Hello from Michigan - First Toyota, First Post, Lengthy!

Auburn Hills

 

Thanks! I appreciate the warm welcome from you and everyone else too.

As for spots in MI for the sole purpose of taking the 4Runner, I am as much in the learning phase of that as you. This is the first vehicle I’ve owned that allows me to go beyond the curb and onto something more than paved roads.

That being said, if I had to take a stab at guessing, I’d say Silver Lake (maybe?), or anywhere “north” as we say it. Traverse City, the U.P., etc.

I hope to be a better contributor from that perspective as I begin to explore the areas I never had business doing so until now.

Either way, feel free to connect! I will do what I can for ya.

 

Cool, looking forward to hearing about your adventures!

I'm driving all the way up near the Straits of Mackinac, then all the way down to Toledo, Ohio. In between I have tentative plans to stop in Saginaw. But I know little about the state so am not sure what I should try to do in between.

 

I can help provide some guidance
Silver Lake is of course a must see spot, at least once. But it's not my favorite go to... often way over crowded, you have to keep your head on a constant swivel, and it's also way more fun in a really fast long travel rail. It's great fun to climb test hill and run through the dunes, but after you've done it a few times, there's not much more to it. Highly recommend an evening run when the sun is setting though.

Tons of trails and forest roads all throughout the Manistee/Huron National forest; on the west side, we often explore around Baldwin area and Mesick/Cadillac area, on the east side, St Helen/West Branch area is great, especially around the St Helen Scramble area (though it's also a popular spot and can see a fair amount of traffic), then there is also the Bull Gap hill climb in Mio (another thing that's worth doing at least once).

Area around Camp Grayling, Grayling, MI; tons of trails, some technical spots; used to be able to see some cool stuff near the base, but they've been closing some areas of in the immediate vicinity. There are trails that can get you pretty much from Grayling to Kalkaska, then other back roads and trails to get to Traverse City.

Traverse City area is great to visit, especially sleeping bear and pyramid point; but there's not much in the way of offroading. Sure there are some trails on state land here and there, but most seasonal roads you'll find end up being short (dead end), or very well maintained and essentially just an average dirt road. There are a few interesting off road spots I've been through with a local, but it's been a long time and not sure if I can accurately pin point them anymore.

That's just my initial two cents on some lower peninsula areas anyways

 

Very helpful, thanks kbp! Note that I'm in a stock Limited on stock tires so wouldn't be looking for gnarly trails. But would be awesome to get off pavement somewhere that has views -- mountains, lakes, any kind of big natural beauty!

 

The vast majority of roads/trails can be handled just fine in stock limited with stock tires, but of course you do never know when you might hit some deep soft sand or mud.

For scenic spots - not sure what route you're taking; but in the UP there are of course numerous... first things that come to mind more on the east half are Pictured Rocks, Tahquemenom falls (both upper and lower), Crisp Point lighthouse, and Whitefish point. Also near Whitefish point is a really cool seasonal road called Wildcat Rd that runs right along side the lakeshore and sort of across the beach at certain points. Crisp Point and Whitefish point you can also often find agates on the shore.

Lower, Traverse City area of course! Aside from that, and traveling down more the east side of the state... there are some nice overlooks of the Au Sable River towards Mio, attached an example, was somewhere east of Mio, but don't recall the specific forest road; but it's pretty easy to pick out the roads that head in towards the river via Google Maps or most other nav apps; and also some cool views in the general area of Lumbers Monument near Oscoda. At the moment, most anything else I can think of that way would be more off-road focused.

A part from that... if you like cheese, stop off in Pinconning on the way to Saginaw; we usually go to Wilson's Cheese shop, as we've been stopping off there on the way to or from up north since I was a little kid. Right off the I75 Pinconning exit is a slightly more conveniently located shop if in a rush (not much more to Pinconning aside from some cheese shops and a really huge maze of an outlet store - Northwoods). Continuing on, I would suggest maybe skipping Saginaw, and head to Frankenmuth (just south of Saginaw) instead. Largely a tourist trap, but some good food/drink and kind of cool to see.

 

This is truly awesome. My route is 223 to 23 to 76 up to Saint Ignace then back again. I picked Saginaw as a tentative overnight spot just considering the likely time of night when I'd be heading back south near there. But I can easily pivot to another stop that is roughly along that route. So will see what I can map out that includes maybe some combination of locales from the group of Mio, Oscoda, Wilson's (yes I do love cheese) and Frankenmuth. Awesome!!!

 

That rig is sick. I feel you on how hard the search for a new 4Runner is. I only got an SR5 Premium (need the 3rd row) and still had to order it and wait 2 months to get the features & color I wanted. Good luck with the gremlins!

 

WOW, KBP! You came in with all the intel! Despite being a lifelong Michigander, I too found all of this helpful. I am very much a outdoors-man when it comes to fishing, kayaking, etc., but this is a whole new mix w/ a vehicle that can make its own path.

Great contribution!

 

As of now my tentative plan is to drive from Saint Ignace down along the coast of Huron to Alpena and spend the night there, then down the coast to Oscoda, then to Wilson's...

 

Thanks! I am sure you're loving it despite the wait. As for those gremlins ..I THINK I got em all.. at least up to the point of this writing ..I'll write that post if I have time this evening.

 

If you end up in Traverse City ( on another trip considering its the other side of the state) I highly recommend the 30-45 minute drive over to Torch Lake. One of the best lakes in the world IMO.

 

At its finest...

 

For those who are interested, I just posted my Gremlin story in the 5th Gen 4Runners section.

 

nice! Just ordered my first T4R so excited to get it.

 

Welcome! I did your roof rack.

 

You did my roof rack?

 

He sure did.

 

I see 1 - Orange Pro in and around Branson, MO frequently.
Kinda wondered what year it was.

Seems like we go up to MI once a year or so for the last 3 years.
My sister lives in Grand Haven and BIL lives in Kingsley, aka just south of Traverse City.

We're planning to do a loop and visit all the Waterfalls in UP possibly in the next month or 2. Drive across the Mackinac Bridge after visiting family in MI and then head west.

 

If you have the time, you have to stop by Pictured Rocks. They're best seen from the water (kayak or boat tour), but the hiking is also fantastic (but it's a full day trip).

 

Thanks! We'll definitely check that out.

Don't have a firm date yet but probably in September. I figure we'll cross through Illinois on the way up and then head back south through Wisconsin on the way home. Might cut over to Iowa on the home trip as well.

 

I DIG your roof rack. Damn autocorrect

 

Ha! no worries. Well - the roof rack is off. It was installed by previous owner and has seen better days. Trying to figure out how much to list it for.

 

Hi there, just looking at your photos and I like the roof rack you have on your ride. Do you know what make and model it is? It doesn't look like the stock TRD ones?? Thx

 

Absolutely! Here’s the link https://bajarack.com/products/4runner-g5-standard-basket-rack-2010-2021

the one pictured in my post is for sale, but it is very used and will need some TLC. It’s still very strong, just needs cosmetic repair.

 

Hi there, thanks for getting back to me. I'm still in the process of picking out a rack. I found a local one from a TRD which would save me a lot as I live in Canada and shipping is quite expensive.... But still looking