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River Clean-up Sat. June 27th
Headwaters
Trails invites all robust river enthusiasts to help clear the Shiawassee
of fallen trees in the Fenton area this Saturday. The river is blocked
before US-23 making the extended Heritage Water Trail difficult
to paddle. This is chain saw and anchor-to-the-bank work, so long
pants, appropriate footwear, gloves and a safety-minded attitude
are the requisites. Call Chuck Julian (248-634-3513) for details
and the exact meeting location for the cool, early morning start--7:30
am!
Grant Announcement--River Trail to Continue Downstream
At
the Linden Millpond on June 10th, the Fenton Community Fund of the
Community Foundation of Greater Flint announced a grant to continue
interpretive signage downstream of Holly on the Shiawassee River.
The funding will also allow for an access point to be developed
in Argentine Township at McCaslin Lake Road. Follow the links below
for more information about the development of the Shiawassee River
Heritage Water Trail.
http://www.tctimes.com/articles/2009/06/16/living/doc4a32bb1e896e7352470506.txt
http://www.mlive.com/fenton/index.ssf/2009/06/grant_money_has_shiawassee_riv.html
Here Fishy, Fishy, Fishy!
Headwaters
Trails is sponsoring a Fishing Contest on the Shiawasee River on
Sunday, June 14th, which is MDNR's Free Fishing Weekend. By registering
at noon at WaterWorks
Park in Holly, your entrance ticket entitles you to a prize
for the largest fish caught in the river at the weigh-in at Strom
Park in Fenton at 6pm. For more details
of the contest, call organizer Douglas Lanyk at 248-634-4551.
Come out to paddle, fish and perhaps take home a prize winner!
Fun on the River for More than 90
The 5th Annual Holly to Fenton event for canoists
and kayakers on June 7th provided fun and challenge for both racers
and pleasure paddlers. Winners in the Experienced Category were
Matt Dura and Ray Trudgeon with a new best time of 1:17. Second
across the finish line, seven minutes later, were Ed Adams and Marty
Spees. Among the single racers, Mark Irish had the best time of
1:19 and Paul Sage crossed the finish line after 1 hour and 34 minutes.
Novice race winners were Michael Steward and Davis Ringlein in first
place with a time of 1:42, and Leonard Brousseau and Rebecca McInnes
who captured second with a time of 1:49.
We will post photos in the next few days of the
more than 90 racers and pleasure paddlers. In the meantime, you
can find images on-line at Kevin Keel's website taken by the beaver
dam. You can order pix by going to
www.imagequix.com
photographer code: 59b7p91
event id: race
password: keel
Thank you to everyone who worked hard to make this
event possible and to showcase the wild and twisty scenery of the
Top of the Shiawassee River.
Fifth Annual Canoe & Kayak Event June 7th
This year's adventure on the Shiawassee River is
shaping up to be better than ever--warm days, good safe current
and scenic countryside views. The sometimes narrow, sometimes broad
channel is currently blocked by only one beaver dam. Our volunteers
will notch the dam just before the races so you can slip over the
top with ease. We will also have spotters stationed along the way
to physically assist pleasure paddlers if needed.
What about rain? We will not send
paddlers out if there appears to be thunder and lightening. However,
as of Saturday morning the prediction is for light rain up until
perhaps 2pm. The races will go on as scheduled. Pleasure paddlers
may want to wait until the rain clears--our volunteers will still
be able to help you.
For more details about the seven mile paddle from
Holly to Fenton and our annual canoe/kayak event on June 7th, click
here to view a registration
form. We'll have timed races in the morning and a leisurely
float in the afternoon, all starting from WaterWorks
Park in Holly. Participants will be insured and required to
conform to U.S. Canoe Association rules regarding safety. Heavner
Canoe Rental will offer canoes or kayaks and also provide return
transportation for all. Call ahead to reserve a craft at 248-685-2379.
Headwaters Trails volunteers will act as spotters along the route.
All these preparations add up to a great day on the river. If you
have additional questions, please call Sue Julian at 248-634-3513.
We hope to see you having a great time on a scenic river close to
home. Come join us!
Ready to Paddle?
Spring rains have swollen the Shiawassee River,
but Headwaters Trails volunteers got out to remove trees blocking
the river. However, on Saturday May 23rd , we need more volunteers
to get the river ready for the Holly to Fenton Canoe/Kayak Races
and Pleasure Paddle which will occur on Sunday June 7th. If you
can help with that big push to clean-up the race route (and beyond???),
contact Doug Lanyk at 248-634-4551. Everyone will meet at WaterWorks
Park in Holly to get assignments and organize tools at 10 am.
And the Raffle Winners
Are...
First Place: Lisa M. of Royal Oak won the Walden
Adirondack Kayak and accessories. Second Place: Theron B. of Midland
won the weekend stay at Old Mission. Third Place: Ron G. of Williamston
won $100 of gift certificates.
Thank you to all who supported the land purchase
at Fish Lake Road by buying tickets and thank you to all the volunteers
and businesses who helped us sell tickets:
Bear Creek, Linden; Coleman and Sons Garage, Holly;
Cycle Fit, Fenton; French Laundry, Fenton; Toy Factory, Linden;
and White's Landing, Argentine.
Connector Parcel?--see Newsletter

Raffle Drawing Dec. 12 at Full Moon Walk
at Camp Copneconic, Fenton, MI
Headwaters Trails is close to completing a purchase
of a mid-point on the Shiawassee River that will provide a public
launch/take out site on the "Top of the Shiawassee" Heritage
River Trail. We are offering tickets for $8 each or 3 for $20 for
the following prizes:
First Prize--an 11 1/2ft Walden
Adirondack Kayak with complete accessories, including PDF, paddle,
soft car top carrier, dry bag, hand pump, instructional video, and
more. Value $1000+
Second Prize--3
day weekend at fully furnished house in Old Mission, 18 miles north
of Traverse City, and close to the beaches. Date to be determined
with owner. Value $500+
Third Prize--gift
cards at local outdoor stores. Value $100.
Support our effort to provide an access point for
people like you by purchasing tickets at the French Laundry or Cycle
Fit in Fenton or by contacting event coordinator Maggie Yerman at
yerantmag@yahoo.com. (810-735-9570). You need not be present to
win, but we invite you to attend a free Full Moon Walk on December
12 at Camp Copneconic, 10407 Fenton Road at 7 pm which will be followed
by a Hot Chocolate Bar and the prize drawings.
Canoeing in Color, Sunday Oct. 5th, 2008
(To be repeated Saturday Oct. 3rd, 2009)
Photos
from the Event
Over 60 people enjoyed fall on the Shiawassee River
this weekend. The river twists and turns for seven miles between
Holly and Fenton, offering views of many habitats displaying their
fall splendor. The"Top of the Shiawassee" experience started
at 1 pm in WaterWorks Park, 602 Broad Street, in Holly, MI 48442.
Headwaters Trails offered return transportation from Strom Park
in Fenton, in association with Heavner Canoes of Milford, who was
on site with canoe or kayak rentals. People reserved a rental ahead
of time by calling 248-685-2379 or brought their own craft and payed
$5 for the service.
New paddlers had the option of learning paddling
fundamentals from Doug Lanyk or heading directly for Fenton. The
trip took 2 1/2-4 hours depending on paddling speed. The river was
flowing slowly at its usual rate and the only obstacles were the
railroad tubes and a beaver dam close to Fenton. A Headwaters Trail
volunteer was on site to guide people at those locations, but an
alert paddler could negotiate those challenges on his/her own.
The crisp 60 degree air and the sight of the beginning
of fall foliage made this one last treat before winter. If you are
an experienced paddler the "Top of the Shiawassee" remains
open to the public for your own "Canoeing in Color." Please
consider joining the volunteers of Headwaters Trails who work to
keep this route open throughout the year. Enjoy!
"Ride the Rose"--Poker Event
for Equestrians August 24th
Plan ahead for fun if you have your own
horse and want to participate in an event celebrating the opening
of the trails in Rose Oaks County Park off Fish Lake Road in Rose
Township. Between 12 and 3:30 pm on Sunday August 24th, come ride
the paths through the park, identify the clues that will lead you
to a random poker hand, and potentially win horsey prizes at the
concluding picnic. Headwaters Trails will provide meats and drinks,
you bring a dish to pass, and we'll all have a barrel of fun! Call
Merle Richmond for more details at 248-624-1409. Your $25 donation
will cover all expenses including the daily park pass and contribute
toward the purchase of more land for multi-use trails.
River Clean-ups this Summer
High winds keep toppling trees into the
Shiawassee River. We need new volunteers to work alongside our faithful
workers who have been concentrating on the Holly to Fenton segment
of the river. Now it's time to continue downstream. It's a great
time of year to walk in the shallow water, use loppers to clear
overhanging brush and use chainsaws to open up the passage around
the large trees. Our work includes re-establishing fish habitat.
Contact Doug Lanyk 248-634-4551 to sign up for one of the many work
days available.
Outdoor Life magazine recognizes
our important trail work.
Outdoor Life has
endorsed the work of Headwaters Trails through its Save-a-Stream
program. The national magazine has provided technical expertise,
supplies and advice for clean-ups on the Shiawassee River. The goal
of creating a water heritage trail starting in Holly and continuing
all the way to Saginaw Bay becomes all the more likely due to this
significant recognition. We're calling all sportsmen to join in
the effort, starting with the summer clean-ups described above.
No less important is the down-to-the-wire fundraising to obtain
the property for a public launch site at Fish Lake Road in Holly
Township. We hope to make the final payment in October. Can you
help put us over the top?
Past News:
National Trails Weekend--2 Events!
HOT Ride HOT Hike--an
introduction to the new Highland Oaks County Park and its trails
on Saturday, June 7. Co-sponsored with Oakland County Parks and
Highland Equestrian Conservancy, with support from the H.O.T. Riders
and the Rose Oaks Equine Adventurers.
Equestrians start registering at 9:30 at
Bob Hoffman's farm 2521 Rose Center Road. They begin the ride across
country to Highland Oaks at 10:30, then explore its trails, attend
the bench dedication and return to Hoffman's for a light lunch.
$15 donation requested.
Hikers start from Highland Oaks at 10 a.m.
for a 1.5 mile walk with Naturalist Kathleen Dougherty. Then hikers
may join the bench dedication and trek over to the Hoffman farm
for the $5 lunch. This is a scenic trek across private land, opened
for this day only to the public.
For more information call Sue Julian at 248-634-3513.
Fishing Contest on the Shiawassee--an
opportunity for anglers to explore the river and perhaps win a cash
prize for the largest legal and live northern pike, small mouth
bass or large mouth bass. This is Free Fishing Weekend and no license
is needed. The river is shallow and narrow in areas, so canoes and
kayaks are best--motors may be very difficult to use. Spotting of
vehicles and return rides will be available.
RULES:
Buy $20/person tickets at WaterWorks Park
in Holly at Noon. All boats must launch from WaterWorks Park and
follow all Michigan boating and fishing laws.
Weigh in at 6pm at Strom Park in Fenton
where East Street crosses the Millpond.
Cash prizes will be determined by the number
of participants. Half the ticket money will go toward purchase of
a new public landing site on Fish Lake Road, and the other half
will be distributed as prize money.
COME OUT SUNDAY AND ENJOY THE WEEKEND!
For more information on this event, call Doug Lanyk at 248-634-4551.
Holly to Fenton Races and Pleasure Paddle Battled the
Wind, but Offered a Scenic, Challenging Course.
Race Results:
Experienced Class: 1st Place: Martin and Hunter Spees with
a time of 1 hour, 28 min, 40 sec; 2nd Place: Lennie Brousseau and
Collette Simerson with a time of 1 hour, 31 min and 25 sec; 3rd
Place: John and Ben Cox with a time of 1 hour, 42 min and 25 secs.
Novice/Youth Class: 1st Place: Matthew Hill and Adam Schneider
with a time of 1 hour, 51 min and 40 sec; 2nd Place: Matt Weber
and Brandi Whiteman with a time of 1 hour, 55 min and 14 sec; 3rd
Place: Louis and Bonnie Nickels with a time of 2hours, 18 min, 05
secs.
Solo Class (Kayak or Canoe): 1st Place: Ken Foss with a
time of 1 hour, 29 min, 20 sec; 2nd Place: Justin Davis with a time
of 1 hour, 31 min, 35 sec; 3rd Place: Mark Irish with a time of
1 hour, 32 min, 35 sec.
Thirty-eight total craft launched carrying 47 paddlers,
including the afternoon Pleasure Paddlers. Everyone enjoyed the
diverse landscapes along the route and appreciated the trail work
and race day support of the volunteers of Headwaters Trails. The
one wish was for less wind which was a big factor on the Fenton
Millpond, the last mile and a quarter of the course. We hope 2009
weather will be more cooperative!
Stay tuned for more adventures. See you on the water, along our
land trails and at our 1st Wed meetings in Holly Village Chambers
where we plan for expansion of the trail possibilities in NW Oakland
County!
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