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PETOSKEY-MACKINAW CITY TRAIL (Maps 2A, 3A, 3B)
THIS IS A SNOWMOBILE TRAIL IN WINTER
SymbolsT= Trailhead
P= Parking
R= Restrooms
A= Amenities
This trail consists of 38 miles of mostly dirt and cinder trail that passes through Conway, Oden, Ponshewaing, Alanson, Brutus, Pellston, Van, Levering, and Carp Lake to the DNR Trailhead in Mackinaw City. The DNR is currently working to fill in the “gaps” in the trail between Oden and Alanson. The surface is currently “unimproved” railroad ballast and gravel. Some sections are in excellent shape while others mean tough going for the cyclist. However, on balance the entire trail is bikeable with a hybrid or mountain bike. Carp Lake and Mackinaw City on the north end are especially suitable as staging areas for off trail excursions onto lightly traveled local (paved and gravel) roads, some of which connect to the Cheboygan to Mackinaw City segment of the Alpena to Mackinac Trail.
Spring Lake Park to Michigan Fisheries Visitors' Center at Oden
SPRING LAKE PARK (T P R) TO MICHIGAN FISHERIES VISITORS’ CENTER AT ODEN. (Maps 3B, 3A) Spring Lake Park is north of Petoskey on M-119). The Spring Lake Park Trailhead connects to the LITTLE TRAVERSE WHEELWAY across M-119 to the West. To the east and north, this very scenic segment is 4.5 miles of mostly dirt and cinder trail that skirts Round Lake and other wetlands and is shared by the North Country Trail until North Conway Road where the NCT cuts to the north. Efforts are currently underway to EVENTUALLY harden the trail for improved bicycle use. Stop and tour the fish hatchery, a stellar attraction for the whole family.
In early 2007 the DNR received funds to complete design and engineering for the M-119 to Powers Road (just south of Alanson) segment. Community efforts are planned to bring us together with the DNR, local governments, and other interested parties to help design and prioritize plans for this project.
Joint efforts between TOMTC, MDOT, the DNR, and the Villages of Alanson and Pellston are underway to plan trail development through the town centers.
Michigan Fisheries Visitors' Center at Oden to Alanson
MICHIGAN FISHERIES VISITOR’S CENTER (P R) AT ODEN TO ALANSON. (Map 1) The trail is 6.5 miles long and is of varying quality. There is a gap in the trail in Conway and between Blumke Road and Chicago St. in Alanson that can be easily portaged on adjacent local roads. Milton Street parallels the trail much of the way.Joint efforts between TOMTC, MDOT, the DNR, and the Villages of Alanson and Pellston are underway to plan trail development through the town centers.
There are several small parking lots along US-31 with proximity to many local businesses with restrooms.Alanson to Pellston
ALANSON (P R A) TO PELLSTON. (Map 3A) This 9-mile segment closely follows US 31 and is generally in good condition except just north of Alanson where you might choose Milton Street next to the trail. A good intermediate stop in Brutus is the Brutus Camp Deli that has parking and restrooms. This segment is usually in excellent condition and the trip will go quickly. Stop near the gazebo in the Village of Pellston where there is parking and several area businesses with restrooms. Pellston is also a party to a downtown improvement plan that will likely facilitate the trail route through town. Currently you are advised to use adjacent parallel roads when required.
Pellston to Levering
PELLSTON (P R A) TO LEVERING. (Map 3A) This is a 6-mile stretch that again follows the highway most of the way. Pellston has begun work on a plan to improve the route though the village where there are restaurants and other businesses. Emmet County has built the trail across part of the front of the airport that will connect for the in-town section to the south and the existing trail to the north of Ely Road.
In Levering, because the trail passes on the far west side of town there is no real “on-trail” trailhead but cyclists can find parking and restrooms at businesses along the highway east of the Mill Street and Levering Road crossings.