Highlights: The biking portion of this biyaking adventure begins on a clearcut, but the surroundings improve as it dips in and out of forest, ending on the charming Mason Tract Trail, where the river is always nearby and dragonflies flit around. The paddle is quintessential Northern Lower Michigan with miles of quiet forests and a gently rippling river.

Distance: Bike: about 9 miles (If you are feeling particularly adventuresome, you can skip biking and instead hike back to Chase Bridge on the 11.5-mile Mason Tract Pathway.); Kayak: about 10 miles.

Difficulty: The paddle is mostly easy (and best in the spring or after rainfall because the water level can fluctuate). The pedaling; however, is more of a challenge and often feels longer due to the washboard, rutted roads and sandy hills (fat-tire bikes are recommended).

Location: Leave your kayaks at the Chase Bridge Access Site then drive to the Smith Bridge Access Site, just off M-72 to begin the bike ride (Smith Bridge has a larger parking area than Chase Bridge). Both locations are easily found on area maps and/or GPS.

(Car shuttle: Using the directions above, park one car at the takeout and then drive the second car to the put-in.)

Route finding: Biking: Retrace your tracks back to M-72 and turn left onto dirt Canoe Harbor Road, which will turn into South Branch Road. Stay left onto Mason Tract Trail; continue right at an unmarked intersection (it can get a little confusing in this section). And then stay left at a Y-intersection (there will be a stop sign on your right). Turn left onto paved Chase Bridge Road. Kayaking: The South Branch is popular both with paddlers and anglers so you probably will not be alone. More than halfway through the trip, you will come across a dock with the Mason Chapel on a ridge to your right, a good spot for a picnic break. When you see a row of charming cabins and cottages on your left, you are close to the takeout at Smith Bridge.

Map: PDF map.