Snowmobile in Saint Ignace, Mackinac County,
Michigan USA
Best Season:
November to March
Saint Ignace, the second-oldest city founded by Europeans in Michigan and the third oldest continuously inhabited city in the U.S. Inhabited by Native Americans, Europeans and rich in history, it is mostly known for its ferry service to Mackinac Island and as being home to Straits State Park. Furthermore, the Huron Boardwalk, a number of waterfront parks, the virgin beaches and the St. Ignace – Trout Lake Trail make St. Ignace a great vacation destination for all.
The trail from Saint Ignace to Trout Lake is located entirely within the Hiawatha National Forest and stretches approximately 45 km/28 mi. The trail is mainly used for snowmobiling, though in summertime it can be used for mountain biking and hiking. During winter, the trails are freezing hard and icy at night, but soften during the day. The trailhead is on Marquette Street (near the Little Bear East Arena) and ends in Trout Lake (located off of M-123) about 0.5 mi/0.8 km from the railroad crossing.
The trail passes among wetlands, woodlands and open green spaces along a corridor, which is remote in many places. It also passes through a very small town called Moran that has a couple of stores and a gas station. Trout Lake is an agricultural small town, where you can find a small grocery store and a few restaurants. Outside of St. Ignace, the trail is gravel/dirt, but in the last few miles near Trout Lake, it becomes a dirt trail.