This Little-Known Trail Is Quite Possibly The Best Cross Country Ski Path In Michigan
By Jack Springgate|Published December 11, 2023
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Jack Springgate
Author
I'm proud to be from the great state of Michigan. I've lived in the Mitten several different times throughout my life spending time in all corners of it. My journeys took me up and down the Lake Michigan coast, out east to explore Detroit and Ann Arbor, and to the dense forests of the UP.
Before writing with Only In Your State, I worked as a local TV news reporter and anchor, most recently in South Bend. Many of the stories I covered took place in Southwest Michigan. My roots are even deeper in the Wolverine State as I often head to Kalamazoo to visit family.
When I'm not out exploring nature, I'm avidly watching sports. I specifically have a deep love for the Michigan Wolverines (my alma mater), and I get to write about them and several other Big Ten teams as and editor for Athlon Sports. I also love to enjoy the great outdoors with my wife and our dog, Piper.
I'm excited to share all my favorite Michigan destinations with you. Keep exploring.
Michigan isn’t joking around when it slapped the two words “winter” and “wonderland” on its license plates. There are so many great ways to enjoy the colder months. I love to take winter hikes with my family and pets, but sometimes I need a little more of a workout.
Whether you’re walking or cross-country skiing, this is an easy route for most travelers. It’s barely less than two miles long and only varies in elevation by 16 feet.
Parts of this trail are only open in the colder months, so it’s best to visit if you’re planning on cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.
This is one of the few maps you’ll encounter out on the path so make sure you keep following the loop until you reach the beginning again. Some travelers who attempted to complete the trail in the summer point out that sections encroaching on private property are blocked off in the warmer months, but they open up again in the winter.
These wide paths are great for cross-country skiing. The trail is located in Au Sable State Forest which means you’ll need a recreation passport to enter.
This trail is considered an easy one due to its distance and lack of elevation. It serves as a great introductory path for people who have never cross-country skied before.
As I mentioned before, there are some portions of the trail that lie on private property. Please be respectful of those spaces as you glide through.
I’d definitely recommend checking out Mackinac Cut and Wild Turkey XC Ski Trail as one of the Best Winter Trails in Michigan. The thought brings me back to going on family hikes during the holidays with family. You will be able to make the most of the cold and snow by gliding through this trail on cross-country skis.
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