Michigan Trail Tuesday: Pintail Pond Trail (Rifle River State Recreation Area)

Michigan Trail Tuesday is our attempt to showcase a different trail or trail segment each week. The Mitten State is home to thousands of miles of trails, including the new Iron Belle Trail that runs from Detroit in the southeast to Ironwood in the western Upper Peninsula and more miles of the North Country Trail than any other state.

Rifle River State Recreation Area in Ogemaw County is a paradise for those who love outdoor recreation. This park’s more than 44,000 acres offer up a modern campground (75 sites), three rustic campgrounds, 14 miles of trail for hiking and cross country skiing, an observation tower, a suspension bridge, multiple lakes (open for non-motorized boating) for fishing and more, and plentiful opportunities for wildlife viewing. We visited Rifle River State Recreation Area for the first time this August and went for a hike on the Pintail Pond Trail. This trail had a great mix of boardwalk and gravel as it circled around this rare northern fen.

Unlike many of the other trails here at Rifle River State Recreation Area, the Pintail Pond Trail is open to only foot traffic (and cross country skiing in the winter). The trail starts out as a gravel path and before long reaches a split. We chose to go to the right and follow the loop trail that way. Signs along the route identifies plants and trees as the trail makes its way through a cedar swamp.

Ferns lined the path and one of the interpretive sign tells more about the types of ferns found here, when each is likely to be present, and how to tell the differences between each type.

Less than five minutes in, the pond comes into view. A boardwalk section makes it possible to travel through here and get a great look at this picturesque pond.

A sign along the boardwalk tells more about Pintail Pond being a northern fen: “Fens occur primarily on flat areas or mild depressions on glacial outwash and glacial lake plains. Its peat base is neutral to mildly alkaline, unlike more familiar acidic bogs. Its higher alkalinity and productivity is the result of water passing through limestone or other calcareous deposits. Fen vegetation is extremely sensitive to minor changes in water levels and chemistry, groundwater flow and nutrient availability. A reduction in groundwater flow and subsequent decrease in nutrients may result in a shift from a classic, northern fen to a poor fen or acidic bog.” Warnings are also posted to stay on the trail and avoid contact with this rare and sensitive landscape. There are fewer than 100 northern fens in Michigan according to the state department of EGLE.

It was fun to see all of the different plants near the pond, including some we had never seen before. The Grass-of-Parnassus shown above was one of our favorites. Another sign along the trail points out the wildlife that can possibly be seen in this wetland. We did not have any luck seeing birds, mammals, amphibians, or reptiles during our visit but this certainly seemed like it would be a prime spot!

The boardwalk continues on, offering more views of the pond before the trail makes its way into a stand of pine trees.

The trail becomes gravel once again and the interpretive signs focus on the different types of trees that can be found here.

We also found a handful of different types of mushrooms during our hike on the Pintail Pond Trail. The trail continues its loop around back to the parking lot and is flat and well-maintained.

Another interpretive sign shares some details about how this path lies on an old railroad grade from the early 1900s when there was an unsuccessful attempt to remove material for fertilizer and cement from the Grousehaven Lake area.

This was a fantastic place for a short (right around one mile) hike at a beautiful state recreation area. We also made time to drive the park road and check out the observation tower.

Rifle River State Recreation Area is located at 2550 Rose City Rd. near Lupton. To get to the Pintail Pond Trail, take a right when the park road forks and follow it for a short distance to the parking area on the right.