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Published: September 24th 2009
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White Pine Trail
Text and Photos last updated: 2018
Number of times we have biked this trail: about 8 times
Basics: Length: 150 kilometres (93 miles)
Surface: Paved and crushed stone
Width: 3 metres (10 feet) but varies
Trailhead: Grand Rapids to Cadillac
Parking: at trailheads and towns (see below)
Signage: at road crossings
Bathrooms: Flush toilets at Belmont Station, Rockford Park and Reed City, Pit toilet at Russell Road, Big Rapids and more
Water: None on the trail
Benches: at various locations, including covered viewing areas
Mileage markers: For the most part at every mile!
We have biked many portions of this trail many times, but not the unpaved portions. In 2012 a 15 mile section from Cadillac to Leroy was paved. This is a very scenic area passing through farmland and heavily forested (poplar trees) Try out Lisa's Grille in the village of
Tustin!
Camping is available in Belmont, Cedar Springs, Sand Lake, Morley, Paris, Reed City, Hersey, Evart and Cadillac.
Parking and Access: To reach the
southern endpoint in
Comstock Park, take US Highway 131 north to Post Drive, and turn right on Belmont
Road. Take Belmont Road to Rogue River Road The park entrance will be on the left. In the southern regions, you can also park at Rogue River Park in
Belmont. There are 3 parking areas in
Rockford. Cedar Springs, Sand Lake ,
Big Rapids, Reed City etc etc
To reach the
northern endpoint in
Cadillac, take US Highway 131 north. Exit onto State Route 115 and go northwest for a half mile. Take North 41 Road 1.5 km north to North 44 Road. Go west on North 44 Road approximately 800metres. There is parking and an outhouse.
To reach the
Big Rapids trailhead, take US Highway 131 to Big Rapids, exit 139. Take State Highway 20 east to Maple Street. Proceed straight for about 100 metres to the depot staging area, and turn south.
To Rogue River Park,
Belmont, trailhead: Take US-131 to exit 95 (Post Dr.). Take Post Drive east to Belmont Road. Take Belmont Road for 500 metres south to Rogue River Park entrance; turn left.
The White Pine Trail is Michigan's longest trail at 150 kilometres connecting Grand Rapids with Cadillac. Along the way it
connects with:
Comstock Park, Michigan
Belmont, Michigan
Rockford, Michigan
Cedar Springs, Michigan
Sand Lake, Michigan
Pierson, Michigan
Howard City, Michigan
Morley, Michigan
Stanwood, Michigan
Big Rapids, Michigan
Paris, Michigan
Reed City, Michigan
Ashton, Michigan
Le Roy, Michigan
Tustin, Michigan
Cadillac, Michigan
At the Fifth-Third stadium in Grand Rapids, the trail splits. One spur runs along the Grand River while the other spur ends in downtown
Comstock Park. From
Belmont (Plainfield Charter Township) to Sand Lake is perhaps the most scenic part of the trail. This is really the southern Trail Head with a large parking lot and washrooms. Wildlife abounds along this stretch as much of the trail parallels the adjacent
Rogue River, offering scenic views of the river, lush woodlands, rolling terrain and wildflowers.
Just 13 km from the trail's start, the town of
Rockford has a scenic overlook of the
Rogue River Dam, with plenty of picnic tables and benches to stop and enjoy the calming sound of the flowing, beautiful water. It is worth a stop at the dam to view the gardens and walk along the boardwalk opposite the trail. In Rockford, the trail skirts the
Wolverine (Hush Puppy makers) plant.
At
Sand Lake there is a covered picnic area and a few hundred metres further north the pavement ends. Mountain bike or at least a hybrid is a must at this point.
Big Rapids is located at mile 53 (or km 85) and has the trail's longest bridge. Whites Bridge spans 97 feet over the Muskegon River. This section between
Big Rapids and Reed City is paved and runs for a distance of 21 km (13 miles)
The pavement starts a few hundred metres south of the staging area (a boarded up railway station - there is parking and an outhouse.) If you are starting from here, a recommendation would be to take the bypass route. At the station/parking lot, go left for a hundred metres or so and cross the Muskegon River. Immediately after the bridge, take the trail down into the park. Follow the trail along the river, cross the bridge and continue until a few kilometres later, you rejoin the White Pine Trail.
If coming from the North, you will see a sign for
“The Northern Trail Bypass.” This short bypass is more scenic than the actual trail portion around Big Rapids. In warm weather you are bound to see many people “floating” down the Muskegon River.
The trail to Reed City is mostly open with a few shaded areas. Although it parallels the Muskegon River, the river is only visible for short sections between Big Rapids and Paris. There are no rest areas, water or washrooms except for the Mecosta County Park at Paris. The trail passes right through it. The outdoor fish hatchery at the park is worth a short visit.
Reed City has a new building that serves as a staging area and Chamber of Commerce, with parking, new clean bathrooms and tables. Also at Reed City the White Pine Trail
intersects with the Pere Marquette Trail (see my other blog) at the Crossroads. Just before the pavement runs out again, you will go through a scenic
covered bridge in Reed City.
Heading north, the pavement begins again at Leroy (parking and outhouse) and passes through Tustin (parking, outhouse and one restaurant) and ends 15 miles later at the Cadillac Staging area at mile
90(parking and outhouse) This last 15 mile section is very scenic and rural.
Cadillac (actually south of the town) is currently the northern terminus of the trail with nice beaches!
If camping, two good locations are the
Mecosta County Park in Paris (right on the trail) and
Rambadt Park in Reed City (small but very nice)
More Photos below ....
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