Ride Summary:
Rolling hills are the name of the game at Pontiac Lake. There are a couple of good climbs but they are middle chainring.
Trail Description:
The trail starts off on a short fire road. From the fire road, take the first left to get on the trails. Look for signs, the first climb though short, is a quick warm-up.
Once your heartrate is in excercise mode, follow the trail downhill through a number of roller coaster hills. After the downhill you will come upon a fork, take the right trail to cut off a few miles or take the left and continue your ride through technical sections. The left will take you through a rock garden which is negotiable for moderately skilled riders. Big puke is the major hill at Pontiac Lake. It is low grade, slow, technical grind that will bust your lungs. The reward is miles of singletrack bliss.
The trail will crosses a paved road and heads back into the trail followed by a Y. The right heads to a water pump, a left continues the ride. The singletrack section last a few miles ending with a fast straight away. A few hundred yards up is another Y, left goes up a steep hill meeting up with the right trail at the top. Taking a right takes you through a fast open singletrack, at the end of the singletrack make a left towards the big hill. Just before the hill is decent on the right, follow it to remain on the trail. After a few miles of rolling/flat terrain you will come to the first of 2 short steep hills, look for the bench before the hill. Head up this hill, turn right at the top to roll down a rough downhill and cross the old dirt road at the bottom. Continue on the trail to the 4 way intersection. Take the farthest left you can onto a short rocky descent and climb. In this section, tackle the hill, take Blue Panty ridge, for fun or turn right for a short cut. These trails meet again at the bottom of a loose rocky downhill, which again crosses the dirt road.
After a grove of pine trees you will take a straight away until you hit a right turn next to the landfill. Be ready for a fast downhill. At the bottom of this decent you can take a bail-out route and head left to the dirt road, or you can head straight to the last big hill. The hill has 2 options if you head on a faint trail to the right, you will ride up the right hand side of the hill. This is longer but more a more gradual and consistent climb. The straight on approach is shorter but offers loose traction. Head home by taking the down hill to the dirt access road.
How to get there:
From US 23
From US 23 take M59 East towards Pontiac. Once you pass Duck Lake where Highland Recreation Area is located, follow M-59 past Williams Lake Rd. on your right, the next light heads north (left) onto Williams Lake Rd. Follow this for almost a mile until it curves right. This intersection is at Gale Rd. Turn left (straight then left) here. Follow Gale Rd. for a short distance. There will be a large sign on the right and the park entrance just ahead on the left. Once past the ranger booth, turn right and head for the farthest corner of the parking lot. The trailhead is located in this corner, along with the accommodating signs.
From I-75
From 75 tale M-59 West through downtown Pontiac for 9 miles west of Pontiac. Turn right (North) onto Williams Lake Rd. Follow for almost a mile, to where it curves right. At this intersection is Gale Rd., turn Left (straight then left) here. Follow Gale Rd. for a short distance and you'll see the large park sign on the right.
Additional Notes:
Other activities include boating, camping (reservation needed), canoeing, fishing, hiking, horseback
| Posted by: Ryan on 9/20/2009 |
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Great trail, very well kept and is almost impossible
to get lost. Lots of variety in terrain from very
wooded with bigger rocks, to grassy smooth
sections to pick up speed. With decent hill climbing
abilities, there is no need to ever get off ur bike. i
did it parking lot to parking lot in 48:30 no stops.
best place to go in the area. Highland is great too
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| Posted by: Dave on 6/27/2009 |
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Awesome trail if uve got the necessary skills. I crashed hard on one of the rockier downhills and was reminded why I wear a helmet. Cant wait to get back and try it again. there are a few gut busting climbs but the reward of easy rolling hills and some awesome views about midway through make the the trail really worth the effort. the only other michigan trails ive ridden are the bald mountain north loops and pontiac lake makes those look like a walk in the park. loved it loved it loved it.
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| Posted by: Sugar Rush on 9/7/2008 |
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This is a killer trail with a scary fast switchback going through a drainage that blew my mind. It also had a lot of climbs that let me know I am out of shape. The climbs were worth it and lead to a lot of fun decents. I couldn't help myself from having a great time. I want to go back next year and camp there. Besides the killer trail they have a big ole beach with a volley ball court to kick it after the Ride.
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| Posted by: Scott on 3/15/2008 |
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Right now the trail is all ice in less your serous about
riding this trail than i would say wait a little bit for the
ice to melt away.
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| Posted by: Kyle on 8/18/2007 |
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This is a really great trail, fun to ride, for almost
any skill level. i've brought many new riders out
here, and let me re-enforce what was already said,
this isn't a trail for a first time rider, you do need to
know how to navigate through some loose pack
and some scattered rocks. all around a great ride,
the best in the area.
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| Posted by: brendan on 1/5/2007 |
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is there jumps and a lot of downhilling because that is
what i am looking for.
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| Posted by: bikeamtn on 9/12/2004 |
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Same as Pontiac, Waterford.
It ‘rocks’ when you enjoy a good trail.
Say, have you checked out the Trail Advocacy link just on the left listed under the Trail Guides heading? Please remember it’s only as good as the effort that’s put into making it that way and it can disappear tomorrow. Please do your part. Thanks
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| Posted by: brett on 3/7/2004 |
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Pontiac lake has really good mountain biking trails but some advice is to not goto it when your a beginner. Really good scenery and views.
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| Posted by: Trevor on 7/11/2003 |
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Pontiac Lake trails are awesome for almost any level. I grew up in the neighborhood there; I road and hiked those trails on a regular basis. For those of you who didn't get the chance to ride the old trails, before they were removed, you are missing out. But, it is still a great place to ride. Also there are more entrances than just the one from the beach/park. Try riding down Gale Rd. more or going to Teggerdine or around to the camp ground. Trust me you'll have some fun back in these trails!
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| Posted by: Greg on 5/21/2003 |
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I think pontiac is great. Though I never rode the old one, and did notice all the closed trails signs, but compared to all the trail in SE michigan that Ive rode, this by far is the best. Its even got a half pipe, and jumps, not to mention speed and downhill whith out too much climbing. Plus the lenght (10 miles) is great.
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