Courtesy Image The City of Alpena’s snowmobile trail map is shown in this image provided by the city.

ALPENA –In the late 1960s, there was a large uptick in the popularity of snowmobiling and snowmobile racing in Michigan.

And it was because of that growing trend that a handful of local snowmobile enthusiasts decided to form the Alpena Snowdrifters Snowmobile Association, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

According to club President Bob Eller, the group was formed as a way for snomobilers to meet, ride and exchange ideas with one another, as well as participate in and sponsor the newly created Thunder Bay 250 race, which was to be held in Alpena for many years.

Eller said that, in the early days, the monthly meetings were held at a local Raider dealership, until the club was able to secure a loan in the early 1970s to build a clubhouse on the corner of Werth Road and Indian Reserve Road.

The property where the clubhouse was to be built was donated by Wayne McNall, a local Arctic Cat dealer.

During that time, Eller said, there were few trails available in Alpena that were suitable for riding, and only 16 miles of them were groomed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Then, in the early 1980s, the state opted out of grooming and moved its groomer to Atlanta.

That upset local riders, who took matters into their own hands.

” Following many complaints and much discussion, the club entered into a contract with the DNR to take over grooming responsibilities,” Eller said. “The first piece of grooming equipment purchased by the Snowdrifters was a used 1970 Ski Doo Alpine. The club built a drag and so began over 30 years of grooming, brushing, and placing signs along the trails.”

As more trails were added to the system, more grooming equipment was needed. The club purchased a heated truck, another groomer and a tractor to help keep the trails maintained and usable. During that time, the number of members in the club also began to grow, which created the need for a larger clubhouse and storage area for equipment.

Eller said that, thanks to the generosity of Lafarge, the club obtained three acres of land on Trail 464 at the intersection of M-32 and Herron Road, about 10 miles west of Alpena.

And that is where the club remains today.

The club’s had its share of proud moments, but Eller said there is one that sticks out in his mind.

“One of the proudest moments in club history was being selected as the Michigan Snowmobile Association Club of the Year for 2004,” Eller said.

The members have also been active in giving back to the community. Eller said there is a long list of charitable deeds the club has done over the years.

“The Snowdrifters have been an Adopt-a-Highway participant for over 25 years, worked with local DNR and sheriff offices with safety schools for both snowmobiles and ATVs, provide Christmas turkeys to local families in need, as well as numerous other volunteer projects,” he said.

Today, the club has 90 members who care for 90 miles of trails and stay active year-round. Eller said the club is always looking for new members who love to ride and work to promote and oversee snowmobiling in the area.

“Without clubs like the Alpena Snowdrifters, snowmobile trails would not exist,” he said. “All snowmobile enthusiasts are encouraged to join this or other clubs.”

To honor the benchmark anniversary, the club has several events planned. Eller said club members will have the groomers in the holiday parade, as well as an open house at the club on Jan. 12.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or 989-358-5689. Follow Steve on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.