Introduction
About 20 miles Northwest of Ann Arbor, you'll find Pinckney State Recreation Area. Within this park are 3 trails, the most famous and widely know is the Potawatomi Trail, or "Poto". You will also find 2 shorter trails here, the Silver Lake trail, and the Crooked Lake trail. Poto is one of the granddaddies of them all, one of the first established riding areas in Michigan and voted one of the top 10 riding trails in the USA. It is 18-20 mile long, filled with rolling hills, technical terrain, slow climbs, and fast downhills. The Crooked Lake trail and the Silver Lake both branch off of the Potawatomi trail, so the both offer the similar terrain, but less distance, and not as technical. The Silver Lake trail is 1.9 miles, while the Crooked Lake trail is 5.1 miles. All trails start and finish on the same trailhead, near the parking lot entrance, there is a trail map located here.

This is one of the trails that helped spawn the MMBA, and is still watched fairly close by the DNR. The MMBA and DNR ask that you not ride during wet, or damaging conditions (Spring is the worst time to go), and avoid overuse (try some other trails as well). The trail is also very much a multiple usage trail, you will encounter many hikers, and walkers along the trail. This is usually on for the first and last few miles though. Be careful not to run any hikers or families down, this area is also open to hunters in the fall / winter.

A State parks sticker is required (can be purchased at the gate), other activities include boating, hiking, swimming, X-country skiing, fishing, camping (reservation), and picnicking. For more information contact:
Pinckney State Recreation Area
8555 Silver Hill, Route 1
Pinckney, MI 48169
(734) 426-4913

Season
Just as the Pontiac Lake and Highland you can ride here all year long. watch out for hunters in the fall.
Summer is great the humidity can be unbearable, but if you are going to sweat anyhow have fun doing it. Temps are usually in the high 70's & 80's. Wear bright breathable clothing, bring some form of bug repellent and as Dr. Lisa always says "Wear Sunscreen".

Amenities
There is are clean bathrooms, water, and showers available at the beach bathrooms. There is also a water supply just off the tail about midway (actually in the boy Scout camping area). The handle is sometimes missing, so bring a leatherman tool.

Food is available in Pinckney, Dexter, Brighton, and Ann Arbor

Note: DO NOT take your bike up to the bathrooms, bikes are strictly forbidden past the parking lot. Unless you want to incur the wrath of a bored park official.

Michigan DNR also asks that you don't use trails during wet weather or during spring thaw, doing so will only damage the trails and hurt mountain bike DNR relations.

Organizations
Potawatomi Chapter of the MMBA
President: Bill Mayer
poto@mmba.org

  MMBA State contacts:
MMBA President: Marry Ann Martin
president@mmba.org
MMBA Executive Director: Todd Scott
execdir@mmba.org

Directions & Maps
Trail Description

Plea for Responsibility: With the growing number of new Mountain bikers, trail erosion has become very evident at several popular trails (Pontiac Lake, and Poto). The weekend traffic has grown heavier and less concerned, This has taken its toll. Trails that were handling challenges, have become speedways for the out of control masses. Even Highland, which is only a few years old is showing signs of misuse, I could barely ride A and B loops in 1996, now they are easily traversed. The many chapters of MMBA do a fantastic job on maintenance and access, but as riders we should share the burden and ride sensibly. Stay in control, ride on the beaten path (avoid short cuts), and try not to destroy any vegetation.

Also, If you see someone tearing it up with total disregard for the trail and those who maintain it, SAY SOMETHING. When taking beginners on any trail, always try to teach some etiquette. You can use following the MMBA, and IMBA's Guidelines for trail etiquette.