Swayze Express

Swayze Express is a short, moderate cross-country ski route in Michigan, about 2.3 miles from the town of Patons Corner. The trail is an out-and-back that covers roughly half a mile, with a total climb of about 77 feet from the start to the high point at 1,318 feet. The steepest stretch comes early on, at about 0.05 miles from the start, with a grade of about 6 percent. Winter is the natural season for this route. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Petoskey show January highs around 26°F with lows near 12°F, and February is similar. That station sits about 570 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. Several other cross-country ski routes lie close by. Tree Tops Trail and Morefoot are each about 0.6 miles away, and Bob Ross Trail is about 0.8 miles off. For a change of pace, the Iron Belle Trail is about 9 miles away.