Bear River Recreation Area Notes - Petoskey

I originally posted these hike notes on the Great Lakes Hikes yahoo bulletin board:

Bear River Valley

05/18/03

Here's a bit more on the lower peninsula waterfalls. Both "NaturalMichigan" by Tom Powers and "39 Petoskey Walkabouts" by GaryBarfknecht make mention of the waterfall in the Bear River Valley Recreation Area near Petoskey. I've never hiked it because I saw the fake waterfall near the gaslight district in town. However, there are trails on both sides of the river (3 to 4 miles total) that will supposedly take you to the real waterfalls upstream. Apparently, the Bear River loses 75 feet in less than a mile near Lake Michigan - according to Mary Hunt of Hunt's Guides, the biggest stream drop in the lower peninsula.

05/24/03

The Bear River Valley Recreation area is built right into the city. However, the valley is quite steep and allows for good isolation from urban feeling. This river is excellent. There were continuous rapids along the mile long section we walked. And, just to verify, there is definitely at least one waterfall there. It is possible to hike the other side for a 2 or 3 mile walk. Additional mileage can be gleaned by the many walkways in the area. If you are in the gaslight district, just find the creek close to the nearby pier and follow it upstream.

Update: I did eventually visit the waterfall upstream. It is very cool. I posted a report about it at www.blogsmonroe.com/expatriate