ST. IGNACE - PETOSKEY

Emmett County, MI

CROSSING THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC: The Mackinac Bridge, known at "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.

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.

MICHIGAN'S LOWER PENINSULA is a more varied, populated, and less wild and remote place than the upper peninsula, though the northern half is still forest country. The northern half is somewhat more in private ownership than the UP, and there have been a variety of resort developments taking place in recent years; south of the Manistee National Forest, it becomes rural farmland, though there are scattered patches of woodland all through the section, and the trail generally avoids the populated places.

The NCNST is largely complete until leaving the Manistee National Forest, though there are areas where roadwalks are necessary to avoid private land ownership. Some sections of the trail between Mackinaw City and the Manistee National Forest are still under development, and the quality of trail maintenance varies from place to place. All the trail on state forest land is built and maintained by NCTA or other volunteers. Terrain all through the peninsula is flat to somewhat rolling, with only a few big hills to contend with. Deer are common along the trail through the entire peninsula; bear are present north of Grand Rapids, but cannot be said to be common, and hikers usually don't take bear precautions. Segments north of the Manistee National forest are identified with blue assurance markers.

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. A selected few, close to the trail route, are listed here. Econolodge at the Bridge, 412 N. Nicolet St., (616) 436-5026; Affordable Inn, 206 N. Nicolet St., (616) 436-8961; Lamplighter Motel, 303 Jamet St, (616) 436-5350. There are plenty more; 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 Audie's, 314 Nicolet St., (616) 436-5744. Audie's is the headquarters of the annual "Mackinaw Mush", a dogsled race that's the largest event annually held on the trail. 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. POINTS OF INTEREST: Old Fort Michilimackinac, built by the French in 1715, was occupied by the British 1761-1781. FOR MORE INFORMATION about the Mackinaw 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 [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 [0.3] 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 [1.4] CROSS TRAILS END ROAD

This is hardly the trail's end; there are about another 2500 miles to go. 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 [0.5] 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 [4.7] 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 [3.0] 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.

WILDERNESS STATE PARK, of 7514 acres, is an interesting area with many interesting areas for geological and nature study. It has 210 campsites, all developed, some for organizations, but no trailside camping is permitted without permission. The park features picnic area, playground, showers, boat launch, and a swimming beach. It has several rental cabins scattered throughout the backcountry of the park; for information on rentals and other items, contact Wilderness State Park, Box 380, Carp Lake, MI, 49718 (616) 436-5381.

16.2 [1.8] ENTER WILDERNESS STATE PARK

The gated logging road continues, now as the Spruce Ridge Trail. After 1.3 miles, the trail furns north and follows the Nebo Trail north about .4 mi. to the Red Pine Trail junction.

17.2 [1.7] TURN WEST ON RED PINE TRAIL

The trail follows the Red Pine trail southwest to Goose Pond. An interesting nature tour pamphlet is available for the Red Pine Trail, keyed to the numbered markers along the trailside. The trail route is again low, and there are several boardwalks.

18.5 [1.3] GOOSE POND; TURN SOUTH ON SWAMP LINE RD.

To the north of Goose Pond is the park headquarters and camping area. From the Red Pine trailhead, the NCT follows a path through a swampy area and over three small bridges to the west of the Goose Pond Dam, where it turns south on the gated Swamp Line Road, a grassy and little used park access road. This is an easy, meandering walk to the south passing through a swampy wilderness area for about 1.5 mi, before reaching the junction with S. Boundary Trail and Sturgeon Bay Trail.

20.4 [1.9] TURN WEST ON STURGEON BAY TRAIL

Sturgeon Bay Trail is another gated park access road, grassy and little used, and is an easy walk to the west through a low and swampy area until reaching the junction with the NCNST's route to the lakeshore, where the Sturgeon Bay Trail angles off to the northwest.

21.6 [1.2] TURN SOUTHWEST ON MARKED TRAIL

In the first section, it follows a ridge through a swampy area, then travels through mixed forest in moderate climbs and descents across sand ridges well back from the lakeshore, crossing a creek partway, before reaching the access point on Lakeview Road.

24.2 [2.6] CROSS LAKEVIEW ROAD

There is an access point, with room for several cars, to the west of where the trail comes out to Lakeview Road, where there is a well and toilets. To the west is Lake Michigan and a beach. From the parking/picnic area, the trail turns inland and heads south on old sand dunes, turns southeast for a distance, emerging at the Park's south boundary on Sturgeon Bay Road.

25.2 [1.0] CROSS STURGEON BAY RD.; LEAVE WILDERNESS SP

The trail continues south in Pere Marquette State Forest on gently rolling land (old sand dunes) through jackpines and hackleberry bushes, crosses the Wycamp Lake Forest Campground access road, and passes through the rustic campground; the only facility is a flowing well of uncertain quality. The trail continues on a footpath along the shore around the west end of the lake to the dam at the south end of the lake.

27.4 [2.2] CROSS WYCAMP LAKE DAM

After crossing the dam, the trail goes south for about 0.3 mile, then turns east through hardwood timber. The trail continues east, then turns south, passing through timber and clearcuts, arriving at the corner of Levering and Zmickley Rds.

29.9 [2.5] CROSS LEVERING RD.; JOIN ZMICKLEY RD.

The trail continues south as a roadwalk on the dirt Zmickley Road. After 3/4 mile, the road turns east for half a mile, then south for another quarter mile, reaching Division Road.

31.4 [1.5] TURN WEST ON DIVISION RD.

The roadwalk continues west for 1.5 miles on the paved Division Road.

32.9 [1.5] TURN SOUTH ON STATE RD.

33.9 [0.5] TURN SOUTH (LEFT) ON RUGGED RD.

The roadwalk continues south on the paved Rugged Road for one mile. The road turns east for 0.3 mile, becomes Cetus Rd., then continues south for a mile.

36.4 [2.5] CONTINUE SOUTH ON MARKED TRAIL

From here to Stutzmanville Rd., the trail is on state land, and trailside camping is permitted. The trail enters a pine plantation, continues south, descending a hill through a clearcut area and turns southeast to cross Palmer road 0.6 mile east of Maple Tree Corners.

39.5 [3.1] CROSS PALMER RD.

The trail goes south through a pine plantation and crosses Middle Village Road 0.4 mile west of Larks Lake Rd. Terrain is hilly.

40.8 [1.3] CROSS MIDDLE VILLAGE RD.

The trail goes east across Larks Lake Rd. for about 0.2 mile to an ancient railroad grade, then runs south for 1.8 miles to Stutsmanville Rd., reaching the road about 0.3 miles west of Pleasantview Town Hall. This section of trail passes through aspen groves and a red pine plantation. It is quite level, and swampy in spots.

43.9 [3.1] TURN EAST ON STUTSMANVILLE RD.

Roadwalk east on Stutsmanville Rd. 1.0 mi. through the hamlet of pleasant view to the Pleasant View trailhead.

PLEASANT VIEW, MI 49740 No services available

44.9 [1.0] PLEASANT VIEW TRAIL HEAD

The trailhead is located 0.5 mile east of Pleasant View. From here to Kipp Rd., the trail is on state land; trailside camping is permitted. The trail heads southeast out of the trailhead, turns to the east, then angles back to the south, reaching paved Brutus Road. The trail parallels a small brook in the primarily-hardwooded center of the section. Terrain is hilly.

46.5 [1.6] CROSS BRUTUS RD.

From Brutus Rd., the trail heads south through hardwood timber, an aspen grove and a pine plantation to Valley Road at Chadderdon Rd. The trail turns west to cross dirt Chadderdon Rd, parallels it heading south for about 0.3 mile, then crosses back to the east side. It continues south through pine plantations and hardwood timber, passing about a mile to the east of Nubs Nob, a well-known ski resort (Boyne Highlands, another of Michigan's best known ski resorts, is another mile or so to the west.) The trail continues south over heavily wooded hills, and finally turns east to a red pine plantation to a trailhead on dirt Kipp Road.

51.5 [5.0] JOIN KIPP RD.

The route continues south as a roadwalk on the dirt Kipp Rd, then turns east on the paved Hathaway Rd. to North Conway Rd, then turns south on North Conway Rd. for 1.0 mile to the old Penn Central railroad grade at Conway.

CONWAY, MI 49722. There is a grocery store, restaurant and motel.

53.5 [2.0] TURN SOUTHWEST ON OLD RR GRADE

Follow the old railroad grade southwest to Division Street at the north boundary of Bayview. Take Division Street east to the bikeway on the west side of US131. This section of the grade is owned by Michigan DNR and will be eventually developed into a multi-use trail.

PETOSKEY STATE PARK adjoins the railroad grade near its south end. The park has 90 sites, 305 acres swimming beach, flush toilets, fee. For more information, contact Petoskey State Park, Rt. 4, Box 41A, Petoskey MI 49770.

58.0 [4.5] JOIN PETOSKEY PARK BIKE PATH

The bike path continues west along the lakeshore through a developed city park overlooking Little Traverse Bay. At a bridge over the Bear River just southwest of the city hall at the end of the bike path, the trail turns north. Take one last look out over Lake Michigan; this is the last point at which the eastbound NCT hiker will see one of the great lakes.

PETOSKEY, MI 49770 (Pop. 6100) is a resort center on Little Traverse Bay. Rockhounds crowd Little Traverse Bay, especially at Petoskey State Park and the city's Magnus Park, each spring to search among the winter's debris for Petoskey stones, the remains of ancient coral that inhabited the shallow waters of 350 million years ago. The nearby Bay View was founded in 1875 as a Methodist summer retreat, and contains over 450 Victorian homes. Petoskey is a regional service, shopping and medical center, and perhaps the most complete resupply stop since Marquette, and will be the largest city until Battle Creek, many miles to the south. LODGING: Several motels, nothing like the profusion of the Mackinaw City - St. Ignace area. Fairly close to the trail are: Baywinds Inn, 909 Spring Street, 1 mile south of downtown on US131, (616) 347-4193; Days Inn, .5 mi south of US31/US131 junction, (616) 347-8717. Many others, some of the cheaper "Mom'n'Pop" variety. RESTAURANTS: Range from really snazzy to McDonalds. GROCERIES: Large, full-service supermarket. OTHER: Hardware, sporting goods, banks, pharmacys, doctor, dentist, hospital. FOR MORE INFORMATION about visitor possibilities in the Petoskey area, contact Petoskey/Harbor Springs/Boyne Country Visitors Bureau, 401 E. Mitchell St., Petoskey MI 49770, (616) 348-2755, or (800) 845-2828.

59.1 [1.1] JOIN PETOSKEY PARK PATHWAY

The trail turns south along the west bank of the Bear River, goes under the US31 bridge, and continues south to Sheridan Street, where the certified segment ends.

59.8 [0.8] TURN EAST ON SHERIDAN STREET

Turn east on Sheridan Street, cross over Bear River bridge, using sidewalks where possible.

60.1 [0.3] TURN SOUTH ON HOWARD STREET

The walk continues south, using sidewalks where possible, until reaching the Bear River again, where a nature trail picks up on the east side of the river.

60.4 [0.3] TURN EAST ON NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE NATURE TRAIL

The trail follows the college nature trail southwest for about a mile to the Bear River, then turns east, northeast, then east through the campus of North Central College, coming to an end at McDougal Street.

62.1 [1.7] TURN SOUTH ON MCDOUGAL STREET.

62.3 [0.2] CONTINUE EAST ON GREENWOOD ROAD

63.3 [1.0] TURN SOUTH ON VALLEY ROAD

63.8 [0.5] TURN EAST ON SHANLEY RD.

64.8 [1.0] TURN SOUTH ON BRUBAKER RD.

65.5 [0.7] TURN SOUTHEAST ON MARKED TRAIL

Turn southeast opposite 4131 Brubaker Rd., and climb hills through hardwood timber to Krause Rd. 0.4 mile south of Brubaker Rd. This section is on land owned by the city of Petoskey.

66.2 [0.7] TURN SOUTH ON KRAUSE RD.

This is a roadwalk, transiting between two sections of marked trail. There is an old radar building on the hilltop.

66.7 [0.5] TURN EAST ON MARKED TRAIL

Turn east on the marked trail for about 3/4 mile, and then go south to Taylor Road. The first half mile is on state forest land, and the remainder is on City of Petoskey land. The terrain is heavily wooded and hilly.

68.0 [1.3] CROSS TAYLOR RD.

Cross Taylor Road and continue southeast in the city forest. Turn east across a private farm (stay on the trail) and a state forest red pine grove to Michigan Rd.

68.7 [0.7] CROSS MICHIGAN RD.

Cross Michigan Rd. and continue east southeast to Taylor Rd., about 200 yards east of Maxwell Rd. This section is very hilly and heavily wooded.

70.9 [2.2] TURN EAST ON TAYLOR RD.

Go east on Taylor Rd. to Maxwell Rd, (about 0.1 mi.); go north on Maxwell Rd. about 0.2 mi. to Harmon Rd., south across a cattle gate, then east again on Harmon Rd. for about 0.3 mile to the trailhead.

71.5 [0.6] REACH HARMON ROAD TRAILHEAD.

Description of this segment ends at this point, about 0.9 miles north of the Charlevoix County Line.

Crossing the bridge is described in the next section; description of this segment ends here.

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