Trails: 18 km (11 miles) of trails are groomed for cross-country skiing by the Michigan DNR. Trail fees: Yes Tel: Pere Marquette State Forest, Cadillac 231-775-9727 Snow report: Nearest town: Cadillac, MI Web site:Michigan DNR Trail map: Available from the DNR Equipment rentals: No Ski lessons: No Other winter activities: Facilities: Lodging on site: No Lodging nearby: Cadillac has several hotels and other accommodations Tourism info:Cadillac Visitors Bureau Weather forecast:Cadillac Location of trails: The park is about 3 miles east of Cadillac, Michigan. Map of local region:LeRoy area
Name of XC Area: Cadillac Pathway Times that I have skied there: Several times I last skied there in: Feb, 2004 Trails that I skied: Have skiied every trail at this site. All are unnamed, as you go from one numbered post to another My favorite trails: Loop of 5.7 KM starting at 1, go to 4, then out to 8, then back to 5 and continue to 7 and take the longer trail (along the stream) to post 1 and the parking lot. Trail marking: Very good Trail grooming: Poor Rating: 3.5 stars What I liked: Only 3 miles east of downtown Cadillac - convenient to get to. But grooming is very spotty and done with a snowmobile dragging a weighted sled -- not professional equipment as used by areas such as Forbush Corners. "Groomed" track is very narrow and your ski poles will sink into the soft, unpacked, snow and snag you. Area is covered in deer tracks and you might see some on the morning or late afternoon. Skiing in trees and out of the wind for the most part. What I disliked: Trails are not rated for Beginner, Intermediate, Expert. There is a set of three VERY STEEP desending hills on the portion of the trail starting at post 12 and going to post 8. Locals have dubbed them Baby Kahuna, Momma Kahuna and Big Kuhuna. Unless conditions are perfect they can be very dangerous. Two years ago 9 of 18 in our group fell on Big Kahuna and I thought one woman broke her nose -- not so, just bled a lot. She has since give up X-C skiing. Also locals like to walk the groomed portions left footholes in the track. Comments: No warming hut, just a uni-sex outhouse. Must drive back to Cadillac for chow -- Try Maggies on Main Street for lunch and DO NOT miss Herman's European Cafe for dinner -- sehr gut!! Submitted by: RML from: Bloomfield Hills, MI Date submitted: Feb 16, 2004
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MI77
MI78A