By RICHARD JENKINS
Ironwood — The Superior Snowshoe walks kick off Tuesday with the Mark Fitting Annual Memorial Walk at the Michigan Information Center on U.S. 2.
The walks will take place Wednesdays through March 13, starting at 6:30 p.m.
This year’s schedule of walks is:
—Jan. 2, Mark Fitting Annual Memorial Walk, sponsored by Pit Stop.
—Jan. 9, Bessemer walk at Iron Belle trailhead behind city hall, sponsored by Bessemer VFW.
—Jan. 16, Cottonwood tree walk, sponsored by Manny’s Restaurant.
—Jan. 23, Gogebic Country Club, sponsored by Elk & Hound.
—Jan. 30, Miners Memorial Heritage Park-Red Devil loop, sponsored by Rigoni’s Bar.
—Feb. 6, Corullo’s House, 5361 Spring Lane Rd., sponsored by Don & GGs.
—Feb. 13, Schaumburg Park, sponsored by Spiders Sports Bar.
—Feb. 20, Stan and Sue Carr’s house, sponsored by Powderhorn.
—Feb. 27, ABR walk, sponsored by Golden Dragon.
—March 6, Miners Memorial Heritage Park-Park Pabst Blue Ribbon loop, sponsored by Cold Iron Brewery.
—March 13, Wolverine Nordic Ski Trails, sponsored by Wolverine ski club and Hobby Wheel, potluck and bonfire afterwards.
Organizers recommend those participating in the walks bring flashlights or headlamps.
The walks are generally 1.5-2 miles, according to Sam Davey, and accessible for most people.
“Most of it’s pretty flat, there’s some rolling hills in some places,” said Davey, one of the organizers. “But usually a lot of them, there are cutoffs (if things become difficult).”
He said there is also a sweep crew at the end of each group to make sure everyone gets off the trail.
Davey said anyone without snowshoes interested in trying their first walk can contact Hobby Wheel to borrow a pair for the first time.
Participants can visit the group’s Facebook page for updates.