I recently took a spin on Blue Loop of the South Trails, Marquette. These trails have a certain nostalgia for me because this area was the first trails that I experienced when I moved to Marquette 20 years ago. The Blue Loop circumferences Mount Marquette, aka Mount Mesnard. Typical direction takes a rider in a counter clockwise rotation on the trail.
The most popular starting point is the Co. Rd. 553 trailhead heading south of Marquette, just before the ski hill. It is located on the east side of the highway with a distinct open parking area which is almost always occupied by a least two or three vehicles and somedays over a dozen.
From here the ride starts with a moderate climb to the east connecting to a section of trail locally referred to as Southern Cross which then links into the Doctor's Trail.
An overlook road, open to vehicular traffic accesses, the area from the east of Marquette along the Carp River road. It's a gravel road which is open to one way traffic in the summer and serves as a snowmobile trail in the winter. The west exit of the road comes out on Co. Rd. 553 just down from the South Trails main trailhead.
Taking the trail to the right of the overlook road entry is Up the Creek. A very gentle trail which follow a trickle of water that flows down the from high ground to the Carp River. A series of small bridges criss-cross the valley bringing you along the back hills of the Shiras sub development.
The Goat Trail is one of the original namesakes on this loop, but shows very little resemblance the original gnarly decent from the top of the lookout. Erosion was the main factor for which re-routes were cut in and wild decent was tamed. However, it still keeps its essences as the winding single track leading riders to the top of bottom of Mount Marquette.
The Split Tree section of the loop offers a roller coaster decent along the northwest section of the loop. It was named after a large oak tree that grew up into multiple trunks from a main stump. There are some incredible old growth oaks along this loop. Some so large that they resemble Greek columns.
Upon completing the decent of Split Tree, riders have a choice of taking an easy out to Co. Rd. 553 and returning to the main trailhead or opting for the Gurly Trail which is a technical rock trail that is very narrow and has potential for severe consequences if a rider should mishap off the right side of the trail or go over the handle bars.
After negotiating the tight stairstep decent a short section of single track returns you to the start.
