Top of Michigan: Shingle Mill Pathway

[Nelg]

Please use this thread to post comments and conditions of the Shingle Mill Pathway.

[Davidpeckjr]

If you have not ridden this trail you have done yourself a dis-service. There are a few options as to distance covered, however the 11 mile loop is the only loop with planking. Highly recommend this trail and looking forward to riding it more. This is my second year of riding and wished I made the trip last year.

[Davidpeckjr]

Had another great ride today. I would suggest you take the 10 mile loop. It is has a much better views than the 11 mile loop. Jeff and I also rode a bit of the High country pathway. You should try that as well.

[Mack]

Had another great ride today. I would suggest you take the 10 mile loop. It is has a much better views than the 11 mile loop. Jeff and I also rode a bit of the High country pathway. You should try that as well.

SMP is one of those trails once you ride it you will want to ride it again and again. I always like to stop and check out section 4
lake.

[Davidpeckjr]

agreed, there was a tree down at about the 1.6 mile. and yup , I do want to ride it again. And I may take another camera. The lakes are really nice. I shot some video with my swann sports camera. I will have to post it online sometime.

[vette-ss]

Where is the best starting point for this trail? At the Pigeon Bridge Campground right off of Sturgeon Valley Rd? If you have to choose between the 10 and 11 mile loop, which is preferred? Any issues with riding one of those sections backward to see it all?

[sndmn2]

I started at the DNR building. There is no problem starting by the campground. There is a parking lot right across the street. The trail picks up on either the left of the guard rail or right across the street. I rode it back in July. The trail gets little use so there will be a couple sections that sorta dissapers. I was on the long loop and I am not sure exactly where those sections were. Somewhere between #8 and #6 if my memory isn't failing me. Oh, No cell service.

[Mack]

Where is the best starting point for this trail? At the Pigeon Bridge Campground right off of Sturgeon Valley Rd? If you have to choose between the 10 and 11 mile loop, which is preferred? Any issues with riding one of those sections backward to see it all?

Yes, the campground off of Sturgeon Valley Rd is the starting point. I like them both, but if I had to pick I would go with the 10 mile loop. Even thou you miss
section 4 lake, which is really a cool green color. Do not ride it backwards you are asking for a problem, it's only 2 way for hikers. There are some hills you can get
going pretty fast on, and having a head on would not be fun at all.

[Mack]

I started at the DNR building. There is no problem starting by the campground. There is a parking lot right across the street. The trail picks up on either the left of the guard rail or right across the street. I rode it back in July. The trail gets little use so there will be a couple sections that sorta dissapers. I was on the long loop and I am not sure exactly where those sections were. Somewhere between #8 and #6 if my memory isn't failing me. Oh, No cell service.

The trail head for SMP is actually in the campground across the street from the parking lot. There is a trail head map at the entrance to the trail. SMP gets
used enough that you shouldn't lose the trail. The HCP on the other hand can get hard to follow in spots

[bh357]

Where is the best starting point for this trail? At the Pigeon Bridge Campground right off of Sturgeon Valley Rd? If you have to choose between the 10 and 11 mile loop, which is preferred? Any issues with riding one of those sections backward to see it all?

Yes, the campground off of Sturgeon Valley Rd is the starting point. I like them both, but if I had to pick I would go with the 10 mile loop. Even thou you miss
section 4 lake, which is really a cool green color. Do not ride it backwards you are asking for a problem, it's only 2 way for hikers. There are some hills you can get
going pretty fast on, and having a head on would not be fun at all.

As far as I'm aware, you can ride either way. I've gone south on both the eastern and western legs while riding the HCP.

Glen, how about adding the HCP to the thread title

[vette-ss]

Yeah, I wasn't going to ride the whole thing backward. Just thought that if I was going to make the drive north I'd try to see it all. I could do the 11 mile loop in the normal direction, then take that stretch that is the "10 mile loop" backward and do the 11 mile part a 2nd time, then complete the loop. Looks to be a mile or two in reverse direction. Riding with the wife, so I don't think we'll be able to do 2 complete laps (10 and 11).

[Mack]

Where is the best starting point for this trail? At the Pigeon Bridge Campground right off of Sturgeon Valley Rd? If you have to choose between the 10 and 11 mile loop, which is preferred? Any issues with riding one of those sections backward to see it all?

Yes, the campground off of Sturgeon Valley Rd is the starting point. I like them both, but if I had to pick I would go with the 10 mile loop. Even thou you miss
section 4 lake, which is really a cool green color. Do not ride it backwards you are asking for a problem, it's only 2 way for hikers. There are some hills you can get
going pretty fast on, and having a head on would not be fun at all.

As far as I'm aware, you can ride either way. I've gone south on both the eastern and western legs while riding the HCP.

Glen, how about adding the HCP to the thread title

HCP is bi- directional. SMP is a stand alone loop of the HCP and is one way for bikers. Stop in at the campground at look at the map the info is there.

[Mack]

Yeah, I wasn't going to ride the whole thing backward. Just thought that if I was going to make the drive north I'd try to see it all. I could do the 11 mile loop in the normal direction, then take that stretch that is the "10 mile loop" backward and do the 11 mile part a 2nd time, then complete the loop. Looks to be a mile or two in reverse direction. Riding with the wife, so I don't think we'll be able to do 2 complete laps (10 and 11).

That shouldn't be a problem, just be careful. If you are riding during the week chances are you won't see a soul. Even on the weekends it
doesn't get a a lot of traffic.

[Davidpeckjr]

I ran into a camper the last time I rode(not in the camp grounds). The 10 mile loop I think is nicer to look at. The camp ground, I was informed, has an natural well. Flows by itself and the water is good. I also ran over a snake in the large field near the end. Just a northern ribbon snake. Nice trail though. Cannot wait to ride it again.

[Mack]

I ran into a camper the last time I rode(not in the camp grounds). The 10 mile loop I think is nicer to look at. The camp ground, I was informed, has an natural well. Flows by itself and the water is good. I also ran over a snake in the large field near the end. Just a northern ribbon snake. Nice trail though. Cannot wait to ride it again.

The water is great and cold!!