Leg 8 - White Pine Trail

White Pine Trail Expedition

Leg 8 - 11 Mile Road to Muskegon River N. of Big Rapids

Friday, 1 August 2003

Continue Hike 1510 EST

Team Members Present - Chuck Hayden

11 mile Road to Muskegon River North of Big Rapids

Maintained by: Michigan DNR

Visible Blazes: No. Linear Parkway, blazes not needed

Topography: 100% Flat

Map: Delorme Atlas and Gazetteer, DNR Map of White Pine Trail

Trail Surface: 65% Gravel, 35% Asphalt

Trail Difficulty: Easy

Condition: Good to Excellent

Unique Features: Various open wetlands along trail, Big Rapids Trailhead, Bridge over Muskegon River

Leg Description: I started in farmland and quickly came to a wooded area with very deep gullies. I couldn't find the name of the creek bed that is the gully, but at 16T 625866E 4833205N there is a deep cut that falls well over 100 feet to the dried creek below. The creek bed (I assume in the spring) drains into the Muskegon River. This leg is quite wooded and curves a few times before straightening out to Big Rapids.

I entered Big Rapids shortly after crossing M-20. Then the trail turns to asphalt. The Big Rapids trailhead is very nice, and has an abandoned depot. After walking through most if the eastern fringe of the city, I came to Northend Riverside Park, which is a new, well maintained park. The park has 3 entrances from the White Pine, with information kiosks about the park.

A short while after Northend Riverside Park, the trail cross the Muskegon River on a 319 ft bridge that offers a great view of the river. I ended soon after, and pick up my bike and rode back to the start. Ended with 8.1 miles of the trail complete 1842 hours.

Notes: None

Submitted by Pathfinder

View from Bridge North of Big Rapids

Leg 8 Map A (213k)

Leg 8 Map B (240k)

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