The Big M Cross-country Ski and Mountain Bike Trail is located deep in the heart of the hardwood and pine forest of the Udell Hills. The trails offer a variety of terrain to challenge every hiking, biking, and skiing experience level. The hills receive an average of 130 inches of snow from December through March, providing excellent cross-country ski conditions. From April through September the hills offer a lush green canopy with many scenic vistas. During the winter the Manistee Cross-country Ski Council, a non-profit volunteer organization, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, operates the trail system. The Forest Service and volunteers maintain the trails during the summer season. There are 46 miles of well-marked trails available. The trails are groomed track set during the winter. The trail system offers a Chalet during the winter weekends, a plowed parking lot, and a vault toilet building. There are no fees required for the use of the Big M trail system, but contributions are welcome and may be placed in donation pipes located at the start of the trail system. Most trails are one-way and are extremely dangerous if skied or biked backwards.

Directions: From Wellston, MI, Travel west on M-55 about 4 miles to East Udell Hills Road. Head south 3 miles to the Big M entrance and parking areas.

Many volunteer hours go into maintaining this 46 mile, 6 loop trail system.