Story and photos by Stewart A. McFerran
Just north of the Manistee County line is the village of Thompsonville. Years ago, the village was a hub of activity. Several railroad lines met there, and the Betsie River was dammed to generate power for the residents. Logs and freight passed through from destinations near and far.
While all but a short set of tracks have been pulled up, and the dam has been removed, Thompsonville still has power and is at the center of a wide network of railroad grades that remain. That being the case, this little town is poised to be a main hub in a busy trail system still in the planning stages.
As the sun sets to the west, Crystal Mountain casts a long shadow onto the village. Condo owners have flocked to the resort. Many dwell part time on the woody shoulders of Crystal. According to John Rothhaar, a board member of the Betsie Valley Trail organization, owners and staff at Crystal Mountain are all for the establishment of a trail system that would link activities offered at the mountain.
Crystal has an extensive network of Nordic ski trails that go up and down and ’round the mountain. The opportunities to link to a regional trail occur at different points. These trails are used in the warmer months for bikes with fat tires.
To find the Betsie Valley Trail’s Thompsonville trailhead, look for the red railroad caboose that has “Thompsonville Junction” written in big letters on the side. Right across the street is Geno’s Sports Bar and Grill, a local favorite. You can ride a bicycle 12 miles west to Beulah from there on a trail that, while unpaved, runs straight and level on an old railroad grade through 6.5 miles of Pere Marquette State Forest.
Planners from different units of government are eyeing points to the south for links to the “Greater Thompsonville Area.”
Perhaps a connector will take trail users to Iron Fish Distillery, south of M-115 and Crystal Mountain, to refresh or camp. The owners have developed their own hub of activity there.
