Hiawatha Water Trail Association Mission Statement

The Hiawatha Water Trail Association encourages the enjoyment of Lake Superior between Big Bay and Grand Marais, Michigan through safe, responsible and respectful paddling. We work to:

• Provide information to help paddlers plan safe and enjoyable trips.
• Educate trail users regarding the importance of appropriate skills and equipment.
• Optimize paddler access to and from Lake Superior.
• Promote stewardship of lands and waters used by paddlers.
• Encourage respect of landowners’ rights.
• Collaborate with other organizations in order to improve the paddling experience.
• Provide a voice for the paddling community.

The Hiawatha Water Trail Association (HWTA) is a grassroots organization of volunteers. Click here to find out ways you can support us.

  We are a member of the Noquemanon Trail Network (NTN) who is working to promote non-motorized trails for several silent sports in the central Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Membership in the NTN has provided the HWTA with critical encouragement, support, and networking. Without their support, the HWTA would not have been able to make the progress it has to date.

  We are working in cooperation with the Hiawatha National Forest (including the Grand Island National Recreation Area) and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore whose lands make up the eastern third of the trail. In addition, we are working with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), city governments such as Munising and Marquette as well as townships such as Chocolay, Burt and Powell townships. Community input for increased recreational trails has provided the HWTA with critical support when working with the various government bodies.

     We have received grants from the following organizations and/or programs:

• Down Wind Sports
• US Department of Agriculture Rural Community Assistance Program
• Coastal Management Program managed through Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality and funded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce
• American Canoe Association Club Fostered Stewardship funded by L. L. Bean.

Private individuals have donated money as well. Additional funds have been raised through events such as gear swaps and massage at the Noquemanon Ski Marathon and Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic.

  Volunteers are what makes things happen for the HWTA. Volunteers serve on the board, help on projects and do everything that is needed. Contact us if you are interested in volunteering.

  In 2006, we formalized our relationship with the Noquemanon Trail Network (NTN) and became a working committee within their structure. Members of the committee include:

Chair: Nancy Ford-Cihak
Secretary: Nancy Uschold
Robb Cookman
Shaun Devlin
Sam Crowley

© 2004