Events
Snowshoe Hike, Starvation Lake Road
The NCTA Jordan Valley 45° Chapter will be hosting a hike on February 18. We will gather at 10:00 a.m. at the NCNST crossing on Starvation Lake Road: There is an ORV parking lot a quarter-mile east of the Trail crossing. We will hit the trail by 10:30.
We will hike south from Starvation Lake Road (Michigan Mile 686.75) one mile to MacNeil Pond (687.75), then back to Starvation Lake Road. The total distance is two miles. This section is maintained by the NCTA Grand Traverse Hiking Club Chapter. After the return to Starvation Lake Road (686.75), we will continue north about 2.25 miles to Sand Lake (684.5) and back. The total distance of this portion is about five miles.
If seven miles is more than you want to do, arrive a little later (about 11:30 a.m.) to join us for just the Sand Lake 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 or Darragh Road, then east on Starvation Lake Road 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. Our meeting location is about a mile east of the bar on Starvation Lake Road (GPS coordinates: 44.850995, -84.929335).
After the hike, if it’s not too crowded with snowmobilers, we can lunch at the Hide-A-Way Bar. It it’s too busy, we will meet at the Iron Skillet in Mancelona, next to the Rooted store.
Snowshoes may be required, but this section of Trail is mostly flat and there are no challenging hills. Cross-country skis may work but the Trail is not groomed. Dress for winter weather, bring water, snacks, and a friend.
The Jordan Valley 45° Chapter’s trail runs from Starvation Lake Road (near Mancelona) to Kipp Road 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 third Saturday of the month.
Contact Bob Courtois at 248-212-6699 with questions.
