The Chief Noonday Chapter responsibility starts at the Barry- Kent County line at 108th avenue and Wood School Road or Baker Road in Kent County. The nearest village is Freeport, which is 2 ½ miles East on 108^th. Parking is available at the Audubon Society lot on 108^th or the Trout Unlimited property just North of the Coldwater River on Baker road. The next trail to the North is in the Lowell State Game Area, which is 12 miles North of Freeport. Overnight camping is available at Tyler Creek Golf Course on M50 2 miles North and 1-½ miles East. Unapproved camping sites are along the Coldwater River and the Audubon Society. Water is available at either site but needs treatment. Most facilities are available at Freeport. The North Country Trail office will be located in Lowell after February 2001.

 As of January 2001, the trail from 108^th to Irving is not marked and is temporarily on roads: West 1 ½ miles to Solomon Rd., South 5 miles to Grange, West 1 ¼ miles to State road, NW ½ miles to McCann road, South ¾ miles to bridge over Thornapple River at Irving, West ¼ mile to McCann road again, then South 1 mile to M37, West 7/8 miles to

Peets road, South ½ mile to Barry State Game Area, kiosk, trailhead, map and marked trail. This is about 11 miles. The Paul Henry bike trail follows the rails to trails, from Middleville, Irving, to Irving road. The Whispering Woods Campground is 2 miles East of Irving on the Paul Henry trail. There are no facilities at Irving. Middleville, 4 miles North on the Paul Henry trail, has all facilities.

A more scenic route that can be currently be followed, and is currently being considered, is east and South thru the Middleville State Game Area to Middleville and then follow the Paul Henry bike trail to Irving. Most of the trail thru the Middleville State game Area is on two tracks and gravel roads, because of problems of constructing new trails thru the game wilderness. The complete Area however is open to the public, and if you can use a compass, enjoy a beautiful hike thru oak trees and hills. Hunters use this Area extensively and necessary safety measures of blaze orange apparel during hunting seasons should be worn. The law requires hunters to wear this color during deer firearm season of November 15 thru the 30^th. Use your discretion of wearing blaze orange from October to January and then the month of May. Part of the road trail is also a snowmobile trail.

From 108^th go East 1 ½ miles to Solomon road, South ½ mile to two-track entrance thru game area, West 1 mile to Harris Creek road, South ½ mile to Parmalee road, 100 feet West to gated two tracks, South 1 mile on two tracks to Johnson and Garbow road. Don’t be intimidated by the “no trespassing” signs as this is now a public road (except where the gate is). Legally this Johnson road intersects where Harriss Creek intersects Parmalee road. Continue 1 mile South on graveled Johnson road to Crane road, West 3 miles on gravel and two track Crane road to Grand Rapids street, South 1 mile to Main street, West 3/8 mile to Paul Henry Trail, South and East 4 ½ miles to McCann road, South 1 mile to M37, West ½ mile to Peets road, South ½ mile to Barry State Game Area trailhead and start of marked trail. The Paul Henry trail is closed for November, South to Loop road. Use alternate roads of main Irving South to Loop road and south to trail.