Department of Natural Resources today warned canoeists, kayakers, tubers, and those fishing that the footbridge over the Pigeon River in Cheboygan County on the High Country Pathway in the Pigeon River Country State Forest has collapsed and is blocking the river.

"River users will need to portage around the collapsed bridge until the debris can be safely removed, or completely avoid this part of the river," said Laurie Marzolo, DNR Pigeon River Country Unit Manager.

The DNR announced in June that the Pigeon River footbridge and the Black River footbridge on the High Country Pathway were both closed for repairs. The Pigeon River footbridge has a 7.5-mile temporary reroute in place. This detour takes trail users on Campsite Road, the north spur of the Shore-to-Shore Trail and on Tin Bridge Road. Camping at Pine Grove State Forest Campground is available using a one-mile connector. The north spur of the Shore-to-Shore Trail is a hiking and horse trail. Mountain bikers need to keep in mind that other than on this temporary detour, the north spur of the Shore-to-Shore Trail is closed to mountain bike use in the Pigeon River Country State Forest.

The Black River footbridge has a 3.7-mile temporary reroute marked so pathway users can go around the bridge. This detour takes trail users on Tin Shanty Bridge and Sawdust Pile roads. The pathway and roadways will be posted with signs to assist users in following the detour.

The DNR continues to work to repair the bridges. For more information or questions regarding the status of the bridge repairs or about the High Country Pathway, contact the Pigeon River Country Forest Headquarters at (989) 983-4101.

Currently, the Black River footbridge remains closed and should be considered unsafe. Fording/crossing the rivers is not recommended, because the river currents can be strong at these locations.