Review: Tons of singletrack! Great mix of new school meets old school. Since this trail system has been added to "singletracks" the pioneer loop (red) is now all single track except the intial climb up the benson grade, there is a new trail called "Gorgeous" (yellow) that follows the Carp river with awesome views and sounds, a "kids" trail called GROM (purple) and a few connectors that help you loop through this fabulous wilderness system from town in an all in city limits network. These trails are a must ride for any mountan biker coming to the area.

Review: 4 main loops designated by sign color: blue, green, red and yellow. All 4 loops are easily accessed from the trailhead on a main highway that is on the edge of the city and within easy riding distance of down town. The 4 loops form a sort of cloverleaf around the trail head. Blue is oldest and most technical overall. 4 miles in length. Ridden in counterclockwise direction from trailhead it starts with a moderately technical climb a pleasant traverse across hillside to a fast, root downhill. Last section of the downhill is blown out and on slate to be replaced soon. After the downhill have a very gradual climb initially along 'Up a Creek' with small bridges then climb gets steeper on the 'secret trail' followed by the technical 'Split Tree' and 'Gurley Sections'. Each section of the loop is named and is at a point where you can leave the trail. Lots of rocks and roots here. The Red Loop is ~7miles long and has the most new trail in the system. You start by crossing the highway from the trailhead, then head up a rocky 2 track road for a long climb. At the top you have an overlook with a view of the ski hill across the road, heading back into the woods, you'll pick up the singletrack to your left and have a section of moderately technical trail which then leads into a short section of 2 track before back into a long winding section of flat trail that does take advantage of some large granite formations to ride over. This flat section at the top of the hill runs for over a mile but leads into the new 'flow' type trails that have lots of berms and rollers. The newest stuff has huge berms that can be railed at high speed. From here you enter the 'Greywalls' section where the trail follows a small creek tucked between holes on a golf course; this section has lots of bridges of varying length and design including the huge bridge on the side of the granite ledge mentioned in other reviews. On leaving the golf course the trail goes over a reclaimed landfill with some nice views, then a mild climb up to a short 2 track segment (shared with the green loop) a brief singletrack takes you out to the highway which you cross and complete the loop with a little beginner level flow trail segment- the Mossy trail. The green trail is a mixed bag of moderate singletrack with a few hard sections thrown in. It also begins by crossing the highway, but instead of climbing 'the grade' you traverse across the bottom and start your climb on singletrack a little farther over. The trail heads uphill here and is a fairly technical section with lots of rocks and roots as you climb for about a mile (many people ride this downhill, but you probably want to get to it by a different route, not ride the loop in reverse...). A short, very fast, downhill section is on an old pipeline then the trails begins a gentle climb back to the top of a ridge on very moderate trail. The climb lasts about a half mile then is followed by fairly flat gentle trail at the top of the hill for over a mile. It joins briefly with the red loop, then splits to the right for some older trail that is a mostly fast descent then onto a section of 2 track before you get onto a new section of trails that has berms, rollers a few small tabletops a tunnel for a trail crossing and some nice bridges. Trail length ~7miles. The yellow loop is also ~7 miles. The first section is shared with the beginner Grom loop then it gets more difficult on the 3 sections of the 'Gorge-ous' trail which is cut into the steep slope of the Carp River gorge. This very scenic section has numerous moderately technical sections, and the feeling of lots of exposure. At the end of the 'Gorge-ous Trail' the trail follows right along the river edge for a bit, then a small bridge takes you across to the opposite shore where a long climb eventually ends at the ski hill. There's nothing special about this trail but the long climb is a bit of work and there are several options on the ski hill to get back down to the trailhead (the ski hill is not officially part of the trail system and is signed differently and minimally).

Similar Trail: Copper Harbor trails

Review: Ran the Red loop (pioneer). Trail starts crossing the highway, then a tough sustained climb on a rocky road. After that some technical singletrack with tons of rocks and roots. To be honest I thought I was in for a long afternoon of slogging over obstacles with my hardtail...I must have forgotten that what goes up must come down. Midway through you hit some gravel trail with very fast descents, then fast and flowing singletrack that weaves over streams and a gorge with multiple bridges. Then out of nowhere a final climb up a prairie hill (bench at the top is not for resting), and extremely fast singletrack before heading back to the trailhead. Well balanced, excellent scenery, easily the best trail I have ridden. Red trail runs in both directions so beware during fast singletrack, also ran into hikers walking dogs.

Similar Trail: Not from MI so unaware of anything nearby.

Review: By far the best, most diverse, and most technical climbs and decents I have riden. I live over 430 miles from Marquette but I made sure to make it up there 3 times this year just to the trails. If you do the blue trail, you can climb to the top of Mt. Marquette and it is an amazing view. If you ride the carp river trail you can get to the Carp river Falls, also a very cool view. This trail system has so much to offer it is rediculos, there are bomber downhill courses at benson grade, you can go to mt. marquette ski hill and go up on a chair lift and do a nice downhill ride, or go to the free ride section. You can ride for days.

Similar Trail: Pontiac Lake, Highland

Review: Something for everyone. Hills, rocks, downhills They added a new part between the golf course and the old dump. It is great riding, 2 tabletops and a big bridge going around a rock

* Review edited 9/25/2011

Review: A network that has been growing of sweet singletrack. At the time of review 8-30-10 the map shown is already outdated as they have added much to the network making for some nice epic rides. The concept was to create and maintain the ability for some nice epic rides right from your house in Marquette or the trail head according one T.C. and bike shop owner I met there. Something for everyone. some technical trail (Blue), Red has a nice climb in the beginning the a nice flowing fun ride back to the trail head. The yellow loop connects w/Gorge-ous trail which has some really cool views and is cut right into the side of the mtn (think of Porcupine rim), there is also lots of FR trails from the top of Red trail and down the ski trails as well. The green offers some nice riding as well but is best experienced from the Pioneer Loop (red). There are no rest rooms at the trail head but tables for grilling and a picnic. All trails are so well marked its almost impossible to get lost unlike the north Marquette trail system (but signage is also in the works)

Similar Trail: North Marquette trails which is also a network but unmarked and somewhat more difficult in all aspects according to a local T.C I had the pleasure of riding (and I agree) with over the course of the day which could be confusing but signage should be up by