Trail Focus:Trail Focus:
Adapted from the January-March 1999 North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail.
One of the most popular loop hikes in lower Michigan is the Jordan River Pathway -- and it's become more popular since getting a Backpacker Magazine "Weekend Wilderness Review" not long ago.
The North Country Trail uses 11.2 miles of the 18-mile pathway, mostly following the river, which is full of beavers and trout, there are, however, interesting sections of the North Country Trail adjoining, especially to the north, where the NCT uses a section of the Warner Creek Pathway, as well.
0.0 [0.0] HEAD WEST FROM US131 This trail description begins at the US-131 crossing, about a mile north of where M-32 turns to the west. However, US-131 isn't a real good place to park, due to the heavy traffic, it's recommended that you park on Doblesky Rd., which parallels about 0.2 mile to the east. Leaving US131, the trail plunges up Elmira Hill, winding around through a hilly, second growth brush and timber section generally heading west for about three miles, then turns south and crosses M32. In the middle of this section, the trail follows a road through an oil well complex.
3.4 [3.4] CROSS M32 South of M-32, the trail picks up the long-certified Warner Creek Pathway, developed as a cross-country ski trail, marked by skier symbols on a blue background, and follows it to the west, where there is a parking lot, then to the south through hardwood hills and a flooded area. It leaves the path at O'Brian's Pond, crossing Warner Creek at the dam.
4.6 [1.2] O'BRIAN POND DAM The trail continues south on an old railroad grade, then southwest on an old two-rut for about .5 mile, crosses a road bridge on Old State Road over the Jordan River, and continues for about 1.1 mile south through the woods to Deadman's Hill on the Jordan River Pathway. The trail is joined in an aspen forest on the side of Deadman's Hill, (a great view can be had by climbing the hill to the east).
5.8 [1.2] JOIN JORDAN RIVER PATHWAY The trail follows the west loop of the Jordan River Pathway southwest. This long-established trail has long been a Michigan favorite, but there are many exposed roots and soft areas, especially where the trail goes along the riverbank. The section ranges from high lookouts to riverbanks, and is hilly and heavily wooded. Trailside camping was permitted until recently, but has had to be restricted with increasing use to the Pinney Bridge Campground, a State Forest campground where a fee is required. Hikers planning an overnight loop hike should figure on starting at the parking area at Deadman's Hill, so they can overnight at Pinney Bridge. The trail proceeds southwest and descends to the river, which it follows near the bank, sometimes on boardwalks for 2.3 miles, then climbs up to cross River Road, crosses to the north bank. River Road may be used as a crossover for day hikers to the other half of the loop trail. The trail continues on another 5.1 miles along the north river bank through a variety of forested areas as it climbs up the northern escarpment for a stunning view to the south. Pinney Bridge Campground is a little to the west.
13.9 [8.1] PINNEY BRIDGE Drinking water, a pit toilet and fire rings are available at the walk-in only campground, which has eight sites; a fee is charged, however. It was a logging camp a century ago during the great clearcut that devestated virtually all of the tall virgin timber in northern Michigan. Sixty men worked here, including loggers, a blacksmith, cooks and teamsters. Much of the woods in this vicinity was scorched or burned in a large fire in 1909. More recently, it was a CCC camp. The trail heads southwest to Pinney Bridge across the Jordan River, then turns south, going through fields, forest, and a large, wet area full of cedar groves, crossing Cascade Road and Cascade Creek after 1.5 miles, then climbing up an escarpment southeast to another 1.6 miles to Landslide Scenic View. There are several large springs that emerge to form Landslide Creek, just before climbing the hill to the overlook. The trail then turns east to the parking lot for the overlook. The section is all heavily wooded, except for a short stretch south of Pinney Bridge. If continuing back to Deadman's Hill, the trail proceeds northeasterly from the overlook over rolling hills on top of the escarpment. It's not level; there are numerous small creeks and drainages. About halfway back to Deadman's Hill, the route recrosses Jordan River Road; there's a nice stand of white spruce.
16.0 [3.1] LANDSLIDE SCENIC VIEW PARKING LOT Blazes are reportedly confusing in this area, with the east leg of the Jordan River Pathway loop heading off to the northeast. The North Country Trail route heads south as a roadwalk out of the Landslide ScenicView parking lot on Harvey Road, and after 1.5 miles, crosses Alba Road. Alba is one mile to the east. The route continues south on Harvey Road, crosses US 31, and becomes Corey Road, which continues south for another mile. The route then turns east on Doerr Road and the Doerr Road Extension, until reaching trail on the west side of Five Lake. South of Alba Road, the public rights of way on the roads are poorly maintained.
ALBA, MI 49611. Small town with convenience store.
20.2 [4.2] REACH FIVE LAKE The trail skirts the south side of the small Five Lake. A spur trail follows the east side of the lake north to a small campground, where there is a pump, and not much else. There are no other water sources along this leg. However, this can serve as a parking area, or as overflow camping if Pinney Bridge is full.
INFORMATION AND MAPS: Michigan mapset, available from the North Country Trail Store covers this area nicely. Also, the The Hutchins Guide, also available from the North Country Trail Store, covers the area from Doubesky Road south well past the end of this discription. The sketch maps in either, as well as the map here, should be adequate to find the trail, but a compass and a good county map may prove useful.
There's an amazing amount of items on the Internet about the Jordan River Pathway and the Jordan River area. Two good web sites to try are: Michigan Benchmark This site is a part of the "Michigan Benchmark" website put together by Grand Rapids NCTA member Paul Haan; it also includes information on several other Michigan Hiking opportunities, both on and off the NCNST. Michigan North This site is more canoeing and fishing oriented, but has some useful area information. A search engine looking for "Jordan River Pathway" will turn up several other URLs.