I hope that this trail will improved soon. It would be a great safe connector from the state park to Michigan city, but currently, it is not a great option

My wife and I rode this trail from Krider Garden in Middlebury to Shipsewana and back (about 15 miles). The last 1/2 mile was on a road to town. We rode in the lane typically used by the Amish buggies. The trail was paved, mostly shady, flat and well maintained. It was very scenic. The trail goes thru an area predominantly farmed by the Amish. The farms, barns and houses are well kept. It appears the community is flourishing. We ate in Shipsewana. The town has a lot of services.
Walking thru Krider garden was also a treat.

From Rochester down to Peru is relatively level . Lots of whining on here about dangerous road crossings but it isn't like they surprise you. Just slow down or stop especially if the vegetation is tall. No problem. The section from Peru to Kokomo is definitely much more shaded and isolated. Not much water supply on this trail so make sure to fill up in Peru. I had no issues with bugs in August.

Trail is rough gravel with a lot of depressions. Water fountain at Beverley Shores station if needed on a hot day. Definitely strenuous. Local informed me that recently towns’ along the trail have agreed to pave this trail which will be a game changer. Trail’s eastern end now joins the Singing Sands trail through Michigan City, which is paved. MTB trail for sure.

Miles 0-5 are very smooth and the rest of the trail is in average to good shape, with a lot of cracks. I was impressed by how intertwined this bike trail is with the local community, with many places to enter and exit the trail. There was a lot of shade on the trail and I saw a couple of Porta potty‘s along the way. At the end of the trail there is a connection to the lake shore Trail. This was a great trail which is only minutes from the expressway.

So as a birthday gift to myself, I drove up to the north end starting point of the trail.
One noticeable difference from the part of the trail down by Kokomo is that the there are mile markers at the northern part.
Now as noted in another review, the afternoon that I ran the trail, the flies were terrible..
The portion in Kokomo is much more shaded.
As noted in my previous review, the northern part is paved, flat and level.

It would be a bit of a drive from Kokomo, I was staying in Wabash, but if in the area, and want to get in a couple miles, either spot will do.
Enjoy.

We are trying out our ebikes. A little concerned with signage stating no motorized units, except for wheelchairs. As we understand it now after some research, ebikes are OK as long as speed is below 20mph. No problem with us keeping it under! There is s small section that is not paved. A very small section. The signage directs you on to the county rd, but I was not comfortable to do that s yet, as we are still getting acquainted with our ebikes. The unpaved portion is just fine. Maybe a wee bit gravely, but I felt under control. If you go, take the slight detour to Gene Stratton Porter Historic Site. So pretty!

This trail? is full of depressions holding rainwater creating walk around areas. Not recommended trail unless it has not rained for weeks.

Today was my first jog on the south end of the trail which I enjoyed. The small amount of trail that I ran by was well-kept and even blacked out some graffiti. That showed me that the trail is maintained which I appreciate. I drive a semi for a living which sometimes brings me to Kokomo. The hours in a semi are often quite long, so I try to get in a run when I’m stuck at a stop. This trail fit me well.