Northern Midwest Hiking-Centric GGG @ Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

I did take a nap in my packraft once. On water.

During my Isle Royale trip, we had to cross one of the inland lakes. It was a clear sunny day, and the wind was blowing in the EXACT direction we needed to go. So, I set my watch timer for 15 minutes, just to be safe, and laid back for a nap. Totally worked.

I have often taken naps while sailing :-)

I may be in- gotta talk with the wife about who gets to play that wkend.
As for snow, last yr was completely unseasonable, so we can't really compare. My family slept on the beach on St Patty's day in 70 deg temps (here in Mqt).
Plan on crust-walking conditions; mushy late day, refreezing overnight. I'll be taking skis (read:fast). so it would be good to have another skiier along. I am close by so shuttle options are available if we wanted to do a point-point.
Dana

Cheers Dana,

It would be great to have you along.

A little more than three weeks away. Looks like the park got a bunch of snow. Total snow depth on the ground right now is modeled to be about 30-40", according to NOHRSC.

No more details as of yet. Stephen, you got anything?

Things will start to take more shape the week before.

Mark, did my last PM make sense to you about directions?

Nothing on my side Travis, do you have snowshoes?

Yep. Just got some tails for my MSR Denali's.

I have got 30$ Meijers ones, I am wondering if I need to buy some decent ones.

I got super lucky with mine. I was at REI one day earlier this winter and walked by the Used gear section. Low and behold, there were TWO pairs of Denali's for $40 each. Nothing wrong besides some normal corrosion on the crampon teeth. They're only 18", so I got some 8" tails for mine.

Nice one :-)

My cheapo ones should be fine as we are doing low mileage.

My wife has an event to attend that is only 2x /yr so I'll have to bow out for this event. I'll get more active on the forum and try to get in on the next one. Looking forward to the trip report!
Dana

See you at the next event Dana.

As we will have folk coming from both sides of the UP we will be able to leave a car at about sides of our route.

Could you recommend which would be the best 12-15mile section of the trail?

Bummer, Dana! Hopefully next time.

Stephen, Ike gave me some good suggestions on routes, but I'd like to hear if Dana has some good ideas also.

I've got a USGS topo map of the park, which includes the back roads. Between Dana and Ike's suggestions, I'll take a close look at some good plans and contingencies and post them at some point.

Spot on Travis,

I have the maps on View ranger and I hiked the route last year with Rog.
Its mainly to figure out where we can leave cars.

deleted

Cheers Rog,

All good information there mate.

Folks,

Some interesting info here,

http://www.nps.gov/piro/planyourvisit/wintercamping.htm

Stephen-
Chapel Rd is plowed to within about 3 miles of the parking area. If you didn't want to deal with shuttles you could start/end here, with a side trip to spray falls. I think this is similar to what Ike did. I'll be skiing this route this sat, so I could give you any current info you need. The Chapel loop is the better cliff section, but fun can be had towards twelvemile as well. The cliffs taper off and twelvemile starts at coves campsite. It's kinda neat being inland behind a dune out of the wind.

Since you have 2 vehicles a shuttle is easy, and as mentioned you could start at Miners castle rd and come out at chapel road. Miners is plowed to within a few miles of the lake. You'd have to ask at the desk, I forget if it's 2 miles or 4 miles.

And just to wet your appetite the above pic is from a weekend trip to the tip of the Keweenaw. It was outstanding and something I'll post here next yr for others to join.
Dana

Not to get too off topic, but I'd like to hike the Hurons. Dang uber-rich own those though.

Thanks, Dana. Cool picture!

I think we should bring a toboggan and really do the Log Slide in a proper fashion. "Hey guys, watch this!!"

Travis,

You can toboggan down log slide yourself ;-)

Dana,

That is for that info, we will definitely be picking your brain close to the time

You can toboggan down log slide yourself ;-)

Heck no! You're all coming with meeeeeeeeeeee!

I will bring my life jacket so :-)

Stephen, you disappoint. Every ultralighter knows that an inflatable air mattress should be dual used as a life vest instead of carrying a separate one. Sheesh. Can't teach these Irish anything.

:)

And if I stick a frisbee on my hiking pole I have a paddle ;-)