Run Across the Grand River

Begin the run at Connor Bayou, where this adventure's directions lead to. You will follow the Idema Explorers trail into the woods, where you will wind around for about 0.4 miles. As soon as you exit the woods, continue to follow the paved trail that leads to the left along the road. After another half mile, you will reach a parking lot just before the bridge. Pass the lot and take a left up the trail (Spoonville Trail) that leads onto the bridge. Run across the bridge, turning around when you reach the small loop on the other side. The bridge is about a mile long, and since this is an out-and-back run you'll be on it for half the time. After you turn around, retrace your steps back to Connor Bayou and finish strong by pushing yourself that last 0.4 miles once you get to the woods!

Now for some fun facts:

-The M231 bridge was completed in October 2015, and includes a pedestrian path that is very generous in width.

-The pedestrian section of the bridge is illuminated, so you can run out here and get pictures of the sunset and still be able to find your way back to the parking lot by the base of the bridge. (Probably not a good idea to park at Connor Bayou if this is your plan as that park closes at dusk.)

-The slope of the bridge is a huge pain when running; it is very gently arch-shaped, so it seems like you are running uphill both ways.

-Each year in October there is a race (the M231 Run 4-Miler) that follows this exact same path, and the proceeds go towards paving more of the trails and bike paths in West Michigan.