The Department of Natural Resources today announced the two footbridges that service the High Country Pathway in the Pigeon River Country State Forest have been repaired and are now open just in time for spring hiking.

The repaired footbridges are over the Black River, located in Charlton Township North, Section 1, Otsego County, and over the Pigeon River located in Nunda Township, Section 16, Cheboygan County. These repairs were funded with $35,453 from the State's Recreation Improvement Fund.

The 3.7-mile temporary detour around the Black River footbridge and the 7.5-mile temporary detour for the Pigeon River footbridge will be removed, and users can now use the original trail route and bridge crossings.

Users are reminded that the North Spur of the Shore to Shore Trail is closed to mountain bike use in the Pigeon River Country State Forest. Mountain bike use was previously allowed on the detour, but now that repairs are complete mountain bike restrictions have resumed.