I have a question for everyone on here, I like to ride up North in the Kalkaska area. I've ridden out of Cadillac, Manton, Kalkaska, Mancelona and Alba. I've heard about the Blue Bear trails, and I'm wondering if there is a staging area anywhere near there? I take 131 to get there, and I'm wondering if anyone would be willing to give directions? I've left from Manton and taken that trail up, would I would like to start on the sleds a little bit farther north, maybe just east of of Kalkaska?

Thanks for all your help!

-Kevin

Here is a pic of the area I'm thinking of. A bigger pic can be found at the link below, but at least you can see what I'm thinking.

http://www.fishweb.com/recreation/snowmobile/trails/nwl.html

my parents have a place down the road from the hideaway in starvation lake. there is a parking lot across the street. pretty accesible from county road 571. pm trbomax- he is the mancelona/kalkaska guru.

There's a staging area on 72 west of Grayling or you can head to the Hideaway and start there. Not much room to run along 131 until you get to Kalkaska proper.

Jay

Wow, you are in luck!
Take 131 to the McDonalds in Kalkaska (just past the intersection of 72 from the east) and take a left. Take this road for about 2 miles. Just past a small airport you will find a snowmobile staging area and warming house. Perfect place to unload.

If you want to ride the blue bear it is hard to get there from the staging area in town. You're better off going out to 72 and unloading there, no in town roads to deal with. Just watch the hunters out there, its a pretty popular area.

if ya take 72 to the east of kalakaska. till ya come the the parking lot , you're at the blue bear trail

Cool! Thanks for all the info...do you know of any landmarks or crossroads that would be near the parking lot? I'm wondering how far to go....I appreciate all your help!
-Kevin

Yea man...i have a place right on bear lake in kalkaska...which is m-72 and west bear lake road(right by dingmans bar). the parking lot everyone is talking about will just about get you anywhere in that area. If you are coming from 131 ....once you turn right onto m-72 and cross the railroad tracks you will travel about 13 miles. If you are familiar with "tower hill". Its a huge hill with a cell phone or some type of tower on the top flashing red with like 4 huge red lights. You cant miss the hill its fricken huge. Right after you go past the hill you will pass sunset trail on the right side. Go down about 1/2 mile tops and the trail head is on the left side. Ya cant miss it. If you come to the shell gas station on the left you have traveled too far. Turn around and it'll be on your right. Good Luck man ! In fact i just got home 15 mins ago from the kalkaska area. They have snow up there but its not what you wanna call good riding weather. Still too early and the hunters are definetly out ! haha.... after the 1st if we can hold some cold weather and get some more snow should be a great base with some fluff on top . Good luck man !


-adam

Went riding last night at the Blue Bear trail,,, did 60 miles up toward Alba, Mancelona, and Lakes of the North,,, for being November, it was great! snap

Thanks Adam, that helps alot, I can't wait to get up there, I'm not sure when it will be but I definitely have the itch.

I used to ride from bear lake too... a friend had a place on the lake. Used to ride the ditch to blue bear trail, or go east to the big hill for some climbing.

rode the area you guys are talking about extensively over the last five
or so years. best part about that area is, you can shot up to east jordan
for lunch and then on the way back when the trails turn to shit, you can
just start hopin' roads back to M-72. :div20: