The Michigan Motorcycle Trip: Freedom of the Road 2007

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• camping
• motorcycles
• road trips
• Michigan

MICHIGAN U.P.

Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Vehicle: Dirt bike/ATV
Length: 106 miles; 4 days/3 nights

Two-Wheeled Tour: Road warriors who think four wheels are two too many head to the dirt trails of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, testing their adventure biking chops while cruising from campground to campground. Bikers dismount for paddling at Pretty Lake Quiet Area; blast through old-growth forest to Tahquamenon Falls State Park; and take a ride to the Lake Superior shoreline.

Day One

From Newberry, head north on 123 for approximately 4.3 miles. Make a left on CR 407; follow for 17.5 miles, then turn left on CR 418/Ohio Camp Road. Make a right on to CR 418, then a left at CR 439. Follow the road to the Pretty Lake Quiet Area. Set up camp in one of the complex's 18 rustic sites, and spend the day kayaking, canoeing, wildlife-watching in the marshes, fishing and hiking the North Country Trail.

Day Two

Make a right onto CR 439 and head east along Pine Ridge Trail, an undulating, rugged dirt road through untouched, first-growth pine forest. Enjoy the view of the Two Hearted River to the southeast and Perch Lake to the northwest. At the fork where the trail meets the Two Hearted River (and becomes Two Hearts Trail), head east past Pike Lake, leaving the trail and hitting the pavement of CR 410 East to visit Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Hike 6.4 miles through the park's stunning virgin forests of eastern hemlock, sugar maple and yellow birch to experience its famous waterfalls and cascades, keeping your eyes peeled for bird species like the gray jay, boreal chickadee, loon and rusty blackbird. Set up camp at the Lower Falls Campground.

Day Three

In the morning, head back to Pike Lake. Fill up your gas tank at the Pike Lake General Store-there's no knowing when you'll see another-and spend the morning fishing for walleye, pike and bluegill. After lunch, follow Two Hearts Trail north, making a right on CR 423 and following it to the mouth of the Two Hearted River. Leave your bike in the parking area; you'll be hiking the trail, which leads over a suspension bridge and runs parallel to the beach. Enjoy the views of Lake Superior, making sure to watch for wildlife. Approximately 3 miles in-near a great, forested dune-turn around and head southwest on CR 423 and Two Hearts Trail. Turn left and follow CR 410 west to Perch Lake, where the backwater wetland area created by the Blind Sucker Dam makes for stunning waterfowl watching. Set up camp.

Day Four

In the morning, follow CR 410 west, then take the trail back to CR 439, which will leave you where you began, in Newberry.

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