Pigeon River & Beyond - Back Country Horsemen, Michigan

Hi!! I was wondering if anyone has information on the MI trail "Tin Cup Spring" trail near Luther. The map I have lists it as 21 miles in length; looks like there are 2 side by side trails, one for ATV's, and the other one for ?trail riders maybe?? Would like to hear from anyone who knows of this trail, or  has ridden it. Thank-you!!!

Happy Trails,

DeeDee

I googled Tin Cup Springs and it looks as though one trail is  a motorcycle trail,
 and the other is a ORV route-ORV's of all sizes including off road motorcycles,
 4 wheel drive trucks and Jeeps, dune buggies , that sort of thing. ORV sticker required.
 My guess is that you probably would be ticketed if they found you riding there.  It doesn't say anything about Horses. 
http://www.lakecountyorv.com/uploads/tin_cup_trail_1_.pdf

It is NOT an motor trail only. Granted, it's not labled the greatest- we parked in an open area on the side of the rd. And I wouldn't ride without someone who knows the trail. But I can't find my way out of a paper sack, so..

 I have rode with my firend there, but can't give directions myself. We rode 19.5 miles and had no problems with motorcycles. The endurance ppl have a ride there and my friends camp in the area every memorial wknd. Check www.gldrami.org  Perhaps one of the contacts on the ride flyer can give you info. Sorry I don't have more help for you. But don't give up.

Hello DeeDee, I asked a fellow trail riding friend and here is what she told me: There are two trails one for ATVs and one for horses.  The ATV's we encountered were only on the weekend and they were very nice and respectful of the horses.  The horses can ride on the roads and on the blue marked trail.  Nice trail, we really enjoyed it.  It is now called the Luther Horse Trail.  It has blue dots and blue triangles to follow.  There are circles you can do if you have a map or GPS.  The whole trail is approx. 21-22 miles.  There is NO WATER available for people or horses so make sure to take their own.

Hope this helps you!

Dick and Connie at 06:10PM on Apr 15, 2009

Hello DeeDee, I asked a fellow trail riding friend and here is what she told me: There are two trails one for ATVs and one for horses.  The ATV's we encountered were only on the weekend and they were very nice and respectful of the horses.  The horses can ride on the roads and on the blue marked trail.  Nice trail, we really enjoyed it.  It is now called the Luther Horse Trail.  It has blue dots and blue triangles to follow.  There are circles you can do if you have a map or GPS.  The whole trail is approx. 21-22 miles.  There is NO WATER available for people or horses so make sure to take their own.

Hope this helps you!

Thank-you very much !!!  This is just the kind of info I was looking for. Will add this trail to our possible destinations list for Summer rides.

Thanks again !!!!!

DeeDee

Just spoke with a man named Alan Cox last night.  He is a private landowner and is requesting horse riders please come and ride the trails on state land surrounding his property.  It is near Luther.  Not sure if this is the Tin Cup Trail that is being referred to here but, will check it out this Sunday and let you all know.  He tells us that there are about 50 miles of marked trails with blue horse shoe signs where horses used to ride often but now no longer come.  Would like to have us come to keep these trails open.  What a great gester.  Says that camping is available on his property-free-just clean up after yourselves....maybe a donation would be nice on our part.  Will let you know what we find out later.  If you would also like to contact him, please go to www.coxx.com and fill out an email contact form and he will answer your questions. 

Connie

Well, we made the trip over to the area in question yesterday. 48 miles for home-not bad!  Had a very entertaining afternoon with Mr. Cox.  He is very eager for riders to come to the area. He has a vision of making an area to welcome riders to stay at his place in the near future.  I told him that if he built it people would come!!!  His sits high on a bluff and has lots of possiblilities.  He has a little riding on the perimeter of his property and across the neighbors ajoining but, the main riding is in the Manistee Forest that is about 1 1/2 miles away. This is the same area-Tin Cup- that has been referred to in the above posts by the way.  Alan gave us the $5.00 tour of the entire area yesterday-we even went into the little town of Luther for a late lunch- so we could get a feel of the area. We observed lots of two tracks with old blue post markings like was stated in an eariler post-would definetly want to ride with a GPS. The trails are sandy and very nicely shaded.....we only saw one area and that was on 8mile road that would accomodate our large rig....it was nicely mowed yet there were no trees to picket horses if camping.  There is no water available so if planning on an extended stay to this area you would have to plan accordingly... you would also want to have a small corral-nice and wide and level. There are no large trees to picket in this clearing-small pines.  This area would probably accomodate 3 or 4 units.  There were another couple spots what we saw that smaller rigs could get into but few and far between.  Also observed several dirt bikes and 4 wheelers enjoying this area.  Their route in the forest is very well marked-also with 911 signs if you would have an accident-help would be on the way quickly.  This is good!  If you have the time and feel "adventurous"-check it out!