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.)

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!