Pine Marten Run is a 26 mile system of hiking and horseback riding trails located in the Ironjaw Semiprivate Area approximately 30 miles northwest of Manistique in Schoolcraft County, Michigan.
Parking areas suitable for vehicles with horse trailers are available at each trailhead. And Adirondack shelters, with fire rings, have been constructed at Rim Lake, Rumble lake and along the Indian River. Water and toilet facilities are available at the C.R. 440 trailhead, while the others only have toilet facilities.
Camping is permitted throughout the area, however, permits are required for camping on Swan Lake, Triangle Lake, Ironjaw Lake and Lake Nineteen. These permits may be obtained at the office of the District Ranger at Manistique, Munising, or Rapid River.
Trail Segments:
Rumble Lake - 4.3 miles long with access from FR 2258 just south of the Indian River bridge. This segment crosses through Mike White Sharptail Grouse Management Area as it traverses rolling hills of beech, birch and
maple and loops around Dinner and Sprinkler Lake. Approximately one mile of this loop is open to motorized vehicles, so users should exercise caution.
Swan Lake - 3.8 miles long with access from FR 2258 just north of the intersection with County road 440. This segment circles Swan Lake which is a popular permit camping lake. The terrain in this area is fairly level and is composed of pine plantations interspersed with hardwoods and hemlocks. Portions of this loop are also open to motorized vehicles.
Ironjaw Lake - 4.6 miles long and located in the center of the Ironjaw Area. This segment can be accessed from all the other loops except Triangle Lake. It can also be reached via FR 2733, which is the access road to the permit campsites on Ironjaw and Lake Nineteen. This loop provides scenic vistas of Verdant and Ironjaw Lakes.
Spud Lake - 6.4 miles long this loop can be accessed just north of CR 440 where it intersects with FR 2728. Traversing the central portion of the Ironjaw Semi-Primitive Area, it circles Spud Lake at the north end. This loop presents a wide variety of vegetative types, topography, plant communities and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Triangle Lake - 7.2 miles long with access from FR 437 just south of the Indian River bridge. This is the longest segment in the system. Traversing cedar swamps and hardwood ridges, approximately one mile of this segment parallels the Indian River and active beaver communities before it forks. The south fork leads to the Triangle Lake permit camping sites. The north fork leads to the interior of the Ironjaw Semi-Primitive Area and eventually completes the loop around Triangle Lake.
