NMMBA: Hanson Hills

[michiganclydesdale]

I stopped in there tonight, just out of curiosity. The Grayling / Houghton Lake area has seen the most snow this season. It's spotty around the trail head at HH, but in the woods there's still a lot of packed snow. Same for the trails up in Kalkaska. But it's melting fast and it won't be long, because as soon as it's clear of snow, it'll be dry.

[OJTien]

Anyone know the condition of the trails? Looking to go riding somewhere this weekend and it's a personal Fave!

Thanks,

Owen

[detroitjohnny]

I rode the main loop and extension this afternoon. It is 100% clear of snow and there are only a few trees down that i couldn't ride over or around. Stellar conditions, get out and ride it!

[werne1nm]

i'm planning a trip for hanson hills this sunday. How are the trail conditions? anyone been out on the trail within the past few days?

[MTB23]

Hanson is good to go. Ive been out there 3 times in the past week. All the trees have been cleared. Enjoy!

[werne1nm]

sweet thanks. if your around on sunday. we should be getting there around 10am. look for an asian man on a gray niner! always love riding with regulars!

[Davidpeckjr]

Found Keys, and turned them in to Hanson Hills employee. I have ridden the Main loop, Trail is good, there is a tree across the trail on the 1.4 mile extension.

[jer091]

Rode the yellow and red loops today, conditions are great. No deadfall, great ride!

[Mike_D]

I've never ridden Hanson Hills before but will be vacationing up near Higgins Lake in a week or so and I thought I would check out the trail system one of the days I am up there. I see there are numerous loops so is there a good way to tie the loops together? Any input on tying the loops together to make a nice route would be appreciated. I would like to check out all of the loops if possible. Maybe do the main loop first then head back out from the trailhead and do the outer loop? Are these trails 1 direction or multi-direction? Any suggestions?

Thanks - Mike

[Mack]

I've never ridden Hanson Hills before but will be vacationing up near Higgins Lake in a week or so and I thought I would check out the trail system one of the days I am up there. I see there are numerous loops so is there a good way to tie the loops together? Any input on tying the loops together to make a nice route would be appreciated. I would like to check out all of the loops if possible. Maybe do the main loop first then head back out from the trailhead and do the outer loop? Are these trails 1 direction or multi-direction? Any suggestions?

Thanks - Mike

Mike, the trails are 1 direction clockwise. They are a stacked loop system. Depending on how much time
I have and how im feeling. I like to do the yellow loop, then if I have time add in the green loop it's not
very long. If I have time ill do the red loop. It's doesn't get the useage the main loops
do it's in great shape. If you ride the red loop go prepared, you break down on the backside and can't fix it you
are in for a long walk back even with shortcuts. If you ride during the week there is a pretty good chance you
you will not see anyone.

[Mike_D]

I've never ridden Hanson Hills before but will be vacationing up near Higgins Lake in a week or so and I thought I would check out the trail system one of the days I am up there. I see there are numerous loops so is there a good way to tie the loops together? Any input on tying the loops together to make a nice route would be appreciated. I would like to check out all of the loops if possible. Maybe do the main loop first then head back out from the trailhead and do the outer loop? Are these trails 1 direction or multi-direction? Any suggestions?

Thanks - Mike

Mike, the trails are 1 direction clockwise. They are a stacked loop system. Depending on how much time
I have and how im feeling. I like to do the yellow loop, then if I have time add in the green loop it's not
very long. If I have time ill do the red loop. It's doesn't get the useage the main loops
do it's in great shape. If you ride the red loop go prepared, you break down on the backside and can't fix it you
are in for a long walk back even with shortcuts. If you ride during the week there is a pretty good chance you
you will not see anyone.

Great info! What kind of soil conditions should I expect? Sounds like it could be sandy due to lack of rain although recent rains could have changed that?

So, thinking out loud, the "first lap" I could start on the main loop,jump on the green loop, and hit the outer loop (I carry tools and parts when I do long rides in areas I don't know). Then if time permits, the "second lap" I could head out again on the main loop for an additional 10 miles. Are any of the blue connector loops off the main loop a "must do"?

Thanks again - Mike

[Mack]

I've never ridden Hanson Hills before but will be vacationing up near Higgins Lake in a week or so and I thought I would check out the trail system one of the days I am up there. I see there are numerous loops so is there a good way to tie the loops together? Any input on tying the loops together to make a nice route would be appreciated. I would like to check out all of the loops if possible. Maybe do the main loop first then head back out from the trailhead and do the outer loop? Are these trails 1 direction or multi-direction? Any suggestions?

Thanks - Mike

Mike, the trails are 1 direction clockwise. They are a stacked loop system. Depending on how much time
I have and how im feeling. I like to do the yellow loop, then if I have time add in the green loop it's not
very long. If I have time ill do the red loop. It's doesn't get the useage the main loops
do it's in great shape. If you ride the red loop go prepared, you break down on the backside and can't fix it you
are in for a long walk back even with shortcuts. If you ride during the week there is a pretty good chance you
you will not see anyone.

Great info! What kind of soil conditions should I expect? Sounds like it could be sandy due to lack of rain although recent rains could have changed that?

So, thinking out loud, the "first lap" I could start on the main loop,jump on the green loop, and hit the outer loop (I carry tools and parts when I do long rides in areas I don't know). Then if time permits, the "second lap" I could head out again on the main loop for an additional 10 miles. Are any of the blue connector loops off the main loop a "must do"?

Thanks again - Mike

It's up north. it's all sand in some form or another . You will find most of the trail hard packed with some sand here and there. Epect most of the big downhills to have a sandtrap at the bottom. Mike, I would say for your first
time there do the yellow loop with all lefts one of the lefts is a blue, that willl get you 10mi. If you are feeling it,
head out and do the red loop that will get you 11mi more. If you not quite feeling like 11 more. Do the yellow loop but take all rights,just not the right to the overlook, That loop is 8mi . I never have caught the red off the green loop, for some reason I always catch it at the C post. My guess is cause I never use the map, been riding there since
the first 8mi was put in. The green is really easy, I only ride it to get a few more miles in and Im pressed for time.

[Mike_D]

I've never ridden Hanson Hills before but will be vacationing up near Higgins Lake in a week or so and I thought I would check out the trail system one of the days I am up there. I see there are numerous loops so is there a good way to tie the loops together? Any input on tying the loops together to make a nice route would be appreciated. I would like to check out all of the loops if possible. Maybe do the main loop first then head back out from the trailhead and do the outer loop? Are these trails 1 direction or multi-direction? Any suggestions?

Thanks - Mike

Mike, the trails are 1 direction clockwise. They are a stacked loop system. Depending on how much time
I have and how im feeling. I like to do the yellow loop, then if I have time add in the green loop it's not
very long. If I have time ill do the red loop. It's doesn't get the useage the main loops
do it's in great shape. If you ride the red loop go prepared, you break down on the backside and can't fix it you
are in for a long walk back even with shortcuts. If you ride during the week there is a pretty good chance you
you will not see anyone.

Great info! What kind of soil conditions should I expect? Sounds like it could be sandy due to lack of rain although recent rains could have changed that?

So, thinking out loud, the "first lap" I could start on the main loop,jump on the green loop, and hit the outer loop (I carry tools and parts when I do long rides in areas I don't know). Then if time permits, the "second lap" I could head out again on the main loop for an additional 10 miles. Are any of the blue connector loops off the main loop a "must do"?

Thanks again - Mike

It's up north. it's all sand in some form or another . You will find most of the trail hard packed with some sand here and there. Epect most of the big downhills to have a sandtrap at the bottom. Mike, I would say for your first
time there do the yellow loop with all lefts one of the lefts is a blue, that willl get you 10mi. If you are feeling it,
head out and do the red loop that will get you 11mi more. If you not quite feeling like 11 more. Do the yellow loop but take all rights,just not the right to the overlook, That loop is 8mi . I never have caught the red off the green loop, for some reason I always catch it at the C post. My guess is cause I never use the map, been riding there since
the first 8mi was put in. The green is really easy, I only ride it to get a few more miles in and Im pressed for time.

I was thinking if I did the outer loop first then the main loop the 2nd time around, I can bail on some of the shortcuts off the main loop? Are there more uphill climbs on the main loop vs the outer loop or is it about the same? I was just thinking for a good ride downstate here in the Grand Rapids area, I would usually ride ~6 miles at Cannonsburg Ski Area, road ride up to Luton Park and do the full 10 miles there and ride back to the ski area for a round trip of ~32 miles. Just sayin'

[Mack]

I've never ridden Hanson Hills before but will be vacationing up near Higgins Lake in a week or so and I thought I would check out the trail system one of the days I am up there. I see there are numerous loops so is there a good way to tie the loops together? Any input on tying the loops together to make a nice route would be appreciated. I would like to check out all of the loops if possible. Maybe do the main loop first then head back out from the trailhead and do the outer loop? Are these trails 1 direction or multi-direction? Any suggestions?

Thanks - Mike

Mike, the trails are 1 direction clockwise. They are a stacked loop system. Depending on how much time
I have and how im feeling. I like to do the yellow loop, then if I have time add in the green loop it's not
very long. If I have time ill do the red loop. It's doesn't get the useage the main loops
do it's in great shape. If you ride the red loop go prepared, you break down on the backside and can't fix it you
are in for a long walk back even with shortcuts. If you ride during the week there is a pretty good chance you
you will not see anyone.

Great info! What kind of soil conditions should I expect? Sounds like it could be sandy due to lack of rain although recent rains could have changed that?

So, thinking out loud, the "first lap" I could start on the main loop,jump on the green loop, and hit the outer loop (I carry tools and parts when I do long rides in areas I don't know). Then if time permits, the "second lap" I could head out again on the main loop for an additional 10 miles. Are any of the blue connector loops off the main loop a "must do"?

Thanks again - Mike

It's up north. it's all sand in some form or another . You will find most of the trail hard packed with some sand here and there. Epect most of the big downhills to have a sandtrap at the bottom. Mike, I would say for your first
time there do the yellow loop with all lefts one of the lefts is a blue, that willl get you 10mi. If you are feeling it,
head out and do the red loop that will get you 11mi more. If you not quite feeling like 11 more. Do the yellow loop but take all rights,just not the right to the overlook, That loop is 8mi . I never have caught the red off the green loop, for some reason I always catch it at the C post. My guess is cause I never use the map, been riding there since
the first 8mi was put in. The green is really easy, I only ride it to get a few more miles in and Im pressed for time.

I was thinking if I did the outer loop first then the main loop the 2nd time around, I can bail on some of the shortcuts off the main loop? Are there more uphill climbs on the main loop vs the outer loop or is it about the same? I was just thinking for a good ride downstate here in the Grand Rapids area, I would usually ride ~6 miles at Cannonsburg Ski Area, road ride up to Luton Park and do the full 10 miles there and ride back to the ski area for a round trip of ~32 miles. Just sayin'

Doesn't sound like you are going to need to bail out. So it doesn't matter which one you do first. IMO the yellow
loop has a bit more flow to it.

[Nelg]

Big tree down just after the bridge on a screaming fast downhill on the inner loop.

Other than that, the trail is riding great!