Trip Report: Nordhouse Dunes

“Day 1

I got off work and showed up at Mike’s right on time (½ hour late). We had a thermos of espresso, the complete Beatles collection, a full tank of gas and a mission from G-d…we were ready to roll! The drive with Mike is always fun because we like the same music and the guy is nuckin’ futts. By the time we get to where we are going my face is always cramping up from laughing so much. We spent about an extra hour and 60 miles trying to find a damn state park that had anyone working there so we could get our Michigan parking pass that we didn’t need anyhow. It is federal and self registering. It’s my own fault for not checking more closely before going. We did get to see Ludington State Park and a nice sun set though.

We got to the trailhead at about dusk. It had rained most of the day but was tapering off. We began our hike on the trail (most eastern trail) that goes by Nordhouse Lake with the intention of camping near the lake. We were hiking with headlamps and I got us on the wrong trail at the trailhead (we were one trail west of the one we wanted). We reached the trail junction where the trail connects to the western trails near the first ridge) so we climbed the ridge and began looking for a camp. We found a nice camp on top of one of the hills and set up quickly not knowing when the rain would start again.

Luckily I had brought my sil tarp because the forecast called for rain and 25 mph winds most of the weekend. It was a lifesaver! The wind blew all night long but the rain quit. It was in the 40s and 30s at night all weekend. Had some Lipton Asian Noodles with chicken that was great.

Day 2

Woke up at 7 AM sharp. My arms really hurt from sleeping on my sides. I’m so worried about my snoring that I try to not sleep on my back. The wind was still blowing this morning but there was white puffy clouds racing with the wind and some sun breaking through. Just had some coffee for breakfast and then some jerky on the trail as we began our hike. To say that Mike is a bit slow getting packed is being nice. LOL! We got in the trail at 11 AM and began our hike west towards the lake.

The maps that are provided are fairly good and accurate but one thing that can not be factored in are all the game trails. It can become very confusing and because the terrain is so forgiving we just bushwhacked. I was able to keep us found the whole time using the compass and map. This trail system is only about 2 miles long and a few miles wide with a total of 12 miles of trails. It’s very deceptive though as there are so many little nooks and crannies and the forest is very thick yet the undergrowth is low. Then when you get to the expansive coast of Lake Michigan and this place seems huge.

As we strolled along I saw a dark silhouette in the undergrowth and thought it was a turkey. I told Mike to stand still as I pointed out the turkey. He said, “It looks like a baby bear!”. Then it came into my unobstructed view and I saw it was a porky pine. It was so cool! I have never seen a porky pine before so I got closer to take a picture and he just kind of waddled off to climb a tree and pose for me. The rest of the trip Mike and I joked about Nordhouse’s rare “Torky bears”.

We walked only a few miles to the coast and found the most perfect spot near the junction of the south loop and the trail that heads north along the coast. It was a nice stand of pine with logs already around a fire ring. 11:23 AM and we were already at camp 2! We putzed around camp and got everything set up just right and had lunch (wonton soup with crushed red peppers and peanut butter bread). Then we began to discuss exactly how we would get water out of Lake Michigan with it’s roaring 3’-4’ waves crashing onto the beach. We flipped a coin and I was the one who got tasked with the job of wading out into the cold water to fill a water bag. It was freezing and I jumped in my sleeping bag to warm up and nap off a headache I had. I woke up 2 ½ hours later. Of course the guy I thought was going to wake me up in half an hour just asked, “You gonna sleep all damn day?”.

Had a nice dinner of Asian Noodles and chicken again and then headed off on the north trail for a day hike. We went up a few miles and then hiked back on the beach as the sun set. There is just something about the great lakes that is mesmerizing. We sat on the beach until the sun was gone and went back to camp for a nice fire (small due to wind). We saw a couple raccoons on the hike as well. We stayed up until we couldn’t take it anymore and headed off to bed.

Day 3

We got up at 7:30 AM so we could get back to the trailhead and on the road in time to get home with time to spare before I had to be at work at 9 PM. This is when Mike moves his slowest packing up. LOL! We got back and on the road an hour late (12 PM). The weather was great for a drive. Sunny with puffy clouds and nice and cool.

We got to Grand Rapids when I stopped for gas. When I tried to pay my gas card would not work and the Pakistani woman working there was absolutely clueless beyond ringing up sales and making change. I only had the gas card and no other way to pay! I spent an hour there as she tried everything she knew to do (very little). Between watching all the other customers get checked out before me she would say, “It didn’t work.” again and then I would say, “No, you don’t understand. This little green card is the ONLY way you’re getting your money for that gas.”. Each time this exchange would become louder and louder. “What do you want me to do? I’m trying to help you?”, was always the next thing she’d say. I said “Call your damn manager!”. Then we would begin the whole thing over again with her saying “It didn’t work.” yet again and me saying my lines but now a few choice words are getting mixed in. She said they could take my info and I could come back to pay. “I’m from phucking Ohio!” was all I could get out. An hour later the manager shows up and takes my card number and information and we’re back on the road. I did apologize to the sales girl for getting so upset and I got a free car wash out of it.

It took me about 50 miles to calm down but now we were running way behind. I refused to let this mishap be the highlight of the trip so let it go. I made it home in time to get a shower and eat my dinner in the Jeep on the way to work.

It was a great weekend and the terrain is so different than what we have in Ohio it just made it all the more special. This little place has it all…forest, wildlife, beaches and dunes. For only being 3,400 achers this place is big on fun!”

“I'll have pictures up as soon as webshots quits puking on me.”

“Nice report, Nigal. That'll teach you always keep some emergency cash in the car!”

“***note to self***always bring cash and/or credit card when traveling with Nigal...

Halarious dude...and I'm assuming MIke was not with you when you were having gascard trouble.

Great report, can't wait to see the photos.”

“I can imagine the scene at the gas station vividly! Poor Nigal.

Ludington is a gorgeous area. You guys shoulda walked down to he lighthouse, it's usually open on weekends.”

“i wouldve just left and sent the money later. you had a legit way to pay and the clerk couldnt handle it. not your fault.

nordhouse ROCKS btw. my second favorite semi-local place to backpack, after the red.”

“I guess Crazy Mike does not carry a wallet?

That is insane!”

“cmb was in indiana this last weekend. musta been another mike”

“Yeah Mike (AKA Larry) was with me but he didn't have any way to pay either. I've learned my lesson for sure...no more Pakistani immigrants!”

“Funny! Good report. And thanks for clearing up the Mike thing, I was thinking CMB too.”

“there is onle ONE mike, and he's crazy mike backpacks...or aka..."the crazy one"”

“It was my evil twin!


Good report dude.


8)”

“I finally got my pics up at Webshots.

http://community.webshots.com/album/93591461ABbhza”