Leg 2 - White Pine Trail

White Pine Trail Expedition

Leg 2 Belmont to Russell Road Trailhead

Sunday, 13 July 2003

Continue Hike 1002 EST

Team Members Present - Chuck Hayden, Pathfinder Dog

Rogue River Park (Belmont, Michigan) to Russell Road Trailhead

Maintained by: Michigan DNR

Visible Blazes: No. Linear Parkway, blazes not needed

Topography: 100% Flat

Map: Kent County Map, DNR Map of White Pine Trail

Trail Surface: 100% Tarmac

Trail Difficulty: Easy

Condition: Excellent

Unique Features: Overlook of Rogue River, Bridge Network in Rockford, Rockford Dam, Squire Street Square

Leg Description: The last section of paved trail is 8.5 miles. I do not believe the paved trail starts again until Big Rapids. Pathfinder Dog and I hide my bike by locking it to the fence at the Russell Road Trailhead and then camouflaging it. We then drove to the Rogue River Park in Belmont, Michigan. The trail was busy again, but I suspect that will end soon. It was relatively cool and a nice sunny day. With plenty of water, we started walking.

I have to say that the pavement causes a lot of knee trouble for me, and I look forward to hitting the gravel surface. Our first stop was after 4 miles in Rockford, Michigan. Rockford has a lot of character, the first interesting things you meet on the trail is a couple of city parks and 3 crisscrossing bridges at various heights. These bridges span the Rogue River, which is one of the best kayaking rivers in this part of Michigan. We crossed the now modified railroad bridge which crosses under the 10 Mile Road bridge. After the bridges, you walk by AAA Canoe Rental and the Squires Street Square area, including various restaurants. The Rockford Dam and the Canoe Landing provided a welcome cooling break for Pathfinder Dog, who wasn't enjoying the heat very much. We ate an MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) at the Rockford Dam Park (a nice resting spot) and then Pathfinder Dog took another quick dip in the backwaters and off we went. The Trail detours around the Wolverine World Wide Factory and Factory Outlet, then continues north. I was struck by the nice view and area along the Rogue River as we traveled north. We were sneaking through the backyard of America, on foot. It is truly an interesting feeling. As we approached the 14 Mile Road bridge, I was surprised how well hidden we were from the view of the world as we slipped under the road bridge. We ended at Cannondale Mountain Bike Bravo at 1323 hours. Location - Russell Street Trailhead.

Notes: None

Submitted by Pathfinder

Pathfinder Dog posing at the Rockford Trestle Bridge

Entering Rockford, Michigan

Rockford Dam

Leg 2 Map A (271k)

Leg 2 Map B (260k)

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