michigans best snowmobiling spot

Michigan has always been a mecca for snowmobilers, and in recent years, this icebound state has extended welcoming arms to snow riders from many states around. It has a great trail system, many miles of groomed tracks and plenty of beautiful country marked by small rushing streams, white birch, and pungent pine and spruce. The question is- what's the very best trail in this snow-oriented state? Near Cadillac? Oscoda? Somewhere on the UP? According to Elza Inman, it's a 40-mile stretch of the Art Litman Trail that starts at High Bridge and winds its way south to Copemish.

Elza, a resident of Brethren, is a long-time snowmobile rider who's been active in the sport since 1975. He's treasurer of his Benzie-Manistee Snowbird Snowmobile Club, treasurer of the Michigan Snowmobile Association, and a member of the Governor's Snowmobile Advisory Committee. More important, he's traveled most of the Michigan's winter trails, either with his wife, Judy, or with members of his and other clubs.

"Michigan has lots of beautiful trails," he said, "lots of exciting trails and unusually picturesque trails. It would be hard to go wrong on any one of them. But if I had to pick just one to ride this winter or next, it would start at High Bridge." Elza describes the trail this way:

The starting point lies east of Manistee along Route 55 (the Caberfae Highway), and High Bridge Road is just west of Wellston. There's a good-sized parking lot along the Manistee River there with room for plenty of cars and parked machines. We gather in the parking lot, unload our gear and head north. You'll start out in a nice wooded area here, then come up to an overlook over the river near where an old railroad trestle went down years ago.

Everybody stops at that overlook, because it's a 150-foot drop and several hundred yards across, high enough to give riders an almost panoramic look at miles of river up and downstream. With blue water and white snow, it's a pretty spot and it's not unusual to see an eagle or two at this point cruising the river and looking for dinner.

The trail winds on through more wooded area, then crosses a section of private property for about five miles, where we have a permit. It runs through pastures sometimes, and often we pass cattle grazing or standing, though they don't seem to mind. We make very sure to close all gates firmly behind us in this stretch.

Then the trail crosses into more good timber, enters the National Forest and exits near a sawdust pile just south of Tippe Dam. This is a beautiful area with tall pines and big deer yards each winter, so sightings of 40-50 deer aren't unusual as you travel through. We reach a power line and travel north about 10 miles. Most of the riders like this section, because they can open up and fly if they're so inclined. And most are, after winding at fairly slow speeds along the previous stretch.

Then there's more woods before the trail makes a turn back to the west, and eventually reaches Sweets Ravine, a five-mile strip that's gradually uphill. It starts with large trees that change gradually to smaller ones. It's a beautiful sight, these endless ranks of evergreens running on both sides of a well-groomed trail. The trail is groomed a minimum of twice a week, and sometimes three or four times. We run sections twice in one day, coming and going, to get the snow just right.

The trail continues on then, through some private ground, some patches of National Forest, and into Kalaba. You'll run roadsides the last mile into town, but that's no problem since the shoulders are groomed. In town, you gas up, eat lunch in a restaurant and stretch your legs. You will be ready for a stretch by then.

Although Elza likes this 40-mile long trail best of all, it's worth pointing out that there are plenty of other excellent trails in the area. One starts at the junction of the Bear Lake Trail, travels to the west coming within two miles of Bear Lake, then continues north to hook up with the Betsy River Trail. Riders can head east or west from there.

Then there's the Platte River Trail which starts very near Turtle Lake and goes north to the Empire airport. And of course, many trails connect to yet others. For example, the Wellston Trail comes into the Cadillac system, which links into others, so snowmobilers can travel as far as they wish on groomed snow, unless they plan to stay on the 130 miles of tracks in Benzie, Manistee, and Leeland counties.

Adventuresome riders can strike out on their own, too, heading into certain areas of the Manistee National Forest, then riding side trails for a day. It's not unusual to see plenty of deer on any trail, occasional flocks of wild turkeys, coyotes, eagles, ruffed grouse, and other wild creatures. And those who like to fish can try their luck at one of several lakes very near this trail or that, or fish for winter steelhead in the Manistee. A yarn fly, spawn sac, or small spinner can produce some heavy, hard-fighting fish when presentation is proper.

Many riders will want to base in Manistee for a weekend or week-long outing along the various trails. It's a pretty little town, combining ultra-modern with stately age, one that has plenty of accommodations, some excellent restaurants, a fine theater, quaint shops, and at proper times, special events from Winterfest to snowmobile drag races and parades. In fact, the whole downtown area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is well worth a visit and some sightseeing.