Tanton Family Working Forest Reserve

All dogs must be on a leash!

And please clean up after your pooches while using the trails. Learn More

Size

236 acres

Land Description

Formerly known as Christmas Mountain, the high point of this reserve — 1,300 feet — is just over 100 feet shy of the Nub's Nob ski resort's tallest point located a few miles to the northwest. From the top, views of Little Traverse Bay, Crooked Lake, and Pickerel Lake may be enjoyed when the trees have shed their leaves. The waters flowing through this land to the beautiful Minnehaha Creek down below eventually arrive in Crooked Lake, situated near the headwaters of the nearly 40-mile Inland Waterway that drains into Lake Huron in Cheboygan.

Trail Description

More than 7 miles combined, featuring three trail loops from Beginner to Expert. Trails are open for both biking and hiking, so users are asked to follow the direction recommended for the day you are visiting, as explained on signs.

Directions

ADDRESS: 1447 Maxwell Road, Petoskey From Petoskey, take Mitchell Road east approximately 7 miles. Turn south (right) onto Maxwell Road. Drive south just over ¼ mile, and the new parking area is on the left (east) side of Maxwell Road.

Photo credits: Latitude 45; Stacia Lynn

Mountain bikers in Harbor Springs and Petoskey were eagerly awaiting a great trail to ride just outside of town. Thanks to a partnership between the Conservancy and the Top of Michigan Mountain Bike Association (TOMMBA), the wait is over!

Rock Solid Trail Contracting (builders of the nationally-renowned Copper Harbor Trails) built and opened the trail in the summer of 2020.

Hundreds of Sponsors and Donors made this incredible trail possible. Thank you!

TOMMBA Trail Sponsors and Donors

Dwain Abramowski
American Spoon
Mark & Denise Antonishen
A.R. Pontius Flower Shop
Atchison Paper & Supply
Bill & Maxine Aten
The Back Lot
Will Baker
John & Sandy Baker
Drew Bartlett
Jim Bartlett
Bayside Family & Sports Medicine
Steve & Kathy Biggs
Cathy & Mark Bissell
Joe Blachy
Erik & Ann Borgen
Debbie Borgmann
Martha & Andrew Bowman
Bruce & Heidi Burnett
Willy, Brielle, & Henry Burris
The Buza Family
Mike Calabrese
Steve & Teri Chaffee
Daniel & Laurel Clarke
Dr. & Mrs. Murray A. Cotter
Paul & Kailey Cunningham
Greg & Joyce Danforth
Amelie & Jason Dawson
Sam DeCamp
Decka Digital
James & Jennifer Dilworth
Karen & Mike Donnelly
Doornbos Family
Dean & Cheryl Dryer
Thomas J Earl
Mark & Marie Eckstein
Edward Jones Investments: Mike Eberhart, Diana Eberhart
John Engel
Evening Star Joinery
First Community Bank
Chris Ford & Ali Hill
Peter & Sarah Ford
Paul & Claire Forney
Steven Foster Family
Cathy & David Frazee
Gaslight Group Properties
Graham Real Estate Inc. Community Fund
Leo & Yuki Graham Foundation
Great Lakes Energy – People Fund
Bennett, Calen, Gavin, & McClure Galbraith
James & Elizabeth Galbraith
Peter & Sarah Gurney
Paul Hagan
Michael Hall
Stephen Harrington
Donald & Rhonda Hescott
High Gear
“The Highlander” Mountain Bike Race
Greg Hintz
Kathleen Hirrel
Judith & Richard Hitz
Mark & Mary Hramiec Hoffman
Emily Hughes, Joe & Ember Graham
Indian River Family Dentistry
Brendan & Catherine Ingalls family
Mr. Hugh M. Jacob & Mrs. Susan C. Jacob
Johanna Jansen
Tim & Carol Jarvi
Jeffries Family
Chuck & Lynette Johnson
Sara & Zach Jonker
Mr. Louis W. Kasischke
Fred & Edie Kaufmann
Kilwins Chocolates Franchise
Klepadlo Winnell Nuorala P.C.
Damian & Jenna Koehler
Margaret & Jason Kromm
Aliaksandr & Shafer Kurshuk
Beth Lancaster
Latitude 45 Bicycles and Fitness
Martin Letts
Spencer Lindenberg
Ric & Lisa Loyd
Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Manthei
Darlene & Dudley Marvin
Drs. Vaughn & Harriet McGraw
Jeff & Tracy McMath
William L. Meengs
Hugh Melling & Denise Simon
David Miller
Joshua Robert Miller
Capt. William Moore
Patrick Mullally
Amy & Jason Muller
Meredith and Rick Neumann
Norm’s Roofing
North Country Cycle Sport
Nub’s Nob
Offield Family Foundation
The Oleson Foundation
Marta & Peter Olson
Ottimer Painting
Elizabeth Pascoe
Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau
Petoskey Brewing
Petoskey – Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation
Bruce Emmet Platte
Polly’s Planting and Plucking
Tom & Sarah Post
Mark and Cat Pumford
Lauren Walsh & Steve Radecki
Patti Repasky
Re-Source Partners
John Richardson
Rocky’s Barber Shop LLC
David Rynbrandt
Robert & Susan Schultz
Turner & Boden Schultz
The Scriven Family
Bill Seguin
Andi Shepherd
Dave & Ruth Skop
Aaron M. Smith
Gregory B. & Pamela K. Smith: in memory of George B. & Mary Elizabeth Smith
Mr. & Mrs. W. James Sprow
Stafford’s Hospitality
Mr. & Mrs. John Stewart
Jane & Paul Stewart
William & Lucy Stubbings
Sturgeon River Pottery, Inc.
Max Sydow
Rob, Dena, & Max Sydow
Scott & Molly Szpunar
Tanis Family
Top of Michigan Mountain Bike Association
Touring Gear
Audrey Trautman
Trek Bicycle Corporation
Triford Foundation
Paul & Joanna VanRaaphorst
Brad & Terri Warnecke
Mr. Thomas E. Welch
James Wenberg
Wentworth Builders, Inc.
Scott D. Whitcomb
Bentley Whitman
Hal & Gail Willens

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