jjmcwill
Member
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2012
- Messages
- 22
SouthEast Michigan does not contain any glamorous or awe inspiring backpacking destinations. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is 4 hours away. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is 6 hours away. Those looking for more challenging destinations need to head further west into the Upper Peninsula; into Ontario, Canada; east toward the Adirondacks; or toward some part of the Appalachian Mountains.
However, the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail is 90 minutes or less from most folks in SE Michigan, and SE Michigan is home to a considerable number of people interested in backpacking, paddling, rock climbing, ice climbing, and other outdoor endeavors. It's a 36 mile trail through rolling oak-hickory forests, wetlands, and small farms with faded red barns. It cuts through the Waterloo State Recreation Area and the Pinckney State Recreation Area, from whence it gets its name. It's what many of us locals use for the quickest of weekend getaways or to introduce newcomers to the backpacking sport.
As early Spring rolled around, I was eager to play with some new gear and to investigate a newly established back country site along the trail. "The Pines" as the park has named it, is the only back country camping site along the western half of the trail. The Blind Lake back country site is another 19 miles east. The two other backpack friendly camping areas along the trail are shared with either equestrians or car campers - hardly the remote experience we yearn for.
With night time temperatures still below freezing, I found to my dismay that no-one had the time or interest in joining me for my over-nighter. I guess scheduling it for "Good Friday" and the following Saturday didn't help much. I did find a friend willing to shuttle me to the trail head and hike partway down the trail with me before turning back.
With the snow almost completely gone and many leaves visible on the ground, the trail had a very Autumn like feel to it.
The blue skies and sunshine made for a terrific weekend getaway.
Some of the water filled depressions sheltered from the sun were still covered by ice.
But a small lake/marsh called the "Baldwin Flooding" was open, and being enjoyed by a couple of swans.
I thought that the new back country campground was well sheltered, but the 5 individual camp sites were spaced much too close together for my liking. There's not a lot of privacy, and I doubt it will improve when the leaves are out.
This was my 2nd time experimenting with a silnylon tarp as my sole shelter. It worked well, but the pitch was not as taught as it should have been. I need to make some adjustments to my technique and practice more.
Temperatures dropped down into the mid-teens that night according to my keychain thermometer. This was considerably lower than the weather forecast had predicted. I did okay in my Enlightened Equipment 20 degree down quilt and some fleece layers.
In the morning, however, I found that my water bottle had almost completely frozen. I had to break up the slush in order to make hot oatmeal and cocoa for breakfast.
As temperatures warmed up, it became another beautiful day for hiking. I was happy to be on a trail, among the trees, passing by small lakes and marshes.
When I reached my car sometime around 1pm on Saturday, I turned back to look back up trail, thinking of how quickly a day and a half had passed. I knew I'd return again soon for another over-nighter to hike the eastern half of the trail.
However, the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail is 90 minutes or less from most folks in SE Michigan, and SE Michigan is home to a considerable number of people interested in backpacking, paddling, rock climbing, ice climbing, and other outdoor endeavors. It's a 36 mile trail through rolling oak-hickory forests, wetlands, and small farms with faded red barns. It cuts through the Waterloo State Recreation Area and the Pinckney State Recreation Area, from whence it gets its name. It's what many of us locals use for the quickest of weekend getaways or to introduce newcomers to the backpacking sport.
As early Spring rolled around, I was eager to play with some new gear and to investigate a newly established back country site along the trail. "The Pines" as the park has named it, is the only back country camping site along the western half of the trail. The Blind Lake back country site is another 19 miles east. The two other backpack friendly camping areas along the trail are shared with either equestrians or car campers - hardly the remote experience we yearn for.
With night time temperatures still below freezing, I found to my dismay that no-one had the time or interest in joining me for my over-nighter. I guess scheduling it for "Good Friday" and the following Saturday didn't help much. I did find a friend willing to shuttle me to the trail head and hike partway down the trail with me before turning back.
With the snow almost completely gone and many leaves visible on the ground, the trail had a very Autumn like feel to it.
The blue skies and sunshine made for a terrific weekend getaway.
Some of the water filled depressions sheltered from the sun were still covered by ice.
But a small lake/marsh called the "Baldwin Flooding" was open, and being enjoyed by a couple of swans.
I thought that the new back country campground was well sheltered, but the 5 individual camp sites were spaced much too close together for my liking. There's not a lot of privacy, and I doubt it will improve when the leaves are out.
This was my 2nd time experimenting with a silnylon tarp as my sole shelter. It worked well, but the pitch was not as taught as it should have been. I need to make some adjustments to my technique and practice more.
Temperatures dropped down into the mid-teens that night according to my keychain thermometer. This was considerably lower than the weather forecast had predicted. I did okay in my Enlightened Equipment 20 degree down quilt and some fleece layers.
In the morning, however, I found that my water bottle had almost completely frozen. I had to break up the slush in order to make hot oatmeal and cocoa for breakfast.
As temperatures warmed up, it became another beautiful day for hiking. I was happy to be on a trail, among the trees, passing by small lakes and marshes.
When I reached my car sometime around 1pm on Saturday, I turned back to look back up trail, thinking of how quickly a day and a half had passed. I knew I'd return again soon for another over-nighter to hike the eastern half of the trail.
Great stuff, and thanks for sharing!