-->NY: It's not marked, but the NCT crosses the Bear River on a footbridge in Bay Front Park. (The E Lake Street bridge is visible up the river to the south.) The NCT continues inland on the path on the west bank of the river, then turns right and quickly left to proceed up Quaintance Avenue.
I think this is where the NCT leaves the Little Traverse Wheelway, which proceeds straight from the footbridge and then makes a right turn to follow the bay shore.