[spieg]

Im looking for some info on any trails near the dunes. Ive done a few searches and found some threads that refer to tin cup, little ma, and lincoln hills, but I was hoping to find something a little more muddy and a little less travelled by quads and bikes. Are there any good sections of Manistee national forest that are close by? Im headed up this weekend and not very familiar with the area, so directions to any trails would be even better. Thanks!

 

[liv2mx]

go north past the hart silver lake exit on 31 to monroe rd. go east til the pavement ends and stop sign. go north towards chrystal valley, go past the bar to the first dirt rd on the right. it is on the first left corner. go north 2 miles then east. that road will take you to miles of trails. sorry no rd names. get a county rd map. you can drive all day without crossing the same trail.

 

[spieg]

Right on, thanks man! What kind of terrain can be expected? Are the trails all doable with stock vehicles? Any mud/water or is everything up there dry and dusty like it is down here? Thanks again.

 

[liv2mx]

Right on, thanks man! What kind of terrain can be expected? Are the trails all doable with stock vehicles? Any mud/water or is everything up there dry and dusty like it is down here? Thanks again.

there is still a couple of holes if you know where they are at. doable with stock no. unless really dry. just tool around and you will find some mud.

 

[Smiley23]

There are a number of them that start near the ORV entrance at Silver Lake dunes.

All the trails up there are undocumented. Jack at SanyKorners may give you some info on them. This is one reason it is worth doing an evening run with them. It is only about $150 for a tour of most of the 2-track trails up there. All are open to the public.

Apparently most are on the Michigan map as county roads. There is an old rail line back there that goes for miles!

 

[badazzamc]

Im looking for some info on any trails near the dunes. Ive done a few searches and found some threads that refer to tin cup, little ma, and lincoln hills, but I was hoping to find something a little more muddy and a little less travelled by quads and bikes. Are there any good sections of Manistee national forest that are close by? Im headed up this weekend and not very familiar with the area, so directions to any trails would be even better. Thanks!

I will be up there this weekend, and would really like to check out the local trails. I think it would be fun to go out after the dunes close. Where are yu staying? I will be at the hide away. Campground.

 

[spieg]

Thanks again for all the info guys!

badazzamc: We'll be staying at silver lake resort and camp. The number of people going always changes at the last minute, but right now we are counting on at least 20 in our party. Most everyone headed up is planning on going to the dunes only, but I definitely want to hit the trails and I imagine ill be able to convince a few others as well. Id guess there may end up being 4 or 5 vehicles that hit the trails. Right now we've got a couple tj's, a yj, a cj7, a cj5, an xj, a wj, and a jk. The couple of guys I talked to about the trails also mentioned hitting the trails after the dunes close, so friday night is a possibility.

 

[badazzamc]

if you guys end up going let me know i would like to go. i will have my xj and my brother may take his truck but most likely ride with me.

 

[liv2mx]

if you go out fri night i might go. i can show you around. pm me if intrested.

 

[spieg]

Thanks again liv2mx!

badazzamc: I talked to a few of the guys that im headed up with and they are whining about breaking stuff and not wanting to do the trails on friday night. When I see them tomorrow im taking away their jeep cards and kicking them in the nuts just for good measure. That said, I may not end up making it out Friday night. If I dont, I may still check things out during the day on Saturday at some point. Ill give you a shout if I do.

 

[Smiley23]

Those trails up there are not that bad!!!

I am pretty sure this is the old rail line that goes through the woods - there are a lot of trails of the side of it to hit that are not that bad.

North Railroad Ave.
http://maps.google.com/maps?client=...62&spn=0.023271,0.057335&z=15&iwloc=addr&om=1

 

[jthomp]

We might be up for a trail ride will also be at hide away getting in between 7:30-8:00 look for the jeep in my avatar
jim

Also if you guys get a chance to go out trail riding w/liv2mx go for it he's a great guy and knows the area as well as anyone else on the west side. I have to check with the rest of our group but I think there'ld be some interest in this.

 

[9T9BlueTJ]

I will be up there Sat only, and interested in trail riding Sat afternoon / evening if anyone is going then. :woot:

 

[badazzamc]

We might be up for a trail ride will also be at hide away getting in between 7:30-8:00 look for the jeep in my avatar
jim

Also if you guys get a chance to go out trail riding w/liv2mx go for it he's a great guy and knows the area as well as anyone else on the west side. I have to check with the rest of our group but I think there'ld be some interest in this.

I can hardley see the jeep in the avatar, I will have a red durango and a white XJ on 33" with the old mj sticker in the window.

 

[liv2mx]

the rail trail is a little trail over buy mears.alot is private property around there. i will take you to miles of trails over to the east more. i will see what i can do about going out sat night. jim is pat & tara going to be up? havent talked to my sister to find out.

 

[spieg]

Just wanted to drop a follow up post and say thanks to liv2mx for the directions. We kind of found the trails I think. Talk about dusty, we had to drive with our lights on in the middle of a sunny day to see each other 20ft apart. We didnt spend much time out there, but of the 10 or so two tracks we started down, all of them dead ended within a 1/2 mile except for one. I think a guide or a good trail map is pretty much necessary unless you really feel like exploring. Still a good time, but we spent most of the weekend on the dunes.

Did anyone else hit the trails? Any good trail destinations for next time?

 

[badazzamc]

i went out sunday with little luck. samething trails ended and most of them were just like dirt roads. next time i am up there i plan on spending one day on the trails, hopefully i will find some better trails.