Jordan River Pathway overnighter

[boulderv7]

Here is a link to pics from our trip to the Jordan River Valley north of Alba, MI.http://s98.photobucket.com/user/boul...iver%20Pathway My wife's second backpacking outing and first real loop trail. Had great weather. It got down to 34 degrees at night, but we slept warm in our two DIY hammocks and DIY UQ's. We saw a porcupine and some bear scat. We saw one person on the trail on the way in and had the hike-in campground all to ourselves. My wife was scared of bears. We had many owls hooting in our camp. I told her bears didn't like the hooting of owls and that they would stay away from our camp because of that! She believed me until we were discussing it with some family and I could no longer contain my laughter! Part of the trail is the NCT and it passes over the 45 parallel, hence the pic with the sign. The second day was a little tougher, more up than down, but we had a great hike. I think I got the wife hooked on backpacking. 2 days after we got back, she texted me "We should check out North Manitou Island, the backpacking looks awesome!" I am a lucky man!

[Mountain Gout]

Great pics!!... That is a nice hike.. you two will have to do the mrt next..
Glad you had a good time...

[boulderv7]

Thanks. It was a good hike. My wife's first trip was a 6 mile in/out on the MRT. That is a good hike as well. I think I enjoyed the solitude and rugged feeling of the Jordan River a little more. MRT is gorgeous but busy. The trail didn't seem as used as the MRT, and it is nice (especially for my wife) camping at a site with vault toilets, water, and picnic tables.

[TallPaul]

Sounds like a great trip, made even better now that your wife is ready for another one!
Are the trees changing colors much in MI yet?

[boulderv7]

Not much yet...We had a cold weekend though, so they should be starting to get real pretty soon!

[Indy138]

The Jordan River Valley is a nice hike. Another area not far north of there is the Pigeon River area. Lots of different loops so you can set up multiple day hikes. Plenty of rivers and some cool hills. Plus a few old cabins to check out/stay at.
Nice pics btw.

[michigandave]

Nice trip report. Glad she enjoyed the outing. Just finished packing and plan on heading up to the Jordan tomorrow morning for one of those spur of the moment trips. Can't wait to get out on the trail again. North Manitou is one of my favorite places in michigan.