I need North Manitou Island info

“I'm thinking about doing a trip to North Manitou Island in the next month or two. Either there or back to Red River Gorge. So anthing you folks could give me on North Manitou would be great. Must see's, fav trails/camps, etc.”

“keep me posted...have a week of in a couple months coming up and i'm lookin for a trip!”

“Birch and Sass know much about this place. Their All About the Kids trip a few years ago was there. Good times!!

I can tell you some random stuff: No fires or dogs are allowed. There are plenty of hiking trails to keep you busy. If you go to the west side of the island in the evening, you can see some spectacular sunsets. There are (or were) some rare plover nesting sites on one of the beaches. It is possible that you will find petoskey stones (though you are not supposed to take them). It can be a fun place to let the kids run free and equally enchanting for an adults-only trip.”

“Ideally it will be in the next 60 days. My sister got her first big view from a short hiking trail in Sleeping Bear Dunes last week and it blew her freaking mind! Now I'm trying to talk her into going BP'ing on the island w me. She's in incredible shape (marathon runner/cyclist), but doesn't exactly dig the whole "sleeping in the dirt/no showers" thing. If she comes I may need to try to find some generous folks to loan me some gear for a gentle weekend use. Really all she would need is a pack, pad, and bag. I have the rest of the minor stuff that can be shared.”

“Thanks Ruby! I saw an area at the end of the Platte River that was closed off due to Plover nesting. It was kinda cool. Holy cow! No fires at all?! I thought that was just on the beach. Are stoves ok? That would make for a long trip with nothing hot. (I'm not too plesant w/o my morning coffee)”

“whatcha wanna know?”

“Do you maybe have a favorite place or any "must see's"?
How is the elevation change? I saw that the highest point is 1001' but that doesnt help much as I don't know how high the lake is.”

“all she would need is a pack, pad, and bag. I have the rest of the minor stuff that can be shared.”
meangreen
8:55:41 AM

you sharing a tent with your sister? kinky!”

“He might be sharing his SPORK with her too! :O...Nothing says love like a little titanium...
last edited: 7/20/07 8:10:07 PM”

“HEY! I have more than one tent, but only one pad, & bag. and my packs would all be way too big for her.

Sick phukers. LOL! This ain't no luv rock bacon ring thang!”

“Stoves are okay, but many boat shuttles require the stove fuel to be removed from the packs and put into special containers on the boat.

The boat shuttle sometimes fills up, so make your reservations early.

The Park Rangers there like to write a lot of tickets. One party got $750 woth of tickets for having a campfire and camping without a permit.

If the Park Rangers find you fishing without a Michigan fishing license, or violating the size and limit rules, they promise that they will hold you until a game warden arrives to issue his own tickets.

They are now enforcing a rule requiring parties must set up their tents at least 300 feet of the Lake Michigan high water mark, lakes, streams, ponds, springs, buildings or other campers tents. They enforce the rule with a 100 yard surveyors tape measure, and ordered one hapless camper in our group to move his tent since he was 290 feet from a pool of water that was temporarily created by waves from a strong south wind earlier in the week.

Flies can be a real nuisance, and mosquitos a problem inland at times. Bring a good insect repellant that works well on flies.

The scenery is great and the island pristine. You will enjoy your stay.

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/prosecutor104/album/576460762345165888”

“Thanks Pros. Sounds pretty harsh, but if you really want to keep something that nice I guess sometimes you really have to crack down too.”

“Meangreen, I have been numerous times and have never had an issu with the rangers, they let us into one of their places during a huge storm while waiting for the ferry. I geuss it depends on the group.”