First, I've got to say that I have logged over 800 miles on the southern half of the White Pine Trail. It is a very scenic and rider-friendly trail, with gentle slopes, a nice downhill run between Russell Road and Rockford, many places to stop and view the wildlife. It is a well-travelled route, with everything from families walking with their toddlers to serious bicycle enthusiasts speeding along in their racing bikes.

I wanted to comment on the directions to the southern trailhead. The reference to Belmont is to a trail spot, but certainly not a trailhead in the strict sense of the word. To get there, take exit 95 from US131.Turn left (east) on Post Road from the exit ramp, following it to Belmont Road. Take Belmont Road about a quarter of a mile to Rouge River Park. The trail passes right by the Park.

There is a branch of the trail at 5th3rd Ballpark. The west branch goes through Comstock Park and all of its restaurants and shopping. There is plenty of parking all along the trail in town. To get there, take exit 91 from US-131 and turn right. That will take you right into town. The trail is all along the road on the right. According to one article I read (West Michigan Trails Magazine) Comstock Park is the official starting point for the White Pine Trail.

The other branch goes to the Butterworth Trail, heading south into Grand Rapids.

Overall, I think Michigan is doing an excellant job of providing trails for everyone to enjoy no matter where you live in the state. I just hope the support continues, not just from the legislature, but the people who use it!

The directions to the southern part of the trail do not seem to be accurate. Perhaps they are merely out-of-date. I could not find the trail head in Belmont and ended up parking at an abandoned business and getting on the trail, which was just a few yards away. The first time I did this, I headed north past Rockford. The second time I wanted to see where the trail really started so headed south and went past 53rd Ball Park. I had done the first half of my regular 10 mile ride, so turned around and went back to my car. But the trail seemed to go on much further past my stopping point, which was about a mile past the ball park.

I ride a Sun trike and found the trail worked well for that rig. It's not the fastest trike but people had no problem passing me. There is an ice cream shop right by the trail on the Comstock Park spur and you can ride right up to the window and order a cone.

Theirs a place west of lake cadillac on the old M-55 road west and just north of the Campground . Its a bit out of the way but well worth it. The restaurant is called the Da doghouse best coneydogs out of town. And their is a small side pathway on M-115 just before campground. The White pine trails are great.

I only ride the paved section of this trail (Comstock Park to Sand Lake), but it's beautiful. It also links to a trail that extends the path further south to Riverside Park (Ann St.) so the entire paved section is 23 miles one way. Other than short sections that run alongside roads, the trail goes through woods and along the river. It's quiet, picturesque, and in good shape. It's also wide, so you don't feel like you're riding through a tunnel like you do on some trails. I ride a Terratrike and prefer to ride the trails rather than roads, since I'm riding low. I highly recommend visiting this trail.

The Trail from Cadillac to reed city has a ongoing paving operation right know to improve it and eventually all of it will be paved.

July 24 2010

From Reed City to Little Rapid,trail is blacktop. south toward Howard City surface is rough with loose stones and tall grass. From Sand Lake to Comstock paved trail,Going thru Rockford a beautiful litte town.
North from Reed City to Cadillac trail is lousy.
Pere Marquette Trail is a joke,grass so tall you can't see marker

charlie3435@comcast.net

The written directions to the Comstock Park trail head were wrong. We followed the written directions from your description area of the trail and ended up at the Belmont trail head rather than Comstock Park. If you look carefully at the written directions, you will see that they are the same as the directions to Belmont. However, when viewing the map you can find the correct directions. Our internet was down at the time, thus we were unable to look at the map when we left.

I rode south 11 miles from Paris. Paved section to Big Rapids is wonderful. Even the unpaved section south of Big Rapids is well packed and smooth. Some nice views of the river. I saw deer on my evening ride.

I also rode from Reed City to Cadillac (and back). This trail is two track. It is a little rough but the tracks are well worn and the plants don't grow very tall. Leroy and Tustin have port-a-johns along the trail. I had a great BLT at the Blue Heron in Cadillac and had a great breakfast at Mr. Pibs just north of Leroy. Nice views of wetlands, north woods and meadows.

We rode from Cadillac to Sand Lake in the summer of 2008. Parts of the trail were lovely. Other parts were clearly seldom used, with grass growing tall between the tracks. North of Morley, the trail had peculiar wheel tracks and horse hoof marks. According to locals, these were made by Amish buggies using the trail illegally. Since we didn't encounter one, we couldn't verify it, but that's certainly what the tracks looked like.

I distance skate on quad speed skates. Roller skates require a smooth paved surface, any other surface is impossible.

I work in Big Rapids, live in Howard City, and play in Grand Rapids. The variation of surface conditions of the trail along its length through these cities is pretty remarkable. The only long paved portions of the trail North of Grand Rapids are the Comstock Park- Sand Lake section and the section that goes Big Rapids to Reed City.

Snowmobiles are allowed N. of Russell Road which is just north of Rockford. Everything south of Russell Road makes for a BEAUTIFUL skate (except when weather/tree debris is rough). Smooth, not too hilly, challenging, etc.

The trail in Big Rapids has been completely destroyed by snowmobiles; the surface entirely chewed and rough. I can skate on it, but it's very unpleasant and I can never really work up any speed. The amount of vibration that comes up through my skates makes my feet numb. I often drive the 20 miles down to Rockford just to get a good cardio skate in, and I hate wasting gas just to get some exercise.

I think the managers of the White Pine Trail should seriously reconsider their snowmobile policy.

We lucked out with a beautiful November day to ride the trail between Big Rapids and Reed City. This stretch is the northern, paved section of the trail. While we routinely ride unpaved, cinder/crushed limestone trails with our tandem, the unpaved sections of the White Pine (about ½ mile south of Big Rapids and just north of Reed City at US10) were just too rough for us.

We started at the trailhead in Big Rapids that had ample parking and an unheated bathroom. There is a BP gas station with Subway shop a little to the west for sandwiches/drinks. The trail is pretty much a nice mix of farm fields, woods and some adjacent river scenery. Paris might be busy during the summer as you pass close to the camp ground / fishery. The Reed City trailhead has a nice, new structure with heated bathrooms. R.C. also has a couple of restaurants and shops for food/snacks.

The Pere Marquette Trail intersects at Reed City, too. It’s only paved about ¼ mile to the west of Reed City and turns into a pretty rough, unpaved section from there. We road east on a nice paved section of the P-M for about 3 miles, but turned around due to time not knowing how far east the paved section extends.

Overall a very nice stretch of rail-trail.

We just completed our tour of this trail, along with a detour on the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail.
We stayed mainly on the paved portions, though we did try heading north out of Reed City.
But with road bikes the trail was just too rough, and so we turned around at Ashton.
We also made the trip eastward to Evart, which is also a very nice section of trail.
The next day we enjoyed the southern paved portion of this trail, between 57 and Comstock Park.
The trail through Rockford is gorgeous, but busy.
The wildflowers were in full bloom, the new Reed City depot is a beautiful resting place, and the lookouts over the river made for several scenic breaks.
My one wish-list item would be for water pumps on the trail; the 2nd day we made sure to pack extra water.

Hands down my favorite trail. Lots of shade, places to stop and get water, and good shelter from the wind. The trail is very, very well maintained. I'm not sure what they did when they paved it, but the ruts and weeds are few and far between. When they do pop up, they seem to be fixed a lot quicker than the other trails in the area.

I look forward to when they complete the pavement all the way to Cadalliac.

We walked on the trail today from downtown Rockford, headed north...just out to enjoy the beautiful Friday.....YIKES!!! Bikers...PLEASE use proper protocol when coming up behind walkers,etc...DING those bells,etc...some of the bikers were o.k...but seems our brains have become frozen over winter...remember to always signal when coming up behind someone...I'm not putting blame to the bikers, as we also bike, but today was for walking......lets remember safety on the trails as the summer unfolds...

Since this trail is close to home, I have spent many wonderfull hours riding from Riverside Park to the end of the paved trail just north of Sand lake.
Hopefully this trail will keep me young. Can't wait until it is totally paved to Caddilac.

"We thought the trail was beautiful and well maintained, but we were disappointed to find the trail closed for repairs about 5 miles north of Rockford. It would seem that such information should definately be posted on the web-site."

"Today I was on the trail for the first time. I rode from Riverside Park in GR to Russell Road near Cedar Springs. (The end of the paved section)

This is a perfect case of going ""up north."" The trail seems to be inclined as you go north. Nothing too difficult, though, and it makes for a great ride back to GR. Trail very smooth compared to others I have been on lately. Rockford is a great resting place... nice little village square. Great scenery along both rivers, especially the Rogue.

I can't wait until they pave the rest of the trail."

"The section of the trail from Belmont to Rockford was quite rough, but was repaird in May 2005. They did a great job and it is great for in-line skating again!"

"My wife and I rode the entire length of the White Pine State Park Trail this summer on our BikeE ATs. We did it in sections.

1)Riverside Park in Grand Rapids to Pierson
2)Pierson to Morley
3)Morley to Big Rapids
4)Big Rapids to Ashton
5)Ashton to Cadillac

The trail was entirely passable, although there were sections between Pierson and Morley were we had to lift our BikeEs over three downed trees, we had recently had a severe thunderstorm and they were blown down by that storm. Some sections between Russell Road (where the pavement ends north of Rockford) and Big Rapids had rough ballast and fairly large stone gravel that made the riding slow. But we were able to maintain between 6 and 9 mph the entire way. The section between Pierson and Morley also seems to be used by some of the local Amish as a buggy trail, dispite the fact that horses are not allowed on the trail. Someone had pulled out all of the state signs along the trail that stated that ATVs and horses were not allowed on the trail. Given the state's economic problems trail rules are not being effectively enforced.

The paved section between Big Rapids and Reed City does show some wear from the studded tracks of snowmobiles, but that doesn't bother bikers unless they are riding purely for speed. In-line skaters may find it a little rough for their tastes in some spots, but the pavement allowed us to ride easily with an average speed of 10 to 14 mph both ways.

The county park in Paris at the site of the old state fish hatchery is worth the stop to walk along the fish ponds and feed the big trout in the ponds. Besure to visit the ""Effle Tower"" in the park.

When you reach Reed City you will come on the # where the Pere Marquette Rail-trail cosses the White pine. After going through the covered bridge and crossing US 10 the trail returns to being unimproved ballast. The ride to Ashton is relatively easy and the trail has some interesting views. DON'T TRY TO SAVE TIME BY RIDING THE OLD HIGHWAY BACK TO REED CITY FROM ASHTON, like we did, AS THERE ARE THREE STEEP DECENTS AND ASSENTS.

From Ashton to Cadilac is also unimproved but as the ballast used was crushed stone it is smoother. There is a tunnel under a road south of Leroy and an area just south of Leroy were water seems to collect. It was still damp and we rode on the higher ground in the center of the trail. That was the poorest section of the trail and it was only 50 yards or so long.

After Leroy the trail is crushed stone and relatively smooth. There is a spectacular view from the trail north of Tustin after the trail passes under the US 131 freeway.

When you reach Cadillac the trail is paved and quickly takes you to Lake Cadillac.

This trail is unimproved much of its 92 miles but is can be ridden by a good road or communter bike. You do not need a mountain bike to enjoy this trail and as it is a rail bed I doubt that mountain bikers would find it much of a challange.

If you are a biker and are in Western Michigan looking for a good ride try this trail."

The trail near Reed City south allows snowmobiles or at least they don't enforce it. That's why the trail is in bad shape and it is also very dirty.

I recently rode out of Reed City south toward Paris. This trail was dirty and is being destroyed by snowmobilers. The surface is quite rough and bumpy for the most part. Reed City to Hersey was just as bad although I think the trail builders probobly had good intentions. On a 1 to 10 scale this trail is a 6 at best for the parts I have seen.

The Cadillac to Tustin portion of the trail is not bad. It is hard packed dirt with little stones. It is not at all difficult to ride.

"I rode the entire trail on June 19, 2004, with a cross-bike. I left Cadillac at 6:00 a.m. and arrived in Comstock Park just after 3:00 p.m.

Cadillac to Reed City is a mixture of gravel and ballast. It's packed down in some spots and loose in others. It's fairly rough, but this portion of the trail has great scenery. Reed City to Big Rapids is paved and parallels the Muskegon River for a couple miles before crossing it just north of Big Rapids.

South of Big Rapids the surface is back to gravel and quite rough. It smoothes out south of Stanwood and is fairly decent to Howard City. South of Howard City it's rough again and overgrown with grass for several miles. It then smoothes out again near Cedar Springs. South of Cedar Springs the trail is paved the rest of the way.

I recommend that wherever you start, head south. Over the 92 mile length, the trail elevation drops about 600-feet from Cadillac to Comstock Park. For scenery, the best is between Cadillac and Big Rapids. Food and water is not a problem, as the towns on the trail are only 5-10 miles apart. There's plenty of party stores and restaurants. Good luck, and don't forget a camera!"

"I rode the trail from Big Rapids to Reed City. The trail itself was very well maintained, and there wasn't that much traffic. I was a little disappointed though that there were not more rest areas/bathrooms along this stretch."

"We did the whole trail and at its worst it was still O.K. while at its best the trail was excellent. The paved parts are obviously great, while there's some loose stuff to deal with on some parts of the unpaved part of trail.

Bottom line: White Pine Trail State Park exhibits the finest part of what defines a trail. The Michigan DNR has removed its funding of the White Pine so maintenance will be dependent upon the townships and municipalities it passes through. Hey, everyone's budgets are hurting so its just the day and age we live in.

Be prepared for some over growth of weeds, grass, fauna and flora onto the trail. When in Cadillac stay at Mitchell State Park if you're camping. This is a great state park -- it's simply the best!

Rockford has shops within feet of the paved portion of the trail. Don't miss Belmont Grocery for stocking up -- it's right next to trail. There's a great little motel with a restaurant next door in Howard City. This is also right next to trail.

We found lots of places that had their one gallon containers of spring water in the refrigerators along with the other cold drinks. What a wonderful concept!

All in all this was a very enjoyable ride, but if you're going to do the entire trail you should ride a hybrid or mountain bike. If you must have your rail-trails paved then start in Grand Rapids and go to Rockford and then get yourself sagged to Big Rapids for the next paved section.

All you ride warriors just stay on the trail! Michiganders are really nice folks! YeeHaw!"

"Between Russell Rd and 12 Mile are some badly filled potholes marked with yellow paint. Not too bad for bikers, but rollerblading is dangerous in those areas. It'll be great when the trail is paved farther north!"

"My 12-year-old daughter and I biked this trail from Russel Road (7.4 miles north of Rockford) south to the end at Monroe Park (approximately 11 miles). It is a well maintained, asphalt trail and an easy ride (especially for a novice bike rider).

We highly recommend this rail-to-trail. "

"Big Rapids to Reed City: Paved and beautiful. Most scenic trail I have had the pleasure of cycling.

Paris park is a comfortable and clean little park. Piza place just south of the enterence is excellent. Stay in a cabin if you like for $30 (clean, good deal).

Photos and detailed reviews can be seen on our club web site:
http://www.cherry-capital.com/cccc

Look under photos, 2002 and 2003, White Pine.

Bruce"

The section of trail from West River Road to four miles north of Rockford was very enjoyable.

"We watched the bridge go up over West River Drive, and today (April 14, 2002) my childern and I decided to take a ride over the bridge. We started in Comstock Park at 5/3 ball park. This first part of the trail was gravel and at first I thought that this was going to be a little rough for my daughter (who is 8) but she had no problem riding on it. There were a couple of soft spots, but they weren't a problem. Once we reached the bridge (that is where the asphalt starts) my childern had a very easy time. The ride was very easy with the smooth surface and no hills. We made it to Belmont (about 4 miles from Comstock) and the kids said let's keep going, so we did. The view was great, including the river. People we passed were friendly. The overall apperance of the trail was clean. We had no problems with our ride, there was a couple of rough spot on the asphalt but those were well marked with bright orange marking to warn people to watch that area.

We plan to start in Rockford and go north. If anyone has information on what the trail is like north of Rockford please let me know. Thanks, Cliff."