Check out this great video created by the brother of a good friend of mine, about the rich sporting tradition of a Northern Michigan family. This is Pure Michigan, and is indicative of a culture that appreciates the outdoors, values conservation, and takes pride in its place.
January 2012 Cross Country Ski/Fly Fishing Trip on the Mason Tract
Site and route description: This magical piece of Northern Michigan is easy to find and navigate. Simply take M-72 East out of downtown Grayling for approximately 12 miles then turn right onto Canoe Harbor Rd. Follow Canoe Harbor Rd for 2.7 miles before reaching the Canoe Harbor Campground which is where you will park and link up to the Mason Tract pathway which runs along the South Branch of the Au Sable River for 9.6 miles before ending at Chase Bridge Landing. Their is adequate signage at the campground, directing you down to the river and to the trail. The trail is well posted and well maintained. This trip can be done as a day trip or extended into an overnight like if you have appropriate winter camping gear. This stretch of river is arguably some of the best trout water in the state and it runs through pristine Northern Michigan forest. Enjoy!
Site and route description: This beautiful 8.9 mile trail runs from Rochester to Lake Orion and has numerous access points along its length. Detailed directions on how to reach the different parking lots and trail entry points as well as additional trail information can be found at paintcreektrail.org. To complete the full out and back, park in the large public lot behind the Rochester Police Station. Take the small foot bridge visible from the parking lot across Paint Creek and bear to the right of the playground to reach the Paint Creek trail. Turn right and follow this relatively straight trail all the way to Lake Orion where the trail ends at a small kiosk next to a condominium complex. The trail is very well marked and has benches, bathrooms, and water fountains along its edges.
Island Lake Recreation Area January 13th Trail Run
Site description and travel directions: Turn off of Kensington Rd onto State Pkwy and drive .3 miles to the park ranger booth. Turn right immediately after going past the ranger booth onto Kent Lake Beach Rd and follow this for approximately 1.3 miles. Trailhead parking signs will direct you to turn right onto a paved road leading to a large parking area. Both the yellow trail (6 miles) and blue trail (9.5 miles) start and finish at this parking lot, which in addition to having many parking spots also has two well maintained restrooms. Both trails are well maintained and well marked. Mileage markers are found every .25 miles, making it easy to track your progress along your run, walk, or bike.
Satellite Image of route and description: Travel through gate and follow access road for .2 miles before turning left at the first left hand turn option. After .5 miles the road will make a right turn and go for another .4 miles before ending at the edge of the wetland. Bypass the first dike on your right which skirts the forest's edge and instead turn right on the second dike you reach after entering the wetland. Follow this dike for .6 miles and then turn right onto the first right hand dike option. Take this dike for .2 miles before reaching a water pump house at which point you will turn right onto an access road. Follow this road for a short .1 miles before turning left onto another access road which will run .5 miles directly back to your car.
