Seasonal Roads

[ChevelleSSLS6]

1. Is there an 'index of seasonal roads' anywhere? I looked online for a few minutes to no avail.

2. How can you tell which ones are legal? I've never gone down any (unless instructed by GPS one time with a pharmacy van at night and only at the end did I see the 'seasonal road' sign... lol...) I sometimes see signs reading:

Seasonal Road
This road is not maintained/plowed by (county) public works/road crews.

I'm not 100%, but I think these are 'okay' to go on.

It'd be fun to go on a fall color tour along some.
-Matt, from Michigan if it matters in this 'seasonal roads' discussion

 

[The_Big_E]

Hey Matt, Eric here, a former Michigander.

If your vehicle is licensed for road use, then you are legal to drive the "Seasonal Roads" in Michigan. Most of them are nothing more than an under-used over-grown dirt road that the county no longer maintains, so downed trees, mud holes and overgrowth are the issues to expect.

Up I-75 around exit 290 is the town of Wolverine. If you look at the Michigan ORV website, there are ATV trails in that area (That's how I know about it) and there are a large number of Seasonal Roads there, as well as HILLS and Scenery. Lots of nice views there, worth a weekend trip for the color for sure. The trail system near Mio was another favorite too, and, you just might see a Kirtland's Warbler while there as well.

Enjoy!

Eric

 

[kastein]

On the same topic - what's the legality of clearing such roads? Say you find a downed tree like The Big E mentioned, is it legal to help out, grab the chainsaw, and cut it enough to get it off the road? My leaning is yes, but I just wonder. Haven't had to do this yet but it'd be nice to know.

Around here there are a lot of deeply rutted, overgrown roads that are marked on maps (and a GPS unit will send you down them quite happily) that have "PRIVATE ROAD - DANGEROUS" on the street signs at each end. I'm pretty sure they're about the equivalent, but the "PRIVATE" bit makes me worry sometimes. I see all sorts of random people drive down them though.

 

[CROSBIKE]

I know in VT you can go on class 4 roads which are unmaintained and some can be challenging.

 

[ChevelleSSLS6]

Hey Matt, Eric here, a former Michigander.

If your vehicle is licensed for road use, then you are legal to drive the "Seasonal Roads" in Michigan. Most of them are nothing more than an under-used over-grown dirt road that the county no longer maintains, so downed trees, mud holes and overgrowth are the issues to expect.

Up I-75 around exit 290 is the town of Wolverine. If you look at the Michigan ORV website, there are ATV trails in that area (That's how I know about it) and there are a large number of Seasonal Roads there, as well as HILLS and Scenery. Lots of nice views there, worth a weekend trip for the color for sure. The trail system near Mio was another favorite too, and, you just might see a Kirtland's Warbler while there as well.

Enjoy!

Eric

I have a book of ATV/ORV/dirtbike trails, and have searched for an index of seasonal roads... I have seen some in wexford county (near cadillac, mi)... I may be going to a Jeep gathering up not too far from there in a few weeks.

I can't say I've been to Wolverine before, but by the description of it, if time allows, it'd be a good place to check out.

update: I found some! http://www.alleganroads.org/seasroad.htm