Rails to Trails: Pere Marquette Trail of Mid Michigan
Start: Chippewa Nature Center (Southwest Midland)
Route: Ride the 3.5 mile Chippewa Trail to the Pere Marquette Trail, then ride the Pere Marquette Trail west to Clare and back.
Distance: 76 miles round trip.
Weather: Mostly Sunny. Temp: 50-70 degrees.
Low Elev 610, Hi Elev 860. Feet Ascended: 660
Trail Material: Nice Smooth Asphalt.
Rating: TWO Thumbs Up.
I loved this well maintained Pere Marquette trail of Mid Michigan because it is one long flat mostly straight trail with a very open canopy. The short Chippewa trail winds and turns and offers interesting interpretative signage. Midland had a bicycle fix-it station along the tail complete with air pump and any tool you need to work on the bicycle. I thoroughly enjoyed the wide variety of scenery from river crossings to bogs to farmland. Many people were using the trail in the Midland area.
Highlights of this trip: Chippewa Nature Center had plenty to explore. Downtown Midland's 3-way Pedestrian bridge is a sight to behold connecting 3 areas of the City separated by the intersection of the Tittabawasee and Chippewa Rivers. Entrances to the bridge were beautifully landscaped with flowers and rocks. Midland boasts being a five year winner of 100 Best Communities for Young People (2007-2012). The well maintained downtown park certainly shows why. Both Midland and Clare offer plenty of food, drink and shops.
Rails to Trails: Pere Marquette Trail of Mid Michigan
Start: Chippewa Nature Center (Southwest Midland)
Route: Ride the 3.5 mile Chippewa Trail to the Pere Marquette Trail, then ride the Pere Marquette Trail west to Clare and back.
Distance: 76 miles round trip.
Weather: Mostly Sunny. Temp: 50-70 degrees.
Low Elev 610, Hi Elev 860. Feet Ascended: 660
Trail Material: Nice Smooth Asphalt.
Rating: TWO Thumbs Up.
I loved this well maintained Pere Marquette trail of Mid Michigan because it is one long flat mostly straight trail with a very open canopy. The short Chippewa trail winds and turns and offers interesting interpretative signage. Midland had a bicycle fix-it station along the tail complete with air pump and any tool you need to work on the bicycle. I thoroughly enjoyed the wide variety of scenery from river crossings to bogs to farmland. Many people were using the trail in the Midland area.
Highlights of this trip: Chippewa Nature Center had plenty to explore. Downtown Midland's 3-way Pedestrian bridge is a sight to behold connecting 3 areas of the City separated by the intersection of the Tittabawasee and Chippewa Rivers. Entrances to the bridge were beautifully landscaped with flowers and rocks. Midland boasts being a five year winner of 100 Best Communities for Young People (2007-2012). The well maintained downtown park certainly shows why. Both Midland and Clare offer plenty of food, drink and shops.