CRAMBA: Pontiac Lake

[winbert]

Trail was in great shape today, only one little muddy section. A few hikers and bikers, but not crowded at all.

[nolan]

Perfect conditions. Just watch out for the careless dogwalkers who can't/won't control their pets

[crustaceous_flora]

I swear that reroute is the worst reroute in SE MI history, haha. It's muddier than the old trail!

[acr21]

I found out the hard way that the main parking lot is closed before 8AM. Is there somewhere to park to ride the trail around 7AM?

[mtbfree]

I found out the hard way that the main parking lot is closed before 8AM. Is there somewhere to park to ride the trail around 7AM?

Your best bet is probably to park at the small dirt lot off of White Lake Rd. by the RC Air field https://goo.gl/maps/NkcLUFuUbidmQioE8. The trail passes right by the lot so it's the easiest access. However, there are other small parking areas off the side of the road on Maceday Lake Rd. (https://goo.gl/maps/MxS114TjXnpzkSKw5) and Gale Rd. (https://goo.gl/maps/zKj3rp3JCB4xkVLc7) that would also work, and there is a parking lot off of the campground entrance road that I don't believe is gated after hours (https://goo.gl/maps/denooStJgSqHMPqu7).

[acr21]

I found out the hard way that the main parking lot is closed before 8AM. Is there somewhere to park to ride the trail around 7AM?

Your best bet is probably to park at the small dirt lot off of White Lake Rd. by the RC Air field https://goo.gl/maps/NkcLUFuUbidmQioE8. The trail passes right by the lot so it's the easiest access. However, there are other small parking areas off the side of the road on Maceday Lake Rd. (https://goo.gl/maps/MxS114TjXnpzkSKw5) and Gale Rd. (https://goo.gl/maps/zKj3rp3JCB4xkVLc7) that would also work, and there is a parking lot off of the campground entrance road that I don't believe is gated after hours (https://goo.gl/maps/denooStJgSqHMPqu7).

Awesome info. Thanks for taking the time to lay all that out for me. I will probably give it another go this week.

[acr21]

Thanks again for the info mtbfree. I was able to rid the trail this morning and it was a blast. For others who are looking for a place to park when the park is closed, the RC air field was gated but I was able to park at the Maceday Lake Rd. lot (https://goo.gl/maps/MxS114TjXnpzkSKw5).

[b_b]

I've parked at that Chinese restaurant on the corner of M59 in and out before they even opened and I believe there was nearby access into the park but that was some years ago

[mtbfree]

Thanks again for the info mtbfree. I was able to rid the trail this morning and it was a blast. For others who are looking for a place to park when the park is closed, the RC air field was gated but I was able to park at the Maceday Lake Rd. lot (https://goo.gl/maps/MxS114TjXnpzkSKw5).

I thought there were some parking spots on the outside of the gate at the White Lake Rd. entrance, no?

[acr21]

Thanks again for the info mtbfree. I was able to rid the trail this morning and it was a blast. For others who are looking for a place to park when the park is closed, the RC air field was gated but I was able to park at the Maceday Lake Rd. lot (https://goo.gl/maps/MxS114TjXnpzkSKw5).

I thought there were some parking spots on the outside of the gate at the White Lake Rd. entrance, no?

Ahh, there probably are. When I saw the gate closed I didn't turn in. The Maceday entrance works fine for me.

[KLydesdale]

Thanks again for the info mtbfree. I was able to rid the trail this morning and it was a blast. For others who are looking for a place to park when the park is closed, the RC air field was gated but I was able to park at the Maceday Lake Rd. lot (https://goo.gl/maps/MxS114TjXnpzkSKw5).

I thought there were some parking spots on the outside of the gate at the White Lake Rd. entrance, no?

Ahh, there probably are. When I saw the gate closed I didn't turn in. The Maceday entrance works fine for me.

I can assure you there's parking space for about 6 vehicles right outside the closed gate you saw at the entrance drive to the RC field. I've been parking there for many years now. Frankly, I wouldn't park beyond that gate because it's only opened when RC club members are at the field and it is supposed to get closed and locked by the last member as they leave.