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Hart Montague Bike Trail
Trail Location: Hart to Whitehall
Trail Length: 22.5 miles
Counties: Oceana; Muskegon
Activities:
Walking, Horseback Riding, Biking, Snowmobiles,
Cross Country Skiing, In-line Skating, Wheelchair Accessible
Trail Description:
John Gurney Park in the City of Hart is considered the trail's northern trailhead. The city portion of the route winds past Hart Lake and follows city streets west and south to the old grade at the corner of Wood and Water Streets. From here the trail is uphill for about a half-mile to the parking area on Polk Road, where most people begin on the trail's north end. Across the street you will see the state park portion, highlighted by the first of many mile-markers.
The next 22-miles take you through a pleasant mix of forests, orchards, farmland and small communities. From Hart to Mears, you will head southwest, passing asparagus fields, orchards and woods until you pass under U.S. -31.
This short section was not part of the original rail line. When the Chicago and Michigan Lake Shore Railroad constructed the line in 1872, it went north to Pentwater. It wasn't until 10 years later that the railroad built a spur to Hart on land donated by its citizens. As you head south out of Mears the trail will curve to the left. Here, you can still see evidence of the old line that ran north to Pentwater.
From Mears to Shelby is perhaps the trail's most scenic stretch --two rest stops are provided so that you can enjoy the views. The newest is near the Mile 4 post, where a deck has been built overlooking East Golden Pond. The view from the second stop, less then two-miles away, has been used by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy for note cards that depict scenic views from rail-trails. Back on the trail, you will go under U. S. 31 again, past the Shelby Industrial Park (where you can see gems made) and into the Village of Shelby. A large picnic shelter with restrooms has been built near the old depot and parking is available.
Leaving Shelby, the trail parallels old U.S. 31 for roughly four miles, and near the Mile 11 post it crosses the only trestle along the entire route. The Village of New Era has developed a trailside park complete with a picnic area, parking and a covered pavilion that includes restrooms and a small creek. In addition, a small wood chip trail that leads to an ice cream parlor.
South of New Era the trail straightens out for several miles until it jogs around a parking lot in Rothbury, which has provided a side-trail to a local park that offers a picnic area, a pavilion with restrooms and a playground.
Leaving Rothbury the trail continues its beeline south and briefly runs through property of the Manistee National Forest. Near Mile 18, the trail goes under U.S. 31 for the third time. Several miles later you will veer to the right, in Montague and continue along with views of White Lake through Whitehall. The trail ends at the White Lake Community Library.
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