FREEPORT - WALDRON

Barry, Kalamazoo, Calhoun & Hillsdale Counties, MI

128.4 mi total 18.9 certified 0.0 connecting 50.6 marked 77.8 bare

By the time the long-distance hiker reaches Kalamazoo and Calhoun Counties, the deep woods of the Manistee National Forest will be a memory, and roadwalking through rolling rural countryside will be a familiar experience. Southern Michigan is mostly rural farmland, rolling, well-wooded, and often scenic. To the urban dweller, a walk though nice farmland can be as different and rewarding an experience as walking through the farthest wilderness.Trail is under development in Barry County, adding to the certified stretch in Yankee Springs SRA. Work by the Chief Noonday Chapter of the NCTA should mean continuous trail between Yankee Springs and Battle Creek in the near future. There are an interesting few miles of non-roadwalking right through the downtown of one of the four biggest cities the NCNST passes through _ and on certified trail, no less. On south, a lucky juxtaposition of possibilities gives the potential of having nearly 20 miles of certified trail, with only a couple of short breaks, in Hillsdale County within the next few years. Some sections give a distinctly un-southern Michigan wildness reminiscent of places much farther to the north. Hillsdale County isn't a bad way to end up a hike from one end of Michigan to the other, over a thousand miles in the state.

Everything that was said in the last section about rural countryside, private ownership, frequency of towns and scarcity of campsites for the long-distance hiker applies to the rest of southern Michigan, as well. There are few opportunities for camping, except on private land, where permission should always be asked before setting up camp; opportunites for camping or motel rooms will be noted whenever possible. As much of the route for the next couple of hundred miles is roadwalk, hikers should be continually aware of the problems of safety when walking roads.

0.0 [0.0] BARRY-KENT COUNTY LINE

Across the county line, what was Baker Ave. in Kent County becomes Wood School Road in Barry County. The roadwalk continues south for 1.5 miles, until reaching Loftus Rd.

1.5 [1.5] TURN WEST ON LOFTUS RD.

The roadwalk continues west for 1.5 miles, through scattered patches of the Middleville State Game area, where it's hoped an off-road route can eventually be arranged. No camping is permitted April-October in the game area.

3.0 [1.5] TURN SOUTH ON SOLOMON RD.

The roadwalk continues south, passing the Garbow Road intersection after half a mile, and after about another 0.8 miles reaching Crane Road.

4.3 [1.3] TURN WEST ON CRANE RD.

Crane Road runs west for half a mile, south 0.2 mile, then west another half mile before reaching Johnson Road.

5.5 [1.2] TURN SOUTH ON JOHNSON RD.

The roadwalk continues south. After one mile, Barnum Road intersects. Middleville is about 2.2 miles west (only limited supplies available), after joining State Road. The route continues south another mile to State Road.

7.5 [2.0] TURN WEST ON STATE RD.

The route jogs northwest for a short distance on State Road, then turns to the south on McCain Road. After about .7 mile, the route turns west and joins Irving Road, and follows it about .2 mile to the village of Irving (no supplies).

8.5 [1.0] TURN SOUTH ON MCCAIN RD.

McCain Road resumes its separate identity when it turn south in the village of Irving, and continues south to Middleville Rd (State Highway M37).

9.5 [1.0] TURN WEST ON M37

The roadwalk continues west for half a mile on State Highway M37 until reaching Peets Road.

10.0 [0.5] TURN SOUTH ON PEETS RD.

The roadwalk continues south for two miles on Peets Rd, reaching Chief Noonday Road. Half a mile after leaving M-37, the trail enters Barry State Game Area, where it's hoped that trail can be built in the near future. However, the trailhead might be two or three miles to the northwest.

12.0 [2.0] TURN SOUTHWEST ON CHIEF NOONDAY RD.

The route goes southwest as a roadwalk. After about 1.3 miles, Yankee Springs Road is passed, and the route turns west for about another 2.7 miles before reaching the trailhead for the trail in Yankee Springs SRA, across from the access road to Chief Noonday Outdoor Center.

YANKEE SPRINGS SRA is a 5000 acre plat of fairly rugged terrain, with several lakes, bogs, marshes and streams. There is a modern campground at Gun Lake, a mile to the southeast of the trailhead, and two rustic campgrounds, one oriented for horses but located near the trail. The trail has a reputation for being poorly marked. For more information on Yankee Springs, contact Yankee Springs Recreation Area, 2140 Gun Lake Rd., Middleville, MI 49333 (616) 795-9081.

16.0 [4.0] TURN SOUTHEAST ON CHIEF NOONDAY TRAIL

Finally, a little break from the roadwalking that's been nearly continuous from Rogue River State Game Area. The trail heads southeast on the Yankee Springs State Recreation Area's Chief Noonday Trail, which is marked with orange blazes, but is also marked with blue NCT diamonds. The Chief Noonday Trail heads southeast for about a mile, until it intersects with the Hall Lake Trail, and heads south to Hall Lake. About 2 1/2 miles is certified and marked NCT. From the manager's residence, the trail (not certified) heads southeast along a horse trail, crosses Duffy Road, and to a horse camp on Yankee Springs Rd. From there, Yankee Springs Rd. is followed southwest to Sager Rd. Keep an eye open for new trail between here and Augusta; the trail in this area is in intensive development and being moved off-road.

19.5 [3.5] TURN EAST ON SAGER RD.

The route roadwalks east on Sager Road about 0.4 mile until reaching Norris Rd.

19.9 [0.4] TURN SOUTH ON NORRIS RD.

The route goes south 7.3 miles on Norris Rd., crossing several intersections and winding around a little before reaching Parker Rd. at the Delton Rd. crossing. There is a small country grocery store located at the corner.

27.2 [7.3] TURN SOUTHEAST ON PARKER RD.

The route heads southeast for about 0.5 mile, then turns to pass along the shore of Delton Lake, crosses a small stream connecting with Crooked Lake, and continues south for another 3.0 miles to Hickory Road.

31.5 [4.3] TURN EAST ON HICKORY RD.

The route goes east for a mile to Wall Lake Road (SR M43).

32.5 [1.0] TURN SOUTH ON M43.

The route follows M43 to the south for a mile, reaching Bendere Rd.

33.5 [1.0] TURN EAST ON BENDERE RD.

The roadwalk continues east for 0.5 mile to the north of Gull Lake, reaching Williams Rd.

34.0 [0.5] TURN SOUTH ON WILLIAMS RD.

The roadwalk continues south for 0.5 mile on the east side of Gull Lake, reaching the Kalamazoo County Line.

34.5 [0.5] BARRY-KALAMAZOO COUNTY LINE

At the Kalamazoo County Line, Barry County's Williams Road, which the long-distance hiker has been following, becomes Gull Lake Road, residential road servicing cottages along Gull Lake. This road is followed for about 3.2 miles, until reaching C Avenue. C Avenue is followed for 0.5 mile, until reaching 40th Street.

38.0 [3.7] TURN SOUTH ON 40TH

39th St. is followed south for about 1.2 miles, until reaching M-89.

39.2 [1.2] TURN EAST ON M-89

M-89 is followed eastward about another 0.4 miles until reaching trailhead in the Kellogg Experimental Forest.

39.7 [0.4] TURN SOUTH ON 41ST STREET

Marked trail is followed southerly through the Kellogg Experimental Forest for about 2.2 miles, crossing 41st St. and rejoining 42nd St. at the edge of the village of Augusta

41.5 [2.2] TURN SOUTH ON 42ND STREET

Continues south on through the village for about 0.5 mile until reaching State Highway M-96.

AUGUSTA, MI 49012 (Pop. 927) The Fort Custer State Recreation Area, one mile east of town, offers the first chance for public land camping since Yankee Springs. There is a 112 site campsite, facilities limited in winter, no showers. For information, Fort Custer Recreation Area, 5163 W. Fort Custer Dr., Battle Creek MI 49709 (269) 731-4200. Also, Shady Bend Campground, private, is 1.5 miles northeast of Augusta on the Kalamazoo River. For information, Shady Bend Campground, 13520 Augusta Dr., Augusta MI 49012 (269) 731-4503.

43.0 [1.5] TURN EAST ON M-96

The roadwalk turns continues eastward on the broad shoulder of M96 (Dickman Rd.) until reaching the Ft. Custer National Cemetery, after about 1.2 miles. There is a possiblity that this roadwalk will be replaced by a route through the north part of the Ft. Custer State Recreation Area, which lies to the south. Fort Custer National Cemetery is a 770 acre portion of Fort Custer that was dedicated as a national cemetery in 1984. Check out the "Avenue of Flags" as you pass by the front gate.

44.2 [1.2] CONTINUE EAST ON M96 BIKE PATH

The route continues to follow M96 eastward, but on a wide bike path on the north side of M-96. After about 0.7 mile, the route enters Calhoun County. After another 1.2 miles, just past where M-94 bends southeast, join the Battle Creek Linear Parkway.

BATTLE CREEK, MI 49015 (Pop. 38911) Yes, this is the Battle Creek of breakfast cereal fame, the third-largest town penetrated by the NCNST. Sadly, the factory tours that were once a feature of a visit to Battle Creek are no longer available. LODGING: Many motels, however, most of the big chain ones are about four miles south of town on I-94. For further information contact Battle Creek/Calhoun County Convention and Visitor Bureau, 34 W. Jackson, #4B, Battle Creek, MI 49017 (616) 962-2240. GROCERIES: Several large, full-service super markets, plus smaller stores and convenience stores. OTHER: Almost any service a hiker could need is available, with the possible exception of a really good outfitting store specializing in backpacking; most gear is available, but it's a sideline where it's available. Otherwise, bank, pharmacy, hardware, department store, chain discount stores, doctor/dentist/hospital.

46.1 [1.9] TURN EAST ON BATTLE CREEK LINEAR PARKWAY

At the corner of Harmonia Road and M94, the certified trail of the Battle Creek Linear Parkway picks up. The paved path heads northeast until nearing the Kalamazoo River, then turns east to reach Bedford Road after 2.2 miles.

48.3 [2.2] TURN NORTH ON BEDFORD RD.

The Bedford Road highway bridge is used to get across the river; the pathway then turns east to follow the river toward downtown. The Battle Creek Linear Parkway turns off of the east side of the street just north of the river, and generally follows the riverbank through town. Right through the heart of the biggest city that the NCT has penetrated east of Duluth, MN, the Parkway is surprisingly nice. "This paved trail was one of the pleasant surprises of my hike," Talone wrote of his 1994 thru-hike. "Well conceived and landscaped, it cannot be topped as an urban trail. These two trails (including the bikeway along M96) combine to form a great route through a very congested area." Marking of the path is reportedly a little confusing in the Kellogg Center area downtown. The NCT's use of the Linear Parkway comes to an end at Emmett St., on the east side of town.

53.7 [5.4] TURN EAST ON EMMETT ST.

The Emmett Street Bridge takes the hiker east over the Kalamazoo River; after about 0.8 miles, Emmett St. becomes Verona Road.

54.5 [0.8] CONTINUE EAST ON VERONA RD.

Verona Road, a county road, heads east, then southeast out of Battle Creek toward Marshall, reaching the corner of Mansion St. in Marshall after 10.2 miles. It has rather narrow shoulders the first couple of miles, but they widen after that.

MARSHALL, MI 49068 (Pop. 6900).LODGING: Several motels, most located on Michigan Avenue. CAMPING: Private campground , 5 miles south on old US-27, then 1 mi. west on Perrett Rd. following signs, 219 Perrett Rd, (616)781-2297. RESTAURANTS: range from Schulers, (pretty nice, dates from 1870s) 1 blk east of traffic circle, , (616) 781-0600 through family cafes (B/L/D) through McDonalds. GROCERIES: Large, full-service supermarket. OTHER: Bank, hardware, sporting goods, doctor/dentist/hospital. FURTHER INFORMATION: Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce, 109 E. Michigan Ave., Marshall MI 49068 (616) 781-5163 or (800) 877-5163.

64.7 [10.2] TURN EAST ON MANSION ST.

Four blocks of Mansion Street (about .3 miles) brings the hiker to Kalamazoo Street, the main north/south street in town.

65.1 [0.4] TURN SOUTH ON KALAMAZOO ST.

Two blocks to the south, the route goes around a traffic circle in the downtown, then continues south another 2 blocks to Hanover St.

65.4 [0.3] TURN EAST ON HANOVER ST.

After one block, turn southeast on Monroe St.

65.5 [0.1] TURN SOUTH ON MARSHALL AVE.

Follow Marshall Ave. south across the river, about 0.2 mile, until reaching Dibble Street.

65.7 [0.2] TURN SOUTHEAST ON DIBBLE ST.

After 0.7 miles, Dibble Street becomes Homer Rd.

66.4 [0.7] CONTINUE SOUTHEAST ON HOMER RD.

Continue southeast on Homer Road, which winds around a bit, for 5.1 miles, until it joins F Drive South.

71.5 [5.1] TURN EAST ON F DRIVE SOUTH.

The roadwalk continues east for one mile on F Drive South, until reaching the hamlet of Eckford.

72.5 [1.0] TURN SOUTHEAST ON HOMER RD.

Homer Road continues southeast 3.6 miles, until reaching L Drive South. Half a mile before reaching this junction, Homer Road becomes 23 Mile Rd. Continue south past L Drive South for 0.5 miles to gravel M Drive South.

76.6 [4.1] TURN EAST ON M DRIVE SOUTH.

After two miles, M Drive South reaches paved 25 Mile Rd.

78.6 [1.5] TURN SOUTH ON 25 MILE RD.

Follow 25 Mile Rd. south 0.3 miles, reaching SR M60.

HOMER, MI 49245 (Pop. 1617) Restaurants, grocery store, convenience store, drug store, hardware, bank.

78.9 [0.3] CONTINUE SOUTH ON M99

The route continues south through the village of Homer. The route on the Michigan Mapset suggests following M99 to Litchfield. In the interests of lower-use roads, a different route is suggested here. The roads involved are shown on the Michigan Mapset. After a mile and a half, reach P Drive South.

80.4 [1.5] TURN EAST ON P DRIVE SOUTH

Follow P Drive South east a half a mile to 25 1/2 Mile Road.

80.9 [0.5] TURN SOUTH ON 26 MILE RD.

26 mile Road wanders around a bit as it heads south 4.6 miles to South County Line Road.

85.5 [4.6] TURN EAST ON SOUTH COUNTY LINE RD.

Follow South County Line Road east 1.8 miles until reaching (on the north) 27 1/2 Mile Road, and (on the south) Anderson Road.

87.3 [1.8] REACH ANDERSON RD.

Enter Hillsdale County. The roadwalk continues south on anderson Rd. 2.0 miles, to the city of Litchfield.

LITCHFIELD, MI 49253 (Pop. 1353) RESTAURANTS: A couple of small-town B/L/D cafes. OTHER: Hardware, bank, pharmacy.

89.3 [2.0] TURN SOUTHEAST ON M-99

Unlike the Homer-Litchfield leg, M-99 is considerably the shortest distance to get the seven miles to the next town, Jonesville. Hikers should be careful of traffic, even though M-99 in this area is not terribly busy. There are sidewalks on the first part out of Litchfield and the last part into Jonesville.

96.3 [7.0] TURN WEST ON US-12

Walk west on city street sidewalks to where M-99 turns off to the south.

JONESVILLE, MI 49250 (Pop. 2172): LODGING: Pinecrest Motel, about 1/2 mile west of downtown. RESTAURANTS: Small-town cafe. OTHER: The only Wal-Mart located directly on certified trail is about 1 mile south. Also: pharmacy, bank, hardware.

96.8 [0.5] TURN SOUTH ON M99 BIKEWAY.

The M-99 bikeway is really not much more than a wide sidewalk connecting Jonesville and Hillsdale, 4 miles south. M99 is a busy commercial highway here, and passes through a typical highway business district, several car dealerships, and, toward the south end, several fast-food establishments. The M99 bikeway has been called the "least scenic certified segment" of the NCNST, but in country where private ownership is rare, you have to take what you can get. (NOTE: The NPS lists the segment at 5.0 miles; car odometers on the highway next to it have never been able to come up with more than 4.0, and that's how it's listed here.) The bikeway comes to an end half a mile short of the connecting street, but there's a wide, grassy treelawn the hiker can follow to Fayette Street in Hillsdale.

HILLSDALE, MI 49242 (Pop. 7,432). Hillsdale is perhaps best known nationally for the very conservative Hilldale College, which does not accept federal student aid or loans of any nature, in order to reject any federal control. Except for that quirk, it's a friendly country town. LODGING: Hillsdale Motel, 2 miles south of town on M99, (517) 437-3389; Bavarian Inn Motel, 1 mile south of town on M99, (517) 437-3367. RESTAURANTS: Several; range from fast food to family; . GROCERIES: full service supermarket, at corner of M-99 and Fayette Sts. (on trail); convenience stores. OTHER: Hardware, sporting goods, pharmacy, doctor, dentist, hospital.

101.3 [4.5] TURN EAST ON FAYETTE STREET

Follow Fayette Street east half a mile, using mostly sidewalks to Hillsdale Street. Hillsdale College is to the north.

101.8 [0.5] TURN SOUTH ON HILLSDALE STREET

Follow Hillsdale Street south to Will Carleton Street, 0.8 mile, just south of the railroad tracks.

102.6 [0.8] TURN SOUTHEAST ON WILL CARLETON ST.

After half a mile, Will Carleton Street bends more to the south, crosses Bacon Street, and becomes E. St. Joe St. This street extends another 0.6 miles to the southeast, passing a medium size grocery store and a Restaurant. At the corner of St. Joe, Barnard, and Griswold Streets, Baw Beese Park lies to the southeast, and certified trail picks up again.

103.7 [1.1] ENTER BAW BEESE PARK

The route through Baw Beese Park is undefined through the western end, however, the route goes through the grassy area to the south of the railroad grade. The railroad grade was once part of the Michigan Southern "Old Road", and was part of the first railroad connection between New York and Chicago. East of the park, the grade is now owned by the City of Hillsdale Public Utilities Commission, managing authority for this section of trail. As the route proceeds east and the park narrows down, the route hops up on the railroad grade, until it leaves the park behind. The route passes a swimming beach and runs along the shore of the lake, then leaves the lake and proceeds through the country. About 2.5 miles after leaving the park, crossing a road, the certified section comes to an end at Black Bridge Road, west of Osseo. There is a small restaurant, south 0.2 mile on Black Bridge Road, then west on M34/M99 about one mile.

108.7 [4.0] CONTINUE EAST ON BEECHER RD.

The route continues east; the first half mile is along a broad, grassy area between two parallel streets in the village of Osseo MI, 49266 (No services). At the east end of the grassy area, the route leaves the grade and follows paralleling Beecher Road east, then southeast, appx. 1.0 mile until reaching gravel Chase Road.

Follow Chase Road south appx. 0.3 mile until reaching paved State Route M34.

Follow M34 east about 0.2 mile to a parking area on the south side of the road.

The trail in Lost Nations State Game area was constructed in 1997 and 1998. The trail goes south from the parking area appx. 0.2 mile, then jogs to the southwest to cross a stream, then turns back to the southeast, crossing an open field until reaching an abandoned and closed road, Tote Rd., after 0.7 mile from the trailhead. The route follows Tote Rd. south another 0.3 mile, then turns east on another abandoned road, Trail Road, which continues east for 0.6 mile to Tripp Rd., which is open to the public.

112.2 [1.5] TURN SOUTH ON TRIPP RD.

The route follows gravel Tripp Rd. south for 0.3 mile until reaching a trailhead for the next section, on the east side of the road next to a small stream, which is crossed on steppingstones. If the stream is too high to cross, follow Tripp Rd. south to Way Rd., and go east on Way Rd. one mile to the Reading Road corner.

112.5 [0.3] TURN EAST ON MARKED TRAIL

The route crosses the steppingstones across the river, climbs the hill and follows a ridge eastward, dips into a valley and climbs another ridge, and follows cut trail eastward to a parking area along Five Lake. The trail passes through the parking area and emerges at the corner of Way and Reading Roads.

PITTSFORD, MI 49271 (Pop. 273) is a mile east and half a mile north on Reading and Pittsford Roads. It has convenience stores and a restaurant. FRIENDS OF HIKERS: Wes Boyd, long-time NCTA activist, works in Hudson, 7 miles farther east, is always ready to meet long distance hikers, and can usually arrange for pickups and dropoffs, except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. (517) 448-2611 business hours, (517) 547-7402 eves.

113.8 [1.3] TURN SOUTH ON READING RD.

The route follows Reading Road south as a roadwalk. After 0.5 miles, turn southeast on Gilbert Rd; the trailhead for the next section is in a parking area about 0.1 mile farther.

114.4 [0.6] TURN EAST ON MARKED TRAIL

The trail heads east, then southeast, from the parking area, passes a couple of small lakes, then goes through the woods overlooking the St. Joseph River valley, then turns south, passes the edge of a field, crosses Skuse Rd. continues south through another field, then dips into a valley and climbs a steep hill out the other side. From near the top of the hill, the trail follows an abandoned farm lane southeast to Pittsford Road. Pittsford is about 2.3 miles north of this point.

117.5 [3.1] TURN SOUTH ON PITTSFORD ROAD

Follow Pittsford Road south 0.3 miles until reaching the gravel Losey Rd.

117.8 [0.3] TURN EAST ON LOSEY RD.

Follow Losey Rd. east 1.5 mile to gravel Carncross Rd. NOTE: The original plans for the NCT had the trail continuing east to Lake SRA, about 12 miles to the east. Since there's no special reason to continue east in Michigan, and a good route east just south of the Ohio border, plans now are for the NCT to turn south at this point, reaching the state line near Waldron, MI.

119.3 [1.5] TURN SOUTH ON CARNCROSS RD.

Follow gravel Carncross Rd. south 0.8 miles to paved Squawfield Rd.

Follow Squawfield Rd. east 0.5 mile to Tuttle Rd.

120.6[0.5] TURN SOUTH ON TUTTLE RD.

Gravel Tuttle Road heads 7.3 miles straight south for the state line. After 5.8 miles, going east one mile on Center Road will take you into Waldron, MI, the last town in Michigan near the NCT.

WALDRON, MI 49288 (Pop. 570) Waldron has a couple of convenience stores, a small grocery, a restaurant, a bank, a laundromat, and a medical clinic that is staffed on a part-time basis.

127.9 [7.3] TURN EAST ON TERRITORIAL RD

The Ohio State line is just to the south of Territorial Road in this area. Follow this paved road east half a mile to Williams County, OH, CR20.5.

128.4 [0.5] REACH WILLIAMS COUNTY CR 20.5 AT OHIO STATE LINE.

Description of this segment ends at this point, 1045.6 miles from Ironwood, MI on the NCNST.

Return to main menu.

Go to previous section.

Go to next section.