Started in June of 2007, the Manistee River Trail Association was spawned by the realization that the Trail was in need of some serious attention. While the trail sees many visitors, there lacked a group dedicated to the protection and preservation of the Manistee River Trail. We are now in place to do our part to ensure that the trail gets the attention that it deserves. Working with the National Forest Service, our goal over time is to repair the trail where needed, as well as do our part to make sure that the trail is kept in proper working order. This means reporting problem areas to the the NFS, planning and organizing volunteer work, and generally keeping the trail clean and free of debris and obstacles. As well as some of the more serious dutties, we also aimed to create a place for the people who enjoy the trail to be able to come together and plan, share information and make new friends.
We here at the MRTA are very excited about the future of our group. We look forward to helping create an environment on the trail that will bring enjoyment to all those who travel it. We ask you to do your part in keeping our National Forests clean so many generations to come may enjoy what is ours to share.
A Note to my friends:
The Upper Manistee Recreation Area is very special to me. As a kid, twenty some years ago, my parents would take my brother and I to the Red Bridge area to camp. This was before the area was designated a Recreation Area by the National Forest Service. We would hike the East side of the Upper Manistee every chance we would get, exploring and taking in the all the views the river bank had to offer. As time went by and I became a teenager, fewer trips to Red Bridge happened. Growing up in Grand Rapids the city life was more appealing to a teen on the go.
The years went by and as fate would have it, after many bends in the road of life and about to turn thirty, I found myself with the love of my life living in the City of Manistee. The forest I grew up in was now in my backyard. I spend alot of time in the area, allowing the sights, sounds and smells to bring me back to my childhood.
The entire Red Bridge area is very important to me, it is something that I intend to protect, preserve, enjoy and share with my children.
-Shaun
Loving the trail to death.
As you can see from the picture, our trail needs some real attention. This erosion is only one example of the conditions on the trail. Other area have similar problems that if not put into check will only get worse with time. The area that the MRT is located has an extremly high sand ratio in the soil, simply walking next to this type of erosion will cause sand to loosen and role down the embankment. The Manistee River Trail runs parallel to the North Country Trail, on the opposite side of the river. Many hikers use this loop and many NCT hikers split off and hike the MRT while moving through the area. This Trail has a lot of traffic. Join us in doing your part to protect the conditions of the trail.
Not always serious.
Hey, were here to have fun too. This group has other functions. This is also a gathering place for everyone that loves the Manistee National Forest to come together, plan trips, get info and advice and lets not forget, meet people and make friends.
Go to Base Camp to meet and plan trips with friends.