Seney National Wildlife Refuge - Northern Hardwoods Trails

Northern Hardwoods are a series of loop trails that are groomed in the winter for cross country skiing. Each loop is given a specific trail name and is of various lengths and difficulties. There is the Cub Hollow, Bear Hollow. Skunk Ridge, Smith Farm, Manistique River Run, Otter Run, Goose Pen Bend. Northern Hardwoods is easy to find; going South on M-77, you turn right on Robinson Road and follow it till it dead-ends. There is a gate across the road and a parking area.

The Upper Goose Pen is a beautiful little lake created by a dam. 

 

By looking in the mud, you can get an idea by tracks left behind of what creatures are lurking in the woods.

Also, poop animals leave on the trails. The trails are not heavily used by humans, and the diamond markers on the trees were helpful at times to let you know you were still on the trail. This was Black bear country, and I had my can of bear spray with me.

Not much of a view of the Manistique River.

Looking down at the Gray's Creek.

 Gypsy and I followed Robinson Road back to where the van was parked. The map shows this road winding throughout the wildlife refuge and must be only used by National Seney Wildlife Refuge Service as only a service road. 

I did Cub, and Bear Hollow, then took the two-track to Manistique River Run. After looping around, I crossed the small bridge and looped around the backside of the Upper Goose Pen Pool. From there, I followed the two-track back to the parking area. Altogether it was a 4.6-mile hike.