Events
Valley of the Giants Hike
Join the NCTA Grand Traverse Chapter for an easy to moderate, out and back hike of 5 miles. Much of the hike is in a very steep valley with 22 Creek running through the bottom. There are several gigantic beaver ponds that have flooded a section of forest. This section of woods was never logged so there are many large old trees and not much underbrush. Most people are enchanted by this section of forest and come back in all seasons of the year. We will aim for a moderate speed of 2 mph with short rest stops along the way. Bring a good pair of hiking shoes, rain gear if the weather threatens, water, and a snack (if desired). No restrooms are available.
Directions from Traverse City: Follow Garfield Avenue south to River Road. Go east on River Road for 1 block to Arbutus Hill Road. Zero your trip odometer here or remember the reading. Continue straight onto Brown Bridge Road (formerly River Road). Continue east for 0.7 miles, then bear right at the fork onto Scharmen Road. At 3.6 miles, watch for the North Country Trail blue blazes to cross Scharmen Road. Continue east and at 3.9 miles, find the blue blazes crossing the road for a second time (right after mailbox number 6985). Pull into the two-track on the left and park off to the side in the grass. This is right where Scharmen Road turns south and becomes Hodge Road.
