Poto: Potawatomi

[tadraper]

I rode at 10:30 this morning just to test my bike setup and did the 5 mile loop. no way i could have ridden farther trail would have been too soft. wish the boss told me earlier i could get a ride in today .

[shippenville]

Rode the trail at 8am on Sunday...it was frozen solid and a blast to ride. Definitely would be too soft by later in the day.

Also, it looks like someone took a leaf blower to parts of the trail...seemed like parts someone would probably try to xc-ski on. Not cool.

[barrybs]

I noticed the leaf blowing too. It goes from the entrance road to just past four corners, then they cut a swath down to the edge of Pickeral Lake. The same section was cleared last spring. I think it's for a running event since they cross the lake, but don't know which one.

I wish they wouldn't do it, it feels like you are riding on a rail trail. Not sure if it's DNR approved or not.

Barry

[Bento]

I wonder how disappointed the promoter would be if the leaves "blew" back to cover the trail as nature intended?

[barrybs]

That thought crossed my mind but it would be a lot of work. They left about a 10 foot wide clear swath with the leaves and sticks blown off into the woods. As thorough as they were, I'm surprised some of the rocks didn't get blown away too.

When I get a chance I'll stop by the park office and see what I can find out.

Barry

[Bento]

Trail had two sets of foot prints for the full loop this AM. Should be trampled pretty good for meaty studless tires tomorrow. Get out and ride the Poto, put down the internet.

One oddity, a four-wheeler rider looks like they dropped a double bagged garbage bag at the 2nd Patterson Lk Rd crossing (at the low power line near the Lumberjack camp). Rode in the trail about 20ft, dropped the bag (no snow on it) then turned around. No telling what is in that bag :-0

[IFrider1]

That thought crossed my mind but it would be a lot of work. They left about a 10 foot wide clear swath with the leaves and sticks blown off into the woods. As thorough as they were, I'm surprised some of the rocks didn't get blown away too.

When I get a chance I'll stop by the park office and see what I can find out.

Barry

........and that's the same section they started pulling rocks out of last year in conjunction with the leaf blowing.

[Bernard Smith]

That would be a great area to place a hidden game camera (next year) to identify the offenders. Probably more than one person, considering the amount of work.
bernie

[b_b]

Sheesh If they don't want leaves and sticks rocks and things you find on a forest trail then they should go use a paved trail. Very simple!

[G.Cook]

I guess somebody should check with the DNR. If they are doing that kind of work that close to HQ. I would think it would be approved. Or they are doing more then what was approved. If that's the case they will be sol with the Pinckney DNR next time around.

[kaysee]

Trail had two sets of foot prints for the full loop this AM. Should be trampled pretty good for meaty studless tires tomorrow. Get out and ride the Poto, put down the internet.

One oddity, a four-wheeler rider looks like they dropped a double bagged garbage bag at the 2nd Patterson Lk Rd crossing (at the low power line near the Lumberjack camp). Rode in the trail about 20ft, dropped the bag (no snow on it) then turned around. No telling what is in that bag :-0

Are four-wheelers allowed on the trail here?

I almost ran into one this summer....was going to say something but I wasn't sure what the rules were

[Geff]

Trail had two sets of foot prints for the full loop this AM. Should be trampled pretty good for meaty studless tires tomorrow. Get out and ride the Poto, put down the internet.

One oddity, a four-wheeler rider looks like they dropped a double bagged garbage bag at the 2nd Patterson Lk Rd crossing (at the low power line near the Lumberjack camp). Rode in the trail about 20ft, dropped the bag (no snow on it) then turned around. No telling what is in that bag :-0

Are four-wheelers allowed on the trail here?

I almost ran into one this summer....was going to say something but I wasn't sure what the rules were

As many years as I've been hanging out at Silver Lake and Poto, there are no motorized vehicles allowed.

[tadraper]

The trail was great this morning hard packed and fun to ride. you can see a few areas that have been beat up by runners/bikers. but a great day to ride. saw about 7 other bikers and many runners.

[teach58]

Thanks for the tip on trail conditions (see previous post). Based on this I drove up from Toledo this morning. As previosly stated I am a relative newb, having ridden Poto less than a dozen times over the last 10 years. Two things; the trail this morning was nearly perfect. Frozen hard at 9:15 and only started to go a little soft at 11:00, but only in low spots. Thanks to all who work to keep this trail clear - there were no obstacles or debris present.
The second thing (besides trail conditions); I had the best time ever (for me) at the trail. It was my first time 'round on my 29'er! It was like a new experience totally - all good! I did not see another bike and crossed paths with only one hiker. This was also the first time I rode the trail solo. Can't wait to come back.

[Geff]

Thanks for the tip on trail conditions (see previous post). Based on this I drove up from Toledo this morning. As previosly stated I am a relative newb, having ridden Poto less than a dozen times over the last 10 years. Two things; the trail this morning was nearly perfect. Frozen hard at 9:15 and only started to go a little soft at 11:00, but only in low spots. Thanks to all who work to keep this trail clear - there were no obstacles or debris present.
The second thing (besides trail conditions); I had the best time ever (for me) at the trail. It was my first time 'round on my 29'er! It was like a new experience totally - all good! I did not see another bike and crossed paths with only one hiker. This was also the first time I rode the trail solo. Can't wait to come back.

Gotta love experiences like you had!