Great Escapes Winter 2024 | Page 31

61 WINTER 2024 VOL . 05 / ISSUE 02
SNOWGOER . COM 62
Most of the trail mileage throughout this area is on forest roads , which are particularly numerous compared to many other state and national forests .
Three Takeaways :
The Ogemaw Hills area is a little over two hours north of Detroit and almost the same distance south of the Mackinaw Bridge , and right off of Highway 75 , making it an easy-to-reach destination for those coming from the south .
The 138-mile Au Sable River that we crossed often is known as one of the best brown trout fisheries in the region .
The Huron National Forest is about 70 miles wide and 30 miles north-
Arriving in Saint Helen , we made a brief stop at the Saint Helen Snowpackers clubhouse and admired their grooming equipment before making our way down the roadside to the Firehouse Bar & Grill . The restaurant was established by a former firefighter in 2007 and is decorated with firefighting items and memorabilia . The food was delicious , making it clear why the Firehouse is a popular pit stop .
After our meal , it was time for the
short return trip . Trusty Trail 6 brought us back to the OHSC clubhouse , this time from the back side . Dan and I thanked our hosts and bid them farewell as we headed off for our next adventure , happy to have enjoyed this outstanding riding locale .
Countless snowmobilers pass by the Ogemaw Hills on I-75 heading to points further north ( and farther from home ) without realizing what they ’ re overlooking . The West Branch Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau are working together to make this a motorsports-
friendly destination year-round . With
several hundred miles of excellent trails
to explore and enjoy , this locale is well
worth a visit .
For information on the
Ogemaw Hills Snowmobile
club , visit ohsconline . com
For West Branch tourism
and lodging information ,
visit visitwestbranch . com
The crossing of the Au Sable River at the Foote Dam west of Oscoda brings riders past one of the area ’ s main landmarks .
to-south , and is wonderfully rural
and crisscrossed by a great
trail network .