Michigan · Mountain biking

Skunk Valley

1.2 mi
round trip
178 ft
climb
Singletrack
surface
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Skunk Valley is a short, moderate mountain biking route in southeast Michigan, set within Local Forest on land managed by the county. The ride covers about 2.4 miles out and back, with a high point of 888 feet and a low of 829 feet, and the climb totals about 178 feet for the round trip. The route is rated moderate, and the steepest stretch comes at about half a mile in, with a grade of about 4 percent. Late spring through early fall is the most comfortable time to ride. Typical averages from the nearby Gladwin weather station run from highs around 68°F in May to about 82°F in July, with September easing back to around 73°F. Winter is cold, with January highs near 29°F and several snowy days a month from December through March. The trail is close to several other mountain biking routes. Troll Stroll starts about 0.1 mile away, and Tilt, Rick's Revenge and Snidley Whiplash are each about 0.2 mile off. For paddling, the Sugar River lies about 8.6 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Skunk Valley

    Best months: April–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      29° / 13°

      11 wet · 8 snow

    2. Feb

      32° / 13°

      9 wet · 6 snow

    3. Mar

      43° / 20°

      9 wet · 4 snow

    4. Apr

      55° / 31°

      10 wet · 1 snow

    5. May

      68° / 43°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      78° / 53°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      82° / 57°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 55°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 47°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      60° / 37°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      46° / 28°

      11 wet · 3 snow

    12. Dec

      34° / 20°

      11 wet · 6 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Gladwin, MI, 4 mi away at 775 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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