Milwaukee Scenic Alternate Trail

About the Trail

The 23 mile Milwaukee Scenic Alternate Trail starts at Pearson at the end of the Hiawatha and is so named because it does not travel on the original Milwaukee rail bed that is now an active vehicle road. The trail instead, travels along the safe old road down by the North Fork of the St. Joe River continuing to Avery where it switches sides of the main St. Joe River. This compact dirt route continues down to Marble Creek where is crosses the the paved road and becomes the Milwaukee Trail on the original rail bed. This is incredible compact dirt, alpine, signed route follows along the wild North Fork of the Saint Joe River on a flat road has beautiful unimproved camp sites and great fishing spots. After leaving the improved campsite the route climbs up and then descends into Avery where there are minor services.

Skill Level: Beginner/flat

Directions to the Trail

• Users may access the trail by going over Moon Pass on FS 456 until you turn right just past Loop Creek or if you are at the Pearson Trailhead turn right onto FS 456
• Cross Loop Creek Bridge and turn left and take the bridge over the North Fork.
• Follow the road until it ends at FS 50 turn right and go through Avery and cross over the Bridge that spans the main road on Siberts Old River Road headed downstream. The road rises and falls as it follows the river. You will pass the Saint Joe Ranger Station which you may access over a bridge.
• Where Silberts Road ends at Avery Road (FS 50) you may cross back over to rejoin the original Milwaukee rail bed on the left or you may continue on Avery Road past the Marble Creek Interpretive Center and take the second bridge to the other side the river to follow the original rail bed.