MWEISSEN...
We had a cabin off of Pine Road, right near the Manistee, less than a mile east of Stephens Bridge road, just south of North Down River road. We also used to stay at Gates motel off Stephens Bridge road. I rode dirt bikes, snowmobiles, and hunted in all the state land there from about 1975-84.
My step-dad sold the cabin shortly after the big fire up there around '84-85 (?) The cabin was saved (minor damage), but all that was left of the nearby toy garage was the cement floor and the burnt out frames of 2 quads, 3 bikes, 2 Odesseys, and a Jeep CJ. I stop by there every couple of years, and the pine trees are starting to grow back. Would love to by the cabin back some day...
Before the cabin, we stayed at Bud's cabins in Lovell's, right on the river. I'm very familar with all the great trails from North Down River road to north of M-612, up through the bombing range. We used to sneak back up on the ridge past the guarded gates and watch the jets come in a bomb the hell out out of old tanks.
Finally getting back into riding. Hope to meet you on one of the rides this year.
- Bill