05 Aug Trail of the Week: NWST – Spring Lake Park to Alanson
Last week we told you about the Little Traverse Wheelway, but did you know that directly across M 119 from the Wheelway, where we sit at the Packy Offield Trail Center, is Spring Lake Park? This happens to be the southern tip of the North Western State Trail which provides a smooth ride up to Alanson and crushed limestone north of there.
When riding to Alanson, you ride along an old rail bed, paralleling US 31, but just off the road enough to explore some great attractions – like the Oden Fish Hatchery and Round Lake! Emmet County 4th graders use this trail each spring to learn not only how to ride a bike, but learn map reading skills, the history of the Hiawatha Pageants, even introductory fish biology at the Fish Hatchery and more!
Trail crossing to the North Western State Trail from the Little Traverse Wheelway 
Once you cross, you start heading north along the tree lined trail 
First Stop – Round Lake 
A great place to rest… 
and learn! 
Spring water in Oden! 
Ice Cream anyone? Another amenity in Oden 
Nice signage along the trail for safe crossings 
Safely crossing 
Repurposed rail cars along the trail are fun to see 
This rail car is at the Oden Fish Hatchery – a great stop to stretch your legs and check out the fish 
And they have a bench! 
More tree lined trail continuing on the journey 
A park in Conway with more trail amenities to come! 
Almost to Alanson – keep an eye out for the signs to help you get to town 
See them by the stop sign? 
Making a quick jog over to Milton Street 
The trail follows Milton until it keeps heading north on crushed limestone 
Crushed limestone north of Alanson if you want to keep going!