General Information:
Description
of this segment of the Huron Greenways route begins at the City of Cheboygan.
About 2 miles east of Cheboygan the trail splits with an inland route following
dirt and gravel roads through Black Mountain Recreation Area and the Lake Shore
route follows US-23. The US-23 shore route is around 40 miles between
Cheboygan and Rogers City. The inland route between the two cities is slightly
over 37 miles long.
Maps
of the
Huron Greenways trail system for this segment are provided on this web
site as well as local maps of side trails.
Trail Description:
| Just west of Cheboygan, the Huron Trails
converge into one trail system following US-23, while the rail-trail continues south to Mullett Lake and points beyond. In Cheboygan, one can connect to a ferry and
travel to Bois Blanc Island for a day of recreation, or can travel by
watercraft up the
Inland Waterway, a network of rivers and lakes connecting Cheboygan to the
community of Conway near Petoskey. Three of the ten largest lakes in Michigan,
Mullet, Burt and Black Lakes, are a part of this waterway. The Cheboygan River
System is an important regional ecological corridor.
Those
riding on the rail-trail route can stay on the trail as it veers south, and exit
the trail as it crosses State Street. Go
east on State Street which merges with the US-23 route at the intersection of
State and Main Street. |
Bois Blanc Island
This island has a much
different atmosphere from Mackinac Island. No fudge shops, big
hotels or carriage tours, just quiet, unspoiled woodlands and
shoreline. Autos are the primary mode of transportation, so
the ferry boat to Bois Blanc transports cars. Bring your own bike
or take the car. Accommodations are very limited; camping is
your best bet. There is a debate on why French explorers
called the island Bois Blanc (white wood). Some say it’s the
white birch trees, others say it is the white wood of the basswood
trees. There’s a lot of both species, so it’s anyones guess.
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As the US-23 route enters the city from the east, the local street name is
Mackinaw Avenue. Mackinaw Avenue ends at the intersection of Main Street. Turn
south on Main Street and go one block to a stop light. At the intersection turn left or to the east,
onto
State Street. To help get through the city,
follow the Business US-23 signs. Shortly after turning onto State Street, the
road crosses the Cheboygan River. During summer months, the draw bridge may
open to let sailboats and large ships through. If you are interested in
exploring Bois Blanc Island, the ferry dock is just up river from the bridge.
In downtown Cheboygan, there are many options for eating and shopping.
Numerous motels can be found in the vicinity of Cheboygan, both national chains
and quaint, Mom and Pop operations.
Outside the city limits, East State Street is once again
called US-23. Approximately two miles east of the City of Cheboygan the Huron
Trail again splits with an inland route following dirt and gravel roads and a
coastal route that follows US-23. The US-23 coastal route is around 40 miles long connecting Cheboygan and
Rogers City. Numerous overlooks and picnic stops are found along this Lake
Huron stretch. Several other areas of interest are 40 Mile Point Lighthouse,
Hammond Bay, and long narrow sandy beaches.
The inland route is only suited for the adventurous
types who like to get off the beaten path. This is the most remote segment of
the Huron Greenways System. The roads can be rough at times, some segments are
two-tracks and graded dirt roads, and signage is poor in areas. However, those
who like a challenge will be rewarded with never ending natural beauty and
unique natural features. Large bogs and dried lakebeds, open marshes, sandy
plains covered with jack pine and oak forests, and a ghost forest of stark gray,
dead standing trees can all be explored along this segment.
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Natural Features
Many of the plants, such as the
Iris lacustris (dwarf lake iris), Tanacetum huronense
(Lake Huron tansy), Solidago houghtonii (Houghton’s goldenrod),
Mimulus glabratus (Michigan-monkey flower) and Cirsium pitcheri
(Pitchers thistle), are listed as rare and endangered; and found only in the
coastal areas of the northern Great Lakes.
The inland trail follows Alpena State Road and skirts
the edges of large open bogs and marshes.
A cranberry farm is located within one of the
bogs that had once been the location of a peat mining operation.
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Around two miles east of Cheboygan, turn on Alpena Street, which
initially heads due east, then swings south. Travel approximately 8.5 miles and
turn south onto Krause Road. Krause Road runs along the eastern side of Twin
Lakes. Then
turn east onto Twin Lakes Road that leads to the Black Mountain Recreation
Area.
Continuing
towards Ocqueoc, take Road 646 to the east, and then turn south on Ocqueoc Lake
Road. Located along this stretch is the MUCC Ocqueoc Outdoor Center. The Center
occupies the site and buildings of an intact Depression-era Civilian
Conservation Corps (CCC) camp. The trail continues to follow back-roads, some
paved
roads, others of gravel
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sometimes even two-tracks. Eventually the
route reconnects with US-23 just north of Hoeft State Park to Rogers City.
Bikers and hikers can take a trail in Hoeft State Park, connect to Birchwood
Drive and ride to the Herman Vogel Conservation Area. Rogers City’s Huron
Sunrise Trailhead is located in the park.
Trail Distance and Type
City of Cheboygan: Route through the City
Distance: 3.7 miles
Route Information: Through City of Cheboygan
the route follows Business US-23, local street names are Mackinaw Street, Main
Street and State Street. [Sidewalks do exist in some sections along Business
US-23]
Coastal Route: Cheboygan to Rogers City
Distance: 40 miles
Route Information: Outside of Cheboygan, US-23
is paved and in good condition, with a narrow paved shoulder approximately 3
feet wide.
Inland Route: Cheboygan to Rogers City
Distance: 37 miles
Route Information:
US-23 (travel east 3 miles)
to Alpena St.
Turn South (right) onto Alpena St.
Alpena
Street (8.5 miles) seasonal dirt road, rough in sections, street signs lacking
Krause
Road (2 miles) graded dirt road, seasonal
Twin
Lakes Road (4.8 miles) gravel road, well maintained
County
Road 646 (3.5 miles) paved with narrow gravel shoulder
Ocqueoc
Lake Road (3 miles) gravel road
Cheboygan
Plains Highway (2 miles) paved and gravel road
N.
Silver Lake Road (1 mile) paved road, gravel shoulder
646
Hwy. (2 miles) two track, turns into Huron Trail Rd.
Huron
Trail Rd. (5 miles) gravel and paved with no shoulder
Meredith
Road (0.5 miles) paved no shoulder
Nagel
Hwy. (0.8 miles) paved with narrow gravel shoulder
US-23
(0.4 miles) paved with narrow paved shoulder
Hoeft
State Park Trail (0.8 miles) bike and foot traffic only
Birchwood
Road (2.5 miles) paved with narrow gravel shoulder
US-23
(0.5 miles) paved with narrow paved shoulder
Business
US-23 into Rogers City
Alternate
route for bikers and hikers take the Huron Sunrise Trail through Rogers City
Terrain and Adjacent Landscape
| Along US-23 route, the terrain is relatively level
following the coastal shoreline. There are some easy inclines as the highway
climbs low bluffs that overlook Lake Huron.
The adjacent landscape is forested and resort residential. Close to
Rogers City, US-23 skirts the edge of sandy beaches and low sand dunes. Many
open views of Lake Huron can be taken in along this stretch. Within the City of
Cheboygan and Rogers City the trail goes through residential and commercial areas.
Along the US-23 route, the terrain is relatively level
following the coastal shoreline. There are some easy inclines as the highway
climbs low bluffs that overlook Lake Huron.
The adjacent landscape is forested and resort residential. Close to
Rogers City, US-23 shirts the edge of sandy beaches and low sand dunes.
Many open views of Lake Huron can be taken in along this stretch.
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The
Hammond Bay Biological Lab
is currently operated as a fisheries
research station by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Hammond Bay
Lab has been instrumental in the battle against Sea Lamprey. Public
Tours of the Lab are available in summer months, by prior
arrangement. The Biological Station occupies the historic site of
the Hammond Bay Lifesaving Station.
Forty Mile Point Lighthouse,
a National Register property, is located in a public park operated
by Presque Isle County. The Forty Mile Point building complex
includes the original light, keeper’s quarters, barn, fog signal
building, outhouses and oil storage buildings. Picnic facilities are
available in the park
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Within the City of Cheboygan and Rogers City
the trail goes through residential and commercial areas.
Terrain
along the inland route is relatively level to lightly rolling. The route goes
through some of the most remote sections of the Huron Greenways. Except for
inland lake waterfront home development, few homes are found along this route;
and no gas stations or stores are located along this section. The Chateau ___
is a nice resort and restaurant located by Twin Lakes. Aspen, northern
hardwoods and pine forest line the route. Large bogs and dried lake beds can be
found adjacent to Alpena State Road. South of Hammond Bay sandy plains support
jack pine and oak forests. A ghost forest of stark gray, dead standing trees
can be found along County Road 646, just east of Lookout Road.
Points of interest:
|
Bois
Blanc Island |
Cheboygan
State Park |
|
Black
Mountain Recreation Area |
City
of Cheboygan |
|
Rogers
City |
Huron
Sunrise Trail |
|
Herman
Vogel Recreation area |
Ocqueoc
River |
|
MUCC
Ocqueoc Outdoor Center |
Inland
Waterway |
|
Lift
Bridge in Cheboygan |
Duncan
Bay |
|
Grass
Bay Nature Preserve |
Park
at the mouth of Cheboygan river. |
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Side Trips:
The Black
Mountain Recreation Area,
within the Mackinaw State Forest, has become on of the State’s
premier cross-country ski areas, with groomed trails for both Nordic
and skate skis. Marked trails are also available for snowmobiles,
ORVs, horseback and hiking use. Easiest access to the recreation
area can be accessed either east on County Road 646, south on County
Road.
Click here to view a map of the trail network
Grass Lake Nature
Preserve, is a real jewel of the Huron Greenways. The site is on
Lake Huron at the end of a half mile hike down an unmarked trail.
The low dunes and protected wetlands are home of many rare plants
like the pitcher’s thistle, Lake Huron tansey, pitcher plant and sun
dew. You will need to be guided on your first trip to this remote
yet spectacular nature preserve.
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