Top of Michigan Trails Council

10/20/2026

We're getting closer to finishing the Boyne City to Charlevoix Trail. We're currently pursuing a $30,000 matching grant. Can you help achieve our goal?

DONATE: https://give.trailscouncil.org/boyne-city-to-charlevoix-trail

10/19/2026

Northern Michigan has a great selection of high-quality bicycle retailers and service providers. Now is a great time to get your bike in for a season-end cleaning and tune-up. Make sure your bike is ready to go next spring!

10/18/2026

Our latest eNewsletter is out!
https://conta.cc/4k4llb7

Click here to subscribe:
https://www.trailscouncil.org/

Email from Top of Michigan Trails Council Keep Pace with the Trails Council Support Trails Today October 14, 2026 Greetings, Trail Lovers! We're falling in love with all the autumn colors emerging on

10/17/2026

Little Traverse Wheelway Ambassador Patrick Affholter recently met Bob and Diana at the waterfall area of Petoskey's Bayfront Park. They are from the Akron, Ohio, area and have been visiting Petoskey annually for the last eight years. Bob is wearing a “Pedaling with a Purpose” hat that he bought at the Trails Council’s office. They were thrilled to hear about Cindy Okerlund’s kids biking program and wanted to support the effort!

10/16/2026

In a major boost to the Boyne City to Charlevoix Trail (BC2CVX) project, organizers recently announced a $30,000 matching grant from John and Diane Harris of Petoskey. The couple pledged the money on the condition that the Top of Michigan Trails Council (TOMTC) and the Charlevoix County Trail Team raise the matching $30,000.

The Trails Council and Trail Team volunteers are working to connect the last six miles of trail between Charlevoix and Horton Bay.

"We appreciate the opportunity to financially support our local trails because they provide people the opportunity to recreate in the beautiful Northern Michigan outdoors," the Harrises said. "We know it allows visitors to enjoy our piece of paradise, helps trail users stay physically fit, and even helps the environment by providing an alternative to commuting by car."

The couple is also a principal underwriter of TOMTC’s Kids Pedaling with a Purpose program, directed by Cindy Okerlund.

Read the entire story here: https://www.trailscouncil.org/news/boyne-city-to-charlevoix-trail-30000-match/

Click here to help us meet the $30k match: https://give.trailscouncil.org/boyne-city-to-charlevoix-trail

10/15/2026

Little Traverse Wheelway Ambassador Patrick Affholter recently met met Steve and Bernadette near the Petoskey City Marina. Steve grew up in the Muskegon area, but they now live in Santa Fe, NM, and are touring northern Michigan.

10/13/2026

Last weekend's weather begged us to go outdoors and enjoy our remaining trail days. As is our annual tradition, the second week of October brought our ride from Levering to Mackinaw City on the North Western State Trail.

Blue skies and warm temps made a perfect day as we rode through the colorful corridor. We enjoyed an easy pace and numerous stops heading north toward the big bridge. Every segment of trail was filled with electric colors, from the shocking yellow of birch leaves to the Sugar Maple's firetruck red - and everything in between.

What a pleasure it was seeing so many people out enjoying the mild fall weather.

This 10-mile section offers great trail conditions. Aside from the many fallen leaves, the North Western is in great shape, offering a very firm riding surface.

To learn more about the North Western State Trail, click the link.
https://www.trailscouncil.org/north-western-state-trail/

10/13/2026

Eric Strayer of Oscoda drove all the way over to the P***y Offield Trail Center recently to buy the Cannondale “Black Lightning” used road bike listed in Trails Council Safety & Maintenance Director Bill Prall's used bike sale. Eric got a great deal on a high-quality used bike!

SHOP THE SALE: https://www.trailscouncil.org/sale/

10/12/2026

Trail amenities, like shelters and bathrooms, are essential for a complete trail experience. A bit of shade on a hot day, respite from a driving rain, or simply a place to sit and enjoy a mid-ride snack are some of the simple pleasures a good trailhead offers trail users.

Trailheads are a place to rest, a staging area for a group ride or walk, and they serve as trail access points thanks to designated parking areas.

The Village of Pellston recently opened its new trailhead (below) on the North Western State Trail, and Onaway's new trailhead (above) on the North Eastern State Trail is nearing completion. Both are year-round facilities.

As per usual with trail development, Pellston's structure, located at 6291 W. Main St., resulted from collaboration among several public and private entities. Funding came from Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Wenger Foundation and Petoskey-Harbor Springs Community Foundation, along with in-kind contributions from the Village of Pellston and the Downtown Development Authority. This project was eight years in the making.

Onward in Onaway (first photo)

Located at the intersection of the trail and M211, the Onaway trailhead project took root in 2019. With expanded parking, family restrooms, and drinking water, the facility will serve as both a trail amenity and the local farmers market. Bike racks, a bike repair station, and picnic tables are also included.

In 2024, the Council of Michigan Foundations and the Michigan DNR announced that the City of Onaway had been awarded a $749,100 Spark Grant, which Onaway used to build the new facility.

The Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan served as the regional collaborative lead.

Top of Michigan Trails Council contributed $5,000 to this project in 2019. Those funds were applied to architectural fees.