Post No. 8, located near the pathway’s high point of 1,467 feet, marks the intersection where the loops from the east end of the system meet those from the west, making it a natural place to turn around and head back. No matter what direction you come from, it’s a long climb to the post, the reason somebody has thoughtfully put a bench there. Cadillac Pathway is skied in a counter clockwise direction from either trailhead.

East Loops
Post No. 8 is a 5.2-mile outing from the Boon Road trailhead that includes three crossover spurs for shorter loops of 1.3, 2 and 3.5 miles. You warm up on level terrain to Post No. 3, reached at Mile 0.5 and then begin the first climb of the day.       

The ascent tops off at post No. 4 and from there the trail to post No. 8. quickly crosses Seeley Road embarks on the longest climb of the loop. Within a quarter mile a two-track is crossed – be careful this is a snowmobile trail in the winter! – and the climbing resumes, more steeply this time, before reaching the high point of the day at 1,446 feet. You arrive at post No. 8 at Mile 1.7 where nearby is a bench for a well-earned breather near the crest of the ridge.      

The return to Boon Road begins with a long downhill run towards post No. 5, with paved Seeley Road occasionally popping into view. The snowmobile two-track and Seeley Road are crossed and then the trail climbs to post No. 5, reached at Mile 2.6. There's more climbing beyond the post but a bypass, often marked as a single track alternative for mountain bikers, allows you to skip the steepest section.      

A gentle downhill follows through a second growth forest and levels out in a more mature stand of hardwoods where a handful of stumps leftover from the logging era can be seen. The trail then makes a quick descent off the ridge and bottoms out, reaching post No. 7 at Mile 4.4.

The final leg back to the Boon Road trailhead is a level ski that quickly crosses a two-track and then swings west to follow a low ridge along scenic Clam River. You get an occasional glimpse of the trout stream before the trail arrives at the spot overlooking it at Mile 4.9. At this point, keep an eye out for the blue DNR pathway triangles and within a third of a mile you’ll pop out of the woods at the trailhead.

West Loops
The western portion of the pathway is accessed from the parking lot of the Wexford-Missaukee Career Technical Center and completely different in character from the East Loops. The first is a rolling ski of 2.25 miles; the second is a 4.8-mile run and includes the steepest hills of the pathway, steep enough so this stretch is the only segment posted with black diamonds.           

From a wooden stairway leads a trail on the far right, appearing like an old two-track that it probably was at one time, and quickly leads to post No. 11. The trail gently climbs, reaching post No. 10 and a bench within a third of a mile. Head left to ski the loop in a counter clockwise direction.

After crossing a gas line corridor, you enjoy a long downhill run that bottoms out at post No. 12 at Mile 1, marking the return from the first loop. Head east (left) for post No. 8 and the “Most Difficult” rated stretches of the pathway. A long climb pass views of a farm to the north is followed by a sharp downhill to an old two-track at Mile 1.4. Another climb and then two steep downhill segments – the second featuring a bypass – is encountered before you make the final long climb to post No. 8, reached at Mile 2.5.

The segment to post No. 9 – the return to the 13th Street Trailhead – is also a black diamond that begins with a steep downhill. Two descents later you bottom out at a two-track. Take a moment to catch your breath; a long climb awaits you on the other side. You top off at 1,417 feet and then descend to post No. 9 at Mile 3.8. Head south (right) to return to the trailhead.         

After re-crossing the gas line corridor, you enjoy a long downhill run to return to post No. 10. The final third of a mile of the loop can be slightly confusing in the summer and fall as there are several trails in the area. In the winter, however, you simply follow the groomed tracks.