a bikepacking weekend on the North Central State Trail & Mackinac Island with the Members of Northern Michigan Hiking, Backpacking and Kayaking. The North Central State Trail is a crushed limestone, easy riding rail trail that runs from Gaylord to Mackinaw.
Join us for a bikepacking weekend on the North Central State Trail & Mackinac Island.
We’ll meet up & camp Thursday 9/16 night at Haakwood State Forest Campground. Friday morning 9/17 by 9:00 we’ll all drive to the North Central State Trail trailhead & bike 50 miles to Wilderness State Park, approx 10 miles west of Mackinaw City.
The North Central State Trail is a crushed limestone, easy riding rail trail that runs from Gaylord to Mackinaw. From there we’ll ride the last miles on Wilderness Park Rd Wilderness State Park group site for Fri & Sat night.
Saturday is a free day. You’re free to adventure on your own in Mackinaw City, bike the many possible routes in the area, or explore Wilderness State Park, but I expect most will choose to take their bikes on the ferry to enjoy the many sights on Mackinac Island for the day!
Sunday morning we’ll get back on our bikes and reverse the route through Mackinaw City & back to the cars in Indian River.
Showers will probably not be available to us in the group site at Wilderness State Park. However, we’ll be a short walk from the lake. Bring biodegradable soap (Dr Bronners or Campsuds) to either wash in the lake, or preferably take some water back to camp to heat & wash there away from the main lake.
Distance: About 50 miles each day
Speed: Comfortable 10-12 mph pace, with multiple selected points to take a break and regroup.
Understand that riders of varied abilities will be attending and the intention is to ride as a group. If you decide to ride ahead of the leader, you will need to follow the provided cue sheet with directions.
This is intended to be a self-supported bikepacking event with participants carrying their own camping gear, clothing and other essentials, BUT if you’re not set up to carry your bags on your bike we will have a van with us on the route you can put your bag on during the day to the next location. Keep in mind stowage space is limited, so if you utilize this service, limit your gear to a single 60L backpack or the equivalent. Make sure your name & contact info is clearly marked on your bag.
***Please indicate in the post below if you plan to carry your own gear or use the van. ***
Cost for this trip is $12 per per person to cover camping. Paypal or Zelle tdonaven@gmail.com to reserve your spot!
We also will have a group rate for the Mackinac Island ferry! pay at the gate when you get your ticket & give the N MI Backpacking group name for the discounted price. Ferry tickets will by $21 reduced from $27, plus another $13 for your bike.
Bike helmets are MANDATORY any time you are on your bike. You must obey all traffic laws at all times, particularly when riding through Mackinaw City & crossing roads on the trail.
IMPORTANT – Make sure your body and bike are in good working order. You must be physically able to ride 50 miles or more on consecutive days. Van SAG may be available for transport of bikes with unfixable mechanical issues or medical emergencies, but if you’re not physically prepared for the distances you can either suck it up 
or arrange for your own pickup.
However, we’ll have all day to do 50 miles so expect an easy, comfortable pace.
There are limited towns along the trail where you can stop to pick up lunch or snacks. Indian River & Topinabee will be early towns on Friday. Cheboygan is a good half-way point. Any stops for food or refreshments will heavily depend on the state of the pandemic at that time.
You can either stop in Mackinaw City for a meal before the last few miles to camp or ride back after setting up for an extra 20 miles round trip. There isn’t anything near the campground, bringing your own backpacking meals is the safest bet. You should also plan to bring your own breakfasts for ride days Friday & Sunday so we can get a quick, early start.
There are many opportunities for breakfast, lunch, & dinner on Saturday either in Mackinaw City or on Mackinac Island.
You must have with you, a properly fitting bike helmet, extra tubes, a small pump, and basic tools for simple repairs. You’ll need to be able to carry enough water for the trip, but there’ll be drinks available at stores along the route.
We will be maintaining social distancing guidelines. Do not attend if you have been around people who are sick or if you feel at all sick or unusually fatigued.
Please have a mask with you for entering establishments when we have rest stops.
If you have any specific questions, please post them in the event discussion.
As always, group events are open to anyone who would like to attend. If you have any friends who aren’t in the Northern Michigan Backpacking group who may be interested, feel free to send them an invite to the event (and to the group! )
This trip is limited to 30 people, with the ability to increase depending on interest and resources. Upping maximum # from 18 to 30 people! Thanks Les Rosan & Bruce Umpstead for additional SAG support!
***I may be looking for 1 or 2 people with a van or large capacity vehicle who would like to volunteer for SAG to carry bags for people who aren’t equipped to carry their own. Please message me if you are interested!
***Please message me if you are an experienced rider interested in being a leader to manage one of the smaller groups that develop when riding Friday & Sunday. Either for a faster or slower group.
There will be more updates & details coming, make sure to check back occasionally.
Haakwood State Forest Campground –
https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/Details.aspx…
https://goo.gl/maps/qFgMtnhTRPnZBWZv8
North Central State Trail Parking –
Two miles north of Haakwood Campground off S. Straits Hwy
45.322029, -84.623165
https://goo.gl/maps/Z1SPUpuJqGK8RUsdA
Wilderness State Park –
https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/Details.aspx…
Group Campground – 45.75442979201878, -84.88626911823205
https://goo.gl/maps/jT3SF5DnHGPgaVGx7
North Central State Trail –
https://www.trailscouncil.org/north-central-trail…/
https://www.traillink.com/trai…/north-central-state-trail/
Route from Haakwood State Forest Campground to Wilderness State Park –
https://goo.gl/maps/QRkkd3PqaLRLgMS4A