at Silver Creek Pathway
General Information
Silver Creek Pathway 
This is a DNR pathway open to hiking, skiing and snowshoeing. There are also campsites at both ends of the loop, which is located on the Pine River within the Pere Marquette State Forest north of Luther.
Camping
Camping-
State Forest Campground, picnic tables, fire rings, self-pay fee tubes, $15/ night, no reservations
Lincoln Bridge Campground- 7 camping sites, picnic tables, fire rings
Silver Creek Campground- at least 8 camping sites, picnic tables, fire rings
Boat Launch
Boat Launch- carry in access only to Pine River at Lincoln Bridge and at Silver Creek
Most people take out here and do not go further downstream than Lincoln Bridge until Peterson Bridge.
Fishing
Fishing-
Pine River- The Pine is known for brook, brown and rainbow trout.
Silver Creek- brown and rainbow trout
Skiing
Skiing- The primary use of this trail is for skiing. See trail descriptions under Hiking.
Hiking
Silver Creek Pathway Loop
The description begins at the north end of the loop, crosses to the west side of the river, and goes south, crossing the river again and returning north on the east side of the Pine River. There are snowmobile and ORV trails nearby, so you may hear motor noises. There are only a few places where the trails cross or come together however.
Leave the north side of the parking lot and cross Pine River on the steel truss Lincoln bridge. This is not a vehicular bridge, but serves both the foot path and a snowmobile trail. Follow the road away from the river for about 100 feet uphill and then the trail turns left along the river, leaving the road. You will be high above the river. The trail dips to river level several times, and there are two places where 2-track roads lead in to old campsites at the river. Watch for one very sharp turn in the trail that is easy to miss.
At the south end of the loop, cross the river again on a wooden bridge. You will not immediately see where the trail goes as you reach the parking loop, but it just goes out the other side, near the latrines. After you turn north on the east side, there is a small extra loop away from the river. There is nothing special to see on this loop. It supposedly meets an abandoned rail bed as it nears the road, but it's pretty faint. There are two places on this side of the river where you briefly join a road, and then turn back into the woods, always staying left (west) of the road. You will come into the south side of the parking loop at 10-mile Road.
Access- Parking and Camping areas at both the north and south ends of the loop on dirt roads.
Restrictions- hiking, skiing, bicycling
Distance and time- 4 miles according to the sign, but my guess is 3 1/2. An easy 2 hour walk.
Trail Markers- Blue DNR hike and ski logo plastic blazes.
Treadway- stable packed sandy soil, somewhat uneven footing in many places.
Grades- gentle to moderate grades take you from the flood plain to the bluffs above the river and back several times.
Marking- adequate
Ecosystem- Mostly Oak and Pine on the high bluffs, Cedar swamp in floodplain
Other points of interest- nice views high above the river
Most recent date this info personally checked on foot- April 2004
Back to map
Comment
Bicycling
Bicycling- The trail is open for bicycles.
Picnicking
Picnicking- day use of the campsites is allowed, picnic tables and fire rings
Scenic Views
Scenic Views- nice creek views from the trail
Rest Rooms and Potable Water
Rest Rooms- latrines at both campsites
Potable Water- summer only at hand pumps in campgrounds
Details
Access- via dirt roads
Restrictions- State Forest Campsite regulations apply
Seasonality- pump handle removed in winter
Additional Facilities- none
Maintained by- Michigan DNR, Pere Marquette State Forest. Call (231) 775-9727
DNR web site
More- If you wish to canoe on the Pine River you need a permit. This is a designated Wild and Scenic Waterway. You need a watercraft permit, and there are special regulations which apply. Private watercraft permits may be reserved by calling 1-231-723-2211. Some of the landings in the Manistee National Forest require a Recreation Fee sticker to park there (self-pay tubes are available- $3/day, $5/weekly, or $20/year at a Ranger Station).
![[Counties]](lakepix/locsilvercreek.gif)
