Trail Focus:Trail Focus:
Adapted from the June-July 1998 North Star: The Magazine of the North Country Trail.
The Mackinac Bridge between the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan is one of the focal points of Michigan's north country -- and is a focal point on the North Country Trail, as well. Hiking on the NCNST is one of several interesting things that can be done in the area.
0.0 MACKINAC BRIDGE TOLL BOOTH (ST. IGNACE) The Mackinac Bridge -- "Big Mac" -- is the fulfillment of a century-old dream of bridging the Straits of Mackinac and connecting the two peninsulas of Michigan. In 1957, after four years of labor by 10,000 men, the four-lane span from approach to approach stretches from St. Ignace in the upper peninsula to Mackinaw City in the lower. Length of the center suspension is 3,800 feet, and the distance between anchorages is 8,614 feet. Underclearance is 155 feet. Total length of the bridge, with approaches, is 26,444 feet.
CROSSING THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC: The Mackinac Bridge, known as "Big Mac", may only be walked
one day a year, the morning of Labor Day, when an annual bridge walk is held. At that time, the bridge can be walked
southbound in a mob of 50,000 to 70,000 people. At other times, hikers must find other ways across the Straits.
The Mackinac Bridge Authority operates a shuttle bus, leaving from the Bridge Authority Offices at the north end
of the bridge, and dropping riders at Jamet Street in Mackinac City. Northbounders may call the Bridge Authority
at (906) 643-7600 to arrange pickup from Jamet Street. An alternative to taking the bus is to take a ferry to Mackinac
Island, and then to Mackinaw City (or St. Ignace if northbound). The ferry terminals in St. Ignace are on N. State
Street along the harbor; in Mackinaw City, at the east end of Center Street. 
MACKINAW CITY, MI, 49701 (Pop. 900), like St. Ignace is a tourist town, with the bridge, ferry docks,
and the motels being the focal point of the town, along with the gift shops and the like along Central Avenue,
the town's main street. Established with Ft. Michilimackinac in 1715 by French settlers, and held successively
by French, British, Indians, and British again, before the latter moved the fort complex to Mackinac Island in
1780. LODGING: Over 30 motels, most only open seasonally; only on the busiest summer weekends, especially Labor
Day when the bridge walk comes to town, is it impossible to find a room in Mackinaw City. RESTAURANTS: Again, many;
but notably Mamma Mia's Pizza, Central Ave., downtown. When nobody else was interested in starting a museum about
the epic building of the Mackinac Bridge, Mamma Mia's took on the job, and came up with a great museum with many
unique displays. Free, if you can resist the pizza, which is excellent. OTHER: Medium sized grocery, suitable for
short-term resupply, hardware/sporting goods, some backpacking equipment, bank, pharmacy. There are lots of gift
stores, etc., along Central Avenue; don't miss Tun-Dra Outfitters, just west of the I-75 overpass. POINTS OF INTEREST:
Old Fort Michilimackinac, built by the French in 1715, was occupied by the British 1761-1781. Also, Mackinac City
-- and St. Ignace, across the straits -- have several ferry lines across to popular Mackinaw Island, a popular
tourist spot, where all motor vehicle traffic is banned. FOR MORE INFORMATION about the Mackinac City area, contact
Mackinaw Area Tourist Bureau, 708 S. Huron St., Mackinaw City, MI 49701 (616) 436-5664 or (800) 666-0160, or FAX
(616) 436-5991. 
5.0 JAMET STREET EXIT OFF BRIDGE Follow Nicolet St. south. Central Ave. crosses at the stoplight. Continue south; just past the IGA, the old Pere Marquette railroad grade crosses.
5.3 TURN SOUTHWEST ON OLD RAILROAD GRADE The NCT route ducks under the I-75 overpass, and follows the old railroad grade south out of town. This route is used as a snowmobile trail and cannot be certified.
6.7 CROSS TRAILS END ROAD This is hardly the trail's end; there are about another 2500 miles to go to get to that point. A KOA campground is about 1/2 mile east, with all the Winnebagos you can stand; for primitive camping, continue on. The trail continues south along the railroad grade on a separate treadway past the city sewage plant for about half a mile, then turns west along a marked pathway.
7.2 TURN WEST ON MARKED TRAIL The trail enters Mackinac State Forest land, where trailside camping is permitted. The route turns northwest along a pipeline right of way for about 0.5 mile until turning west toward the north end of French Farm Lake. NOTE: Beaver activity may force a relo in this area. The trail follows near the shoreline of French Farm Lake until reaching French Farm Lake Road, a dirt road running down to French Farm Lake Dam. The trail turns south to more or less parallel French Farm Lake Road, crossing it several times, until reaching the dam, passing several informal camping areas along the lakeshore.
11.4 CROSS FRENCH FARM LAKE DAM Once across the dam, the trail turns to the west, and after a mile or so, angles to the southwest through mixed growth forest. This area is flat, and there may be some muddy spots. The well-marked and cleared trail then angles to the southwest, and just before reaching Cecil Bay Road, crosses the Carp River on a bridge built in 1996 by NCTA volunteers, and parallels the road for a short distance south.
14.4 CROSS CECIL BAY RD. There is a small parking area, suitable for several cars, about 0.2 mi north of the crossing; the site is also used for informal camping. The trail crosses Cecil Bay Rd., then turns west on an old logging road that turns into the Spruce Ridge Trail in Wilderness State Park.
Trailwise, there's plenty of other interesting things in the Straits area; completed trail continues west, then south, from this point through Wilderness State Park to Wycamp Lake State Forest Campground. North of the Mackinac Bridge, an uncertifiable rail-grade snowmobile trail leads north to a crossing with the certified trail in the Hiawatha National Forest.