ST3 - ORV Route BD

Trail Overview

ORV Route BD, known as the ST-3 Railway portion, is an open segment measuring approximately 10.08 miles in length. The route has a maximum width of 72 inches and features a surface composed of dirt, sand, gravel, and native material. This route follows a former railway bed that has been converted into an ORV trail running from Linden Lake, Michigan, to Houghton, Michigan. It provides access to several notable locations, including Hubbell, Dover Creek Crossing, multiple historic train trestles, Torch Lake, Dollar Bay, Quincy Mill, Gooseneck Creek Crossing, Portage Lake, the Keweenaw Waterway, and Ripley, Michigan. Maintenance for this route is provided by the Keweenaw ATV Club for ORV use and by Keweenaw Trails Services, Inc. for snow operations.

Photos of ST3 - ORV Route BD

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Difficulty

Dirt, mud route with gentle grades. Safe for most 4WD and high-clearance 2WD vehicles. The route is just over one vehicle in width.

History

The Hancock Lake Linden Trail stems from the Hancock and Calumet Railroad, which operated from 1885 until it was abandoned and the land converted into a trail, providing a public recreation path today for hiking, biking, and other activities. The Hancock and Calumet Railroad Formation: The railroad was founded in January 1885 by Albert Bigelow, who also controlled the Osceola and Tamarack Mining companies. Purpose: The Hancock and Calumet Railroad was a narrow-gauge railroad built to transport ore from the mines in the Keweenaw Peninsula to the freight terminals in Hancock. Route: It ran east from Hancock to Lake Linden and then continued north to Calumet, establishing a vital connection for the local mining industry. Transformation to a Trail Abandonment: After the railroad was no longer needed and its operations ceased, the right-of-way for the tracks became available for other uses. Public Recreation: In the late 20th or early 21st century, this abandoned railway corridor was transformed into the modern Hancock Lake Linden Trail, a popular recreational trail for residents and visitors. The trail is a 15-mile, mixed-use path that is popular for mountain biking, hiking, dirt biking, and in the winter, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Historical Significance: The trail is a legacy of the region's copper mining era, preserving a piece of the historic landscape through the Copper Country Trail National Scenic Byway.

Technical Rating

ST3 - ORV Route BD can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV
• SxS (60")
• ATV (50")
• Dirt Bike