January
9, 2021 -- Is it a Hike or a Walk
The new year begins, and the hiking continues. No new snow so we're still
in boots, the snowshoes left hanging on the wall, waiting. But it will
come. Maybe. It's quite a change from the last two Januarys with 3-4
feet of snow! We enjoy it all, and this year are enjoying still walking
on almost bare ground. We go out daily, together or separate, do a few
chores, go to the mailbox, go for at least a short walk, sometimes
longer. So I got to thinking - when is a walk a hike? Sometimes we'll
head out for a short walk down the road but keep on going and end up
coming home 2 hours later. But that's still a walk. It's from home, it's
casual. We may or not have taken backpacks, or water. Certainly not
snacks or sandwiches. But if we're going to the "big city" (Gladstone or
Escanaba or Marquette) we usually plan to include a hike on one of the
trails, so we head out with appropriate gear and clothing, water,
snacks, sandwiches, for a 2 or 3 hour hike. Manistique is just "going to
town", it doesn't get such planning though we often walk the boardwalk
along the Lake. It's funny how we categorize things, and how we think of
them. But hike or walk, we're enjoying this can-do-just-about-anywhere
activity.
Though we haven't much snow there is just enough in this area for the
skiiers, and the groomers, to get out on the ski trails so the
cross-country ski trails are now off limits for hiking. But both Days
River and Rapid River have short snowshoe trails so on a trip over that
direction earlier in the week we decided to check out the Days River
Pathway Snowshoe Track. It was a mild, barely freezing (so not slushy),
calm day - beautiful weather for a hike. The ski trails did indeed have
snow so no walking there. So we took to the designated 1.8 mile
"snowshoe" trail which was definitely not appropriate for snowshoes! But
they did make an effort to provide a track in an effort to keep walkers
off the ski trails. It was lumpy, bumpy, stump and brush strewn and well
beat down. But it was there and so were we so off we went, figuring we'd
stop at Rapid River on the way home and check out their snowshoe trail.
Between them getting in a little hike.
 But
to our surprise, halfway around the hiking/snowshoe trail, it crossed an
ORV/snowmobile trail at the bridge. A wide, snow-covered, groomed, trail!
A delightful place to walk and we could go as far and long as we wanted
(ORV/snowmobile trails by nature cover a lot of ground). We weren't the
first hikers to discover this windfall - the boot track s were more
numerous than the snowmobile tracks, though they petered out as we went
on. We walked north for an hour (yellow section on the map), sticking to the main route, no traffic,
snaking through the vast pine plantation of this area. Then we turned
around and backtracked to finish the rest of the official snowshoe trail
back to the parking lot. A very nice walk. And it reminded us that the
U.P. is covered with ORV and snowmobile trails, many of which are good
for hiking, especially right now with the lack of snow. We have no lack
of options that's for sure, near, far, or in-between. What a great
abundance for fun.
January
10, 2021 -- Back to Days River to the Snowmobile Trail
This time we knew where we were headed -- the short Days River Pathway
hike/snowshoe trail to
the ORV/ snowmobile trail where we turned south instead of north over the
bridge as we'd done last week. A nother mild cloudy day, no new snow,
calm, about 32 degrees - like a film strip stuck in rewind/replay, same
weather we'd been having for quite some time now. But we're fine with
that, we'll let the PNW taking care of all the wild weather! We just
keep hiking. And a nice one it was. The trail going south (blue section
on the map) heads through
some real nice woods, young growth but with a decent scattering of
bearing age oak trees, left when the area was last logged. Though the
trees in general blend in with the other growth one could see them
easily by the churned up leaves spread all around underneath each tree
as the deer dug through the snow and leaves for acorns. I don't know how
the acorn harvest was but it appears there are plenty of deer and by the
looks of things I doubt there are any acorns left. I'm sure the
squirrels and chipmunks took care of their share, too.
There were snowmobile and ATV tracks, though there wasn't enough snow for
the former and too much for the latter, but they flattened the trail
nicely. Quite a bit of foot traffic and a few bicycles, along with the
many deer and usual coyote/fox/dog. As usual it was quiet on most of the
trail. The farther south we went there were more houses and we were
walking near back yards. Not as "off-in-the-woods" feel as other trails,
and the track was pretty rough with ruts and not very flat at this end. But we had a
bicyclist come along who stopped to chat which was nice. He had a
beautiful fat tired bike with studs and an electric assist to help him
up the hills. It wasn't the best conditions for biking but he lives
somewhere near the trail and said he goes out nearly every day for
exercise. Just as we were parting along came another regular fat tired
bike going at a pretty good speed considering the conditions, but he
wasn't having any trouble. We quickly stepped off the trail and he
nodded as he sped by. Two different styles but both enjoying the trail
their own way, as were we. We didn't see anyone else on the trail.
We soon arrived at a "rough" area with piles of dirt, some dumped furniture
-- the beginning of the industrial park. Quite a contrast to the
beautiful woods we'd been walking through. Though we'd planned to walk
longer we decided to turn around there, and had a very nice walk back.
When we got to the cut off to go back to the snowshoe trail we decided
we weren't
ready for the hike to end so instead headed on north for a ways. So it
was about 3 hours when we got back to the parking lot, sun heading down
and starting to cool off, to find a fairly large group gathered and
chatting, with fat tired bikes sticking out of pick-ups and
SUV's. I don't know if they were heading out or had already been but it
was good to see folks enjoying the day and each other's company. There
is a separate bike trail at the Pathway which is apparently quite
popular.
January 23, 2021 --
Sunshine and a New Trail Section - Rapid River Snowmobile2
 With
the promise of sunshine and calm winds we decided to head out for a hike
this afternoon. Very little new snow in the south-central U.P. which
meant the snowmobile trails would still be OK to walk. It was a bit cool
in the low 20's but we had plenty of layers and I had my recently
finished cold-weather hiking pants to try out. So with a hot lunch in
our small Thermoses and hot drink in our double insulated travel mugs,
dressed appropriately, we packed up and headed out. Having looked at the snowmobile
trails map, and having had such nice walks on the trail that went beside
the Days River Pathway (the yellow and blue sections), we decided on a
different part of that same #2 trail (the green section) starting at a
convenient parking spot near Rapid River. Though a promise of a
beautiful day we didn't think there would be any snowmobile traffic
- they would all be up north where there was more snow.
When we drove into the rough and rutted parking lot it was indeed empty,
but with a fair amount of ATV and truck tracks. It was still overcast
but there were hints of blue sky. So on with our packs and off up the
trail. The ORV's don't make nearly
as nice of a track to walk on as a groomed snowmobile trail or one
packed down by snowmachines, but we appreciated the packed trail
none-the less.
The beginning wasn't the most aesthetic as it started out through old jack
pine plantation, then some red pine, more jack pine. It was obvious this
would be an ankle-exercise walk over the frozen tracks and ruts but
there was enough snow and it was a nice day. And
 soon
the track rose into hillier terrain, curving through a young mixed
hardwood area. The day became partly, then mostly, sunny and we relished
walking through sun where it filtered easily through the leafless trees.
We were heading north-east so the sun was often behind us but it felt
good and though in the low 20's it was a comfortable temperature with
just an occasional breeze. A beautiful day to be out walking.
The woods changed from hardwoods to evergreens to a very young poplar
regrowth area, back to hemlock/pine, occasional cedar, a scattering of
oak. The track was plenty wide as it's a Forest Service two-track road.
Though we often enjoy single track hiking trails through the woods,
today we appreciated more space for the sun to reach us, and walking
side by side. It would have been well worthwhile with no other
highlights. But there was...
We had started out seeing five deer cross the path and, not surprising,
there were deer tracks off and on the whole way. Along with fox tracks,
and periodic mouse crossings. Someone had walked, up and back, this
section of the trail a few days ago. It was nice to have (distant)
company. But the highlight was recent tracks of a pair of wolves, off
and on trail, likely appreciating the easy traveling as much as we did.
They kept us company until we left the road track.
After about an hour the trail turned east along a pipeline, more open,
higher terrain, but still through high and low growth and some wet (when
not frozen) areas. We lost the wolves as well as the person tracks, but
soon picked up a fox that we followed the whole way. Not too many curves
here but enough light roller coaster, and a bit of icy tracks, to keep
us occupied. The sky had cleared and the sun , though low in the sky,
was shining and we soaked up as much as we could. The woods to the south
did block it some but thankfully there was often deciduous trees with
patches of lower growth. After a half hour along the pipeline we came to
a marsh with cattails and rushes and small bushes - beautiful in the
snow, and wonderfully clear for sun seekers. Perfect timing and perfect
place for our "turn-around" lunch.
 But
no nicely positioned nice sized downed trees to sit on here. That was
OK, there was plenty of soft snow. Since Steve had a larger sit pad he
just tossed it on the snow and sat down (which was maybe easier said
than done since the sit pad had nicely waterproof but very slippery sil-nylon
material on the underside). But he soon arrived, comfortable for lunch.
I apologized to a little clump of rushes and low bush nearby and set my
small (but nicely insulating) foam pad against/on the little island.
Soon I too was comfortably eating a surprisingly hot lunch, having this
time preheated the Thermos containers with hot water.
After that beautiful break in the sun we gathered ourselves and our gear
and headed back along the trail, following our own tracks, picking up
the wolves as we turned south. We were now facing the sun, soaking up as
much vitamin D and rosy cheeks as we could, always stopping for a drink
in a patch of sun. We arrived home before cat dinner time and just in
time to get the fire rekindled as the sun dropped behind the trees,
having warmed the house and filled our batteries all afternoon. We felt
good after a very nice three hours on the trail. Next time maybe we'll
check out the snowmobile trail near home. It doesn't look like much new
snow in the forecast. And in-between the longer walks we make good use
of our own home trails for shorter forays
January 29, 2021 -- Clear Blue Sky and
Beautiful Sunshine -- Revisiting SnoMo2
True 100% sun this time, right from the
get-go. What a boost. Of course, we had to go hiking. It was a bit
cool at 15 degrees when we left home but it was heading up and was
in the low 20's for the hike, with hardly any wind. What a beautiful
day! We'd planned to check out the west Gladstone snowmobile trail
from the Brampton cut-across road, hoping there might be a small
trailhead to park, then we'd walk south toward and over the (yellow)
section we'd hiked before. But we had a last minute need to go the
Escanaba and it was getting late to get on the trail so decided to
just go to the Days River Pathway parking lot, get right on the
SnoMo2 trail there and walk north again, which we did.
 Though
still very little snow the snowmobile groomers had made a pass and
nicely packed the trail, though it appeared only one snowmobile had
tried it out (there really isn't enough snow yet for snowmobiling
here). But there were quite a few ORV tracks, a fat tire bike and a
couple of hikers. It was great walking, considering the snow and
tracks, but this is a flat road with few if any ruts so pretty easy
going. Though more evergreens than deciduous trees quite a bit of it
is thinned plantations and regrowth so the sun was able to shine
through enough to keep us warm and happy. Since we didn't walk the
Pathway's rough snowshoe trail first to get to the snowmobile trail,
and we hiked along at a pretty good pace, we were able to walk
farther north than we'd been before (the purple section on the map).
We made it not only to where the Days River crosses but also to and
over the Brampton cut-across road where we could see that there was
no place to park unless one had a 4wd pickup and could park off in
the snow, which wasn't for our venerable Prius, at least not until
the snow is gone. So we'll leave the rest of that north (red)
section for then.
We had a comfortable break and lunch sitting
on the snow along side the trail, then headed back, without seeing
anyone or any ORVs. What a wonderful day for a walk. A little more
than 3 hours later, as the sun was dropping behind the trees and it
was cooling off, we were back at the car. There were more cars in
the Pathway parking lot so others were likewise enjoying the day
outside.
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Copyright
© 2021 by Susan Robishaw and Stephen Schmeck
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