Need a newbie trail for SE Michigan

“I've done some backpacking in the 15 years ago time frame, but the packs have been gathering dust for awhile. I've done some 'car' camping on a regular basis but I'd like to introduce my 10 yr old to backpacking. I need a trail that's going to be decently scenic, short (1-4 miles?) and that terminates in a decent tent-only campsite, perhaps with a vault toilet around so as to ease our transition from the car camping realm. I think Pinkney Rec. Area near Ann Arbor might be the best hope of this but I'd welcome suggestions.”

“Possible alternatives:

Island Lake State Recreation Area: I like the trail system here. And there is a tent-only canoe campground that can be reached by trail. Call and ask if you can rent it without a canoe. Island Lake also has little cabins that you can pitch a tent next to while backpacking. Downfall - bike activity.

The organizational campground at Highland State Recreation area is also a possibility. It has a pit toilet and seems well enough removed from the car campground. Lots of good trail here. Downfall - you make your own route, bike activity.

One thing to consider is that there is a difference in Michigan's state parks/game areas between what is recommended and what is legal and allowable.

So, if you want to use a horse camp and some horse trails to make a nice backpacking route, it's probably going to be fine. It just creates some opportunities that don't exist otherwise.”

“Green Lake Campground (waterloo pinckney trail) is pretty nice. You can park at the Ranger station, hike in a few miles and camp there. There are pit toilets, a pump, and you can drop a cooler, etc, before starting your hike as you can drive in too.
last edited: 8/07/06 1:43:41 PM”

“check out www.hikingmichigan.com

We have Tons of trail and map downloads for all of southeastern Michigan....

if you have any questions feel free to email me at stogie@hikingmichigan.com”

“check out www.hikingmichigan.com

We have Tons of trail and map downloads for all of southeastern Michigan....

if you have any questions feel free to email me at stogie@hikingmichigan.com”

“ridger, were do you live?”

“I live generally in the Pleasant Ridge/Ferndale area. Thanks for the suggestions so far. An ideal campsite would have a water source and vault toilet and would be tent-only, walk-in only. Might be hard to find but I don't want to go backpacking only to arrive at a campsite with two pop-ups and an RV, even for a training run with my offspring (though in a pinch, I might do it - Pinkney is pretty close in the scheme of things). I haven't checked the link yet Stogie, that's next on my list.”

“If you are hiking w. young'uns you may want to check out Shades SP in IN. It is a bit of a drive, but it would also meet all your requirements. Pit toilets, and a water pump. And if the kids are younger it is good because by the shortest route it is only 2.5mi from the parking lot to the camp site, and the sites are only about 200 yds from Sugar Creek if you like fishing or wading. Just watch out for the raccoons. The park has lots of other nice trails that are not heavily used to extend your hike also. I BP'd there about a month ago.”

“Be aware also that state game areas are open to dispersed camping in all except the summer months. Many have nice little lakes and streams. I wouldn't try camping in them on Nov. 15, but September would probably be nice.

Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area comes to mind, btw.”

“"Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area comes to mind, btw"

But, watch out for the stream crossings!!!”

“Where'd Reba go?”

“Here is the info on my Shades trip: http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/44560,-1.php”

“:)

Hi, Le Subtil!

That was fun, wasn't it!

Good Times!”