Events

Get your snowshoes! The Jordan Valley 45° Chapter will be hosting a snowshoe hike on February 15, 2025. We will gather at the ORV parking lot just east of the NCT crossing on Starvation Lake Rd at 9:30 and head out by 10am.

See map here.

Hikes:
• First, from Starvation Lake Rd. (mile marker (687.75) we will hike south a mile to MacNeil Pond (688.75) and then back to Starvation Lake Rd. (This section is maintained by the Grand Traverse Hiking Club). Total 2.0 miles.
• Second, after the return to Starvation Lake Rd., we will continue north about 2.5 miles to Sand Lake (685.5) and back. Total 5.0 miles.

Shorter Hike Option – If the total seven miles is more than you want to do, come a little later (abut 11:00) and just do the Sand Lake and back portion of the hike.

Getting to the Trail crossing at Starvation Lake Road is a little tricky because of the seasonal (not plowed) back roads.
• Coming from the north or northwest: Come via Mancelona. Go south on County Road 571 (Darragh Rd.), then east on Starvation Lake Rd. about 6 miles to the trailhead.
• Coming from the south or east: Come via Frederic or Kalkaska. Take County Road 612 to Sunset Trail, then north to Starvation Lake Road.

For your GPS, try entering the Hide-A-Way Bar: 11224 Starvation Lake Road NE, Mancelona, MI 49659. It’s about a mile west of the Trail crossing.

Although this section of trail is mostly flat and there are no challenging hills, snowshoes are highly recommended. Cross-country skis may work but the trail is not groomed. Dress for the weather, bring water, snacks, and a friend.

After the hike, if it’s not too crowded with snowmobilers, we can try for lunch and pops at the Hide-A-Way Bar. If the Hide-A-Way is too busy (probably will be), we will meet for lunch at the Iron Skillet in Mancelona, next to the Rooted Store (stuff made in Michigan).

The Jordan Valley 45° Chapter’s trail runs from Starvation Lake Rd. (near Mancelona) to Kipp Rd. in Harbor Springs, 79 miles of awesome valleys, hills and wooded trail. Over the course of the year, we try to cover all 79 miles. Monthly hikes are usually on the 3rd Saturday of the month.

Questions? Call Bob Courtois at 248-212-6699.

We hope you can join us!