This short nature trail is just off Portage Point Road. Although it's too short to probably make it a destination, it's a great place to stop and stretch your legs if you are going by. The entire system contains about a mile of trail, with some brief glimpses of Portage Lake through the trees. There is a secluded campfire area with no amenities.
The description begins at the parking lot. Go around the gate or be sure to latch it behind you if you open it. There is a rustic portal over a trail angling to the right, and this is the beginning of the Upper Trail. You can easily follow this as it angles up the slope of the hill and is lined with rails of logs. There is a bench partway up the hill. A few trees are labeled, including an American Elm, an unusual find.
Don't take the trail labeled "Sam's House," as I believe this is private. At the top, begin looking back to your right, and you will catch glimpses of Portage Lake. In a short while, the trail will begin to curve around to the left and downhill. At this point the edging will disappear. As of Spring 2012 the trail is not complete, but you'll see the flagging tape and treadway which lead you back to the Old Road Trail
Access- From the small parking lot
Distance and time- 0.25 mile
Trail Markers- none- but most of the trail is edged in logs
Treadway- natural forest surface
Grades- benched trail on hillside, with about 50 feet of vertical climb
Ecosystem- deciduous forest on stabilized sandy soil
Most recent date this info personally checked on foot- March 2012
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Old Road
The description begins at the parking lot. Go around the gate, or be sure to latch it behind you if you open it. There is a rustic portal over a trail angling to the right, but stay on the wide lower trail. This will continue fairly straight along the creek valley.
In about 0.2 mile you may see where the Upper Trail comes back down to meet this. However, the end of the Upper Trail is not completed, so it is possible to miss this junction. A little farther, the trail will bend left and cross the valley, and almost immediately divide into a left and right fork. The right fork takes you to the campfire area. The left fork I have labeled the West Trail
Access- From the small parking lot
Distance and time- 0.3 mile
Trail Markers- none- but follow the wide old road
Treadway- compacted old road
Grades- level until crossing the valley, then climbing moderately
Ecosystem- deciduous forest the east, marshy valley bottom on the west
Most recent date this info personally checked on foot- March 2012
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West Trail
The description begins at the junction with the Old Road Trail
Turn south on another wide trail that follows the valley back to the south. Near the end, cross the creek and climb to reach the back of a private barn. Turn around and go back the way you came.
Access- From the Old Road Trail
Distance and time- 0.15 mile
Trail Markers- none- but follow the wide old road
Treadway- mostly compacted old road
Grades- level until the very end
Ecosystem- deciduous forest the west, marshy valley bottom on the east
Most recent date this info personally checked on foot- March 2012
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Picnicking
Picnicking- There is a campfire pit at the end of the Old Road Trail. An old table has been left there, which could be used to set things on, but there are no benches or chairs. This would be a rustic picnic location, very secluded, no views.
Rest Rooms and Potable Water
Rest Rooms- none
Potable Water- none
Handicap Accessibility
Handicap Accessibility- A sport wheelchair could navigate the Old Road Trail as far as the hill to the campfire area.
Details
Access- From Portage Point road less than 0.5 mile west of M-22. Parking for two cars if done carefully.
Restrictions- no camping, no overnight parking, note that private property is very near- be careful to not trespass
Seasonality- open all year, but parking and trail may not be accessible in winter
Ecosystem- streamside wetland and stabilized dune hill with deciduous forest
Other points of interest- The village of Onekama is 1 mile east with small town services
most recent date this info personally checked- March 2012
Additional Facilities- none
Maintained by- Little Eden Camp
3271 Portage Point Drive
Onekama, MI 49675
Phone 231-889-4294
More- Little Eden Camp
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