Another Greatlakes group hike!

“While doing our first monthly trail maintenance/dayhike/hangout hike it was decided that an Oct hike was in order. I believe that we discussed the end or near the end of October. Jordan river or Manistee river trail. Laqtis this sorta ties in with your other thread. It would have to be a sat-sun deal,we would arrive and campout the friday night before but would get in late like 12-1am. Jordan River is an 18 mile loop,Manistee is a 21 miler. Jordan River is closer to highways (10 miles) for those who must travel far. We are up to either. Jordan River has a designated sight with outhouse and a well,Manistee is backcountry and it has a camp with "rustic" facilities. Both would be great. Who's in and where do you prefer?”

“I'd like to go but it will depend on my work schedule and daycare. Don't count on me but I'll be watching this thread. I'll let you know for certain when it gets closer. :o)”

“Hyper and Co. -

Glad you guys had some fun and hopefully stayed dry. I would be up for either place as well. Both should offer great views. The dates that work for me are 10/5-10/7, 10/12-10/14, or 10/26-10/28. I'll ask my sister too.

Jordan has a campground within a real short distance from the trailhead (Graves Crossing State Park) that could serve as the staging area. I don't know about Manistee, but I'm sure there must something.

I would be able to take a half day or full on the Friday we leave to take care what ever needed to be done. I have a full size van, so I can can help transport as well.”

“Laqtis, we have stayed over night at the trailhead by deadmans hill at Jordan river everytime we have been there. No problems to speak of other than being woken up by a local x-country team doing wind-sprints.I'd rather stay there,its closer and its got an outhouse.”

“That sounds fine. I didn't know you could do that. Can you do that at most trail heads?”

“Laqtis, actually you cannot legally park over night at the deadmans hills trailhead.Its posted as such but I havent gotten a ticket or anything so what the heck. I will continue to park there out of sheer laziness and convenience.”

“Oh yeah, most of the trailheads allow overnight parking.At least I assume so cause I park there and go about my hiking bizzness with no trouble.The DNR is pretty cool about parking as long as you got their $20 sticker in your window.”

“Hey guys!

Thanks for a great hike today. How many miles would you say that was?

BTW, I'm taking suggestions for another Detroit area dayhike on the second Saturday in October.

One interesting possibility might be the 17 mile trail at Oak Openings Metropark west of Toledo. Maybe we could get Buddha Bear and Buddur to come in from Cleveland - only about 2.5 hour drive.

I also think a little trip to Pointe Pelee NP might be in order for one of the hunting-heavy months.

And the overnights sound good, although it's difficult for me to say very far in advance.

Happy Hiking!”

“Reformed, I thought I might give the DNR a call and ask them which trails need some attention. Hopefully they'll be able to give us some suggestions. It's a local call for me. I'll see what I can find out.”

“I'd love to go. Both are trails I haven't done but would really like to.

I'd have to be a maybe until further notice. Just cause the weekends are so full!

So far the only weekend that looks clear to me is the 26-28.

Pick the dates and location... If I can go, fantastic. If not, I'll catch you next time.

It was great to see everyone this weekend. Thanks for the great day hike. RL - I really couldn't figure out how many miles we went. 8ish??”

“I think we did around 400miles yesterday. It wasnt the distance that was hard though. It was the last hill we did,the one where we gained 6000ft in 1/3 of a mile. Man it took like 10 minutes for that one!”