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During the past few years, the Conservancy and local chapters of the North Country Trail Association joined with the city in its efforts to protect one of the highest priority parcels. Previously owned by Doug and Pam Boor, the 65-acre parcel allows the city to complete connections to more than 865 acres of city land, as well as additional land owned by the county and the state, plus land connected through privately-granted easements. At an elevation of more than 1200 feet, the views are dramatic. In addition, the property was a logical location for diverting a portion of the North Country Trail away from a road.

“We all saw a unique opportunity to accomplish a multitude of goals,” said Ty Ratliff, land protection specialist with the Conservancy. Ratliff worked with the city to apply for a grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. The Conservancy also agreed to provide a large portion of the match funds needed for the grant, most of which was funded through an anonymous donor. The grant was awarded in 2009, but because the grant process takes place over a number of years, the Conservancy also agreed to hold the land for the city until all the paperwork was completed.

“This property acquisition project is an excellent example of what can be accomplished when multiple agencies and individuals work collaboratively toward a common goal,” Hansen said.

In the meantime, the Tittabawassee, Harbor Springs, and Hiawatha Shore to Shore chapters of the North Country Trail Association were able to reroute the trail from the road, now weaving through the newly-protected land. In fall 2008, the chapters held work days to create the trail which involved a technique known as “benching” (see above photo). Because the land is so steep, the trail consists of several switchbacks similar to what you experience when climbing a mountain. “Our partnership on this trail reroute was fantastic and it was a joy to work with Little Traverse Conservancy,” said Gary Johnson, president of the Tittabawassee chapter.

Locals are already enjoying the new trail with great enthusiasm. “The new annex to the North Country Trail came as a surprise to me,” said neighbor Toril Fisher. “I was thrilled and giggly when I got to run the new switchbacks for the first time. The views and landscape change every half mile or so complete with ooh’s and aah’s at every turn. Thank you to all the volunteers that made this possible!”

Last summer, Fisher encountered a massasauga rattlesnake, quite unusual this far north, while running along the trail and documented it with the Department of Natural Resources. Other uncommon wildlife using the area include black bear.

In addition to the trail, Conservancy staff have added an overlook platform funded by a local donor (see above photo). The overlook provides a panoramic view to the north. “One of my favorite points about this new section of the North Country Trail is that the overlook provides the first glimpse of the Great Lakes for hikers headed from New York to North Dakota,” said Peg Jones, a volunteer with the Titabawassee chapter. “If you had walked from Lake Champlain you’d be pretty excited to see that glimpse of Lake Michigan.”

A hike of the Skyline Trail portion of the NCT will be offered on May 1 when Trail chapter members and Conservancy staff will be on hand.