Beaver Basin Wilderness and the Fox River Pathway - November 7-9 2011

 Day 1 - Little Beaver Lake - Seven Mile Creek

I always like to get a short backpack in before the start of deer rifle season. Those two weeks are just too dangerous to be in wooded areas that allow hunting....most areas do. The month of November has been unseasonably warm but now the forecast was taking a dive. Not one to change my plans because of the weather, the trip was a go!

My friend Jamie from downstate decided to join me. I picked up a permit on the way through Munising. We met in Seney at the trailhead for the Fox River Pathway and quickly shuttled the cars. We would both drive to Stanley Lake where we would leave his car and then I would drive both of us to Pictured Rocks, specifically the Beaver Basin Wilderness, where we would start our trip.

It was already past noon when I drove down Little Beaver Lake Road. Two wolves were soon sighted crossing the dirt road. Nice way to start a trip! 

As Jamie had never hiked in the Beaver Basin before we decided to take the north route around Little Beaver Lake and Beaver Lake. We had about 9.6 mi to hike to get to Seven Mile Creek for the night. With the recent time change, we kept a steady pace with few breaks. The weather was about 50 F and windy. The lake provided a roar of waves but it was moderate compared to many other times.

Set up camp, had dinner and went down to the lake in the dark. An almost full moon provided good light to walk the beach and cause crazy shadows. I may have had something to do with the latter.

Day 2 - Seven Mile Creek - Fox River Pathway (Clyde Lake)

The night was warm and it was quite easy to roll out of my sleeping bag in the morning. After a hot breakfast we hiked a half mile on the Lakeshore Trail before we headed south on the Fox River Pathway.

The first three miles of this hilly trail are in good shape until Kingston Lake. We saw the old kettle lake along the way. Took a break at Kingston Lake and headed onward to the Kingston Plains and the stump museum.

From many past experiences with the pathway, I knew the trail markers and any evidence of tread would be obscure. The pathway is rarely hiked and the surface is very uneven. It starts out with many DNR triangular blue tags, then goes to faded blue markers and then to very faded slightly marked spots and then many spots aren't marked at all. Some small sections had recent flagging but I don't think it was done by the DNR as it was erratic. I was glad when the flagging stopped as it was too "in the face". I like being able to find the trail on my own!

An area of beech trees that had been logged perhaps five years past was now full of little beech trees still retaining their leaves. I actually hiked on the pathway when it was being logged and I was surprised at how different everything looked.

After many miles of hilly wooded areas and mostly flat open fields, we came to a series of lakes. I had decided that we would make camp at Clyde Lake where I had stayed before. The place was extremely peaceful and there wasn't the slightest breeze. Had a pleasant evening walking around the ridges that surround the lake. Trail mileage for the day was 10.9 miles.

Day 3 - Clyde Lake - Stanley Lake

Another nice morning..probably 40-ish. The bad weather that was predicted for yesterday never really materialized. The trail in this section is slightly more used so I knew the navigation would be easier in parts. One of my favorite sections is along the West Branch of the Fox River. It started raining about then so we took a break and put on rain gear. It was a good decision as it only rained harder as we hiked.

As we approached the Stanley Lake area, the rain turned to snow. Of course I almost wanted to do a happy dance as it was the first snow of the year in these parts. The winds had picked up as well and the temp dove to 32 F but we were done with the trip. Almost 7 miles today. Now we only had shuttling to do and we were on our separate ways. On my way back to Marquette the snow increased in intensity and the waves on Lake Superior were at full speed. It was a neat way to end a trip and I have been been enjoying the snow since I got home...even skied a couple of times!

Backpacking - Thirteen Days at Isle Royale National Park September 9-22 2011

Rocks at Little Todd Harbor

Well, I'm not called "IsleRoyaleGirl for nothing". I usually end one journey at the island planning for the next one as it is an absolute given that I will be back. In this case I only waited a few short months. I was very excited about the journey as it was longer than norm and I would be hiking to many of my favorite spots. It wasn't to be a death march however. I didn't plan to hike every inch of trail but just cover enough ground to make it all fun. I hiked about 114.4 miles but really didn't even tabulate it until the end. Of course, I have been there so many times that I really didn't have to think about numbers or question what kind of terrain I would be dealing with. All I knew is that I would hike from one end of the island to the other, take a layover day, and then hike back a different way.

The layover day probably wasn't necessary but it was downright fun. One of my friends works on the island for six months each year (that is how long the island is open) and he was currently stationed at the other end (Windigo). I think it may be the only national park that closes for the other six months. More about my visit with Jamie later.  

Day 1 - Rock Harbor-Daisy Farm

My journey began on the Ranger III from Houghton. The boat was fairly empty with perhaps twenty people aboard. Only a few were backpackers and since none of them were staying as long as me, I never saw any of them after landing in Rock Harbor.

It was already 3:30 PM when I started my hike and I headed to Daisy Farm, a distance of 7 miles. I encountered a group going the opposite way and I was surprised to see that the last person was someone I knew. He was not looking at me, so I spoke up and said, "Kevin!". I hadn't seen him for several years so we had a great chat while the rest of his group hiked onward. He was co-leading a Sierra Club National Trip and they were at the end of their journey.

Those miles went fast and soon I was settled in. In the meantime, I had seen tons of snowshoe hares, woodpeckers, flickers, snakes and more. The squirrels outside my shelter apparently were spoiled from a summer full of backpackers. They were aggressive and jumping around trying to get into my stuff. Also had a mouse in my shelter in the morning..first time I have experienced that in a shelter at Isle Royale. A full moon later filled the shelter with light. 

Day 2 - Daisy Farm- McCargoe Cove

Today I walked from Daisy Farm on the south coast of the island to McCargoe Cove on the north coast..a distance of 8.2 miles. Having had a very dry summer here (in extreme drought according to NOAA), I noticed that the vegetation was very crunchy and leaves were drying out as soon as they colored. There was a good amount of bronzes and some reds. Fall wildflowers especially asters and buttercups were abundant. I noticed that most of the people I encountered today were an older crowd (like me). It's kind of like we wait until the youngsters and college kids go back to school. The camp sites at McCargoe were all filled by evening...that was a surprise!

Day 3 - McCargoe Cove - Todd Harbor

It always takes me a couple of days to get in a rhythm. Today after an early rise I was on the trail at 7:30 AM...not a creature was stirring! I always love this part of the trail system. The Minong Trail starts in earnest and soon I was overlooking Otter Lake. This is a special place for me where I remembered my father.

When I got to Todd Harbor I contemplated whether to move on as it was quite early or stay. I noted that the only shelter was taken so I walked down to the water's edge to rest. A boater in the harbor was leaving that area and I was surprised to see that he wore absolutely no clothes. Feeling awkward, I walked back away from the water where I met Matt who was leaving the shelter to hike onwards. We had a great talk. He was also on a long journey but with a very heavy pack (65 lbs)...I told him I would fall right over with a pack such as his and he laughed and said he did a few times and just laid on the trail. We talked about gear and I think he learned a lot on this trip for the next time.

I now had the area to myself so I decided to stay. I swam in the lake but quickly changed into dry clothes as it was quite windy, although it was warm. Walked the short distance to the Hayduke Mine and observed many flocks of geese heading somewhere. 6.7 miles today.

Day 4 - Todd Harbor - Little Todd Harbor

A mix of clouds, a dreary morning but it soon was a nice day. An easy walk on the ridge interspersed with ascents and descents to dry river or creek beds. Many distant cliffs were visible from the trail with many wetlands beneath them. Arrived in one of my favorite places..Little Todd Harbor. I had also contemplated skipping this but I am so glad that I didn't. The beach is black sand and rocks. I saw fresh moose tracks and there was an absolute chorus of waves. I sat on a log watching the waves and then played in them...just couldn't resist! Later a storm system came through with thunder and lightening. After the storm, a beautiful sunset ended the day. 7 miles today.

Day 5 - Little Todd Harbor - North Desor Lake

Today's section of trail is known as the most difficult on the island. I have experienced it when it's been wet and then it is treacherous. Today however seemed to sail easily. It is relentless rock but I guess after spending time in the White Mts in New Hampshire this summer, this rock is easy...it doesn't move! Awesome views of distant Canada are experienced many times on this section. I got to camp very early saving my energy for a long day tomorrow. I was the only one there all night. Observed lots of red squirrels today working on gathering their food for winter. Broken off tree branches with cones of every sort are their staples.. Mini showers with a brisk wind during the evening had me diving for cover many times. Trees fell in the forest but this was all quelled by the calling of loons. 5.7 miles.

Day 6 - North Desor Lake - Washington Creek (Windigo)

Today I hiked 12.6 miles. It was a fun route on the Minong Ridge. Didn't see anyone until I was almost at Windigo, that has been par for the course most days so far. I arrived late afternoon and set about finding my friend Jamie at Windigo. He was almost done at work for the day so we headed to employee housing. Met several of his co-workers and a bunch of researchers that were staying there for a week or less. Lots of fun and laughter..everyone was in a good mood. Took a short walk in the evening.

Day 7 - Layover

Today was my official layover day. Spent the day doing a few short day hikes totaling at least 3 mi, went to the Visitor Center and watched a movie with some of the researchers who were waylaid by their return boat (it eventually got them in the evening when the seas subsided). Jamie worked that day but in the evening we went for a boat ride out into Washington Harbor and its islands..Grace and Barnum islands, the latter of which we stopped at. Historic ruins of the first hotel there were being restored. A very neat place with several quaint cottages that are still be used. It was chilly so I made a hot drink upon the return. Evening brought a re-pack of my supplies for the rest of my journey. I conveniently had sent half of my food to Jamie so that I wouldn't have to carry the entire load during the duration of my journey.

Day 8 - Washington Creek - Feldtmann Lake and Rainbow Cove

During the next 2.5 days, Jamie joined me for the Feldtmann Loop before he would head back to work and I would head eastward. We didn't start until mid-morning after a 26 F degree night but we took a break at the Grace Creek Overlook and easily covered the distance with plenty of time to enjoy the evening. After setting up our camp and cooking dinner, we hiked to Rainbow Cove to watch the sunset. While laying awake I heard owls calling back and forth. 11.6 miles total.

Day 9 - Feldtmann Lake - Siskiwit Bay

Morning greeted me with a beautiful sunrise peaking through the fog. Lots of rustic colors along the Feldtmann Ridge. We stopped at the tower for awhile. Last few miles to Siskiwit are through mostly open fields...it was nice to arrive to the red rock beach and an old apple tree. The apples were outstanding after not having fresh fruit for a week. A pretty sunset ended another good day. 10.5 miles.

Day 10- Siskiwit Bay - South Desor Lake

A warm night and a sunny morning. However clouds were forming rapidly. We hiked to the Greenstone Ridge via Island Mine. Noted relics and mine tailings. We had lunch before we parted ways. I would be traveling eastward and Jamie would be returning to Windigo westward. Although we had experienced a few sprinkles, as soon as we bid good-bye, the rain began in earnest. It was steady but not horrible.Set up at an empty camp site and the rain became non stop and a muddy mess.

Day 11 - South Desor - West Chickenbone

The morning was bright and the rain disappeared. Although I had shorter options I decided to hike 15.2 miles today. The absolute non-contested highlight of the day was hiking towards two wolves. I had crested a hill and the two wolves were coming toward me. I felt very calm and the eye contact was amazing. The wolves turned and went back into the bush....or so I thought...as I rounded a corner one of them was looking at me. I never felt threatened though and kept walking while it disappeared again...this time for good.

Lots of gorgeous overlooks today along the ridge. Settled at West Chickenbone. Thought no one was there but later a trail crew employee stopped by to chat. I heard owls again and there was a beautiful sunset.

Day 12 - West Chickenbone - Moskey Basin

The journey today was short but I got to spend much time in one of my favorite places..the basin. Spent time reading and knitting a hat...I've been slowly working on it the whole trip but it is about done...knitted some at every camp site so it will now be know as the "Isle Royale Hat". It was a nice but cool day until about 6 PM when heavy storms arrived in earnest. I however had a shelter tonight so was quite content. Loons sang between the storms, all told three big storms! 5.9 miles

Day 13 - Moskey Basin -Rock Harbor

Hour-wise, the walk was long today due to wet rock. Heard a bull moose in rut so I observed where he was. Heard a cow in the area wailing but couldn't pinpoint her. Otherwise it was a quiet walk, only saw one dayhiker so I was surprised to arrive in Rock Harbor to find most shelters full. Turns out many people were just hanging there for several days as they are allowed as it is off season (normally one night is the maximum in this area). 11 miles

Day 14 - Return to Mainland

This day doesn't really count but it was a good day talking to people on the boat. Only a few were backpackers, the majority being seasonals that were done until next year. The boat at this time of year doesn't run full crew so they only allow 6 people from the public like myself! 

I must say this was near the top of my list for one of the best trips to Isle Royale. Lots of quiet, great hiking, I felt great..what more can I ask for....maybe a repeat! 

Grand Island National Recreation Area - September 1-3 2011

What better way to enjoy the end of summer than spending a few days at Grand Island!

I thought I would "beat" the Labor Day crowd so I took the ferry early on Thursday morning. I decided that this would be an easy trip, time to reflect on the good times I've had this summer and on plans for upcoming adventures.  

I headed over to Trout Bay. It was very quiet and I had most of the place to myself.

Highlights were seeking out my favorite spots on the Thumb, chatting with islanders (those who have summer places on the island), finding that there were still three types of berries in season (raspberries, blackberries and blueberries), nice sunsets, watching a storm come in and whip up the waves (never fails to thrill me), and on the final night offering a couple (John and Sara) to share my campsite. They had come in on one of the later ferries and the camp sites were filled since it was the Friday night before the holiday. I found out that they were on their honeymoon! They had spent most of the week camping throughout the U. P. What a beautiful way to start their life together. 

Hut to Hut in White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire -August 2011

In early August I traveled by plane out east to New Hampshire and Maine. My sister Julie from Arizona and my friend Connie from the Lower Peninsula of Michigan met me out there.

We rented a car and spent a few days traveling the eastern seaboard. We experienced places like Portsmouth, Kennebunkport and Freeport, all very picturesque.

Our eventual goal was spending six days in the White Mountains in New Hampshire. When I had mentioned this trip last year to my companions they were quite excited as we would be spending our nights in huts rather than tents. The trip still required a backpack though as we still had to bring mostly everything except a tent and cooking equipment. We didn't have to carry as much though as our dinners and breakfasts would be provided by "Da Croo". Our packs probably weighed around 20 lbs which is much less than normal for a six-day trip.

The huts are run by the Appalachian Mountain Club and there are eight of them in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains. They are steeped in tradition as the first hut dates back to1888 (Madison Springs Hut). Of course many of them have been updated since then but they are still rustic in nature.

The Madison Springs Hut was recently mostly rebuilt with the stone foundation intact. Huts hold various amounts of people but the smallest one we stayed in had 32 bunks (New Zealand) and the largest one had 90 bunks (Lake of the Clouds, aka Lake of the Crowds). The bunks sometimes are stacked three deep which makes sitting upright rather impossible. As mentioned before the huts are run by " Da Croo". They are coveted positions and many of the hut croo had up to five years experience. Da Croo are highly energetic folks mostly in their 20's with a passion for the outdoors.

Da Croo take turns hauling in fresh supplies twice a week from the nearest trailhead. They still use packboards which date back to the 1930's. Apparently this is the most effective way to carry in heavy supplies with these ladder-like boards and we witnessed several croo doing just that. The huts do have an early spring heli-drop of supplies of the many staples that are needed. Many of the huts had green power so sun, wind or hydro was used to help supply energy for limited lighting and more. Composting (below treeline), and waterless (above treeline) toilets were the norm. Sometimes they were located outside the building and other times inside. 

The funny thing about this trip is that even though we carried less weight than our traditional backpacking trips we worked harder physically than any trail or bushwhacking trip I have ever been on. It wasn't an endurance feat but more a balance act. Trails in the White Mountains for the most part don't even resemble a trail. If there weren't the presence of huge rock cairns one wouldn't even know they were on a trail. The cairns were often topped with a white quartz rock which dotted the environment. Other mica-laden granite sparkled in the sun. There are no switchbacks so straight up is the only option. 

For the section that we did in six days there was very little dirt and we rarely took more than a step that wasn't on rock, not flat rock, but climbing over every kind of rock you can imagine, huge talus slopes, boulder-strewn draws and fields of sharp rock. Many parts required scrambling. Although this was all rather slow-going and challenging, we enjoyed ourselves and took in the awesome views. Much of our trip was above treeline.

We met many people that had a long-standing tradition of hiking in the White Mountains. They were now taking their kids or grandkids and there were those with multi-generational units. Many were just hiking and staying at one hut or two as they had already planned their visit to other huts for next year. 

Also a common denominator for many of the trekkers were to bag several 4,000 footers (there are 48 in the Whites alone). Of course, we were there for an entirely different experience but we did "bag" some of the 4,000 footers in the process. Part of the trail we traveled was also the Appalachian Trail (that starts in Georgia and ends in Maine). We met many thru-hikers most of which were north bound and nearing the end of their journey. Some we talked to on the trail and others at the huts where they facilitated a stay in exchange for work.They told many tales of their experiences which varied greatly.

Highlights of the trip were the rocky vistas, climbing Mt Washington (6,288 ft) with the highest recorded wind speed of 231 mph, Mt Jackson, Mt Pierce, Mt Monroe, etc, meeting new people, enjoying the entertainment of the hut croo and exploring new country (I had hiked in the Whites before but it was certainly more than a decade since I did).

Although this was a different type of a backpacking trip from my normal status, it was an enjoyable, memorable and interesting experience.

Backpacking Isle Royale National Park - July 1-9 2011

I couldn't wait to get there...it is my favorite place of all...an annual visit to Isle Royale National Park is always in the works.

This year I would again be joining my friend Jamie for half of my backpacking trip and the remainder I would do solo. Jamie works as a seasonal employee on the island so he is always ready for more back country time when he has a few days off. I met him over at Mott Island where he lives most of the time and from there we canoed over to the big island. After stashing the canoe, we started the first leg of the backpack trip.

Having had a late spring, the island was full of early spring wildflowers even though it was already early July. Amongst many other flowers, tons of Lady Slippers (both Yellow and Pink), Blue Flag Iris, Low Bindweed, Orange and Yellow Hawkweed, Wood Lily, HareBell, Beach Pea, Polygala, Daisy and Pitcher Plants in bloom dominated the scenery. Wet weather made the island very mucky and of course there were bugs (especially mosquitoes that like those conditions too :) The latter weren't really a problem at the shore (where all my camps were) but the trails in between camp sites were a haven for them.

Isle Royale is a constantly changing environment. This year the wolf population was very low at 15 with only one female and the moose count was approximately 515. This made for very few sightings by visitors. The largest mammal I saw was a red fox whose numbers are very low as well. However with less predation, this made for a ton of snowshoe hare sightings. I've always loved the hares as their big feet and long ears are quite unique. Loons and Red Breasted Mergansers were dominant in the water.

Other memories include watching a turtle at Moskey Basin trying to find a place to lay its eggs (it finally succeeded but it was a very long process). Lots of garter snakes in a variety of colors were seemingly everywhere I went.

Five thunderstorms, hot temps (compared to the cold spring), wind, fields of flowers, tiny strawberries, wolf howls, muck, cold water, roaring streams, quiet, wolf tracks, moose tracks, sunrises, sunsets, new friends, and just contentment were all part of the scene.

As most wilderness trips go, this one ended too early but I hope to be back in a few months.

Backpacking Grand Island National Recreation Area- June 12-14 2011

Last Saturday night I decided to head to Grand Island on Sunday. I love these spur-of-the-moment trips more than anything. There is no wasted time packing, just throw in whatever suits me at the time and whatever food I happen to have around.

It is still early season for the island but I was really surprised that I was the only one on the ferry. I headed up the west coast to one of my favorite parts of the island..the north end.

The area around North Beach is protected so one can not camp there but there is a camp site located not too far from there. I would set up in the back country spot and then spend the rest of the evening until sunset down at the beach.

I had the entire place to myself having not seen a soul since I left the ferry. I can't say enough about the evening....just watching the light patterns change on the rocks and just plain being happy!

As the summer solstice was nearing, the amount of daylight hours was substantial. I woke up early and hiked down the east side. I bushwhacked in to a favorite spot on the coast for a rest break and then continued on down to Trout Bay. I was there by 11:30 AM which meant I could easily make the afternoon ferry or stay on the island another night. Since the latter was my original plan I went for it.

After eating lunch and setting up camp, I took off for a dayhike secure with emergency gear. I bushwhacked into the thumb area and on the way back checked out a favorite spot on the coast line. Again the afternoon and evening was void of people other than a worker on the island who stopped by to chat just after I arrived. I also saw someone fixing one of the cottages. 

In the morning, I took the early ferry back (I was the only passenger) with many good thoughts of the last few days. I love that this treasure of a place is so close to where I live.

May 2011 Adventures

North Country Trail- Marilla to Baxter Bridge - May 2011

In Mid-May I joined the Grand Traverse folks for the annual backpacking outing that I have participated in for many years. This year the activity would be different as their chapter of the North Country Trail had organized a 100 mi challenge to hike all of the trail that the chapter has built and maintained. The latter is a continous process and effort. 

Ed laid out the plans for the challenge itself. A small group of us had decided to backpack (many of us could only do a part of it for now). There would also be lots of shuttling going on as many day hikers would join the backpackers. All told it took a lot of organization skills of many people. As of this date several people have completed the challenge and others are close to it. I hope to go back and finish it at a later date. During my three days there I hiked/backpacked with Dick, Sara, Nancy, Debi, Kim, and Andy.

 Sisterhood - May 2011

One of my friends in the Grand Traverse Chapter invited me to a three-day gathering of women that started right after the backpacking trip. Although I knew Kim and Sara too, it would be a good time getting to know twenty three other women. Being a somewhat shy person I knew this would be a challenge for me but I was amazed how quickly I fit in.

I arrived in my sweaty backpacking clothes looking for a shower. I guess everyone saw me at my worst and still welcomed me. Many kept saying that I was brave to join the group but really they were brave to have an outsider join them. The spirit of all these women are amazing. Most of them are members of She Bikes/She Skis in the Traverse area.

Terri organized the first gathering of her friends three years ago in celebration of life after a battle with cancer. Paula organized the other details for activities such as mountain bike rides and hikes. We all stayed at a quaint resort (Watervale) located on Lake Herring just off the Lake Michigan Shoreline. I will treasure this experience forever as it truly touched my heart. I have made many new friendships and I hope to do future outings with them.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - A Four-Day Backpack - May 2011

In late May my friends Andy and El organized a backpack trip to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Although I live close to it and get to it often I wouldn't miss the opportunity to enjoy a few days with them. We were joined by Matt, Jen, Joanie, Doug, Ken, Tim and Nancy. Our four day journey was marked by lively chatter, enjoyment of the surroundings and the common love of backpacking and the outdoors. It was great fun!

I have always enjoyed the emergence of Forget-Me-Knots flowers. They remind me of my Grandma Ursula's yard that was covered in them and they also have always had a place in my heart as the symbol for Disabled American Veterans. I also relate them to all the friends I have made through the years, none of them are to be ever forgotten.This picture was taken at Pictured Rocks recently:

Hiawatha National Forest - An Early Spring Backpacking Journey

I decided to spend a couple of days backpacking earlier this week. The Hiawatha National Forest was calling. It was still very spring-like with lows in the high twenties and highs in the forties. Perfect for hiking in my mind! My route was rather unconventional combining a couple of trail systems and old road bed. The highlights were tons of lakes, hills, and the harbingers of spring: birds chirping, loons calling, and the first pokes of trout lily dotting the forest landscape. As I neared a highway crossing I heard laughter and there appeared three women that I knew from the women's mountain biking group that I belong to. What a riot!

Hiking Arizona - April 2011

This was a quickly planned trip. Actually there were no "real" plans other than the fact that we were going! I have hiked Arizona tons of times through the years and have immensely enjoyed it. I think the fact that it is so different from the Great Lakes area has its appeal. 

We quickly got used to the dry heat, trail dust, cactus and desert creatures. We hiked most days in areas including South Mountain, Superstition Wilderness and Red Rock Wilderness. We also took the opportunity to explore historic cultural sights. 

My sister, Julie, lives in Arizona and we were guests at her house when we weren't all on the road. Julie, our friend Sue and I planned each day's activities the night before and sometimes moments before...I love these kind of trips for the spontaneity and variety. They always turn out well as all of us are gung-ho about the next prospect for adventure. Many laughs, many stories..that is what great times are all about :))

Enjoying a Busy Winter

I know I haven't posted much lately. It's not that I am not doing anything but actually doing too much! The first two months of the year were filled with activity. I took a couple of trips to a remote rustic cabin. The first trip was solo to welcome the new year and on the second trip two friends joined in the fun. After pulling our sleds full of gear into the cabin, we snowshoed, skied, chatted, worked on some knitting projects and cooked on the wood stove. The latter is something I enjoy doing but of course I wouldn't want to HAVE to do it everyday. I have fond memories of my Grandma Ursula's wood stove cooking but she was way more accomplished than I.

I also went on two back country sled (winter camping) trips one being the 5-day January group trip that I posted a journal for and another one that I did solo for three days in a nearby national forest.

I also had friends come to visit and stay a few days to visit. I went to the Copper Country for almost a week where I spent four days with seven downstate friends at a cottage. We skied every day of course! After they left, I visited my brother and we both shoveled the snow off the roof of our late parent's house. It's always a lot of work with several feet of snow to remove.

To make winter even more fun I organized two different skirt-skis!...yes we wore skirts while we were skiing. Everyone liked it so much that we are going to make it an annual event for the women's mt biking group (WSG). One of the events took place at night...it was supposed to be a full moon but we actually ended up skiing in the fog...it was really cool! On the way home the full moon appeared as I descended back into Marquette. 

Every Wednesday my good friends meet for skiing to continue the tradition we've been doing for years. We actually meet year round but of course our activity changes with the season. Not sure what I would do without this bunch of good people as they are all top notch!

I also traveled to Wisconsin to see my grand baby Emma whom I couldn't love more. She is now 11 months and is crawling everywhere. She is so precious and so cute!

In between all these events I have skied most every day when I am not snowshoeing and even did a few snowshoe runs..something that I used to do years ago (race). I also did a couple of back country skis, one with my friend Sue and the other with a whole lot of people as a fundraiser for the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve.

I continue to test outdoor gear for different companies and love the adventure that goes along with that.

Even though it is March, winter is far from over and I still have lots of winter plans......

Lake Superior State Forest Sledge Trip - 5 Days in January 2011

Friday - A Winter Paradise

Today would have been my Mom's 93rd birthday. I can't help but think that she would be worried about me if she were still alive. She could never make much sense of winter camping, I don't think she was alone in that opinion. Perhaps now she can see that I am safe and happy.

I had arose early and drove in the dark hours to the start location of the trip at the end of the plowed road H58 east of Munising. Even though I was on time I knew I would be way early as there were thirteen people going. This would mean lots of last minute preparations such as loading sledges, etc.

I was right, it was a couple of hours before the trip actually began. I spent the time chatting, comparing equipment and all the sort of things one does when they are waiting. Most of the group was from downstate, one from across the nearby border in Canada and another traveled from Indiana. Most were glad to see the depth of snow as they hadn't been blessed with as much as here. Although a big melt two weeks prior to the trip occurred, at least a foot of powder snow had fallen since then.

Michael, the organizer of the trip from MiBSAR (Michigan Backcountry Search and Rescue) helped a few of the new winter campers organize their gear and pack their sledges. Balance of gear is always tricky to prevent rollovers through the bush.

Let's see the players (besides myself) were: Michael (leader), Chris O., Larry, Cathy, Mary, Mary Ann, Dave, Matt, Chris L, Ewa, John, and Joe. The latter four were either new to winter camping or had some other experience with it but not with this group.

After awhile everyone was stoked to begin. I couldn't help but think that we looked like a train as we wound our way through the woods maneuvering between the trees.

Before long it was lunch break already on the edge of a small lake. The sun added a pleasant touch and before we were done feasting, giant snowflakes began to fall...it was all rather picturesque. We had crossed and traveled a short way on an old railroad bed and then a series of small ponds or lakes including Kinsey Lake that were likely weed-filled in the summer as the weeds were poking up in many places.

The afternoon went fast and we were soon setting up camp amongst the trees. Tarps and Tarptents of every description were quickly hung and it soon became a settlement. Michael had brought a large fire pan and Mary was the keeper of the fire. Soon thirteen people were gathered around to chat and share a dessert brought by Ewa. Snow fell heavily and soon there were several inches of accumulation on people's clothing...no one seemed to mind.

Saturday - Bitter Cold Lake Crossing

It had snowed throughout the night and quite heavily into the morning. The sound of snowflakes hitting my tarp lulled me to sleep and I was content. In the morning a few delays pushed our starting time to late morning. With a group this size, sledge problems, stove problems and more are inevitable.

The trees were now heavily laden with snow. Chris O., a promising film-maker, was making a documentary so he often went ahead to film the crew as they made their way through the forest.

After a restful lunch, many of us donned our insulated over-parka for quite awhile as the winds picked up and the snow squalls were frequent. Some times just for a few minutes a peak of blue sky would promise us a bit of reprieve.

We walked across the blustery east arm of Stanley Lake and then up the shoreline and headed to the west arm where we were to make camp later.

Along the way the winds were wicked; we pulled our balaclavas or neck and face gaiters into place. Some of the participants had accumulated a good amount of frozen slush on the bottom of their sledges. They were having a heck of a time pulling their gear with so much drag on their sledges so they were forced to de-ice in the nasty conditions. Michael stayed to help while the rest of us went ahead and made our way inland to find a camp spot in a more protected area.

Today Chris L. was excited to be in the middle of a storm with much predicted snow. John seemed rather elated as well. It's fun to see new enthusiasm in the group as many of us have experienced these conditions often and some times it seems like any other day in the wintry north woods. I do love it myself but probably don't express it as well...I just appreciate it all the time!

Travel today was mostly in a southerly and easterly direction. The depth of snow continued to deepen so perhaps it was a little harder than yesterday. Later there was a fire, dessert by Mary and tales galore.

Sunday - A Bit of the Fox River Pathway

Sunday...a day of rest, well sort of...we didn't start our journey until almost noon. We now were to follow the Fox River Pathway through heavily-covered pine forests...up and down lots of hills and very pretty. This is one of my favorite sections of the pathway that I have thru-hiked several times. The point person(s) got diverted from the pathway a few times but I was able to re-direct them from experience. The pathway does take unexpected turns at times and it's not always easy to find markers.

The day was mostly cold with a starting temp of 10 F and it never got more than a few degrees warmer.

At camp Michael built a trench shelter so that Chris O. could film the process. Joe later slept in it as his first experience in that regard. We had settled into a pine forest at the edge of a clearing not far from the West Branch of the Fox River. Chris L. had also made a partial snow shelter (with tarp roof) that was complete with sleeping bench and shelves. Every night he has made a different type of residence. He also made snow couches/seats around the fire pan at Mary's place. His energy doesn't seem to run out!

After a pretty pastel sunset, the temps started to drop. The evening chatter was quite entertaining to say the least. Several players including Michael, Chis L. and John were on a roll! Laughter was contagious. The temps starting dropping and it was already -4 F when I retired. It was hard crawling out of the sleeping bag during the night, not because it was so cold but because there is a whole production of zippers to open and close.

Funny thing in the morning was that it was almost 20 F after the low being -14 F during the night. This was crazy but made for an easy start. 

Monday - The "Sweep"

A late morning start. We worked the trail above the branch of the Fox River, dropped to the rail grade and then bushwhacked for awhile. Matt and Chris L. helped Michael with the lead position at intervals. Eventually we worked an old road segment for awhile and then back to bushwhacking. 

Dave has been in a much appreciated position of sweep during the entire trip. Many people have issues or need to make adjustments along the way while Dave patiently waited for them.

We did a short 100 meter crossing of the narrows of Nugent Lake and then we made camp. New snow was a constant in the evening and most people huddled under their tarps until they heard that dessert was being served. It even woke John up from a nap!

The snow was very needle-like with temps in the 20's throughout most of the day and evening. The needle-like snow sounded like rain on the tarp roofs!

Tuesday - What? An Early Start
 

 The group photo is courtesy of Mary Ann Hayman

Early morning I heard the sound of someone banging on a pan. It was the wake-up call. Last night several had indicated that they would like to get going early as they had a long drive ahead of them after the trip. We probably were only a few kilometers from the car but based on the prior four days, this group was s..l..o..w getting ready. We were now ready at 9:30 AM...the same time we usually aim for....way to go pot-banger (aka Chris O.)

Chris and Matt broke trail with me right behind. Winds were very brisk in exposed sections but soon we were back at our cars. We said our good byes with some of the group driving straight back and some going out to lunch. I chose the former and was greeted by my snow-filled driveway...out came the snow scoop for an hour or so before I could get my vehicle in my garage. No complaints though, as it's the reason I live here...I love the snow!! Many thanks to Michael for organizing and leading the trip....and thanks to all the participants for the fun times!

More pics here: Lake Superior State Forest Winter Pics