Advertisement
Published: July 19th 2010
Edit Blog Post
Text and Photos last updated: August 2016
Number of times we have biked this trail: 8 Location: Baldwin to Midland
Distance: 155 to 49 kilometres (see below)
Surface: Paved and gravel
Width: 3 to 4 metres
Grade: Flat
Conditions of trail: from asphalt to gravel
Parking: Many Staging areas
Water: Two staging areas only
Washrooms: Staging areas and towns
Rest Areas: Lots between Midland and Sandford. Fewer elsewhere
Trail marking: From very good, to none
This is a trail with three faces, namely the
very good, the good and the not so great. From paved 14 foot wide, well signed, to 2 ruts which make up the trail (see photo) Eventually it will stretch 155 km (95 miles) across south central Michigan, intersecting with Michigan’s longest trail, the White Pine Trail
I'll describe the trail in reverse order from the not so good to the very good. The
not so good only refers to those who may be biking. This part of the trail has very tall weeds in the middle and encroaching on the sides. With a mountain bike, it would be no problem.
If you are snowmobiling,
I imagine this part of the trail would be beautiful! Needless to say, we did not bike these portions found west of
Reed City and between Lake and Evart.
The
good runs from Evart to Reed City. The staging area at Evart has a large parking lot, picnic tables but sadly is lacking in water or washrooms. Actually, the station has a section with bathrooms but due to vandalism, they are kept locked! If you go to the town hall, next door, they will open them for you (when THEY are open!)
The paved trail starts about 0.5 km east at the railway bridge over the Muskegon River. Between Evart and Reed City, we counted one rest stop, overlooking the Muskegon River and two covered areas within the first kilometre from Evart. The trail is mostly open, and on a breezy day, can make for a challenging ride when riding west. The asphalt is mostly smooth with a few areas that have been encroached by weeds. At Hersey, you can take a short detour to the ball diamond and a porta potty. It is a scenic rural ride with the occasional home or
view of the highway.
Reed City calls itself the Crossroads as the Pere Marquette and the White Pine Trails (see separate blog) meet and cross. The staging area is a new building with modern bathrooms and picnic tables.
Both the paved portions of the White Pine and Pere Marquette end outside of Reed City. Nowhere along this entire part of the trail was there a sign indicating that this was the Pere Marquette trail. Not even at the Evart Station! We found this to be a bit strange! The only sign was at the Reed City crossroads.
If you are camping, a very good option is
Rambadt Park (13 sites) right in Reed City with easy access to both trails.
The
Very Good runs from downtown
Midland to Clare and it is this part of the trail that is often described, when referring to the Pere Marquette. If camping, you can try Petitt Community Park on the Tobacco River in Clare.
There is a 3km break at Clare and then it continues again for about 11 km (7 miles) to Lake Station. We
have biked many trails (see this blog) and can honestly say that this part of the Pere Marquette is as good as the best that we have seen elsewhere.
Most of the 49 kilometre (30 miles) is 4.3 metres (14 feet wide) smooth and well marked. You can begin in downtown Clare (at the Library Pine and 4th) or in Midland at the end of Ashman Street beside the Tribridge (3 bridges meeting in the middle of the river) There are also a number of staging areas along the way with excellent facilities and ample parking. In our most recent visit in 2015 we noticed that a few miles outside of Midland had been recently paved with asphalt making for a very smooth ride. Also new benches had been installed.
Bathrooms, and benches are plentiful. Water is available only at Coleman and Sandford staging areas. Only Coleman has flush toilets. All others are porta potties. Sandford staging area even has an air hose, but of course it was not working!
At every road crossing there are signs and maps showing exactly where you are and the name of the road crossing
(very handy)
The trail has no real grades and for the most part is open. This means that a stiff westerly wind can make it challenging. Also on a hot summer day, shade is often difficult to come by so be prepared with water, sun glasses and sun block.
From Midland to Sandford there are many benches and lots of garbage bins. Elsewhere not as many.
Once you leave Clare and Midland, the scenery is typically farmland with grain silos, and fields of hay, corn and soybeans.
This 49 km part of the Pere Marquette is highly recommended!
Chippewa Trail
While at the Midland Trailhead, it is worth a short detour across the
Tridge (three bridges meeting in the middle of the river) and take a bike ride along the
Chippewa Trail.
This trail winds its way to the Chippewa Nature Centre 5.5 kilometres away.
The trail is wide, paved and unlike rails to trails, is winding and curvy rather than straight.
There are many benches and information boards along the way.
A very nice ride.
Finally if you are
in Midland, for a few days, the
Dow Gardens are also worth seeing.
More photos below .....
Advertisement
Tot: 0.084s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 12; qc: 33; dbt: 0.0308s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb