Pine River Truck Trail - FS 3137

Trail Overview

Federal Forest Service Road (FS) 3137, also known as Pine River Truck Trail, is a federally owned/ locally maintained, Level-2/ Level-3 forest road with a surface composition of dirt, sand, gravel, and native material. This route is currently open and in fair condition; it is not a DNR road (ORV use is subject to local government regulations) that connects FS 3139- Dick Road to FS 3437, FS 3342, FS 3518, FS 3490, to FS 3131 Sullivan Truck Trail. Description created on September 11, 2025.

Photos of Pine River Truck Trail - FS 3137

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Difficulty

Dirt and gravel road with gentle grades. Safe for most 4WD and high-clearance 2WD vehicles. Roads are typically two vehicles wide.

History

The Smithers Winter Test Center (SWTC) in Brimley, Michigan, founded in 1973, is a premier 324-hectare (800+ acre) facility specializing in cold-weather tire and vehicle testing. Located at the former Raco Field WWII airfield in the Upper Peninsula, it provides specialized, 24/7-maintained ice and snow surfaces for automotive, tire, and military testing. The site was originally constructed as an airfield to protect the locks at Sault Sainte Marie during World War II. Acquisition (1973-1975): Smithers, a testing firm founded in 1925 in Akron, Ohio, established its winter testing presence here after acquiring Compliance Testing Incorporated in the early 1970s, making it fully operational by 1975. The Waishkey River area near Raco, Michigan, is steeped in history, originating as a logging hub in the early 20th century named for the Richard and Avery Company (R.A.C.O). The region, located within the Hiawatha National Forest, features trails that reflect its history as a lumber town, a Cold War-era military site, and part of the Hiawatha National Forest, which was shaped by Depression-era reforestation efforts. Logging Roots: Raco was a logging town with a population of 200 by 1917, featuring a bank and rail loading ground. Fire Observation: The first fire tower in Michigan was located near Raco on a pine tree near M-28, which was removed in 1928 when the road was improved. Military Significance: In 1940, a nearby airfield was established to refuel aircraft traveling to Alaska and to protect the Soo Locks. Modern Era: The area is now known for natural beauty, including the Waishkey River watershed and nearby historical sites. The Smithers Winter Test Center (SWTC) in Brimley, Michigan, founded in 1973, is a premier 324-hectare (800+ acre) facility specializing in cold-weather tire and vehicle testing. Located at the former Raco Field WWII airfield in the Upper Peninsula, it provides specialized, 24/7-maintained ice and snow surfaces for automotive, tire, and military testing. The site was originally constructed as an airfield to protect the locks at Sault Sainte Marie during World War II. Acquisition (1973-1975): Smithers, a testing firm founded in 1925 in Akron, Ohio, established its winter testing presence here after acquiring Compliance Testing Incorporated in the early 1970s, making it fully operational by 1975.

Technical Rating

Pine River Truck Trail - FS 3137 can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV
• SxS (60")
• Dirt Bike