Lower Michigan Dec 17-19

**bloomgorge** · 11-14-2010, 21:05

I'm going to either Manistee River Trail or Hoist Lake that weekend. Haven't made up my mind. If someone wants to join good deal.

Patrick

**Dblcorona** · 11-15-2010, 07:02

Sounds good but daughter has a cheerleading competition on the 18th. So I'm out.

**wildcrafter** · 11-15-2010, 07:49

sounds like fun put me down as a maybe

**BreckDown** · 11-15-2010, 10:01

Sounds interesting. What are your plans? Hiking or just camping at one spot all weekend?

**patrickbdunlap** · 11-15-2010, 14:00

I did both MRT and Hoist Lake (along with Reed Lake) last year to get my wife ready for Isle Royale. I liked both (got ticks at Hoist Lake but at least its not the west coast with Lime D.). Wish I could go, enjoy your trip.

**bloomgorge** · 11-15-2010, 16:30

i had a post back in october about doing the MRT over halloween but that fell through so i'm thinking about doing the same trip. i'll probably take a half day and leave around 11am, get up there between 4-5. I was thinking about parking at S. Slagle Creek and walking about 0.5 miles in to campsite 8 just over the little bridge and atop the hill. Then on Saturday probably walk north until campsite 5 or further until 3. I really enjoy 3 and by this time all the ground cover should be gone providing ample room for tree selections. but honestly i really dont care. I do know i'll park at Slagle unless there is over 8" of snow. I'd be fine with walking south and staying on the bluffs between mile marker 7 and 8 but that would require a lot of water to be hauled in cause i'm not scaling the cliff. i guess you could park on cottage rd but i think that was almost a 2track.
as for hoist, haven't though about it yet.

**BreckDown** · 11-16-2010, 06:28

I discovered that I have to attend my wife's office X-mas part for on the 17th.....oh joy. That's not to say the weekend is blown. Are you expecting snow that weekend? I'll be honest I move out here to this region just before New Years last year and don't know the weather norms yet.

**gargoyle** · 11-16-2010, 08:28

Originally Posted by Breck

I discovered that I have to attend my wife's office X-mas part for on the 17th.....oh joy. That's not to say the weekend is blown. Are you expecting snow that weekend? I'll be honest I move out here to this region just before New Years last year and don't know the weather norms yet.

Snow likely that time of year for sure. But its weather, nothing is 100%.
It could snow a foot and be 70* in the same week.

**sr1355** · 11-16-2010, 10:16

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow.... Now wouldn't that be nice.... Love the woods in winter with a fresh blanket of snow on the ground...

**bloomgorge** · 11-16-2010, 18:37

Originally Posted by sr1355

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow.... Now wouldn't that be nice.... Love the woods in winter with a fresh blanket of snow on the ground...

i second this. it's really hard to predict the weather for michigan, especially as it gets close to the middle of winter. the road back to Slagle is a 2track for some and on the side of a hill with a little shoulder so if there is more than 6" of snow that hasn't been broke it could be difficult for cars.
i could care less of the weather, as long as it isn't pissing freezing rain i'll be going.