Valley of the Giants Hike

Join the Grand Traverse Chapter of the North Country Trail on a hike through the Valley of the Giants!

Hike Description: This is an easy to moderate, out and back hike of 5 miles. Much of the hike is in a very steep valley with 22 Creek running through the bottom. There are several gigantic beaver ponds that have flooded a section of forest. This section of woods was never logged so there are many large old trees and not much underbrush. Most people are enchanted by this section of forest and come back in all seasons of the year. We will aim for a moderate speed of 2 mph with short rest stops along the way. For those of you aiming for our chapter’s 100 Mile Challenge, you can add 5 miles to your tally on this hike!

What to Bring: A good pair of hiking shoes, rain gear if the weather threatens, water, and a snack (if desired). No restrooms are available.

Where to Meet: We will meet at 6985 Scharmen Road, Mile 737.3, or 44°38'29.6"N, 85°26'17.3"W.

Directions from Traverse City: Follow Garfield Avenue south to River Road. Go east on River Road for 1 block to Arbutus Hill Road. Zero your trip odometer here or remember the reading. Continue straight onto Brown Bridge Road (formerly River Road). Continue east for 0.7 miles, then bear right at the fork onto Scharmen Road. At 3.6 miles, watch for the North Country Trail blue blazes to cross Scharmen Road. Continue east and at 3.9 miles, find the blue blazes crossing the road for a second time (right after mailbox number 6985). Pull into the two-track on the left and park off to the side in the grass. This is right where Scharmen Road turns south and becomes Hodge Road.

If you use the coordinates to navigate from the south, do NOT try to come via Hodge Road due to its poor condition. It's best to come off Garfield Road.

Please use the following link to obtain directions from your specific location to the trailhead: https://www.google.com/maps/place/44%C2%B038'29.6%22N+85%C2%B026'17.3%22W/@44.6450373,-85.4364409,15z/data=!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d44.6415556!4d-85.4381389?entry=ttu

Cancellation Info: Check the Meetup event page for potential cancellations before attending. Please keep in mind cell phone coverage may be spotty on the trail and we may not get messages posted to Meetup once we are on location.