February 22, 2007

Picture yourself gliding silently past a clearwater stream gurgling in and out of pockets of glistening ice, or entering a pristine forest of pines and larch trees to see elk standing in the distant shadows, or even stopping with your companions in snow-draped woods to enjoy a steaming cup of hot chocolate.

All these scenarios and more can be enjoyed on a day trip to one of the public cross-country ski pathways found in Michigan's beautiful state forests.

Of the more than 880 miles of pathway managed by the Department of Natural Resources Forest, Mineral and Fire Management Division, 24 trails, totaling more than 230 miles of pathway, are groomed this winter for cross-country skiing.

Eleven of those, with a total of 82 miles, are spread out across the Upper Peninsula. Another 13, totaling 152 miles, are located in the located in the northern Lower Peninsula.

"The focus of our ski program is on quality rather than quantity," said Mark Mandenberg, a non-motorized trails specialist for the Forest, Mineral and Fire Management Division. "We try to offer a family opportunity with something for the young folks as well as mom and dad and the individual who is more skilled at cross-country skiing."

All pathways are groomed with tracks set for the traditional kick-and-glide method of skiing, plus three of the pathways in the Lower Peninsula and four in the U.P. have some grooming for the growing skating style of skiing.

Skiers can expect to find most pathways identified by road signs and many have trail maps posted at trailheads. Additionally, parking lots associated with these pathways are plowed to provide better access for skiers.

Once on the pathway, skiers will find confidence markers at regular intervals to make route finding easy as they travel through the woods.

"Donations are encouraged and fully appreciated as they help offset the costs of keeping these trails groomed," Mandenberg said. "Donation pipes are located in all of the trailheads."

Each year, Mandenberg said the forest recreation program applies for a grant from the DNR's Recreation Improvement Fund to assist with the costs of trail and parking lot upkeep, but individual donations are counted on to help make up the difference.

Popular pathway choices in the northern Lower Peninsula range from the Ogemaw Hill system, featuring more than 13 miles of pathway just north of West Branch, to the Black Mountain Forest Recreation Area with its 30-plus miles of pathway north of Onaway. Other favorites include the six-mile Norway Ridge Pathway outside Alpena to the more demanding terrain of the 25-plus-mile system at the VASA Pathway near Traverse City.

The other pathways groomed for cross-country skiing in the northern Lower Peninsula include the Buttles Road Pathway (seven miles) near Lewiston, Chippewa Hills Pathway (6.5 miles) outside Alpena, Wildwood Hill Pathway (10 miles) close to Indian River, Pine Baron Pathway (six miles) southwest of Gaylord, Muncie Lakes Pathway (10 miles) close to Traverse City, Cadillac Pathway (11.5 miles) near Cadillac, Pine Valley Pathway (eight miles) near Baldwin, and the Mason Tract Pathway (11 miles) and Tisdale Triangle Pathway (eight miles) both outside Roscommon.

In the Upper Peninsula, local favorites with skiers include the nine-mile Algonquin Pathway in Sault Ste Marie, the 12-mile Blueberry Ridge Pathway system outside Marquette and the six-mile Lake Mary Plains Pathway near Crystal Falls.

The other pathways groomed in the U. P. include the Merriman East Pathway (6.5 miles) northeast of Iron Mountain, Anderson Lake Pathway (four miles) by Gwinn, Days River Pathway (nine miles) near Gladstone, Cedar River Pathway (seven miles) north of Cedar River, Indian Lake Pathway (six miles) outside Manistique, Canada Lake Pathway (14.5 miles) near Newberry, Pine Bowl Pathway (six miles) by Rudyard and the Peters Creek Pathway (two miles) near Naubinway.

The list of groomed cross-country ski pathways is available on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr. Click on Recreation and Camping and then look under the Seasonal Recreation Opportunities heading. The list includes directions to the trailhead for each pathway and contact numbers for additional information.

"We encourage people to call the local DNR office of a pathway they are planning to ski to get the most up-to-date snow conditions and to have their other questions answered to help plan their visit," Mandenberg said.

The 3.9 million acres of public state forest are one of Michigan's outstanding resources, and when snows come to our northern regions, these forests become winter playgrounds, all nicely wrapped in a shimmering coat of frost and snow.

And what better way to see this winter wonderland than by gliding quietly down a groomed trail on a set of cross-country skis.