The Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition is ready to establish public access to the Montreal Falls hiking trail but needs permit approval from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before work can begin.
KORC Chairperson Gina Nicholas said the organization submitted the Montreal Falls trail permit to the department in 2022.
“The DNR to their credit has said that they’re going to start approving things this year,” Nicholas said. “This project has been waiting. There are other trail projects that have been waiting, but this one certainly gives people a way to help us with the Montreal hiking trail.”
The group received grant funds to support Phase One of the project. Phase One would create a parking lot about a half mile from the trailhead and would expand the trail to create a loop hiking trail.
Nicholas said KORC has a prepared letter of support available for individuals to use on the coalition’s website.
Since private landowners closed off traffic on Smith Fishery Road, the public has accessed Montreal Falls via Mandan Road and Hoar Road from US-41 in Copper Harbor.
More information about the Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition is available online.
