“It’s the best trail in Lower Michigan!” This statement often comes from people who probably have not ridden some of the best trails in Lower Michigan, and many of Lower Michigan’s trails have fans who say this about their favorite trails.

“It’s okaaaaay, very eroded. You’d like such-and-such better.” Of course, every trail also has a group of riders that don’t appreciate that trail.

Hm.

A cool rocky section near the beginning of the Poto.

Glen, Ali, and I rode the Poto, Sunday. I have a few comments.

• The Poto was nothing like what I expected;
• The Poto was hard-packed with minimal loose areas from erosion;
• Really, the only obvious evidence of erosion were the root steps;
• There is a significant [enough] number of Lower Michigan mountain bikers who don’t like real mountain biking, but prefer trails that are likened to paved bike paths;
• This trail was frickin’ awesome!

Ali and I discussed the trail after our ride and we both had the same reaction: after what we had heard about the Poto, we didn’t expect much, but were shocked – in a good way – by how fun and well-built this trail was.

Zack, Glen, and Ali.

The Poto is an intermediate trail (big surprise, there ) with much different characteristics than the other intermediate trails I’ve ridden. This trail is >>>FAST and flowy. In fact, there are plenty of opportunities to gain crazy speeds only to have an “oh shit” moment because of root placements or sand; from my experience, this is more prevalent on the second half of the trail. As I said, it is an intermediate trail, but certain trail features cause it to lean towards advanced. Experience and good bike-handling skills are useful with this trail.

The climbs are fun. They hurt. They’re steep. Some of them require great, tight steering ability while climbing. Some of them require that you be able to pop your tire up onto a root and not spin out when the rear tire hits it.

Turtle playing on the Poto.

I can see how sand can become an issue with this trail throughout the summer. I think this is from where the bad reputation comes. Having said that, the Poto may be more similar to Yankee Springs in the sense that it is best for early-season and post-rain rides.

The Poto is the type of trail that always keeps you thinking. If you get too comfortable, something will pop up that will take you down.

My friends – the people who know me – said, “Di, Island Lake is a ‘roadie course.’ It’s for people who don’t ‘really’ like to mountain bike.”

Okay, I can see that.

What I can also see is that Island Lake is magnificently built. Sure, it is most definitely a beginner trail regarding skill level, but it is a welcome change for those who often tackle rocks, roots, more rocks, and scary stuff that the average Island Lake rider avoids at every cost.

Island Lake’s bridges are pretty cool – definitely built for the classic acrophobic.

In short, I found the almost-16-mile mountain bike ride at Island Lake to be quite enjoyable.

I chose to ride the Yellow Loop first, because, well, I guess yellow is a less bold color, and so I thought it would be the less difficult loop. Not really the case, but that’s okay. I did find, however, that the yellow loop was my favorite.

The Blue Loop was much more like what I expected…in the first part. I thought for sure that Island Lake would be washed out and sandy. The first part of the Blue Loop delivered, but the loop evolved into something much more interesting. It seemed like it had a little more climbing. Most of all, it seemed to be more of a tour of the park.

The Blue Loop ran throughout the park, even along the swimming beach, which may be incredibly useful when the 90-degree days hit.

Down by the Dodge parking lot, Blue Loop riders had to cross the railroad tracks and then ride along them. Mind you, I was raised in Durand, home of the Railroaders. As I rode over the railroad tracks, I smelled that classic smell and was brought back to my childhood. Even though the Blue Loop didn’t leave as much of a good impression as the Yellow Loop, it most certainly took me back to my childhood filled with wonderful railroad memories.

Part of the Blue Loop stretched along the railroad tracks.

So, Di, why did you choose to drive all the way to Island Lake when all of your sources basically told you that it wasn’t your kind of trail?

First of all, while I value other people’s opinions, I know that no one really knows what I truly like and that I happen to enjoy the oddest things. Sure, Island Lake is so totally a roadie course, but it has something that many mountain bike trails lack: it is really fast and flowy.

Second, I find myself going where my family likes to go. They all like paved trails and low-traffic roads. Until today, that meant the Saginaw Valley Rail Trail or Sleepy Hollow State Park. Sure, the road riding is great in those places, but I’m a mountain biker, hey?!

When I went to Island Lake for the Bike Demo, I didn’t ride, but it didn’t take much to realize that this was a park that the whole family could enjoy. It had some super fun mountain bike trails for me and some super easy road riding for my 64-year-old parents. Mission accomplished.

I feel it is incredibly important to add that the people at Island Lake were incredibly nice. I was able to chat with a couple of people on the trail who were truly as happy as I on this hot, Lower-Michigan day.

In case you haven’t noticed, this is a very positive review of Island Lake, but it may have been influenced by the fact that everyone was simply happy to be alive on this beautiful, sunny day…and many of the guys were riding without shirts.

Check my previous post, Top 5 Michigan Trails for the trails I judged and the criteria I used.

No. 5. Highland Recreation Area

Highland is a gem nestled in a large, forested area on some hills that rival those located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The hills may not be as long, but they are pretty amazing when viewed from some of the hill peaks over which the trail runs. Oakland County provides plenty of elevation for this fun and challenging trail.

Highland has four long loops stretching over 15 miles in length. The trails are intermediate and advanced with lots of technical features like rock gardens and log jumps. The trail is remarkably flowy, especially considering the technical features.

Water drainage is excellent, and these trails can usually be ridden in the rain without having to deal with puddles or damaging the trail surface. The terrain facilitates this sustainable characteristic and also contributes to the massively difficult aerobic workout one will get while riding these trails.

Click here for more information about this trail in the Moronacity Trail Guide. (Link will open in new window.)

No. 4. Pontiac Lake Recreation Area

Wicked fun Pontiac Lake delivers the whee factor.

Pontiac Lake Recreation Area consists of one trail that is about 11 miles in length. “Big Puke” and “Little Puke” are located not far from the beginning of the trail, and are challenging climbs that will cause the legs to burn, the lungs to scream, and the mind to get busy navigating rocks, roots, and sharp, uphill turns.

What is really fascinating about Pontiac Lake is that it can be divided up into three sections. It changes quite a bit as one rides over its hills, down its fast, rooty sections, and up its challenging climbs.

Some of the technical features are the result of erosion from heavy use, but the trail is rip-roaring fast and certainly exhibits “the whee factor.” This intermediate trail is wicked cool and is a must-ride when visiting the Pontiac Area or anywhere within and hour or two drive.

Click here for more photos and information about this trail in the Moronacity Trail Guide. (Link will open in new window.)

No. 3. Churning Rapids

Churning Rapids’ Pow Pow trail is great fun.

It is no surprise that the U.P.’s Keweenaw Peninsula takes the top three spots beginning with Churning Rapids, an intermediate trail system with incredible variety and lots of options.

Built by top notch mountain bikers and skiers with loads of trail building experience, Churning Rapids has it all. There is plenty of downhill fun and loads of technical features. Pow Pow has banked turns on good-sized hills that feel like an amusement park ride.

This trail system offers so many different features that I can’t even begin to properly explain it within the confines of this post.

Click here for more photos and information about this trail in the Moronacity Trail Guide. (Link will open in new window.)

No. 2. Copper Harbor Trails

Copper Harbor’s Red Trail.

It probably blows your mind that this IMBA Epic Ride is not my number one, but feel better knowing that it was a tough choice.

Copper Harbor rivals the great western trails of Colorado and other states. Built on bedrock and offering climbs exceeding 500 feet in distance, these challenging trails are simply incredible and must be experienced to truly have any clue what is going on in this [not-so-quiet] northern town.

Mountain bikers can swoop down the incredibly flowy Brockway Trail that has banked turns and amazing views, or down the classic Red Trail that offers intermediate and advanced technical features, beautiful views, and lots of wheeeeeeee factor. There are many other trails that can keep riders busy for the whole day, or even many days.

The biggest reason why this trail is number two on my list is because of the variety factor. One super-challenging freeride trail that does need some impressive work has been closed, taking away a masterful piece of singletrack that challenges the craziest riders, yet allows intermediate riders to fairly safely venture into a new style of riding.

Copper Harbor has been working on an intermediate trail phase over the last couple of years, so the intermediate trails have boomed. There really are no fun, beginner options, but experts can let their freak flag fly on trails such as Paul’s Plunge.

This trail is simply a must-ride, and a full-suspension bike is highly recommended. While some phenomenal, rigid singlespeed riders own these trails in ecstasy, many devoted rigid or hardtail owners and singlespeeders have developed a strong desire for a plush, geared bike after getting beat up by the terrain.

Click here for more photos and information about this trail in the Moronacity Trail Guide. (Link will open in new window.)

No. 1. Michigan Technical University’s Recreational Forest – the Tech Trails

Only one of MTU’s rocky beauties on Hairy Toad.

Michigan Tech has an incredible trail system that offers something for everyone. The Pilgrim Trails give beginners a few loops to enjoy, while intermediate and advanced riders can enjoy rocky, technical trails, stunts, or baby-smooth singletrack on incredible hillsides.

This trail system has exploded over the last couple of years as lots of new singletrack has been added. Climbing is long and difficult, but descending is incredibly fun, fast and flowy. There is even a new pump track that was built last year.

Some of the new trails present exposure as riders traverse along ridges abutted by beautiful streams and foliage. This trail system is truly fun for the whole family as everyone can find something that brings them immense joy atop the mountain bike.

Click here for more photos and information about this trail in the Moronacity Trail Guide. (Link will open in new window.)

Playing around at the Michigan Tech trailhead.

As May rapidly approaches, and many are already bombing through singletrack, I thought it would be a good time to come up with some top five lists. The following are the trails that I am judging and the criteria I am using for my decisions.

The Contenders

It is only fair to let you know which trails are in the running, as I can only judge those which I’ve ridden. Here is the competition:

• Al Quaal

• Anderson Park
• Aspen Park
• Boyne Highlands
• Brighton Recreation Area
• Burchfield Park
• Cannonsburg Ski Area
• Cannonsburg State Game Area
• Copper Harbor Trails
• Churning Rapids
• Fort Custer Recreation Area
• Hanson Hills Recreation Area
• Harlow Lake
• Highland Recreation Area
• Holdridge Lakes
• Lakeshore Park – The Tree Farm
• Luton Park
• Maasto Hiihto
• Marquette South Trails
• Michigan Tech Trails
• Mid Michigan Community College
• Pontiac Lake Recreation Area
• Ruby Campground
• Sleepy Hollow State Park
• Stony Creek Metropark
• Swedetown
• Yankee Springs

Judging Criteria

Variety. Variety is the spice of life, especially if you ride the same trail system day in and day out. Some trails systems consist of only one trail, like Pontiac Lake or Mid Michigan Community College, but that trail may change quite a bit throughout the course.

Michigan Tech’s Time Trial loop is one of several that challenges riders’ skills and abilities.

Technical features. A challenging trail is a fun trail. I like a trail that will occasionally force me off of my bike due to a combination of difficult climbs and technical features. Michigan Tech, for example, has some features that I can clear one of three times. Some features require more practice to master. Some are repeatedly conquered.

Elevation. Climbing and descending are a big part of mountain biking. Climbs are often painful and oftentimes require patience, discipline, and skill, but the short, steep climbs also add some variety and challenge. Descents are great when they’re long and rip-roaring fast.

Flow. Possibly one of the most difficult characteristics to build into a trail, flow is how the different aspects of a trail tie in. Does a trail allow you to gain speed on every climb only to immediately brake hard to make a sharp turn or safely ride through a sand pit at the bottom of the hill; or can you gain speed on a descent and use the momentum to clear another hill or technical trail element?

Pontiac Lake is a great intermediate trail with a little bit of everything.

Sustainability. Trails are best when they can be ridden all season and are built to last. Yankee Springs Recreation Area has a great mountain bike trail, but there are a lot of erosion issues and the trail turns into a sandpit as the summer progresses. Most of the Copper Harbor Trails are fairly new and have been built using the International Mountain Bicycling Association’s sustainability guidelines.

Navigation. Trails are only good when you can find them. Maps and signs are very important for riders who aren’t familiar with the trails.

What do you look for in a trail?

The new Moronacity Trail Guide.

The trail guide used to be part of the Moronacity home page, but I chose to use that to promote other parts of my site that were seeing a lot of traffic even though they weren’t being maintained. They have proven to be valuable assets.

My passion, however, is the cycling portion of Moronacity: this blog, my desperately-need-to-be-updated race results, and the new trail guide. Allow me to show off my newest creation.

The trail guide still has its familiar appearance with the photos on the black background with the purple wording. A couple of features have been added to make it more useful. It is important to note that the only trails included in this trail guide are those I’ve ridden, so more will be added in the future. Also, photos will be swapped out and updated.

Each trail page contains a Google map to help you find the trailhead, a short description of the trail, and a link to a trail map.

Each trail section contains an interactive map to the trailhead or vicinity, a short description of the trail system, and a link to a trail map that opens in a new window. It took some time and digging to find maps for certain trails, but every trail has a map link.

I added a comments section to the bottom of each trail system page. These comment sections are for you to add your thoughts about the trails. This comments section also allows videos for those of you who record rides. You must sign in to leave a comment, but you can use your Google or Yahoo IDs.

The comment section is located under the trail photos.

Now for the grand unveiling! Click here to check out the new trail guide!

Pontiac Lake is unique in that it is 11 miles of trail through varying terrain and scenery. It has everything! It has three distinct legs, stages, or whatever you want to call it. It consists of fast, smooth runs; crazy technical sections; the chute; and difficult climbs. Some of the climbs are quite difficult. The climb after “the chute” forces me to walk the bike for two reasons:
1. It is on the edge of a hill and gives me the heebie jeebies, and
2. It is really freakin’ hard.
Now, I know I am no expert climber, but in my defense, I can make it up some pretty nasty hills. That’s how hard that climb is. This trail is wicked fun!

When I went downstate for the Midwest Mountain Bike Summit (2009 Midwest Mountain Bike Summit), there was no doubt that I was going to end up at Pontiac Lake for a ride. This time, I took my camera. Some of these shots are taken from the opposite direction of traffic, so it may be a little difficult for you PLRA veterans to recognize some of these sections of trail. My beautiful Jamis is the lovely model for these photos.

This fun, fast section of trail flows along a model airplane field.

This model airplane hung around me and did all sorts of little stunts while I shot some photos of it.

Michigan Mountain Biking Examiner: Pontiac Lake Recreation Area

The best part about this trail is that it is located in an easily accessible location. It is located on a road that runs parallel to US-127, which can be accessed by ramps north and south of the trail. There is absolutely no backtracking for someone just passing through.

In an odd sort of way, I am quite fortunate that I am familiar with how a new trail feels—fortunate because that means there is no shortage of new trails in my area. A new trail is difficult to ride, with plenty of rolling resistance, as the ground is usually soft. It can feel like you’re riding with a flat rear tire. In wet conditions, it can be easy to spin out on the climbs. The newly cut trail at the Mid Michigan Community College was no exception.

Thunderstorms had ravished the area the day before (nice dramatic effect, Di!). I knew there was a possibility that mud puddles would abound. Fortunately for me, that wasn’t a reality. In over nine miles of trail, there was one mud puddle on a preexisting two-track road. It was small. I rode through it, and that was the end of my puddle experience.

This trail possessed a quality that I feel is extremely important to hold riders’ interest: the terrain and scenery changed throughout the trail. One section of woods would look different from another. The trail would traverse along an open field, along a tiny ridge, on smooth ground, over roots, over rocks, up steep hills, down small hills, and it even opened up for a nice, fast straightaway. It was aerobically challenging.

This trail is currently going through the riding-in process. It will get packed and hardened and will become a fast trail. I would love to see many rock gardens scattered throughout. This trail has so many possibilities. Who knows what its builders have in store for it!