The Trails Committee. Chris Bird - Chair
Random Facts about the MIPCA Trail System - all of which have been built and continue to be maintained by member-volunteers.
Trails:
Elzinga Trail - 1762’
Turtle Lake Trail - 3292’
Ridge Trail - 2874’
Watercress Trail - 1800’
First Beach Trail - 3260’
Silver Birch Trail - 5603’
Wagon Trail - 7200’
Bog Walk - 5761’
RR Grade - 5020’
Point Trails - 3289’
TOTAL 39,961’ or 7.56 miles
Elevated Boardwalks = 43 = 3576’
Longest Elevated Boardwalk Span = Watercress = 1228’
Elevated Boardwalks greater than 50’ = 12
Linear feet of planks used in all boardwalks = 7,152’ (1.35 miles)
2026 Work Sessions
June 7, 2026 Work Session on various trails. Participants: Chris Carefoot, Ed Manson, Ally Smith, John Reynolds, Mike Mayhew, AJ Jenson, Kurt Simandl, and Chris Bird. The last three sections of the Watercress Trail were completed, resulting in a total of 1260 feet on that trail having been elevated and widened in the last year. The team also lifted the entire 120 foot section from the bridge which crosses the Compeau Creek going toward the observation deck on the Silver Birch Trail. The temperature was very pleasant, and there were very few bugs. A tremendous amount of repair work was accomplished in one day.
June 28, 2026. A super productive day. The team lifted the entire 120 foot section of boardwalk from the trail-bridge south to the end of the boardwalk on The Silver Birch Trail. Anne Rabe handled the weed-wacking. John Reynolds, Ron Rabe, Ali Smith, Kurt Simandl, Mike Mayhew, Chris Bird all pitched in on the trail work. There were pleasant temperatures and very few bugs. The next trail workday will be on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
2025 Work Sessions
May 10, 2025. Work Session on the Watercress Trail. Participants: Allie Smith, Mike Mayhew, Chris Bird, Laura Farwell, Chris Carefoot, and Doug Pearce. Blue skies, cool breeze, 7 sections of elevated trail were replaced, and no bugs. :)
June 7, 2025. Work Session on the Watercress Trail. Participants: Linc Frazier, Ron Rabe, Mike Mayhew, Chris Bird, Laura Farwell, Chris Carefoot, and Doug Pearce. The weather cooperated and bugs disappeared throughout the morning, which was very odd. 62° - tremendous effort to get newly milled 2 inch boards out to the southern end of the trail 7 sections were completed starting from the south
June 22, 2025. Work Session on the Watercress Trail. Participants: Eward Manson, Ron Rabe, Mike Mayhew, Chris Bird, Laura Farwell, and Doug Pearce. The weather was great and bugs weren’t too bothersome. “Better living through Modern Chemistry”. Two sections were reconstructed and 5 sections were totally replaced.
August 16, 2025. Work on The Watercress Trail. Participants: Ally Smith, Ron Rabe, Edward Manson, Jim Croom, Laura Farwell, and Chris Bird. The weather was great and the bugs were minimal.
August 24, 2025. Work on the Watercress Trail. 6 sections were completed. Participants: Ann & Ron Rabe, Laura Farwell, Edward Manson, Doug Van Beynen, Mike Mayhew, Jim Croom & Chris Bird. No bugs, excellent weather.
September 23, 2025. Work on the Watercress Trail. Seven sections were completed. Participants: Lorenzo Feher, Eugene Erickson, Laura Farwell, Chris Bird, John Reynolds, and Doug Pearce. No bugs, no arguments. Overcast and cool.
October 12, 2025. Participants included Mike Mayhew, Edward Manson, Laura Farwell, and Allie Smith. The group completed 7 more sections of upgrade on the Watercress Trail and repaired boards on the cross-over trail to the Lookout Platform from the MIPCA Road. Beautiful day, no bugs, pleasant fall temperatures.
October 19, 2025. Participants included Chris Bird, Allie Smith, Jim “Muck” Reynolds, Edward Manson, Patty Cromb, Chris Carefoot, Laura Farwell, Doug VanBeynen, Linc Frazier, and Doug Pearce. 9 sections completed on the Watercress Trail. Nice fall day - great teamwork.
October 26, 2025. Participants included Christopher Carefoot (not in pic), A.J. Jensen, Ed Manson, Ally Smith, John Reynolds, Jim Croom, Chris Bird. 9 sections completed on the Watercress Trail. Great weather - good fun.
November 2, 2025. Participants included Ed Manson, Ally Smith, AJ Jensen, Chris Carefoot, John Reynolds, Laura Farwell, Chris Bird. A record 14 sections completed on the Watercress Trail. Brisk temperature - winter’s nipping.
Work on the August 2, 2026 Trail Work Day consisted of the clearing out of all the remaining trees that had obstructed the old Railroad Grade road to to Brush store area on the south part of our Property. Additionally, weed whacking and knapweed removal was done. Anne and Ron Rabe, Amy Youngquist, Mike Mayhew, Sue and John Reynolds and Chris Bird all volunteered. The weather was fantastic and there were very few bugs.
Purpose, News and Updates
The Trails Committee is focused on the work involved in maintaining the extensive trail network at MIPCA. The trails provide a great way to enjoy the association’s back-country forests, ponds, and streams. The committee routinely organizes work sessions that bring together volunteers from across the association. Committee members include:
Nancy Usitalo
Laura Farwell
Mike Mayhew
The Committee is chaired by Chris Bird. Chris can be reached via email at: fatboyplt@yahoo.com
Next Volunteer Trail Work-Session: Sunday, June 28, 2026 10:00am. Plan to meet across from the Bothwell and Lutey camps to continue renovation work on the Silver Birch Connector Trail. (as seen in the winter photo to the left here).
Various Trail MAPS - Click HERE