Overlanding Michigan’s State Line Trail - Beauty and Backroads in the Ottawa National Forest

[@BluebirdOverland]

PLEASE NOTE: THE CAMPSITE FEATURED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS VIDEO IS NOT A LEGAL CAMPING SITE. After the video was published, I learned that the area I camped in during the first three minutes is private property and not open to the public. This experience has highlighted the importance of being well-informed and prepared when choosing camping locations. I recognize that my lack of preparation and understanding led to this situation. I had not added the necessary layers to my offline GPS mapping, which is essential for safe overlanding and camping. I encourage everyone who enjoys camping or overlanding to take the time to educate themselves about land rights and ownership. Being informed not only enhances your experience but also helps protect our natural spaces for everyone to enjoy.

[@seanbergemann6018]

The videos keep getting better and you use your drone as a cameraman very well. Great videography. I hope I can find trails like these when I go looking in northern WI and the UP. I have never gotten so lucky with campsites!

[@BluebirdOverland]

Thanks for watching and I’m glad you enjoyed the footage and content. I'm trying to learn as I go and try different things. Gotta learn to stop crashing the drone also. :) I recommend using Gaia GPS, that's how I find most trails when I'm actually out exploring, whereas planning at home I like to use Gaia, OnX and Google Earth. Google Earth is a great way for finding little spots to check out for potential camps.

[@ExploreX4]

Beautiful. Drone shots were stunning. I need to make it out to the Great Lakes someday. Very well done, thanks for sharing.

[@BluebirdOverland]

Thank you so much. The Drone is fun to use, and I find myself trying different things every time, just got to stop crashing it. I hope you get to make it out here someday, there are so many beautiful areas in the Upper Peninsula and Great Lakes region.

[@misplacedoverland]

Michigan is our back yard! We live in Indiana but when it’s time to play we head north! Great video y’all!

[@BluebirdOverland]

I loved Michigan so much, feel like I only scratched the surface of clipping a fingernail of exploring there.

[@lisalyklilu2828]

I’ve been watching your videos from the start and really have enjoyed watching your progression with editing. The drone footage in this one is amazing. I love how you create subtle movements in them. How did you get the circular camera shot? That was so cool!! I also like the story line with this video. You spoke a lot more in this one.

[@Sea2overland]

Great video, super chill.!

[@BluebirdOverland]

Thanks so much. I'm having so much fun and enjoying the entire process. I hope to bring you more chill vibes in future videos.

[@Terp.]

Some of the best brook trout fishing you'll ever experienced right up there in the UP of Michigan.. huge brook trout

[@BluebirdOverland]

That sounds amazing, I will have to check it out next time I'm up there and get me a little kayak or something. Any places you would recommend?

[@tracythorn2918]

Beautiful videography! Following the river with the drone was particularly nice. The State Line Trail is now on my to do list. I was in NE Wisconsin in the second half of October and noticed a lot of Grouse. I noticed several in your video as well, there must be a lot of them right now.

[@BluebirdOverland]

Thanks so much, I appreciate your feedback also. That particular river scene I considered cutting it up in multiple scenarios, but it was so beautiful there I couldn't do and decided to leave it in. I hope you can get out an experience the State Line Trail, it offers so much for adventurers. The grouse were everywhere, just when you think they aren't going to move they decided to fly in front of you.

[@Nebraskagrassman]

Great video, really enjoyed the smooth transitions between most shots. Been following you since Washington and has been fun to see new elements in each new video. PS - the initial camp is private land and you must have a native membership to use those lands. Double check your surroundings next time.

[@BluebirdOverland]

Thank you for your feedback and for your continued support; it means a lot to me. I have recently become aware that the initial campsite featured in this video is located on private land. I am working to address this issue further and hope to encourage the landowners to install "No Trespassing" signs in the area, as there are currently none in place.

[@Rventureland]

Thats a great spot.

[@BluebirdOverland]

It was so nice. Would be a fun winter spot also if accessible.

[@_Adventures-di1ty]

Great video!! When did you make this trip? We do alot of exploring up in the UP! Would be great to cross paths with you!

[@BluebirdOverland]

I'm currently about a month behind on video uploads compared to actual travel dates. Feel free to reach out to us on Instagram; we're always open to connecting and building community.

[@jasoncurtis4938]

As a Wisconsinite myself. The Great Lakes are known as the "Central Coast"

[@BluebirdOverland]

Wisconsin is so beautiful. Central Coast totally makes sense.

[@BillFerriot]

Yes, the Great Lakes have tides, just not like the oceans. Any large body of water is affected by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon. My question is, when I research the State Line Trail, sources say it’s a little over 107 miles or so and is a rail-trail. Foot, bicycle, horse, and snow mobile, but I can’t find anything on off-road vehicle travel or permitting. Any help? I very much enjoyed discovering your video of the trail. Thanks so much!

[@BluebirdOverland]

I’ve been researching the tides since I published my video, and I’ve found some really interesting information. The State Line Trail is approximately 107 miles long, though I did not run the entire distance. Along the trail, at every road crossing, there are small pole signs indicating the types of activities permitted. All of these signs show that high-clearance 4x4 vehicles, represented by a little jeep icon, are allowed on the trail. I discovered the trail using Gaia GPS, just outside of Wakefield. It's also marked in the OnX Offroad app, labeled as "SL," located just south of Wakefield. During the winter months, once the snow covers the ground, I believe access is restricted to snowmobiles, and many of the trails are clearly labeled for this purpose at the trailheads throughout the area from what I experienced.

[@wilber.]

Ottawa has the best tails in the state IMO was up two years ago seen a 400+ LB black bear just eating some berry's. That was just east of bond falls on two track. Lot of people stick cameras up for hunting spots not necessarily private property. We use the app REGRID just to be sure we are not trespassing. Looks like you went at the perfect time no bugs. :)

[@BluebirdOverland]

I want to call you lucky to see a black bear that large, but I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. That's a large furry friend. :) Hunting must be very good in that area of the forest east of Bond Falls. I've never heard of the REGRID app, but I'm going to for sure check that out. Thank you for that recommendation.

[@grantdubridge7995]

It looks like most of this trail and its maintenance is paid for by snowmobile registrations and trail permit fees for snowmobiles.

[@BluebirdOverland]

That is correct, there are numerous signs posted throughout the trail designating its use and who maintains it. They do an excellent job of maintaining the trail and its infrastructure.

[@robinmoore5181]

Is camping allowed where you were in this video legally. I would like to fallow this trail and not worry.

[@BluebirdOverland]

Thank you for your comment and for reaching out. I want to clarify that the specific spot where I camped at the beginning of this video is NOT a legal camping area. I became aware of this only after the video was published, and I regret not taking the time to educate myself about the land's usage before camping there. I have since spoken with the management team responsible for that land and expressed my apologies for unknowingly staying in an unauthorized spot. Regarding the State Line Trail, it passes through various sections of private land, which means that camping directly off the trail is not possible. When traveling along the trail, I recommend looking for campgrounds in the area or familiarizing yourself with the boundaries of the National Forest for appropriate camping options. If you would like resources for some nice campgrounds near the westernmost portion of the State Line, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram. I would be happy to point you in the direction of some great legal spots that I discovered.

[@Muskrat78]

How many grouse did you see on this journey?

[@BluebirdOverland]

Oh my gosh, just across the two days featured on this adventure at least 40 of them I would say. They were everywhere. There was a pack of 5 in one spot that I tried to video, but they flew off right when I moved the camera to show them.

[@chrispercival4193]

What is the name of the second lake that you stayed at?

[@BluebirdOverland]

Please send me a message on Instagram regarding this matter, as I prefer not to share waypoints publicly on social media. This is to help protect the land we are fortunate to explore, as not everyone respects it. Thank you for your understanding.

[@TheREIstory]

How do you map your routes? What software are you using?

[@BluebirdOverland]

I use a variety of apps for planning routes while I'm at home, with Gaia GPS as my primary. I'll use OnX Offroad to look at the trails OnX has listed and what people have said about them. To find campsites, I'll pair Gaia GPS and Google Earth coordinates together to explore the landscape where I'm looking to explore.

[@TheREIstory]

@ Awesome thanks for the help. Maybe you could make a video about how you plan your trips 👀... Just an idea. I'm sure others would like to see that as well.

[@BluebirdOverland]

@@TheREIstory I will look into doing that for sure. I'm still very much learning the ins and outs of trip planning. Thank you for the recommendation.

[@TheREIstory]

@ Sweet! Looks like you've got a decent handle on it. If you could share this specific trip with me and your waypoints I would love that. Just tell me a social media channel I can connect with you on!

[@garygomer7940]

I am really liking your videos, thanks for sharing your adventures!! Hey, the place you stayed in Wisconsin near Michigan, is that between Marble Point and Saxon Harbor Park or Saxon Harbor Park and the Montreal River?

[@BluebirdOverland]

Thank you so much for your support and I am thrilled you are enjoying what I'm putting together. I am having so much fun not only on the adventures but challenging myself in editing also. Yes, that location I camped at is right near Saxon Harbor Park and Marble Point.

[@Tentlifer]

@@BluebirdOverlandlooks like you’re on private land 🥸

[@ezee2daz]

I thought those trails were only for atv's, utv's, and snowmobiles. I spend time in Toivola a few times a year.

[@BluebirdOverland]

Online it via the website it does appear that way but at the trail head and crossing there are pole signs giving detail of what activities are allowed on that portion. It does state that it’s seasonal once snow hits it only open to Snowmobiling.

[@ezee2daz]

@BluebirdOverland thanks

[@mi.gravel]

I’m a bikepacker from Michigan. Was the state line trail pretty compact so that a mountain bike could handle it? Or was it really sandy? Edit: it seems pretty hard packed

[@BluebirdOverland]

On the westernmost portion of the trail, it was quite compacted. There were some soft spots on the eastern side of the tunnel that were about 100 yards long, but nothing that would swallow up terrain tires. Even with the rain all day, nothing got squishy, and all of the puddles and water holes are also hard-bottomed.

[@mi.gravel]

@@BluebirdOverland awesome. Thanks for the reply! I threw a sub your way because I like overlanding content too.

[@BluebirdOverland]

Thanks so much. I hope you get the opportunity to get out there and ride? Curious what you do for sleeping quarters when bikepacking? Sounds like a lot of fun.

[@1989Falkor]

Those cameras were put there to monitor the wolves in the UP. They have a couple thousand out.

[@BluebirdOverland]

That would totally make sense then as they looked very strategically placed around and I could hear howling just about every night I was in Michigan. :)

[@1989Falkor]

@@BluebirdOverland Yeah, you can camp around them for sure. They use AI to scan the photo's, if its not a wolf AI just deletes it.

[@BluebirdOverland]

@@1989Falkor Do you know if they are trying to reduce the wolf population or just monitor it for growth? There definitely a lot around out there.

[@1989Falkor]

@@BluebirdOverland They are looking at their numbers. The deer population has dropped over the years. Hunters and land owners have been complaining. In some area's there arent any deer. Deer camp culture used to be huge in the UP. Deer numbers have changed it. A friend has a camp on the edge of Hiawatha National Forest. Its where I reset my head once a year for a week, sitting out in God's country.

[@wmurray23]

You know the Great Lakes don’t have tides

[@BluebirdOverland]

@@wmurray23 I did not know that no. It just must look like it because the waves change so often due to the wind. Mind blown, I thought they did.

[@arthurpeterson1950]

Lake Superior has what is called “slosh”, like water does in a bathtub

[@loveracing1988]

​@@arthurpeterson1950 it's actually called a seiche.

[@loveracing1988]

Lake superior has tides but they are only 4-5 cm so not even noticeable.

[@BluebirdOverland]

@@arthurpeterson1950 interesting, I never knew this. Been doing research on it since comments have mentioned this and I'm shocked. Very interesting.

[@MSchumacherfan]

The voice is way quieter than the music

[@BluebirdOverland]

Thank you for the feedback on this, I will address that moving forward for sure.

[@cliftonthomas3843]

Our lakes here are actually the sea's

[@BluebirdOverland]

It feels that way especially on windy days. Never seen such large waves on a lake before in my life.

[@cliftonthomas3843]

@BluebirdOverland i can dig it, the great lakes are amazing and very dangerous

[@cliftonthomas3843]

@BluebirdOverland I apologize, their called inland seas

[@BryanRichardson-s3v]

None of the great lakes have any tides! That o ly happens in ocean s

[@BluebirdOverland]

I did not know that, absolutely mind blown. 🤯 Was my first time ever visiting the lakes and it must look like they do because the waves change so often from the wind direction making it appear that way on the shore. Thank you for commenting and letting me know this. I’m truly shocked.

[@KurtG-nn2cz]

@@BluebirdOverland Actually they do have small tides. Probably an inch or two but they are considered tides.