×

Copper Harbor Trails Fest on tap this weekend

COPPER HARBOR — Some things old, some things new, some things brutal, and skies of blue. Rest assured the 26th edition of the Copper Harbor Trails Fest will have something for everyone.

From the regional racer making the trip up to the tip of the Keweenaw, to the local bike and run warriors, to anyone just looking to enjoy a hike or leisurely ride at this renowned multi-use trail network, to visitors that just want to partake in food, Bell’s craft beer and live music, there’s a match for any motivation and fitness level at the area’s biggest end-of-summer celebration.

The annual slate of competition will include the normal lineup of mountain bike races with cross-country distances of about 15 and 30 miles scheduled for Saturday morning. The cross country races feature a mass start in Copper Harbor. Later Saturday, the daredevils will take to the downhill course on the Bell Built Overflow Trail down the side of Brockway Mountain. Each downhill racer will be scored on the best time of two runs with a ride in a shuttle van to the start each time.

Sunday starts with the 10-kilometer trail run that was introduced in the last few years, but the run will now feature a more challenging course up to the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge and back, eliminating most of the long road sections that were part of the previous route. Racers will be back on their bikes at mid-day for the Enduro stages, where only downhill trail sections are timed, but the riders do have to make it to each stage start under their own power. 

The Enduro is part of the Lake Superior Gravity Series with several classes. Beginners will complete two stages, with three sections for the Sport class, and four descents for the Expert class.

Racing wraps up Sunday with youth mountain bike races (Junior MTB) in the later afternoon. Kids riding the one-and-a-half mile and three mile cross country courses will be treated to the brand-new Back 9 Trails that have been built near the Mountain Lodge — where holes 10-18 were originally planned for the Lodge golf course, but never built. These new trails will also be incorporated into the cross country bike and trail run events. The new trails were commissioned by the Copper Harbor Trails Club to increase the amount of non-technical terrain available in the system, improving accessibility for novices and those not looking for the adrenaline rush of the mostly-difficult single-track and flows that are the hallmark of this ride center.

Local handcrafted awards await winners in all events and classes with most of these designed and produced by Copper Harbor artist Donica Dravillas. Larger awards for the multi-event King and Queen of the Mountain competitions are from Aaron Maki. The royal court will be crowned from those that sign up for all three main mountain bike events – the long XC course, Downhill, and expert Enduro – over the two days.

New for 2019 is the Beast Mode prize. Participants adding the 10K trail run to the aforementioned King/Queen bike races will be vying for a secret mega-award that will recognize the most well-rounded and perhaps craziest competitor of the weekend.

The Grant Township Park will open at 2 p.m. on Saturday for Bell’s craft beer and a variety of food vendors providing wood-fired pizza, high-quality hamburgers, slow-smoked barbecue, and kombucha teas for a non-alcoholic beverage option. Locally roasted coffee will also be served in the park bright and early on both Satuday and Sunday.

The lineup of live music in the park will include a local opening act each day for the first time. Dig Niddy will take the stage at 4 p.m. on Saturday to warm up the crowd for headliner Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank. Likewise, at the same time on Sunday Jeremy Rowe and the Dead Wreckoning will open for The Go Rounds who will wrap up entertainment for the weekend.

There will also be silent auctions and items for sale as part of the traditional Art Bike in the township park on both days. Admission to the park is included for all event registrants and is only $10 to cover both days for non-racers.

Registration for all events remains open at the Copper Harbor Community Center starting tonight from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Registration is also available starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday with cut-offs approximately 30-60 minutes before each event begins. 2018 was a record-breaking year for CHTF participation and the organizing committee, headed up by executive director of CHTC Nathan Miller, is hoping that 2019 can be even bigger.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today