DNR Rustic access site visits during trout season 2008

 

River Watch Team:  Rick Mol (Luther), Greg Weirs (Tustin), Tom Jobson (Cadillac), Vord Nelson (Luther), Dave Smith (Luther), Tom Kromer (Mt.Pleasant) and Larry Schaftenaar (Remus).  Various combinations of the above people visited Friday and Monday before opening weekend, random dates throughout the summer and Monday September 29.  Written Oct. 1, 2008.  Updates = Red

 

220th Avenue Dead End

No trash, no damage.  Used very little despite nearly 1 mile of continuous DNR stream frontage south of the site.

 

230th Avenue Dead End

Mucht activity this summer to upgrade the site.  Recommendations from the original visit by the restoration committee are listed below – followed by current status.

 

  1. Block the trail at the top of the hill to prevent vehicles from driving to the water’s edge.  STATUS:  road that was blocked by large mud hole is now clear all the way to the river.
  2. Improve the road with gravel and grade it to prevent mud holes. STATUS:  Completed.
  3. Install parking area where trail gets blocked to accommodate campers.  STATUS: completed. 
  4. Install signage directing foot traffic to river access.  STATUS:  being debated by DNR divisions, will be provided with private funds, if decided this fall.
  5. Install erosion control to provide foot access to the river’s edge.  STATUS: completed

 

Substantial funding was approved by CRA and PRA (Pine River Assn.), exact amounts await a “meeting of the minds” of DNR folks.  Specifically wildlife, fisheries, recreation, natural rivers, forestry and CRA must agree on an overall site plan.  The DNR group hopes to meet in late October, it is the intent that they will come up with a plan for the site AND a process for making more efficient decisions about DNR access sites in the future. 

 

Volunteers await a DNR decision and will reduce trail erosion, provide signage, place bench(es), plant vegetation, donate up to 50 cedar logs, and provide terracing all free of charge, as soon as a decision is made about a site plan AND streamlined decision making.  In addition a surprise “glitch” was observed regarding the new loop drive.  The first rain after installation just occurred, the center of the loop was muddy, a quad used it for a “mud bog”, tearing up the center of the loop and north side of the loop.     

 

Edgetts Access (section 2, Ellsworth Twp)

 

Little trash on final visit, 2 tents. Continues to be used moderately.   Steep hill to river still eroding gradually, little damage to road.

 

Edgetts West (section 2, Ellsworth Twp)

 

Really 3 sites here. East upper camp far from river no problems.  West upper camp no problems.  Steep hill down to lower camp is being driven on, a tree had fallen over it, it was apparently cut and used for firewood.   An enterprising sole created a parallel trail about 20 yards west – very rough, forest floor torn badly.  Original proposal to install 6-8 big rocks, appears justified.

Skookum North and South   Not visited – don’t plan future visits.

 

Improved Access at Flowing Well Site

 

Little damage or litter.  A 4 wheel vehicle drove through the woods to the north, apparently once, no trail being made.  The section to the west closed by a large rock a year ago is completely healed.  A year ago this had ugly torn earth, now it is BEAUTIFUL!    Erosion cloth could be removed on the east part, river watch crew will do it, if given permission.  Two bushels of rocks would help the ditch that was rip-rapped, apparently some stones were used for a fire circle.

 

We heard there is a new access site across the river and downstream, created from a logging road and recent cutting.  Neighbor reports “50 cars at a time” and hundreds of tubers on July weekends – we need to watch this and get more information, are folks also camping?  Are liveries involved?  Any trash or damage?

I checked out the off river site that was talked about from a neighbor.  It is a logging road near the corner of 6 Mile Rd. and north south road intersection just east of Meadowbrook bridge. There was little liter around.  A fire circle had some plastic water bottles and some glass jars around it.  The woods were nearly clean, especially for a site with 50 cars etc.  I question the 50 cars, but I would guess it does get busy with tuber/partiers.  It is a fishermen and hunter camping site for the most part.  Dave Smith visited after our visit, documented the site is still being used.

 

NOTE  We observed 6? very large stones, suitable for blocking roads.  They are located on the north side of the trail about ½ way between the above and below access sites, on state property.

 

 

Pucklebrush “North”

This access two track is upstream from the improved access site and is reached via two track through recently clear cut areas.  The steep two track that goes the final 50 yards down to the river is being used sparingly with little new damage.  The two trailors there in April were removed by May 15 and the hill damage appears largely healed.

 

Following the trail east of Puckerbrush North is “Puckerbrush NorthEast” high on the ridge overlooking the river.  Campers use this sparingly with little damage or litter.

 

State 40 (Below Meadowbrook)

We only observed this from the road – things looked fine, gates appeared to be in place.

 

Coe Creek Access off 7 Mile

This area has been closed around 600 yards north of the old river front access, at the bottom of a hill.  The 4 wheel damage has improved considerably   A “Quad” has gone around the bank at the bottom of the hill and it appears someone with a chainsaw could quickly open the trail again.  A couple big rocks seemed the best solution to the River Watch team. NOTE rocks installed since visit – looks fine now!

 

Lincoln Hills (8 Mile Road, west of Lincoln Bridge Access)  Never visited, don’t plan to visit.

 

 

NOTE On October 25 we met with Bill Sterret on the 230th access site.  He mentioned the info was helpful, wanted it again next year and Dave Smith’s info on Coe Creek lead to Immediate action.