Huron-Manistee National Forest: NCT, Big-M, Hungerford, etc.

[steve82]

Snow covered and un-rideable!

[bradseymour1]

Still a couple of inches of snow on the trail.

[bradseymour1]

There are still a couple of small sections with snow, but the 90% of the trail is in great shape. I cleared a lot of brush, there are still some large trees down across the trail, otherwise in great shape.

[marilla man]

Snow is gone. There are a few large trees down and the normal spring debris. Trail was mostly dry and leaf covered. Mr. Singletrack kicked my butt on a twenty mile season opener. Good to be out in da-woods again!

[shoffman]

Rode NCT yesterday from Baldwin North 20 miles and back. It appeared we were the first bikes on the trail this year. Lots of downed trees in first 5 mile section. We cleared most of them out, but some large ones remain that cannot be ridden over. A lot of brush on the trail that kept jumping into our rear wheels and derailleurs. Trail is dry with only a couple of small areas that are wet (no mud). All in all, it's ready to ride and just needs some traffic and annual maintenance.

[John_H]

Rode NCT yesterday from Baldwin North 20 miles and back. It appeared we were the first bikes on the trail this year. Lots of downed trees in first 5 mile section. We cleared most of them out, but some large ones remain that cannot be ridden over. A lot of brush on the trail that kept jumping into our rear wheels and derailleurs. Trail is dry with only a couple of small areas that are wet (no mud). All in all, it's ready to ride and just needs some traffic and annual maintenance.

Just an idea... Would it be a good idea for us (as mtn bikers) to notify the NCTA chapter there that we have done that kind of trail work? Maybe just to let them know we do help with the trail, even if we aren't welcome at their official trail work events. The chapter up there is well known as anti bike on the NCT.
Spirit of the Woods Chapter: http://www.northcountrytrail.org/spw/index.htm

[sparky]

Ref the Anti Bike agenda...its not just that chapter....this is West Michigan Chapters recent email. However, in playing fair I would strongly recommend you share your volunteer hours with them as it shows we arent out there 'ruining' the trail (notice I didn't say 'their' trail!). I ride Newaygo County trails all the time and I can say in the last two years I have seen TWO hikers and LOTS of bikers. Happy trails!

Sparky


Members:
We have learned that members of the Michigan Mountain Bike Association have discovered our survey and are participating to further their agenda. This makes it even more important that NCTA members participate in the survey. If you haven't done so, it will only take about 15 minutes of your time. To take the survey, please go to:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=m ... w8JQ_3d_3d

Werner

Werner Veit, President
Western Michigan Chapter, North Country Trail Association
3604 Fulton Street East, #341
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616)776-1630[/i]

[sparky]

Rode 10 miles round trip today and the trail is in great shape. Get out and ride!!!

[bleve]

I'm going camping at Hungerford Lake next weekend, anyone know how the trails are doing there? Any luck on getting better signage on the trails? I remember there was an effort last year to get better trail markings but I don't remember if it happened.

[kennya]

My roommate and I rode the inner loops twice this weekend. Don't get me wrong we had a blast, but they should call this trail Big Derailleur Eater. There were sticks and twigs everywhere and many of them were covered with leaves. Many dangerous loose sandy spots at the bottom of the hills so be careful. We didn't think the trail was very technical just climbs and some very fast down hills. There are some signs, but it is still easy to get lost out there. There must be about 20 intersections out there.

[Special Goodness]

Hungerford Lake

On Saturday my girlfriend and I started at the mountain bike trailhead and followed the trail clockwise. We cleared deadfall and added/replaced/removed/renailed trail signs. We spent about 7 hours out there, but we ran out of signs about half way around. All of the major intersections up to the point we ran out of signs should be much more obvious now, and there should be a confidence marker shortly after each intersection to let you know that you are indeed on the correct trail. The trail is in excellent shape right now, and the equestrians seem to have respected the “no horse” signs…for the most part. There are a few tree down that I couldn’t ride over. I don’t see them going away. There was also a reroute of the equestrian trail that put horses on a designated mountain bike trail for about 15 feet. Apparently the local horse rider’s association only builds trail but doesn’t do trail maintenance. I hope to get another batch of signs and go back to finish the job.

[motown2]

Hi.
I am visiting the area from June 29th thru July 5th. My wife is pregnant and unable to ride with me. I have never been on the trails near Manistee area. I would like to coordinate to ride with someone from the area.
Please contact me and let me know when and I will try and make it happen.

Mark
313-418-6621

[motown2]

Hi.
I am visiting the area from June 29th thru July 5th. My wife is pregnant and unable to ride with me. I have never been on the trails near Manistee area. I would like to coordinate to ride with someone from the area.
Please contact me and let me know when and I will try and make it happen.

Mark
313-418-6621

[jlhartman]

Hi. I will be in the Ludington/Manistee area June 27- July 1 and am looking for someone to ride the trails with up there. I am unfamiliar with them so I don't want to get lost by myself
Thanks,
Jessica

[mtbyker]

Rode from M-55 almost to US-10 today (turned around a few miles short of it) and it was all in great condition. The route around the damaged bridge and all the small bridges are all great. A huge thank you to those that help maintain this trail, it's a real gem.