19 miles of newly added ORV trails from Ishpeming to Republic

ISHPEMING — Rain, sleet or even the snow earlier today could not keep trail lovers from inducting the latest ORV trail to hit the U.P.

A new Ishpeming to Republic ORV trail is now officially opened, christened and ready for riders. While the ribbon cutting was quick the efforts to get this trail up and running took about five years of various organizations working together.

“People in this part of the county have been asking for ORV trails for a while,” said Carol Fulsher, Iron Ore Heritage Trail Recreation Authority Administrator. “A lot of people have ORV’s, they pay their sticker money, gas tax and we haven’t been able to bring that money back into Marquette County and now we are going to be able to do that,” continued Fulsher.

The new ORV route is nineteen miles long and connects the communities of Ishpeming, Clarksburg, Humboldt and Republic.

“It’s not only open to ORV’s but walkers, bikers, equestrians, a multitude of users will be able to use this trail. I am a biker so I have been on the trail already biking. We realize there are a lot of people who love trails and we use them in many ways and we are excited to get this trail open

The trail is located at the intersection of Stoneville Raod and the Ishpeming to Republic ORV route in Tilden Township. More upgrades are in the works and should be completed by the end of summer.