North Central State Trail

North Central State Trail
Map showing the location of North Central State Trail

Location within the state of Michigan

Location Lower Peninsula, Cheboygan County, Otsego County, Michigan USA
Nearest city Indian River, Michigan
Coordinates 45°24′47″N 84°36′40″W / 45.41318°N 84.6112°W / 45.41318; -84.6112Coordinates: 45°24′47″N 84°36′40″W / 45.41318°N 84.6112°W / 45.41318; -84.6112
Governing body
Length 62 mi (100 km)
Trailheads Gaylord, Michigan
Mackinaw City, Michigan
Use Cycling, Equestrian, Hiking, Snow-mobiling, XC skiing
Trail difficulty Easy
Season All
Surface Crushed limestone
Website Official site

The North Central State Trail is a 62-mile (100 km) recreational rail trail serving a section of the northern quarter of the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. Following a route generally parallel to Interstate 75, the trail goes northward from the Michigan town of Gaylord[1] to the top of the Lower Peninsula at Mackinaw City and connects to the North Western State Trail. It serves the towns of Vanderbilt, Indian River, and Cheboygan which connects to the Northeastern State Trail.[2]

History

The North Central State Trail occupies what was once the northernmost segment of the Michigan Central Railroad. This Detroit-based railway, one of the largest and most profitable in the Lower Peninsula, constructed a land-grant section of trackage northward from its primary service area to Mackinaw City in 1882. This spur line served what was then a booming area of old-growth timberland.

The Michigan Central, which was affiliated with the New York Central Railroad, operated passenger trains on this section of railroad from 1882 until the early 1960s, serving tourist industries of Michigan's Northland.

North of Mackinaw City, train passengers and freight transferred onto the railroad car ferries operated by the Mackinac Transportation Company, a joint venture operated by the Michigan Central and two other railroads. On these ferries, railroad service was extended to St. Ignace and onward points on Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

When the Mackinac Bridge was opened in 1957, passengers and freight shifted to automobiles. Trains last operated on a regular basis until the 1980s as a spur line of the Detroit and Mackinac Railway.

The North Central State Trail's northern end in Mackinaw City is close to the docks once operated by the Mackinac Transportation Company.

The Iron Belle Trail cross-state bike trail uses the North Central State Trail as one of its segments.[3]

Assets

The North Central State Trail borders a substantial section of the shoreline of Michigan's Mullett Lake. It also borders the Cheboygan River. The trail also passes directly past Historic Mill Creek State Park located 5 miles (8 km) southeast of Mackinaw City.

Access points

Location Services Distance
(approx.)
Coordinates
Gaylord, Michigan Parking, Restroom 45°02′18″N 84°40′46″W / 45.03838°N 84.67949°W / 45.03838; -84.67949 (Gaylord, Michigan Waypoint)
Vanderbilt, Michigan Parking, Restroom 7.6 miles (12.2 km) 45°08′43″N 84°39′42″W / 45.14539°N 84.66174°W / 45.14539; -84.66174 (Vanderbilt, Michigan Waypoint)
Wolverine, Michigan Parking, Restroom 10.9 miles (18 km) 45°16′22″N 84°36′08″W / 45.27270°N 84.60211°W / 45.27270; -84.60211 (Wolverine, Michigan Waypoint)
Indian River, Michigan Parking, Restroom 9.6 miles (15.4 km) 45°24′47″N 84°36′40″W / 45.41318°N 84.6112°W / 45.41318; -84.6112 (Indian River, Michigan Waypoint)
Topinabee, Michigan Parking, Restroom 5.6 miles (9.0 km) 45°29′03″N 84°35′30″W / 45.48421°N 84.59168°W / 45.48421; -84.59168 (Topinabee, Michigan Waypoint)
Mullett Lake, Michigan Restroom 6.6 miles (10.6 km) 45°33′44″N 84°31′30″W / 45.56234°N 84.52489°W / 45.56234; -84.52489 (Mullet Lake, Michigan Waypoint)
Cheboygan, Michigan Parking, Restroom 5.3 miles (8.5 km) 45°38′09″N 84°29′14″W / 45.63579°N 84.48728°W / 45.63579; -84.48728 (Cheboygan, Michigan Waypoint)
Mackinaw City, Michigan Parking, Restroom 16.3 miles (26.2 km) 45°46′49″N 84°43′51″W / 45.78024°N 84.73079°W / 45.78024; -84.73079 (Mackinaw City, Michigan Waypoint)

References

  1. "North Central State Recreation Trail". Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  2. "North Eastern State Recreation Trail". Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  3. "FAQ about Michigan's Iron Belle Trail". Michigan DNR. February 7, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
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