Two Tracking

[DDS4X4]

OK you Michiganders, I need some good advice, so don't lead me astray.

We will be NE of Grayling this weekend, near Hartwick Pines State Park. My son rented a cabin for some mushroom hunting. He invited us to come along and help them (I read it to baby sit) hunt for Shrooms! We'll have a couple of Jeeps and I may just get tempted to go 2-tracking and enjoy the pleasant ride and scenry. I have a recent Michigan Atlas & Gazetteer.

So is it safe to drive on the unimproved roads and/or trails shown on these maps without drawing the attention and/or wrath (I read as a fine $$&#036 from the MI DNR?????

What advice can you give me to avoid a fine $$$?? I have an OH license and insurance, a MI ORV sticker and an Out of State Annual Park sticker (I read as I already have provided a reasonable share of $$$ to the MI DNR budget). These are DD Jeeps ( WJ and XJ) not trailer rides.

This is our first trip to MI (in recent years) that has NOT involved us with an organized trail ride where we rely on those sponsoring the event to lead us on legal roads/trails. Thanks for any words of wisdom.

[WhiteRhino]

Any forest road that is on a map is safe with the following exceptions:

Posted closed
Requiring four wheel drive. You are quite safe since your rig is not highly modified.

You do not need an ORV sticker UNLESS you are on an ORV route or trail.
You do not need a state park sticker.

Really, you should be able to go enjoy the woods without any problems. Just avoid hills and mud requireing four wheel drive.

[lgottler]

Just stay away from anything that looks like it might be fun.

Just being sarcastic

If it looks like a bypass for something or some fork, I'd skip it. Watch for the little "The Waltons" signs, I used to get into tons of stupid dead ends because I wasn't paying attention!

Lucas

[joe_jeep]

go for it!! put the lightest truck in front to trail lead, if it gets into trouble you can pull it out with the heavier truck pretty easily. get 2 tow straps and u should be fine. if its a trail on a map its pretty easy stuff almost always!! have fun. if you start to see weird stuff and find yourself listening to pink floyds the wall over and over you picked the wrong shroom!! lol :o

[Jarhead]

4 Mile Road is Exit 251 (You will pass it as you Head to Hartwick Pines Exit 259). Go West on 4 Mile Road (approximately 3 miles) to Military Road. Turn Right (North), about a 1/4 North you will see a road on your left with a Big Brown State Forest Sign. There are a multitude of roads to travel from this point on.

[DDS4X4]

Hey, hey, thanks for the replies ... the serious and the FUN stuff!

Yes, I am aware of the obvious "Posted Closed"
The ORV and Park sticker comment was to show I was already "Paying to Play"

I need a little help from Lucas on what are "waltons signs" ... oh, do you mean people's signs posted at the end of their long, rough private drive and then you end up in their front yard???

Just coming to Michigan and driving in the woods is FUN to me. It sure beats the flat land and miles of soy beans and corn here in NW Ohio.

Yes, we know how to wheel ... just not always where to wheel in MI without getting in trouble with the CO.

but I enjoyed your comment about the WRONG Shrooms ... I'll have to use that with kids this weekend ... the grandkids are too small to get it.

I found your spot on the map, Bob, and are these forest roads I see on my map legal and what goes with the Military area? Is it all Off Limits? Is it marked well? You the man in the know, Bob ... I don't have machine guns on my hood!

Thanks for all the help, the "Trail Tires" go on the Grand tonight ... and I'll probably leave them an all summer again!

[Jarhead]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DDS4X4 &#064; May 11 2006, 03&#58;45 AM) [snapback]13932[/snapback]</div>

I found your spot on the map, Bob, and are these forest roads I see on my map legal and what goes with the Military area? Is it all Off Limits? Is it marked well? You the man in the know, Bob ... I don&#39;t have machine guns on my hood&#33;
[/b]

Everything is very well marked and easy to follow. I am aware of a number of trails in the Grayling area, but chose these simply because you can travel in a couple of different directions on well marked and maintained roads/routes/trails. The Camp Grayling Signs to restrict travel down a particular road/route or trail are unmistakable. You already have my address; I don’t want you to have to call me for bail money… :rolf:

[joe_jeep]

make sure both gas tanks a stuffed full when u enter into the woods, bring some snacks and soft drinks. if you get spun around you might be in there a while, but it will always come out to a paved road sooner or later. good luck