US-MI-Manistee+River+Trail


 * =Birding in Michigan=

Manistee County
=Manistee River Trail= Hodenpyle Dam Hodenpyle Dam Road Mesick, MI 49668 [|Manistee River Trail web site]

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Hodenpyl Dam
Coordinates: 44.3663689, -85.8215904 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

Manistee NF--Red Bridge
Coordinates: 44.2839223, -85.8598709 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

Manistee NF--Upper River Rd.
Coordinates: 44.2794612, -85.8766064 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

Manistee River Trail--One Mile Rd. access
Coordinates: 44.3637314, -85.826987 eBird links: Hotspot map View details Recent visits My eBird links: Location life list Submit data

About Manistee River Trail
The Manistee River Trail follows the east shore of the Manistee River for 8.8 miles through rolling hills. The trail traverses past several wetlands and there are bridges crossing two creeks. A waterfall near the northern end of the trail is very popular with many hikers. The Manistee River Trail/North Country National Scenic Trail connector is also the site of the largest wooden suspension bridge in Lower Michigan. Several observation sites along the trail provide hikers with vista views of the Manistee River and surrounding area. There are several dispersed campsites along the trail.

A 23-mile loop trail is formed with the Manistee River Trail along the Manistee River. The loop trail can be accessed from the Marilla and Upper Branch Trailheads for the North Country National Scenic Trail and the Red Bridge and Seaton Creek accesses for the Manistee River Trail. From [|Manistee River Trail web site]

The Manistee National Forest, established in 1938, consists of 481,000 acres of deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forest, vast floodplains of the Manistee River, and over 550 miles of waterways on 9 other rivers, swamps, marshes, and open areas. The primary attraction of this area is the collection of breeding species, especially warblers. Breeding warblers include some species at the northern edge of their range, including Cerulean Warbler and Louisiana Waterthrush. Other interesting breeding species include Red-shouldered Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Brown Creeper, Hermit Thrush, Blue-headed Vireo, and Yellow-throated Vireo.

The **North Country Scenic Trail** runs north from the Coates Highway parking lot for approximately 11 miles to the trailhead at Beers Road. It then links up with the **Manistee River Trail.** During the spring and summer, common birds along this trail include Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-headed Vireo, Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush, Black-throated Green Warbler, Pine Warbler, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

The forest within the vicinity of the **Red Bridge** is a remnant of the once-vast transition forest that covered northern Michigan. This area is attractive for its wooded hills and crystal-clear streams, as well as its breeding warblers. These species include Golden-winged Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Pine Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, and Louisiana Waterthrush.

The **Upper River Road** corridor can be accessed 1.0 mile north of the North Country Scenic Trail parking lot at Coates Highway. This gravel road heads northeast through an extensive forest to Hodenpyle Dam. This is one of the best areas in northwestern Michigan for breeding warblers. The best birding here is in late spring and early summer. This road is not maintained or plowed in winter, and it may be rough to travel on (mud, pot-holes, etc.).

The **Hodenpyle Dam** is located at the north end of Upper River Road. In late fall, diving ducks and Pied-billed Grebe can be seen here. During the spring and summer, look for nesting Cliff Swallows. Other spring and summer species of interest include Golden-winged Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Red-shouldered Hawk, Wilson's Snipe, and American Woodcock. In most years, Rough-legged Hawks are also present from late fall through late winter. Source: Chartier, Allen T., and Jerry Ziarno. A Birder's Guide To Michigan. Colorado Springs, CO: American Birding Association, 2004. Print.

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|| L2717835 US US-MI US-MI-101 44.3663689 -85.8215904 Hodenpyl Dam L1014419 US US-MI US-MI-101 44.2839223 -85.8598709 Manistee NF--Red Bridge L2265764 US US-MI US-MI-101 44.2794612 -85.8766064 Manistee NF--Upper River Rd. L2656673 US US-MI US-MI-101 44.3637314 -85.826987 Manistee River Trail--One Mile Rd. access