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Located in the historic Owasippe Scout Reservation, the oldest Boy Scout Camp in America.


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Map Key

12.4

Miles

19.9

KM

100%

Singletrack

688' 210 m

High

614' 187 m

Low

571' 174 m

Up

573' 175 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

9%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Open January 1st. Trails closed to public during the summer Boy Scout Season (2nd Saturday in June - 3rd Saturday in August) & during the month of November for deer hunting.

Overview

A classic loop consisting of the best singletrack Lake Owasippe has to offer. This trail features impeccably maintained trail with roots, rocks, undulating terrain, and beautiful vistas.

This ride is a combination of the Easiest, Intermediate, and Advanced trails in the Lake Owasippe trail system.

Need to Know

In order to park at this system, you must have a parking permit. You can find further details here.

Description

This ride is broken into three separate sections, the Easiest Loop, Intermediate Loop, and Advanced Loop.

Easiest Loop: The Easiest loop flows in a "Clockwise" direction, so be sure to steer left at the first intersection. To avoid high speed collisions, please don't ride the trails "backwards". Veering right through the sand at Secondary Sign Post #1 by the dam will allow a rider to bypass the more technical hilly Whisper Mountain & Black trail sections. Currently this trail only has singletrack until it reaches the dirt road along the very scenic west shoreline of Wolverine Lake. Follow this dirt road until reaching Secondary Sign Post #5 then turn sharp right onto the singletrack and head back to the trailhead.

Intermediate Loop: The Owasippe-Whisper Mountain/Wolverine Lake trail section (Secondary Sign Posts #1, #2, #3 to #5) starts at the dam on Cleveland Creek then travels through new trail at Old Camp Frontier, Whisper Lake & Whisper Mountain before joining the trail that follows the shoreline of Wolverine Lake. Many landmarks are seen along this trail section-the Soderstrom Chapel, the Boat House & sandy beach at Perz Bayou plus the old Log Cabin. At the fork where Sign Post #3 is located, stay to the right and ride across the floating bridge. (walk if you must!) then, after traveling a short distance, the 2nd bridge will appear. This is the leaning bridge, be careful and find the right gear to be able to climb out!

Advanced Loop: Owasippe's Black Trail (Secondary Sign Posts #3 through #5) offers lots of hills, both up and down and beautiful scenery. The trail ventures away from Wolverine Lake out to the "Old Blue" Boy Scout Hiking trail where you'll travel completely around several natural springs that create Cleveland Creek & Wolverine Lake. Riding along a section of trail called the "goat path" you are advised not to look down! Further ahead on this trail is the Marl Bed Bog area where the ground literally moves under your bike! After crossing a small bridge you'll enter a new trail section that was built with the help of the IMBA Trail Care Crew during their visit in 2013. Thanks Jesse & Lori!

Contacts

Shared By:

Tom Robson with improvements by Randy Knapp and 1 other

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 30 votes

#631

Overall
  4.3 from 30 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
17%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#25

in Michigan

#631

Overall
33 Views Last Month
20,636 Since May 30, 2014
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

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44%
17%
39%
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Photos

Goat Path at High Speed
Jun 1, 2014 near Twin Lake, MI
New trail built in 2013 with the help of the IMBA Trail Care Crew!  Thanks Jesse & Lori!
May 18, 2014 near Lakewoo…, MI
Water's edge on the Intermediate Loop.
Sep 1, 2015 near Lakewoo…, MI
The Leaning Bridge!
May 18, 2014 near Lakewoo…, MI
The Famous Fern at Whisper Lake!
May 18, 2014 near Lakewoo…, MI
The Barrel at Old Camp Frontier.
May 18, 2014 near Lakewoo…, MI
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jul 20, 2024
Stephen Bolthouse
12.5mi
May 28, 2022
Greg Southwell
Dec 18, 2021
Leighton Kyle
Jun 3, 2021
Aaron Jonker
1h 30m
May 15, 2021
James Kessler
Apr 30, 2021
Tyler Baker
First time here! Was a blast but got confused. Didnt do the full BD only about half or a bit more.
Aug 29, 2020
Perry Chenoweth
This was more challenging than expected. Thin trail and lots of roots means no momentum. The scenery was spectacular however. 9mi — 1h 30m
Apr 25, 2019
Jason Thompson
10mi
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