Highbanks Hiking and Ski Trail — Attraction in Oscoda Township

Updated Aug 2024: there are multiple legs of this trail but they're all listed as 1 for Google review purposes. This trail is a beautiful way to experience the up north woods environment whether it's sunny or cloudy due to the tree canopy in the wooded sections.

No charge for access or use.

1. Iargo Springs to Canoers Memorial
2. Canoers Memorial to Lumberman Monument
3. Lumberman Monument to Cooke Dam

-These trails are for foot/ski travel - not biking or motor vehicles. -Watch your footing. Big old trees have substantial root systems that might be trip hazards - along with animal dens that might dig in the the trail edge.

**make sure to apply effective mosquito repellent. You could be miserable without it.

-Running water bathrooms available at Lumberman building (during summer season) -Old pit toilets at Iargo Springs

COOKE DAM: Starting from the Cooke Dam parking lot is not actually at the dam so no water is present at start. The main trail is 150 foot higher elevation than parking lot in sandy/loamy trail (before crossing Alley Rd). It gets your heart beating if you weren't warmed up already. This trail section is a loop east of Lumberman Monument and part of it is out under the power lines in full sun and sand. That can be challenging but there are pockets where you can see the Au Sable and I saw an eagle fly overhead. You can make a left (westward) at the fork and stay under the dappled shade of the red pines. I felt a fantastic steady breeze most of the way. Parts of this section are wide where vegetation is away from the trail but some parts you might need to push vegetation aside. Mostly fern and oak sapplings - didn't see poison ivy.

IARGO SPRINGS HEADING EAST: I wasn't sure how far I would go. I ended up going almost 5 miles total, a little past Canoer's Memorial Monument and back. It's mostly easy, but there are some tree roots and steep sections. The trailhead at Iargo is very well marked.

CANOERS MEMORIAL MONUMENT EAST has the longest full sun sandy stretch. The trailhead is not as well marked as west to Iargo, but still easy to find (at the east end of the bricks - see one of the pictures). I was very happy with the shelter from the tree canopy where the trail was wide and firm. There are a few sections that are out in the open and those are really sandy and can be difficult traction in full sun. Don't walk on the edge, it...

Fabulous, flat, and slightly rolling trail. Beautiful views along the Ausable River. We parked at Iargo Springs and hiked the easy four miles east to Lumberman's Monument. We ate lunch at a picnic table before our four mile trek back. This last weekend in April provided perfect Pure Michigan weather. A lovely 55° day with minimal trail traffic and NO bugs! Make sure to go slow enough to notice when the trees part providing glorious views of the water below. Trail is well marked with blue diamonds. Vault toilets were clean at Iargo Springs and in the campground adjacent to Lumberman's Monument. Definitely worthy...

Beautiful views of the water and forest. There are a good amount of trails that connect here so there is plenty of hiking. The dune that is a short walk away is very steep but a great workout. There is a nice little loop though the woods that loops up with the lumber trail, great spot to enjoy...