Michigan Folks

“Any dayhikes planned for Michiganders? I'm up for going if other Mich folks are willing...”

“We'll be busy for the next two weekends. After that we'd tag along if you want to plan something.”

“Reformed is outta town for awhile, not sure when he's due back.”

“June was my busy month. I think I am pretty free in July, so far. I'll wait to hear from others before setting a definite date.”

“Im free whenever just let me know. i would love to meet some of ya.”

“tarabull,

I'll be in Brighton to pick up my girls on the 13th of July. Saturday we would be up for a dayhike. I'll have all three kids so it'll be slow moving for my troop. I've got a carrier for Wyatt. My backpacking buddy would be with us, too. If you are looking for something faster paced, my feelings won't be hurt. Just let us know. :o)”

“Sunshine, we HAVE to get together when you are downstate, we WILL mark our calendar!”

“Cool! The girls will be thrilled, hyperpacker! They want to see Abby just as much as I do. I want to see you and Joy, also. It's just that we haven't seen Abby yet. :o)”

“where abouts in michigan? i am one without a car.

or a tent =o(”

“Metro Area Newcanuckkid.

Sunshine, We were so bummed about missing you last time. Joe's pal from NC never called us to let us know where his picnic was! So not only did we miss saying farewell to him but we didn't get to see you and the kiddies! It was a perfect day for a hike too!!”

“I have this coming weekend free, and I will hike somewhere. I'd always prefer company to going solo.

Sunshine, I'd love to see you and your kids again too when you come down, if it's possible.

I spend too much time with non-hikers. I gotta meet some more of y'all.”

“I plan on hiking up there in July sometime. If you don't mind me tagging along, I'd love to meet some of you.”

“I'd be up for it. Just need to know when and where. My schedule is some what light. I can also see if the other two guys I hike with are up for it. I'm getting my sister involed and outfitted, but she might be a couple of weeks away.”

“Sunshine - of course the kids can come. The more, the merrier.

I think July 14 should work well Sunshine.

Buddah - will you be in Mich that weekend? If so, join us for a dayhike!

Anyone have a specific park they would like to hike?

If anyone plans on camping let me know. Some of the parks don't allow camping so we could pick a park based on that.”

“tarabull -

Just for the record, 7/14 is no good for me. I'm/we're going on a four day hike on the westside of the state at that time, so I wouldn't be able to go. I'll have to catch the next one.”

“7/14 is fine by me, I'll scedule some business in Detroit to make it worth my while. I was hoping for an overnight camp, but I'll go with the flow.”

“Sounds great!

Tarabull, Just let us know and when and where.

Newcunuckkid, You're from Sarnia? E-mail me at molson@mtu.edu. I may be able to pick you up Friday night but I can't guarantee I can get you home. Maybe we can figure something out.”

“I'm going camping/hiking this weekend,
so far all I like is Pinckney, any suggestions?
Also, anyone interested in hiking the VT Long Trail this Summer? I'm going anyway, but I'd rather not go solo.
e-mail: benne129@msu.edu”

“looks like I spend too much time outside and don't know how to post a message...
I'm trying to find a spot to camp/hike this weekend in MI, any suggestions?
Also looking to hike the VT Long Trail, any takers?
e-mail: benne129@msu.edu”

“hans - when will you be doing the Long Trail? That is one of the biggies on my list...Is there a Long Trail website?”

“Hey hans & lee, I'll be doind a part of the Long Trail in September. And there are several websites for the trail:

Green Mountain Club
Hike Vermont

I am going with a group of people who hike with me every year. Let me know if you all want to meet up with us.”

“Han -

If you are into Pickney, email me and I can give you some good info, forwarded to me by another TTer, Hyperpacker. He really knows the whole trail well. I found his info very helpful. I went two weeks ago and it was "skeetery", a little moist, but other than that, it was fine. Good varitey of terrian.”

“So, what about this weekend? I have no obligations and want to (HAVE to) hike and meet some new people. If I read correctly there are at least 3 who might be free and want to hike: tarabull, adventuregirl, and laqtis.”

“Le Subtil - I am not sure, yet, about this weekend. My free time doesn't really hit till July. But, if a hike is planned, keep me posted and I will definitely see what I can do.

RE: 7/14 - We can hike Island Lake Rec in Brighton. I believe Reformed Lurker said there was a 7 mile and an 8 mile loop there. Either is fine w/ me. If anyone is up for camping that night, there is a campground at Brighton Rec Area (same town). I have never stayed there so I can't say what it is like, but I would be very willing to camp for the night. They have 75 rustic sites. (and 140 modern - yuc).

Here's the DNR site for Brighton Rec if you are interested:

Brighton Rec

(this is my first link so i apologize in advance for any mistakes i may have made)”

“yeah...it worked!”

“I might be up for hiking this weekend. I'm waiting on some "new" equipment so that, and if my wife has something planned, might be the deciding factor. I'll let you guys know if I can as soon as I know. It would be great to finally meet you guys. I'll keep everyone posted.”

“lagtis my weekend this weeknd is packed full. sorry. Everyone else: July 14 works for me. tarabull, your link did not work for me.”

“July 14th at Island Lake Rec Area. If anyone needs directions, let me know. I can be emailed at tgluski@umd.umich.edu

Morning or afternoon work better for anybody. I have no preference.

My boyfriend and I will probably be staying the night at the Brighton Rec Area's rustic campground (about 10 miles away). Bring your tents if you are interested.

On a side note - has anyone ever been to the Sand Lake Quiet Area in the Pere Marquette State Forest? I just saw some info on it and it looks like hike-in spots only and many lakes. Only 10+ miles of trails there, but would be great for a weekend camping getaway.”

“I'll have to catch you guys on the next one. I'm doing the Manistee River segment of the North Country Trail that weekend. I'm trying to get out soon for another warm up in the next couple of weeks befroe we go. I let everyone know and maybe some of you will be able to make it.”

“Sand Lakes Quiet Area - foot travel only, easy trails, very popular for fishing (trout) in those several lakes and for x-country skiing in season, nice place for a family hike or to test out new gear. There are about 15 miles of trails, and part of the Shore-to-Shore Riding-Hiking trail goes thru the area.

Laqtis - if you are hiking the Marilla trailhead section of the NCT and enjoy the views, I'd recommend that you go there again in the latter part of Sept. for the views during fall colors. Can be gorgeous there!”

“cow patty -
I'm already trying to put together a late summer hike in that same area. I've heard that it's nice nice at that time of year. You up for it? Anyone else for that matter?”

“You mean late summer like fall color time? Sure, I'd go. Just FYI, the NCT side of the Manistee River (vs. the Manistee River Trail) is dry except close to Marilla. Are you thinking of hiking the loop of both trails?”

“Very dry! If I were to hike the loop again I'd start on the NCT segment first, and cross red bridge and camp on the other side. That way you'd have plenty of water available for the second day.

The 14th sounds great! Whenever's good for everyone else, morning or afternoon.”

“Joy - Cow Patty (that's a great name)

Yea, right now, the plan is to start at Red Bridge, hike the NCT side, cross at the dam and then back down the Manistee side. Trying to strech this into a possible three nighter, but we might have to hike it a weekend. Both comments confirmed what I thought about the NCT side of the trail. I'm planning on carrying 4 quarts of H2O for that part, then filtering the rest of the way. Thanks for the info, and yes, let's keep this trip in mind for the fall.”

“Have fun! It's a gorgeous hike!”

“Hey guys, I'd be up for the 14th. I'll be back in Michigan on the 7th. I'm having a party on the 20th and a weeklong conference in the Soo starting July 29. Other than that, I'm up for hiking.

I'm also trying to pin down some info. on when the tall ships are going to sail past the Detroit River Light from Cleveland to Detroit. I think it's sometime in the area of the 17th or 18th.

If the timing is right, we could get a 7 to 12 mile flatland loop at Pointe Mouillee south of Detroit. 7+ miles directly onshore.”

“reformed, keep us posted on the Tall Ships date. I, for one, would love to watch them from a natural area. That is a very alluring prospect ... enough to make the drive, especially if the ships aren't coming to Lake Michigan.”

“I'm lookin' forward to it!”

“I got the Brighton Recreation Area information. Thanks, Tara. It looks like I might be staying at the camp ground Friday and Saturday. If I do that, I may pick the girls up Saturday morning. I'm not sure yet. Maybe we could plan for late morning, say 10 am, and have a picnic lunch on the trail. What does everyone think. Afternoon is fine with me, too.

Tara, If you do plan on camping, let me know so I know where to go. According to the website, there are several camp grounds.

I'm looking forward to meeting y'all. :o)”

“cow patty - thanks for the info re: Sand Lakes Quiet Area. I'll be checking that out sometime this summer.

Sunshine - 10AM is fine for me. As long as that isn't too early for any of the out-of-towners.

I do plan on camping on Saturday night. Since you will be camping on Friday night why don't you pick the campground when you get there. I believe the website said that they have three different rustic campgrounds. When we meet on Saturday, you can let me know which one you are staying at. I'll set up after the hike (assuming there are open sites, of course).”

“Saturday 10am souds good for us. We look forward to the hike! Let Joy and I know about where y'all are stayin and we can join you for friday night.”

“Okay, so 10AM at the Island Lake trailhead on July 14. Right? I'd be up for some Friday night fun, if that's on the agenda.

Also, Island Lake is a popular mountain biking spot. Just thought I'd throw that out.

Apparently, the tall ships are scheduled to start leaving Cleveland at 11AM on Monday the 16th. I have no clue how long it takes to sail one of those things up to Detroit, but that would probably put them by the light on Monday evening or Tuesday. If people were interested, we could set up a Monday night hike.

Or, we could try to catch them later somewhere else.

Pekka, the tall ships will be in Lake Michigan - Muskegon. I'll keep an eye open to see when they'll be in the Straits area. That would definitely be worth the drive for me. How does viewing from the shore of Wilderness SP sound?

www.boatnerd.com has info. www.boatnerd.com/search is a good related bulletin board.”

“OK, now I am a bit confused. Are we hiking in Brigfhton Rec area, or Island Lake, or is eformed hiking in White Sands w/Pekka, and the rest will be at Brighton?”

“I'd like to join the fray too, assuming it's an open invitation. I'd go down Friday night. Please, tell me where to find you!”

“I think it is LeSubtil. I'd be happy to meet ya!”

“I am confused too, Buddha Bear. I am planning to stay in one of those rustic campgrounds in the Brighton Recreation Area. I also thought that was where we are hiking. I'll be leaving Sunday morning, so I won't get to see the tall ships.

LeSubtil, of course you can join us! And yes, it is an open invitation.

hyperpacker, Is it a local call for you to make arrangements? Maybe we could get enough sites all together. I'd be happy to send you a check to cover my spot. If it's not a local call, I could make the arrangements from my end.

So far we have Joy with Abby & Hyperpacker, Buddha Bear, LeSubtil, Reformed Lurker and myself with the sunspots staying Friday night. That's five sights. Anyone else for Friday night?”

“I'll be there either late Friday night (and I mean late) or early Saturday morn. I am bringing a lifelong good buddy General Custrad, with me. I also thought adventuregirl was going!

I'll be a Brighton, what site will ya'll be at, and can we bring beer if there are kids there?”

“I sure don't need a separate site just for myself. Are there any group sites?”

“I sure don't need a separate site just for myself. Are there any group sites?”