Michigan Mountaineers Brainstorming

“Hey, check out the events listing for the Chief Noonday Chapter of the North Country Trail Assoc.

http://www.northcountrytrail.org/events/cnd.htm

They work in the vicinity of Fort Custer SRA and seem intent on finishing the NCT in the area by week's end - slight admiring sarcasm there.

But, they seem to be on the ball with trail maintenance/construction. We might want to start infiltrating their meetings to gain useful intelligence.

Oh, and we do have a second Saturday coming up. So, if there are no objections, here's the hike...

Saturday, Jan. 12, 10AM

Waterloo Rec. Area, Meet at parking lot to Sackrider Hill on Mount Hope Rd. It's about one mile north of I-94 on the right.

We'll hike east on the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, possibly to the Pond Lily overlook and might loop back on frozen horse trails. This is trail that we are thinking about helping to maintain this year. Trail length: about 10 miles.

Currently, there is no need for snowshoes. But, it's January.

Finally, we need hike leaders for Feb. If you have a great trail, bring it up. And ideas for trail maintenance projects/training would be appreciated.

Mike”

“Now that sounds cool......:)


Crazy Mike....:)

We need to have another snowshoe trip.....:)”

“Count Me in......:)
I hope there is alot of snow.........:)

Want to play in snow.....:)

Crazy Mike”

“Iluv metioned in the manstte hike thread Nordhouse. Actually dunes are awesome to hike in the winter. Because the sand freezes and its easy to walk in. We could think about that for Febuary.”

“Reformed, I like the idea for January. I will try to contact the park supervisor for an invite...”

“I am down for eather.....:)

One in the snow the other in the sand!!!!!!

Well I have to go back to work I'll TT at ya all later...:)

Crazy Mike”

“AG, Nordhouse dunes is about a five hour drive for us! Too far away for a dayhike. 3 hour drive or less is great.”

“Eather or I don't care becuase I want to go hiking.And snowshoeing......:0

Crazy Mike...:)”

“Awe come on Sass... Where is your sense of adventure? You could stay over night and I will meet you there.... I will not do a winter overnight... Until i get winter gear... which isnt for a while”

“Uh, adventuregirl, there is usually pleeeenty of snow at Nordhouse Dunes by February, just the fore dunes get the sand mixture.”

“Aw come on AG, Where's your sense of advenyure? LOL, come shiver with us in January; you might like it! I have a zero degree bag you can use.

Nordhouse dunes is too far!”

“Well lets pick a place?I want to go real bad.....:)

Crazy Mike”

“iluv, take a deep breath! its a week away still! sounds like we'll be in Waterloo for January.

AG - I'll come shiver in January if you come shiver in January! My parent's nice warm house is only 15 minutes away! I have an uncle even closer if its REALLY bad!”

“Ok I am taking a real deep one...................................................Tell me when to stop......................................................Gasping for air..................:)

Crazy Mike”

“Ok - stop! Now slowly breath out, repeat. :)”

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh................................Now I feel better....Thank you....:)

Crazy Mike”

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh................................Now I feel better....Thank you....:)

Crazy Mike”

“10am - Waterloo - next Saturday. I'll be there.”

“I'll be there as well along with the SuperB meister....”

“Mike - Let's consider the Ann Arbor/Huron River "Urban Hike" for Feb. I'd love to check it out.

For those who feel like walking this weekend:

Smiley Girl and I are doing an 8 mile loop at Kensington. 9am. Anyone interested? It's a paved loop cause we're in training for the 60 mile hike!”

“What weekend is it in January?”

“Adventuregirl... the dayhike is Jan 12. Is that what you were asking?

Smiley Girl and I walked 8 miles at Kensington yesterday. Just after a fresh snowfall. It was pretty. I think Sadie had more fun than we did.

FYI - If anyone heads to Kensington for the 8 Mile loop. IF you're planning on ashpalt...Beware - they only plow half of the trail. So, you would want to park at the East Boat Launch and walk 4 miles to Maple Beach then back.

This was a worthwile trail for those in training for the breast cancer walk.”

“Tarabull, where abouts at waterloo? we'll be there at 10am wherever "there" may be.

Are we still meeting at Sackrider Hill?”

“Oh, BTW, the directions posted above are correct except that the parking lot is on the left side of Mt. Hope Rd. if you are heading North from I-94.

Any word from Luba, Birch?”

“I am very much looking forward to this trip......:)

Crazy Mike”

“Dude, aren't you going to Hoosier National Forest this weekend? BTW, this hike might be a little far for you.”

“oh ya thats this weekend?

Crazy Mike”

“is there snow there yet???


Crazy Mike

I hope so...:)”

“Well HNF is 234 miles for me how far is this?

Crazy Mike”

“Waterloo/Pickney is just east of Jackson, MI. I have no idea wgere you coming from, but if you do a "map it" on map quest .com it might be able to tell ya.”

“OK I see I don't know that might be a 4 to 5 hour drive for me........:{

Crazy Mike”

“Reformed, I havent gotten a hold of her about this walk. I figured that before we freak her out in person that we oughtta plan a touch more about what we want to do etc....”

“crazy mike, you got two logins now? are you lurking as iluvbackpacking1 ?”

“Tarabull, where abouts at waterloo? we'll be there at 10am wherever "there" may be.

Are we still meeting at Sackrider Hill?"
Birch
08:39:48 PM
01/07/02

Saturday, Jan. 12, 10AM

Waterloo Rec. Area, Meet at parking lot to Sackrider Hill on Mount Hope Rd. It's about one mile north of I-94 on the right.

We'll hike east on the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, possibly to the Pond Lily overlook and might loop back on frozen horse trails. This is trail that we are thinking about helping to maintain this year. Trail length: about 10 miles.

Currently, there is no need for snowshoes. But, it's January.

Finally, we need hike leaders for Feb. If you have a great trail, bring it up. And ideas for trail maintenance projects/training would be appreciated.

Mike"
reformed lurker
05:04:12 PM
01/01/02

I may not be able to make the Feb hike. I'm supposed to head up north for some skiing w/ friends and it turns out that is the only weekend one of the couples can go... :(”

“Well, I did a little trail scouting today. There are about 4 inches of snow on the trail with some ice on the hills. So, it might be good to throw some crampons and poles in the car.

But the weatherunderground says it'll be 45 to 50 tomorrow in Chelsea and highs are above freezing through Saturday. We might be dealing with mud more than snow.

Be prepared for anything and keep an eye on this thread for potential last minute changes.”

“I wish I was going but I am going bckpacking.Please take pictures and end me some and I will put them up on my website....:)

Crazy Mike”

“By the way The Real Mike we need to plan a Mich snowshoe hike?Got any ideas????I tryed and got nowhere?????

Keep me informed....:)

Crazy Mike”

“Well, time has a way of resolving these issues.”

“Stop being a teacher and tell me when are we going??????

You always have a wit about you......Don't you?

Crazy Mike”

“I had my family over for a birthday party and it looks like I'll be bringing at least one more for this weekend. My other sister Amy is thinking about it. We will be going to REI in the next couple of days to get some boots. I do not know about my two other friends. They are 50/50....”

“I'm not sure if I'll make it this weekend. Tried to do some walking last night, but this blister is hindering my progress. I'll have to see how it feels with my hikers on.

Highs today are supposed to be near 50 degrees. What happened to winter?”

“put some duct tape on your heal and quit complaining!

j/k”

“No, I'd rather complain and let you pick on me. Much more enjoyable. :P”

“Big sissy. You'd think you lost a toe or something! It's only a blister for Pete's sake!!! Whiner. :o)”

“Yeah, well...uh....oh, forget it!”

“Okay, here's the hiking roster:

tarabull
reformed lurker (and sister)
sassafrass (and husband)
laqtis (and one or two sisters)
Ken (greatlakeshikes)
Tim and wife (greatlakeshikes)

That's 10 or 11 hikers. My hope is that the warm temps have burned off all the snow and the ground will freeze hard Friday night. Might be optimal hiking conditions.

Gonna be fun.

The exit is 150 (Grass Lake) from I-94. Once off freeway, go north. In about one mile, you will see a parking area on the LEFT. At that point you will see a large group crazy January hikers jumping about. That's us.”

“I hope you guys have fun....:)”

“OK, let's talk carpooling:

Sounds like laqtis is driving w/Suber B. Sounds like Birch and Sass are driving. That leaves me and Tarabull. Can we all go together? Anyone got a vehicle big enough? Where would we meet?”

“I live in Ferndale, if that helps. I have no idea, where you and Tarabull live. I have a van and if both sisters go, I have room for 3 more. I could really squeeze 4 if needed. Let me know....”

“Birch and I can take both of you after we drop off Abby and her gear. It would be great to meet somewhere instead of picking up and dropping off at home. Let me know if you want to arrange something.”