Hike 100 Challenge: South River Road Trailhead to Log Lake Campground

Grand Traverse Chapter's 2025 Hike 100 Challenge - South River Road Trailhead to Log Lake Campground. Saturday, September 20, 2025 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM EDT Leader: Seth Stein.

We'll meet at the entrance of Log Lake campground, 2866 Log Lake Rd NE, Kalkaska, MI 49646. Google maps can find it at PRXX+HX Kalkaska, Michigan. To get there, take M72-E from the Traverse City area toward Kalkaska. When M72 intersects US 131, continue straight on Nash Rd for 1.3 miles, turn left onto E Log Lake Rd and continue for 0.3 miles. We'll meet at the ball field on the left. The campground has bathrooms.

We'll shuttle to our start point at the South River Road Trailhead. Google maps can find it at 5457 S River Rd, Kalkaska, MI 49646. From the ball field, head southeast along E Log Lake Rd for 0.3 mi, turn right onto Nash Rd and continue for 1.3 miles to US 131. Turn left (south) on US 131 and continue for 1.1 miles. Turn right on 1st St, continue for 0.4 miles where it becomes Island Lake Road. Continue for 4.1 miles, turn left on Independence Drive (unpaved) NW and continue for 1.6 miles. Turn right on South River Road and continue for 1.1 miles to the trailhead on the left.

The hike is about 9.3 miles total. The first 6.5 miles are mostly through nice woods along the north branch of the Boardman/Ottaway River, ending at the new boardwalk segment and trailhead in Kalkaska, where we'll have lunch. We'll then walk for about 1.75 miles on the main street through Kalkaska, and then a final mile through the woods to Log Lake. The terrain is flat and easy. Plan on hiking for 5 hours at a 2 mph pace, with a lunch break. Hiking shoes, poles, and rain gear are recommended. Consider long pants and bug spray to reduce potential tick problems.

Avenza maps 114, 115