Bull Gap
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bull Gap Hill itself is a sand dune centrally located within the 115-mile (185 km) Bull Gap trail system. This system is composed mainly of 50-inch-wide (1,300 mm)[1] one-way sand and loose dirt trails.[citation needed] The trails twist through predominantly public land and link the cities of Luzerne, Michigan, McKinley, Michigan, Mio, Michigan, and South Branch, Michigan. Each of these communities has passed local ordinances legalizing the use of ATVs on the shoulders of most public roads and offer trail users easy access to food, fuel, lodging, and the occasional adult beverage.[2] The hill is this trail system's most popular waypoint and meeting place. It offers a large open area with the opportunity to push the limits of an off-road vehicle and challenge friends or compete with strangers to an up-hill drag race.[citation needed]
Location
Bull Gap is located in the vicinity of Mio, Michigan. Mio is about 30 miles (48 km) due East of Grayling, Michigan and about 30 miles (48 km) due North of West Branch, Michigan. The majority of the trail system is contained within the Huron-Manistee National Forest and has parts of the Au Sable River passing through. The Huron-Manistee National Forest, in the northern part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, an opportunity to ride off-road vehicles on forest trails.
Rules and regulations
According to the Michigan Hand Book of Off-Road Vehicle Laws,[3] "Michigan law defines an ORV as any motor vehicle that can be operated cross-country (without benefit of a road or trail) over land, snow, and other natural terrain. This includes: multi-track or multi-wheeled vehicles; all-terrain vehicles (ATVs); motorcycles or related multi-wheeled vehicles; amphibious machines (water-to-land and back); hovercraft; and other vehicles that use mechanical power including 2- or 4-wheel-drive vehicles that are highway registered but operated off highways or off roads."[3] This trail system is also patrolled to ensure that all ORV operators and all passengers wear a U.S. Department of Transportation– approved crash helmet and protective eyewear or goggles except when the ORV is equipped with an approved roof and the operator and passengers are wearing properly adjusted and fastened safety belts. Also, each rider must utilize a U.S. Forest Service–approved spark arrestor and muffler in good working condition, in constant operation, and meeting applicable sound-level standards.[citation needed] Finally, a State of Michigan ORV sticker must be purchased on a yearly basis and clearly displayed on each vehicle.[citation needed]
