Pigeon River & Beyond - Back Country Horsemen, Michigan

The kids and I are planning on camping at Elk Hill this Labor Day weekend.  Can anyone give me an update on the bridge construction on Sturgeon Valley Rd. or even on anything else going on in the PRC lately?  I have been camping there annually, each fall since 2002.  I've loved my trips up there and the kids have been begging to go based on my reports.  This will be their first trip up and I'd like for them to enjoy it as much as I have.  I know that there have been many changes, I expect many more in the years to come, I just hope that most of those changes are for the better.

My main concern as of right now is of course getting there and getting my rig parked, but also on conveniently getting to the camp, with the bridge construction.  I am planning on getting there plenty early, but will my "early" be early enough, or will it remain a ghost camp?  Time will tell.  Anyone have any suggestions if Elk Hill is full when I get there?  It is a three hour drive for me to get there.

The road over the actual bridge is complete, but the road to and from the bridge is not, the road is still closed as of today saturday 8/29. I do believe that it will be two more months before it is open.

     If you are coming camping to Elk Hill remember there is only 10 campsites if you are not with a group in the group camp.  No worry they have not been full all summer.

    Coming from the  north use M-68 to Osman rd, not to bad but is a dirt road.  From the N.E.  from wolverine take Webb road to Osman rd. then south, not too bad but some dirt road.  Following the detour from down town Gaylord you will take Tin Shanty rd. it will be a rough ride over washboard road. it will take you at 4 mph to avoid shaking everything loose over the 10.5 miles of dirt road about one and a quarter hours to go the 10.5 miles, but the trip is worth the bumpy ride.

  If you make the mistake of trying to come in from vanderbuilt, you will have to turn around and the detour is 45 very long miles.

   If you are coming for the labor day week-end we will be in the group camp with the alpena horse club. stop by and say HI, just ask anyone from the alpena horse club for Jerry.

Thanks Jerry, I appreciate the information.  Yes, we are going to get up there early, making a very long holiday weekend.

Sorry Charlie....Talked with Dave's Valley Market in Vanderbilt this afternoon and they told me that it will be done in about 2 weeks.....that's what they say anyway!  They are certainly feeling the pinch with no thru traffic in town....If you get near-stop and gas up to help keep them in business.....If I were you I would take M-68 out of Indian River.  Head east about 10 miles to Osmund Road.....Straight shot into Elk Hills.  The road is not too bad.  This is the most direct route into camp.  Like previously stated, that if you try to go down Sturgeon Valley road you will find that the detour is unbearable...Will be seasick by the time you get to camp....Old Vanderbilt road is nothing but a corkscrew of turns and can be a little dicey if you are hauling a big rig....Go to Indian River M-68!  We hope you have a great weekend,

Alpena county Horsemen's club books elk hill group camp grounds every labor day weekend. thurs-monday. I love this area and know that in 2009 in the fall or a holiday weekend -you will not get a camp site. unless your there the week before. there is plenity of two track riding but not as good as before but pigeon river is my favorite place to camp and always will be. please rember 10 campsites and it's first come first serve- in other words other users do use this camp! even though they can camp anywhere in the 180,000 state forest! join the alpena horsemen's club it's only $17.00 family members google web site. see ya on the trail!

jackie