Nordhouse Dunes, Lake Michigan, Finally Got Out!

[OneClick]

I finally decided to get out...my first time this spring! I went to my usual standby location when I can't decide where to go - Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness area just north of Ludington.

I'm not much of a writer, so here's a quick overview.

I left after work and arrived around 9:30PM. I hiked the north route, passing Nordhouse Lake and bushwacked into a nice spot in the woods. After a quick small fire, I turned in for the night. Low was around 32°.

The next day, I continued north along the ridge then turned towards the beach. Beautiful sunny weather near 60°. Set up on a small ridge in the woods (I learned not to set up close to the beach in the sand and wind like everyone else seems to since comfort > a nice view)

I found a TON of morel mushrooms...probably 50 just around my hammock without even noticing them at first. Luckily I ran into some guys from Ohio that had some butter and cooked a few up for me.

Processing firewood, dinner, fire, Beam & coke, watch sunset, etc.

One of the guys from Ohio was in a hammock and I also saw another group with a few hammocks. Good times!!

First night camp


Second night camp


Morels


Dunes


True pyros sort firewood by type!


20° +1oz Incubator

[2eez4life]

Dang Dude, Wow! fewer words and pictures usually says a lot more

[Redoleary]

Very nice. Nordhouse is one of my favorites.

[Eric Labanauskas]

Dang! Great shots, Mark.

Those morels go for a pretty penny at the local farmstands in SW Michigan - you ever need a side business, well, looks like ya found it.

Love that campsite ya made on the ridge, there - looks like you had some elbow room. Pretty secluded, then, or are you selectively keeping the neighbors out of frame?

Thanks for sharin', dude!

[riverjoe]

Wow Mark you know me not much of a hiker , but I might have to attempt that .Are the trails that slip slidey sand or are they packed down until you get to the lake ?

[OneClick]

Love that campsite ya made on the ridge, there - looks like you had some elbow room. Pretty secluded, then, or are you selectively keeping the neighbors out of frame?

No neighbors, nice and private! Although it's a nice view, I like to get off the beach and out of the wind and sand. There was a group on the edge of the woods about 200yds closer to the water, and another group about 1/4mi to the south in some pines. That's all I saw. The first night was so quiet, almost creepy feeling to it since I bushwacked in quite a ways in an area noone ever really camps (nothing very scenic, no water, etc)

Wow Mark you know me not much of a hiker , but I might have to attempt that .Are the trails that slip slidey sand or are they packed down until you get to the lake ?

Hi Joe! Trails are fairly solid, some sandy spots here and there but you can usually hike on the edge of the trail if necessary. The north route I took is basically all moss and sandy but very solid soil. Even near the lake you can stay in the woods and avoid most of the sand...it can wear you down quick!