What Happened to The Indiana Crowd???

“goog god people, can't ya all ever do anything in the warm season??”

“Oh STFU! We have been some hikin mo fo's this summer! There has been a trip like every other week. Go to Randals Adena Trace trip, or come to the frozen north with me on new years. I dont even know if we could legaly camp out there in the winter, but it sure would be awesome.”

“Meangreen where ya going for new years? Why ya gotta keep everything a secret? We won't make you wear a pizza box ever again, promise! New Years requires party hats instead of pants. ;)”

“LMAO!!!
There was some talk of Macinac Island for NYE. What do you think? You and Birch would be a very welcome addition. I think the real discussion was on the "What do you think about..." or "Hey Spirit Coyote" It was kinda between both of them I think.

You prolly know more about it than me. Do they allow winter backpacking in Macinac?”

“Beaver Island or North Manitou would be much better. Macinaw doesn't have a campground as far as I know. It's all town, victorian houses and tourist shops. The trails is paved all the way around the island. But, N Manitou is unreachable and I bet you'd have to rent a snow mobile to get to Beaver Island that time of year. You know, the great lakes freeze so no ferries run anywhere. Come spring an ice breaker opens up the shipping channels again. But, I could think of some other pretty fun places to winter camp. Some that even have water pumps so you don't haveto mess with frozen lakes and melting snow (if there is any).”

“We were up there in July with the family and there are some trails and back country camping. The locals said that last year the ferry's ran all winter because the lake never completely froze enough to run on the ice to St Ignace. I just thought it would be cool to be backpacker-fudgies. LOL!

We are still totally open to suggestions though. What ya got in mind?”

“There's no backpacking/camping allowed on Mackinac Island at any time. The island can be reached in winter by plane, ferry or snowmobile depending on the ice conditions. People do go there for a day of snowshoeing, and at least one of the resort hotels offers NYE activities. There are year round residents, but almost all the tourist oriented businesses shut down for the winter.

EDIT: There are plenty of trails used for horse riding, hiking and bicycling for day use all summer but no camping. Mountain biking the interior of the island is pretty popular.

Beaver Island is reachable by ferry/plane and has state forest land open to backpacking/camping. North Manitou Island is shut down in winter as part of Sleeping Bear Dunes NL technically if not legally, and an ice bridge can't be counted on for snowmobiles and there isn't any public transit in winter.

Sassafras is right, there are many better places on the mainland to go for a winter trip.
last edited: 9/23/07 8:44:46 AM”

“fair enough. Where to then?”

“Hawaii....

nice warm hawaii.”

“napali coast! Lets go! (You folks forget that I could do that for about $100 round trip)

Something with in a days drive from most of the midwest I think would be best for turn-out.”

“So where the hell are we going? NCT? PICTURED ROCKS? PORKIES?”

“Whoa, Nellie, I was just on my way to paddle the kayak a bit, and I'm back now. I see NCT has stepped up to help you out, and likely a number of us would be happy to help you with plans. I could make some location suggestions if I know how many days, and what type of hike/snowshoe trip you want (loop or linear, basecamp or new camp daily, etc.). Are people prepared to use snowshoes?

The end of December anywhere in Michigan could mean snow or not, probably does mean temps around 20* or less at night, and could mean a snowstorm or freezing rain and high winds. Be prepared for nasty weather for driving, just in case. Last year in October I drove to a trailhead during a fierce blizzard in the northern lower peninsula.

That said, there are a number of trails in the lower peninsula good for a NYE trip. My recommendation would be to stay below the bridge due to travel time and there's no guarantee of snow in either the UP or LP. Can we help in your planning?”

“CP I sure appreciate the assistance. Would you be attending if we set one up? I think I was trying for a really big group. Prolly a sat - monday hike, loop would be ideal logisticly, 8-12 mi/daydifferent campsites each night, and something i could catch up with everyone on Sunday would be perfect. The LP would be more attractive due to driving, but I really like the northwestern LP. I've never been to the east side of the state except for Detroit, and that doesn't count.”

“HEY Y'ALL!!!!


This is a rally cry to anyone that was even considering hiking the Knobstone trail with me in a couple weeks. I have lost my support crew and the trip is down to two people. If anyone was remotely thinking about this trip, take another look and see if it sounds like something you might be interested in. Come out and play, meangreen style.”

“Anyone wanna hike Deam the first weekend in November, 3-4”

“Don't forget Ruby's house party this weekend!!”

“no way, can't forget that”

“What time are we meeting up? :)”

“First thing Saturday morning. Birch and Ab and I are getting in around 10pm Friday. Bring work gloves if ya have them, sounds like we're taking a chimney down!”

“ROCK ON! I will bring my sledgehammer”

“I bet we find a secret compartment full of diamonds or lost Rembrandt paintings or something. I'm pretty sure all old chimneys have secret compartments.

Bring dust masks too. You can load your share of the diamonds in them.”

“Who is expected to come?”

“you and Spirit and Upluver as far as I know.”

“Great...more bourbon”

“Anyone wanna hike Deam the first weekend in November, 3-4”
Wounded Knee

i could be up for that...i wouldn't mind hitting the sycamore again...let me know”

“I am going to check tonight to see if anything is happening that weekend. I think I am safe.

The following weekend is the big trip in NC and the following starts deer season. After that I am toast the rest of the year.

You ever hit the Cope Hollow loop?”

“F'n hijackers! LOL!”

“Hey WK I might be up for a Deam trip that weekend.

And sorry MG...I'd love to do that trip with ya but there's no way I can take two 4 day weekends in a row.....especially not right now :(”

“It's cool. I understand that this is peak season, and I picked sh1tty days for most folks. I figured I could count on one or two though. Oh well. I guess I'll find out if I got enough in me to do it solo.”

“Yea, me too dude. This year has totally blown as far as hiking goes. Had to cancel 2 killer trips, one being my own.

I will post the trip tomorrow and we can decide what trail(s) we want to hike. I would like to camp Friday evening (if I can) at that first campsite on the Sycamore trail. It is less than a mile in, perfect for humping in one of those Heinkin small kegs.”

“At this point I'm starting to look for an alternate trip, so If I cxl my kt trip I could be a maybe for the Deam that weekend, though I would have to come in on Saturday and catch up to you all.”

“When would you be able to get in?

I would like to hike either the Sycamore loop or Cope Hollow. If we hike Sycamore, the most logical place to camp is either at Peeper or possibly the site about 2 miles on on Grubb Ridge.

If we hike Cope Hollow, I am guessing we will be on the furthest south.

Regardless, it should not be hard for you to find us that evening.”

“well I am headed to St johns USVI for 13 days of backpacking/camping over xmas. join me? my air was a grand! Yo bear!”

“If I did this instead of the KT I could prolly get my car to anywhere in the Deam by 5pm. Then there is the hike in. Peeper would be cake, but I've never done the other trail. I'll have to look at a map when I get home. Is it accessed off the same road?”

“Have fun bear. This cold weather gettin to ya bro?”

“Park and Blackwell and hike south on the Cope hollow trail. It is about 4.5 to 5 miles in.

I am leaning more towards Sycamore”

“deam in november may be doable. I'll have to check my callender :)”

“I could prolly do that. I would be coming in right at or just after dark. No problem.”

“I might be able to do the deam.”

“This weekend will not work for me. I will have to check the following weekends”

“Hey, anyone wanna get an easy one nighter in tomorrow night?”

“Are you kidding. It's going to be really cold. Where are you going?”

“some place close. I'd have to come in late Sat night, and leave mid day Sun.”

“Check with Coyote820. I think he was talking about heading out this weekend.”

“Would be a good weekend to test out a zero degree bag.”

“Too bad I'm returning the one I just got for my b-day. If I go, I'll be taking my old 35* bag, and fleece pants, and long johns, and my new coat, and standing by the fire all night instead of using my tent. LOL!”

“How about something around Morgan-Monroe I went down to Pates Hollow today it had snowed and I guess the rain we got here yesterday turned into freezing rain down at the lake I went in a couple miles and wished I had took my insteps with me and turned around and went back to the car before I broke something.

There didn't appear to be any ICE around M-M forest on the way down Sunday Morning looks good for me go do 10 miles and head for the house LET'S ROLL”

“.....aaaaaaaand breathe.”

“LOL! @ noncon

Thanks any way Coyote, but I don't think I'm up to a ten mile day. Today is my first whole day with out a splint on this sprained ankle from the Adena 2 weeks ago. I think I'll pass. I guess I'll have to catch you in the Deam in Feb. Later.”