The result is a weekend-size, 20-mile loop that offers some of the best views and most varied hiking in the Lower Peninsula. And you can leave the extra car at home. Much of the Manistee River Trail was right along the river, but there were several places that it had to meander a bit to go around a big ravine or stream. There is a connector trail to the Manistee River Trail from this site. Here I took a long (1 hour) lunch. I cooked up my breakfast, filled up my water, relaxed and dipped my bandana in a feeder stream. If you are coming from Manistee go all the way to MI 37 then north to 26 road. Now you make the decision to walk along the trails or drive further into the forest as described in the second directions. Manistee River Hiking & Water Trail West of M-37 between M-115 and M-55, the Manistee River runs wild from Hodenpyl Dam to Red Bridge (Coates Hwy) through Manistee National Forest, offering some of the most spectacular hiking, backpacking, paddling and mountain biking in Michigan’s lower peninsula. Then a suspension footbridge opened in 1996, connecting the newly completed Manistee River Trail across the river to the NCT. The “Little Mac” suspension bridge. BRIDGE 44.366222-85.829578 RED BRIDGE TRAILHEAD P 44.283922-85.861598 GPS P UPPER RIVER TRAILHEAD 44.290512-85.870482 GPS PARKING AREA 44.314637-85.844636 55 37 MAP 0 Miles 0.5 1 2 P Hydroelectric Dam Potable Water State Highway River/Stream County Road Lake/Pond Fee Area & Information Restroom North Country Trail Manistee River Trail Trail … The dam creates the Hodenpyl Pond and the falls are downstream a couple of miles from here. Reach the turnoff to the Suspension Bridge, Little Mac, the 2nd largest suspension bridge in Michigan! If you are considering backpacking the Manistee River Loop, I would recommend parking at the Seaton Creek campground ($7 per day parking fee at Seaton Creek, bring cash, honor system) and crossing the suspension bridge to tackle the NCT side first, as it is, as mentioned prior, the most difficult side. New maple leaves. To continue north on the NCT, do not take this turnoff, but continue straight to Hodenpyl Dam parking. Red Bridge is located north of Tippy Dam Pond and is also a trailhead for the Manistee River Trail, and provides a spur trail to the North Country National Scenic Trail. It is on the Manistee River Trail which is also part of the 4600 mile North Country Trail from Vermont to North Dakota. It took about 3.5 hours to hike MRT from site 1C where I camped back down to Red Bridge, which was around 8.4 miles, so I had a little slower pace than NCT the first … The trail path here is a bit quirky. Quickly after crossing the suspension bridge the trail leads to a boat access site for the west side of the Manistee River. The view from one of the marked campsites. As you can see from the image above, the trails are laid out with the NCT on one side of the river and the MRT on the other and a suspension bridge was built connecting the two, making it and easy weekend or long weekend trip. S-bend near the suspension bridge. With float segments from 1 hr to 4+ hours in duration, this river is ideal for day trips or overnight trips. The Manistee River Trail Loop combines the 11-mile Manistee River Trail completed in 1992 with an 8.5-mile section of the North Country Trail. Near Mesick, MI Difficulty – Moderate for very hilly, uneven terrain Open – All year round Distance – Approx. P.O. Trail – Manistee River Trail/North Country Trail Loop Where – Huron-Manistee National Forest. The trail follows the Manistee … From there, you can canoe the Big Manistee. The Manistee River Trail side provides overlooks of the river. Using the Manistee River Trail (MRT) from the Seaton Creek Campground and connecting it with the North Country Trail (NCT) makes a 23 mile loop. For beginners, we recommend beginning at the Red Bridge Trailhead and hiking along the North Country Trail side first and camping near Eddington Creek. A long two track[4 or 5 miles] to Hodenpyl Dam. The ridge above the river. But the 10.5-mile trail connects with the North Country National Scenic Trail to form a … It's a very scenic trail, I haven't found anyone who has run it, but it's a popular backpacking loop. A wooden suspension bridge connects the Manistee River Trail to the North County Trail over the Manistee River. There is a great suspension bridge to cross the river near the Hodenpyl Dam. You don’t have to hike halfway across the country to visit this bridge, a parking area is on the west side of the river near the bridge. U-turn on the Manistee River. The North Country National Scenic Trail can be reached by crossing the suspension bridge over the Manistee River. Each of these trails … The bridge over Cedar Creek. You have the choice to hike all 10.8 miles and then retrace your steps back to your vehicle for a 21.6 mile hike. The Manistee River Trail reveals stands of white pine, giant ferns and a suspension bridge across the Manistee River. The wooden suspension bridge is 245 feet long. Hodenpyl, McClish and 26 road are all gravel, but wide and well compacted. Box 69 Manistee … Really pretty, but could be treacherous if wet. The two trails now offer backpackers an ideal loop that begins and ends at Seaton Creek National Forest Campground west … Our riverside … On the Manistee River’s east side, a coarse, rudimentar… Below is a link to a trail map and my splits. Description. The remaining access sites with campgrounds are located south of Tippy Dam Pond. Hike 1.4 miles from Seaton Creak Campground to a suspension footbridge on the banks of the Manistee River. At times the trail was right on the edge ridge. At this point, take the Manistee River Trail and follow the Manistee River downstream. Manistee River Trail: Seaton Creek to Red Bridge is a 11.4 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Mesick, Michigan that features a river and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, camping, and backpacking. Left by O'Rourke Rd to the east out to MI 37. Many people start near Red Bridge Campground … The loop consists of the North Country Trail (NCT) on the west side of the Manistee River, two bridges spanning the river (one at the north end, one at the south end), and the Manistee River Trail (MRT) on the east side of the river. On the upper river portion (north of Hodenpyl Dam) a favorite trip is the US-131 to Baxter Bridge. Located 2.5 miles from the trailhead in Seaton Creek Campground, a waterfall makes a great turnaround point for day hikers. The Manistee River Trail is 11 miles of hardwood forests and rolling hills, connecting to the 8.5 miles of the North Country Trail Loop, via a superb 245-foot suspension bridge over the two sites. Upper Portion: Much of the Big Manistee River is ideal for Families and groups. 23 Miles Awesomeness factors – Manistee river, towering hardwood forests, great views, wildlife, streams and a waterfall, the lil’ mac suspension bridge. The Manistee River Trail can be a great fit for many different levels of hikers. Adventures on the Manistee River Trail. You could cross the river at this spot on a very cool suspension foot bridge and get to the North Country Trail. This stretch of the hike is quite popular for campsites and makes a great place for you to stop if you start the hike late in the … One of Michigan’s newest trails, the 11-mile Manistee River Trail was completed in 1992 and linked to a rugged portion of the North Country by the largest wooden suspension bridge in the Lower Peninsula. North of Red Bridge there are 43 designated primitive campsites. To reach Seaton Creek Campground, or the Manistee River Trail, cross the bridge. Rocks! Dogs are also able to use this trail. Stopping to filter water and rest. The Manistee River Trail provides an authentic backcountry experience even on a light day hike, as it swaths through a variety of wetlands, forests and rolling terrain. Suspension Bridge MANISTEE RIVER TRAIL & NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL LOOP This weekend-size, 22-mile loop takes you on some of the best terrain in the Lower Peninsula. The Upper Branch Trailhead is also nearby. 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