Headwaters Hike and Local Projects
Picking up where I left off last time, we were just about to reach the headwaters of the West Branch of the Sturgeon River while hiking the North Country Trail on this Peter Wolfe Chapter’s segment that starts off by running alongside Wiggle Creek. After hiking nearly two and half miles through the forest, the trail reaches a boardwalk immediately below a long established beaver dam across the river.
This would be our turnaround point for our hike, but we would first spend time enjoying the reflections upon this large beaver pond where the river begins.
If you would like to see a couple different takes on this hike, you can see my GoPro video from it on the Remote Workforce Keweenaw YouTube channel at this link:
I also put together a collage of photos and videos from my phone using the GoPro Quik app that you can find on the Remote Workforce Keweenaw YouTube channel at this link:
Monday would start with a 2,750 yard swim at MTU. I would then take advantage of the beautiful weather and forecasted dry conditions for the next twenty-four hours to re-seal our front stairs.
Tuesday morning I would meet up Debby Hart from Little Brothers Friends of Elderly along with fellow Hancock Trails Club board member John Diebel to show her where we had the cut up trees from our work on Trail 17. The Wuebbens are allowing these cuttings to be donated to LBFE’s firewood program.
This also provided me the opportunity to scope out Wuebben Construction’s work on the S-curves being developed on Trail 17 to make this drop into the gorge friendlier to less than intermediate skiers.
I then attended a Team Peninsula meeting in Houghton where we received an informative presentation by Gogebic Community College’s president Chris Patritto. I then headed back to Chassell for a meeting with Chassell Township Schools Superintendent Marco Guidotti, Scott MacInnes, and Chassell Township Board Trustee Ryan Kuntze to discuss the potential impact of the Houghton-Portage Township Schools bond proposal on surrounding districts like Chassell.
Afterwards I stopped by Centennial Park where MJO had been mobilizing for its work on the waterfront boardwalk which is being funded by an MDNR Spark Grant. Most of the swamp mats were in place and they had already pulled some of the ice-destroyed former boardwalk.
Wednesday would start with a 2,800 yard swim at MTU. I would then attend a Recreation Committee meeting with Brian Waters and Steve Spahn. We met with Jay Fedorocko who is one of our important landowners who provides easement for the Chassell Trails. We have been trying to determine a location to provide access to the higher portions of the Chassell Ski Trails which would allow beginning level skiers to avoid the run along the cemetery which can be very challenging with less than fresh snow conditions. Jay suggested utilizing the Marinette Street trailhead which is something we had not previously considered. We looked it over as a group and agreed this would be worth pursuing.
After the meeting I ran by Centennial Park where MJO had been working in the rain. They had already pulled the former boardwalk from the lake.
Thursday we would receive more much needed rain. Julie and I would go to the VFW post that afternoon to help set up for the Chassell Lions Club Halloween Party. Almost two hundred kids would attend with some thirty-five volunteers helping to put it on.
The Keweenaw would receive its first snow of the season overnight. Julie and I would swim at MTU that morning and it was clear looking at the vehicles in the parking lot that some areas in the Keweenaw had received more snow than others. I would swim 2,400 yards and then Julie would drop me off at Maasto Hiihto where Mark, Stan, Pete, Doug and I would continue work on the bridge over Swedetown Creek. The focus of our work would be the placement of the beams and the cross members stabilizing them.
We would spend four and a half hours doing this work which would set us up for a very productive Saturday work session, but I will tell you about that next time!
Do you embrace winter and have the ability to work remotely? Consider locating in the Keweenaw where you will find ubiquitous natural beauty, no congestion, and lower crime! Not sure? Come UP for a workcation to check it out! Learn how at Visit Keweenaw at https://www.visitkeweenaw.com/plan/trip-ideas-itineraries/workcations/ Visit Remote Workforce Keweenaw at https://remoteworkforcekeweenaw.com. Learn about those making the decision to locate here by following the Remote Workforce Keweenaw Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RemoteWorkforceKeweenaw.