Freesoil Trailhead

North Country National Scenic Trail [https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1629/23866957619_bcbb85a882_z.jpg] [https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfs-hmnf/albums/72157660951616613] Going North - Heading north will take you to the Udell Trailhead.  The trail from Udell Trailhead to Freesoil Trailhead traverses the Udell Hills.  After the trail crosses the Little Manistee River, the terrain changes form mixed hardwoods to wetlands.  The trail heading north was formerly a narrow gauge railroad that was elevated above the wetlands in the early 1900's by lumberjacks.  The trail winds through the wetlands and swamp in this section.  However, about 3.5 miles north of the trailhead a boardwalk has been put in through the wetland areas.  Mountain bikes are allowed going both north and south from this trailhead.  Going north from Freesoil Trailhead - * Freesoil Trailhead to 3-Mile Rd. - Easy * 3-Mile Rd. to Udell Trailhead - Intermediate Going South - Heading south will take you to the Timber Creek Trailhead.  The trail from Freesoil Trailhead to Timber Creek passes through Ward Hills, past McCarthy Lake and through very steeply hilled terrain.  The portion of trail running from Timber Creek Trailhead to the Manistee River is the most advanced riding on this portion of the trail for mountain bikes. Going south from Freesoil Trailhead - * Freesoil Trailhead to Timber Creek Trailhead - Intermediate Brochure with map [http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3807297.pdf]:  This brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation.  To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller. Flickr Photo Album [https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfs-hmnf/albums/72157660951616613]