium reads: “The O.U.T. House Consortium was created with the intent of focusing on trail development, maintenance and promotion, whether it be hiking, biking or water trails. We work closely with government agencies, other nonprofit agencies, private citizens and business owners to establish a network of trails for non-motorized recreational transit in the Eastern Upper Peninsula.”
This promise was read aloud by Ken and Wilda Hopper, the group’s founders, at a meeting of community members, volunteers and board members at Bird’s Eye Outfitters on July 8.
The meeting’s purpose was to announce plans and prospects for the summer development of trails, infrastructure and nature sites and to inform the public of the nonprofit’s upcoming event, 7 Bridges & 7 Brews.
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Scheduled for July 20, the 7 Bridges & 7 Brews is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser. The event invites Sault Ste. Marie residents and visitors to run or walk a 5K or 10K race that spans all seven bridges that connect the downtown island area of Sault Ste. Marie.
After reminding those in attendance of the 7 Bridges & 7 Brews event, the Hoppers shifted the July 8 meeting to providing attendees with a prospectus of ongoing and upcoming projects organized by O.U.T. House.
The organization has multiple projects in the works, but the Hoppers began by mentioning the Ashmun Creek Natural Area. This summer, the organization plans to fund and continue trail development on the Ashmun Creek Trail that winds through the plot of over 400 contiguous acres of unused land between Three Mile Road and the Sault Ste. Marie Municipal Airport. So far, volunteers in partnership with local donors and the Little Traverse Conservancy have formed a trailhead and blazed approximately one mile of hiking trails with design work from trail contracting group Rock Solid for at least another 15 miles of hiking and biking trails.
“Our goal is to create ways to get around town in a healthy, human-powered way,” said Ken Hopper at the event.
Once fully developed with a strategic network of trails, the nature preserve will provide multiple means of travel into and through the city.
“Our goal is to provide trail systems for folks to get around town without ever having to use an automobile,” added the group’s president, Wilda Hopper.
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In addition to the Ashmun Creek Trail plans, the organizers also highlighted trail work and infrastructure establishment in the works at Voyageur Island and the Lower Coast Guard Park. The Hoppers also announced plans to build a storage structure on a parcel owned by the nonprofit near the Ashmun Creek Nature Preserve, where volunteers will have access to tools and other trail maintenance equipment.
Throughout the meeting, the Hoppers identified critical needs from the community in the form of volunteer activity, including a need for trail work and maintenance, help with grant writing, and assistance in project management. Those interested in volunteering with the organization or donating to their projects can contact the group at outhouseconsortium.org .
The Hoppers closed by discussing additional plans, such as an interest in bringing in the region’s youth to invest back into the community.
“Our future vision is to work with area youth to invest in the community by organizing teams of young people to clear trails and build benches, tables and gazebos,” said Wilda Hopper. “We want young folks to be able to put their name on something they created that benefits the community and that connects those youths to their community. We’d like these community relevancy projects to connect all interested partners, including area schools and the Career and Technical Education program, to bring young people together and empower them to create environmental sustainability right here in Sault Ste. Marie.”
Following a visit to one of the organization’s project areas, it’s clear the proof of concept of what the nonprofit can do for the community is indeed the Ashmun Creek Trail Project. The trailhead is located in the parking lot behind Buffalo Wild Wings, situated at 4536 I-75 Business Spur in Sault Ste. Marie. The trailhead is marked by a roofed signage post, a structure that can feature bulletins, trail information, public announcements and event details.
At its onset, the trail meanders through a meadow for about .15 miles. This section of the trail is marked by wood posts that display the O.U.T. House Consortium logo. Then, the trail enters a forested section, primarily an aspen and fir grove at first. This section of the trail continues for about .10 miles before descending slightly to reach the Kevin & Pam Cooper Ashmun Creek Scout Bridge. An impressive structure, the bridge was funded and built by volunteers and acts as the main access point to the Ashmun Creek trail system.
After crossing the bridge, the trail meanders slightly upward for .05 miles, reaching a fork. At this point, hikers can go either right or left, as this begins the loop section of the trail. Either direction will bring adventurers back to the same spot.
Once on the loop, stands of maple and birch become predominant, with plenty of fir, spruce and pine interspersed throughout. The loop section of the trail is about .50 miles long. The full trail from the parking lot’s trailhead to the loop, completing the loop, and then back to the parking lot is about .90 miles. One can expect to gain about 46 feet of elevation while hiking and should plan about 20-30 minutes to complete the trail.
The Hoppers encourage interested community members to check out the Ashmun Creek Trail.
Ren Brabenec is a Brimley-based freelance writer and journalist with The Sault News. He reports on politics, local issues, environmental stories, and the economy. For questions, comments, or to suggest a story, email hello@renbrabenec.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: O.U.T. House Consortium identifies summer projects in Sault Ste. Marie and beyond
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