Michigan Mountaineers in March?

“Since there's no email addy in your profile, I'll ask you here if you're interested in a winter sleeping bag & you could email me for details at bovinebonkers@hotmail.com. Good bag, not many pennies. I'd find a way to get it to you for inspection when you're in MI; I live mid-state LP.

This thread caught my attention, not sure I can be on a trip that weekend so I'll "pencil" it in for now. No snow in the LP to speak of except in the Gaylord 'snow belt' area. Even the January sled dog races by Mackinaw City were canceled for lack of snow.”

“By the shore in June can be marvelous in Marquette. Hope that the bug season is fading by then, or that it is a mild one (the one upside to a dry spring in the U.P.), so inland (in the woods) might be accessible w/o aggravation. I forgot last time I was suggesting local options to mention a nice little day hike up the Dead River Falls. Depends on black flies etc. in early June, but I've camped up there in mid summer and had it really nice.

As for northern L.P., this will be an interesting March to watch. I got out my 20-degree bag and slipped it into my summer bag, which is a semi-rec, to see if that is a cold weather option. It fits, but they are both snug on the larger/older (wiser?) me. I may order a 0-degree 3D bag from Campmor tomorrow -- a TNF Goliath, a wide model, on sale for $129; (the Western Mountaineering Bristlecone will just have to wait until I hit the lottery, lol). I just like to roll around too much to put up with a too narrow bag anymore. The sleeping bag compartment on my pack seems capacious -- we'll see if it can swallow a winter bag. And that way, I'll be ready for mild winter/cold spring-fall trips here in the Upper Great Lakes.”

“My last post was answering tarabull. Sorry for any confusion.”

“cow patty, you can see from the post I was writing to tarabull when you posted that I think I have the winter bag thing sorted out. Decided its gotta have some thrashing room. What kind do you have? My e-mail is:

iitonen@netscape.net

Are you somewhere near Mount Pleasant? I'll likely be stopping there to visit old friends as I make way to Kazoo. It's on my way if I come across the U.P. and down I-75/U.S. 27, as I would if this hike at Shingle Mills comes to pass, or might be on my way back north.”

“Good to see you posting cow patty....:)”

“pekka - The bugs are definitely something that concerns me. I've hiked at Pictured Rocks in June and left early because of the mosquitos.

I kept/printed your suggestions from last time so I still have something to go by.”

“Tarabull, have camped at green lake campground. It's a nice campground (at least nice emough for who it's for) and would still be closed to all but hikers=). I would like to try parking at Pickerel Lake and hiking that end. We haven't done that as a group yet.Should be a nice hike.”

“Waterloo is in my trail book. I'll have to read that part when I get home. Has it stopped raining in SE Mich. yet?”

“Check out the state game areas for backpacking in southern Michigan. You can "backcountry" camp until the middle of may with a permit. The biggest one in the southwest side of the state is Allegan - 45,000 acres. It probably has 40-60 miles of trail. You could also do something with Yankee Springs state park and Barry SGA. That's 20,000 acres with some nice terrain and the North Country Trail.

Good SGA maps are at dnr.state.mi.us and you can see where they are located with any of the three state atlases (Delorme's is my suggestion).

We actually have a few here in SE Michigan that would make for good overnights. I even know a place where you could sleep in a state-owned barn.”

“Thanks, RL. I'll check that out. What are you doing March 22-24?”

“Pekka, the rain is changing into snow right now. Nothing's sticking, and they don't expect much if any accumulation into the night. Just pretty gray right now.”

“yeah RL. you chimed in about where we could go... but you didn't say if you were interested.”

“Well, I've just been working through an interunion problem that's sapping all of my time. A weekend at home sounds nice right now. We'll see.”

“Hi RL. I hear ya on the home front. I'm supposed to be working 65 hours from now until June. Just had a new client sign a contract last night, and they're my new baby. Gonna start getting really busy around here. :(”

“It's offical. I'm out for this hike. I can't get away for either of those weekends. I'm pissed, but I'll live. Have fun you guys and I'll see ya at the March day hike. Island Lake, right?”

“Well, laqtis, There may/may not be a March dayhike. Is Ohio happening? It would be the same weekend.”

“Yes, it seems that Ohio is still happening. The official Michigander count is:

Tarabull & brother
Birch/Sass
Smiley & friend
RL (?)

Am I missing anyone?”

“Cool, thanks for the info. If it doesn't happen, maybe something else will work out. Have fun!”

“Which is the Ohio hike? When you say the "same weekend" which weekend do you mean (dates) so I'm not confused about the prospects for March 22-24. Thanks.”

“Sorry - didn't mean to confuse you pekka... I'll explain.

The Michigan folks meet for a dayhike on the second Saturday of every month. The March hike may not be happening cause many of us are going to Ohio for dayhike w/ Buddur. This all takes place on the weekend of March 9/10. This is what laqtis was talking about.

March 22/23 - I'm still in for an overnighter or dayhike w/ ya for that weekend.”

“Thanks, tarabull. Have fun with the Buddha.

I just ordered a new sleeping bag at REI.com (SD Sandman Flex 3D 15-degree) so I have some wiggle room from now on. Decided that it was the best compromise of width/size, weight, price, temp range until I can afford one of the expensive WM down bags I'm starting to covet. Coming to Michigan should offer a good testing ground.”

“Congrats on getting a new bag. I know how excited I was (OK, maybe too excited) when I got my new one.

I've only had the opportunity to test my cold weather bag once since I got it for Xmas. I'll be looking forward to another opportunity.

(p.s. it's Buddur, not Buddha. Although Buddha said he's try to hook up with us)”

“Ooops...that'll teach me to read TT posts quickly while under the influence of a new gear purchase. I wonder if it could be a legal defense...diminished capacity because you were so excited while waiting for the UPS/FedEx delivery? My best to Buddur (and apologies for confusing him with Buddha, LOL).”

“tarabull et. al.:

As my family plans in Kazoo firm up, it looks like I have to go there first on this trip, so I will be there a couple days before the March 22-24 weekend, then still stop in at Mt. Pleasant afterwards. So an outing in Southern Mich. would be ideal, and make it less of a jaunt for those in the SE of the state, such as Birch & Sass.

As you asked about Waterloo-Pinckney, I looked at info on the DNR site and other places, and I'd be more than happy to come over there to hike/camp. Certainly seems there are trails in both rec. areas, as well as the trail from one to the other, which could have a reasonable segment picked out (distance-wise). According to the Waterloo program info, they expect the sandhill cranes to be in the area about then, which would be a very interesting time to be out on trails, watching and listening.

As tarabull wondered, anyone camp at Waterloo-Pinckney before?”

“Birch has, I think. I'd be up for it!”

“So, we're talking about an overnighter? Great!

Waterloo/Pickney would be great. I have very little info. Perhaps we can rely on Birch/Sass and RL to help pick a segment.

Can't wait!”

“I've camped at Green Lake before. Nice campground. You can only get to it this time of year by hike to it. The gate should be closed to the campground road. Anyone know when they open that gate up for the year? Portage Lake campground looked good, but I have no first hand experiance......”

“Cool biz, a general target -- Waterloo/Pinckney rec areas/trail. I'll do some more sleuthing and hope that Birch chimes in with some firsthand info.”

“I love it when things start to come together. Looking forward to meeting you, pekka. And, can't wait to see some of my very favorite Michigan friends!”

“Green lake is nice. The camp is 3/4 of a mile from the road where you can park. Or you can park 8-10 miles away east or west (I prefer the east) and hike in. You can count on us (maybe,lol depending on Abby's little "procedure"). I can email you maps if you want Pekka.”

“Maps by e-mail, gotta love the modern world. Thanks Birch. Really do hope you and Sass can join in. My e-mail:

iitonen@netscape.net

From what I've been able to find on the net, the trail between the two rec. areas is restricted just to hiking/bping, while many of the loop trails in the rec. areas themselves are open to MTBing. The Potowatami Trail, at 17 miles in a loop sounded good until I found it described as the most popular mtn biking trail in the area. A halfway decent weekend in early spring between A-square and Detroit and I bet it would be pretty busy.

Any other details or impressions would be welcome.”

“When Tara said "very favorite Michigan friends", she meant me. :)

RIGHT TARA??”

“uummmm.... yea.”

“Its so nice to feel wanted. Thanks, Tara.

We walking this weekend?”

“Pekka, If you start at pickerel lk east of green lk the mtnbike trail stops. The 8 miles to green lk is actually VERY beautiful, its got two of my favorite spots,one is a stand of timber complety covered by vines,the other is a big hill that was once farmed and is now natural/native grasses. I will send you maps asap.”

“Thanks for the heads up birch. And for the maps. I'm reading the trail description in Hiking Michigan this evening (got it open to the spot right now) so I'll look for those points. Hope you are still planning on joining us.”

“Pekka, email us your snail mail addy and we'll mail you the maps. Damn Yahoo....I hate them!!”

“Sass, Snailmail addy sent.

Smiley Girl, Got your e-mail and I will bring along a bunch of the Wilderness Guides for distribution to Michigan Mountaineers division of TT. I'll try to have enough so each attending the March 22-24 outing can have one for yourself and a couple to pass on to other MMers at future hikes.”

“Sooooo.... This is still happening, right? Who has agreed to plan our route? Waterloo-Pickney trail?”

“Still on tarabull, at least for me! Do I hear an Amen from smiley girl, birch and sass, and any others of the Michigan Mountaineers?

March 23-24, Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. As far as route/distance, I have to check my P.O. Box for the map birch was sending my way, but I am open to preferences and suggestions on where to start, how far to go, what time folks can get going on Saturday .

I can drive over Friday afternoon -- 22nd --from Kazoo, if anyone is so inclined to camp out the night before the hike, as well as camping Saturday on the trail.

Hey birch, can I presume there are appropriate trees at camping sites should I want to try out my Hennessy Hammock (iffen the weather is not too cold)?

If the map is in my box, I'll post some ideas tonight. On the way there as soon as I log out here at my office.”

“You've got an Amen from me! Unless, of course, its too cold, then I turn into a wimp. :) We're only about 45 minutes from the trail, so I assume there would be some takers for Friday night. If not, early Saturday is not a problem.”

“I'm up for Friday night. Lookin forward to it!

SG - you gonna have a new tent by then?”

“Alas, no trail map yet. The recreation area maps on the DNR site don't show the trail or campsites, and Hiking Michigan's map doesn't show campsites or all lakes. Michigan Gazetteer doesn't show trail or campsites. If either of you, tarabull or SG, has one of the other Michigan trail guides and there is a better trail map, check it for details to share.

But that will take care of itself one way or another. We just have to figure out the starting point and ending point (including parking either end) that are a reasonable distance apart, with a Friday night campground meeting place in either the Waterloo Rec. Area, the Pinckney Rec. Area, or a trail campsite that is close to a trail access point.

So SG, what kind of tent are you getting? I figure I'll have either my Hennessy or my Gossamer bivy tent, both under 3#. But I doubt it will be warm enough for a summer bag, so going completely "ultralight" will have to wait. I'm guessing my new 3-season bag will get the nod, and that goes about 3#12oz to get that "flex" feature. Should be warm enough to leave the white gas stove home and use the PocketRocket with my untested anodized alum. solo boiler. Will also pack my Precip jacket that has never seen rain (and hope that it still won't). Should be plenty of gear test reports from me after this.”

“Sorry Pekka, just put it in the mail today. Someone (me or Birch take yer pick) kept forgetting to make a copy. And Someone (Birch) was opposed to sending the orriginal, like he can't get another anytime. You'd think he'd had the same map for a few years and it was special or something. Look for it in a few days!!!”

“Hey thanks, Sass. And tell Birch I completely understand about mementos.

BTW, Smiley Girl asked me to bring some genuine Wisconsin cheese curds, so be prepared for a moo-ving experience.”

“Pekka, I'm sure Tarabull will join in eating the curds. She's a cheesehead wanna-be.

I'm planning to purchase the SD Clip Flashlight CD, if I ever get to REI again. Probably next week, so I'll have it for this trip. :)”

“You'll definately have an "amen" from one of us if not both...haven't crossed that "gma can you bbsit" bridge yet.”

“I want to play!! Maybe I get to, if we dont go to Kentucky i just might show up. Pekka, bring your hammock I want to see if I want one. Maybe I will show up before we leave for kentucky”

“i love cheese.”

“She really does!”