The cooperation of the Michigan DNR and Mi-TRALE gives Senior Citizens the chance to see the Fall Colors from within the Forest.

For close to 20 years, Michigan Trail & Recreation Alliance of the Environment has been giving senior citizens the chance to see the fall colors as close as anyone can get. That is from in the forest itself. They’ll see the colors as they are given a ride in a side-by-side off-road vehicle.

Mi-TRALE provides the SxS’s for the seniors to ride in. They ride the Bill Nichols trail, including a stop on the popular Firesteel trestles. The trestles provides a fantastic view from high above a former railroad trestle.

The ride takes place on Thursday, Sept. 29. Go to www.mi-trale.org for the specific information on the ride. You can also find information on the Mi-TRALE Facebook page.

Two groups of senior citizens take part in the ride. One group departs from Ontonagon County Fairgrounds and rides to Twin Lakes State Park. Another group then goes from the state park and returns to the fairgrounds.

Both groups are treated to Pasty’s, donated by Krupp’s Mini Mart, along with fresh made Cookies by Rich Perryman, water provided by Twin Lakes State Park. All this, including the ride by volunteers of Mi-TRALE is Free. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is a partner with Mi-TRALE for the ride.

The ride was started years ago by Sandy Schulz of Mi-TRALE and other members of this Multi-Use Trail Organization.

“We even got help from members of the Superior Snowmobile Club, and Jim and Deb Sauer, of Krupp’s Mini-Mart,” commented Schulz.

“It is the Senior Citizens themselves that has kept this ride going,” stated Don Helsel, president of Mi-TRALE. “This year, Dave Bishop is coordinating the ride. We didn’t do the ride for the past couple years because of COVID.”

The ride was a success from the start and continues to grow. The last Senior Fall Color Ride had over 100 senior citizens take part. With the increase in sales of SxSs, the opportunity to provide a ride to a senior citizen has increased from when the ride began.

“For many senior citizens, this is the first time they have ever ridden in a SxS,” stated Helsel.

The ride has also received the support and praise from the Michigan DNR. The DNR assists Mi-TRALE in promoting the ride.

The Bill Nichols Trail goes right through a variety of tree species. Each with a wide variety of colors. The BN Trail is also the historic former rail grade that transported copper and lumber from/to the Keweenaw. The trail goes by the Central Mine and its “watering hole.” The BN trail is considered one of the most popular multi-use trails in the western Upper Peninsula.

In addition to seeing the splendor of the fall colors from within the forest, the ride includes the usage of the Twin Lakes State Park shelter. This is where the pasty lunch takes place.

Mi-TRALE is looking for more people with a SxS to provide rides. The first group departs from the Ontonagon County Fairgrounds in Greenland. The fairgrounds provides ample parking for those trailering the SxS. With the second group leaving Twin Lakes State Park and returning to the fairgrounds, those providing the rides will be treated to a lot of smiles and great conversation!

“It’s great that Mi-TRALE, the DNR, Krupp’s Mini Mart, and so many people have kept this ride going for so many years,” concluded Kieth Meyer, a former Mi-TRALE volunteer.