Gone Truckin'

Jan. 18, 2015

Many northern Michiganders consider themselves experienced drivers in treacherous conditions, but for die-hard gearheads, wintry roads pale in comparison to roaring over steep hills, spinning through mud pits, climbing over boulders and racing up ski slopes. We spoke to the region’s most passionate (dare we say obsessive?)off-roading enthusiasts about the events – and vehicles – that drive them.

TWISTED TRAILS OFF-ROAD PARK

Copemish might be tiny (the population of the Manistee County village was 194 as of the 2010 census), but it’s home to one of the state’s top off-roading destinations: 200 acres of twisting trails, rock piles, mud bogs and steep terrain known as Twisted Trails Off-Road Park (www.twistedtrailsoffroadpark.com).

Seven years ago, Dale Humphrey and several fellow members of the Dusters Off- Road Club plunked down the cash to buy the sprawling property on Read Road near M-115 with the goal of creating an off-roading playground.

"It started as a hobby for us," explains Humphrey. "But [several of us] decided we didn’t want to move around anymore and were going to settle here for good. Now [the park] is my retirement fund."

Humphrey and his two remaining partners, Gary Porter and Donnie Kelley – who’ve all been "wheeling together since high school,"– draw anywhere from a couple dozen to a couple hundred park visitors per weekend.

Park trails range from easy to extreme and offer a variety of obstacles and terrain challenges, including a full sand drag racing facility. Drivers roll through in everything from stock Jeeps to ATVs (rented on-site) to highly modified ORVs sporting lift kits, roll cages, 54" mud tires and souped-up engines.

"We see some high-horsepower rigs with over 1,000 hp," says Humphrey. Imagine that much power flying up a vertical slope and it’s easy to understand why "everyone signs a waiver to use the park," chuckles Humphrey. "Oh yeah. No question."

Twisted Trails has become a year-round destination thanks to the presence of an onsite campground and music stage that have allowed Humphrey to host weekend festivals and events drawing crowds of more than 4,000.

"In June, I do an event called Mudstock, with bands playing Friday through to Sunday," says Humphrey.

The festival also offers camping, off-roading events, fireworks displays and a beer tent.

Another popular annual tradition, Dog Party, draws crowds not only from across Michigan, but from across the country.

"There’s a group of guys that comes from Florida every year for it," says Humphrey.

"You also see a lot of plates from states like Illinois, Wisconsin and Ohio." The raucous event has become notorious for participants showing off with crazy off-roading stunts, as well as an overall atmosphere of mayhem and partying. Humphrey, however, says it’s all in good fun. This year’s Party will be held Feb. 21.

"It can get congested, but it seems to work out at the end of the day," he says, adding that the off-roading community is a tight-knit one. "We all help each other out."

That sense of community – plus the thrill of tearing through the woods on a high-powered vehicle – is what keeps Humphrey and his partners committed to the park. All three men work side jobs to support themselves. For instance, Humphrey owns a car shop offering vehicle repairs and off-road mods, so park profits aren’t a driving motivator.

"There’s no book on how to run an offroad park," says Humphrey. "It’s been quite an adventure."

Money doesn’t seem to be a major concern to the motorheads that flock to Twisted Trails either.

"You’ll see guys who’ve spent a lot of money [fixing up their vehicles]...competing in events where the prize purse is low," laughs Humphrey. "And you’ll see them tearing up the cars, rolling them over, flipping them. But they give the crowd a good show."

ROCKS AND VALLEYS OFF-ROAD PARK

Roughly 70 miles southeast of Twisted Trails is another ORV nirvana: Rocks and Valleys Off-Road Park in Harrison (www. rocksandvalleys.com). The 200-acre park offers trails ranging from beginner to expert level and plenty of obstacles including hills, tire gardens, mud holes, rocks and swamp sites. Rocks and Valleys is open year round on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 7pm/dark, except for the month of November. The park is located near Snow Snake Ski & Golf and the Hidden Hills Campground.

CADILLAC JEEPERS

If Twisted Trails attracts the rough-andtumble party crowd, Cadillac Jeepers (www.cadillacjeepers.com) represents the other end of the ORV spectrum: a family-friendly, faith-based group of off-roading enthusiasts.

Founded by Gordy and Deb Stafford in 2000 with a vision of "bringing people together with similar loves," the club unites Jeep owners and fans seeking to test "the limits of driver and vehicle capabilities while enjoying the creation of God’s country." Deb says she and her husband had a goal of "intermixing Christian and family values" with off-roading in order to show her kids that adrenaline-fueled sports like drag racing and trail riding could be done in a safe environment that promotes respect and community.

"You can have a lot of fun enjoying it with others and being safe...versus doing something stupid like drinking and driving in the woods," she says.

Cadillac Jeepers’ unique mixture of spirituality and thrill-seeking is on full display at the club’s most popular event: the annual Jeep Blessing held each spring in Mesick at the corner of West M-115 and North M-37.

What began in 2002 with a pastoral blessing given to 45 vehicles has exploded over the last decade into a massive day-long event attracting 1,400 vehicles and thousands of spectators, plus activities including a stock course to test standard Jeep capabilities, a mud bog, intermediate course, Jeep pull and a notorious track called Chad Ville.

On the Chad Ville – an extreme course that requires owners to have 35" tires, two lockers and a winch – Deb says "hard-core crazy guys" can tackle obstacles ranging from tunnels and concrete staircases to extreme culvert crossings and other course hurdles.

"It’s illegal to do what we do on the blessing grounds out in the woods. Let’s put it that way," she laughs. "Some people just aren’t happy unless their Jeeps are completely submerged in mud."

This year’s Jeep Blessing is scheduled for May 2.

SCHUSS MOUNTAIN SNOW CHALLENGE

While off-roading trails, parks and clubs like those mentioned above are readily found throughout the country, there’s at least one corner of the ORV scene only represented in northern Michigan: the Schuss Mountain Snow Challenge.

Founded in 2009 by Jason "Grizz" Grzesikowski – owner of Griztek Auto Appearance & Offroad in Bellaire – to replace a defunct Charlevoix competition, the event pits various classes of ORVs in a side-byside race up the ski slopes of Schuss Mountain. In just seven years, it’s become one of the biggest off-roading spectacles in Michigan. The Snow Challenge’s first year drew 75 competitors and 1,500 spectators. This year, Grzesikowski expects 200 competitors and 10,000 spectators to come through the gates March 27 through 29.

"Snowmobiles have had uphill races for years, but nobody in the world is doing what we’re doing," he says. "It’s become known throughout the country. I’ve visited with groups overseas who know what we’re doing here."

The event’s popularity stems from both its unique format and the promoter’s insistence on making the competition accessible and fun for all types of ORV enthusiasts. While cutthroat drivers can compete in the super-mod class – dropping big bucks on nitrous oxide systems, after-market parts and superchargers turning out 1,500 hp – more laidback competitors have taken to the slopes in vehicles ranging from Subarus to factory pickups.

"Heck, we’ve even had a couple minivans race up the hill," chuckles Grzesikowski. "I wanted to make sure there was a place for everybody. I didn’t want it to be dominated by the guys with the biggest pocketbooks."

While chaos occasionally ensues on the course – to be expected when a modified 4x4 hits the top of a ski slope at 70 to 80 mph cheered on by beer-filed spectators – Grzesikowski says safety is always a top priority for his team.

"I design the courses to eliminate the risk as much as possible, to both the drivers and spectators," he says. "It wasn’t until last year we had our first real accident...and the driver walked away; he was fine, his vehicle was just damaged. These guys love to compete no matter [the conditions]...so I’ve learned I’ve got to be their brains and keep them safe."

The slopes themselves are also protected.

The hills are packed with enough snow to keep the terrain underneath safe from the ripping tread of ORV tires.

There’s also a good cause at the heart of all the boisterous action. Each year, Grzesikowski donates a portion of event proceeds to Michigan’s Disabled American Veterans.

Though organizing the Snow Challenge keeps him fully occupied, Grzesikowski hopes to take a run at the event himself one day.

"If I made it to the winner’s circle, I’d forfeit the prizes, obviously," he says. "But I’d like to get up there and race."

In the meantime, he helps other competitors get ready for their turn in the spotlight.

Car guys frequently hit up Griztek Auto in the months leading up to the event, looking for help securing custom parts and modifying their vehicles.

"Right now, as we speak, there are dozens of guys hard at work getting their trucks ready for the Snow Challenge," says Grzesikowski. "They refuse to miss a single year.

For a lot of people, it’s the big kick-off to the off-roading season up here."

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources also maintains a database of legal ORV and ATV trails throughout the state. Visit michigan.gov/dnr for a map and details.