JK Fan Favorite Hiking & Camping Spots

[outdoorsfan]

This seemed to be a common thread of conversation at the Gathering and I was curious to find out more from the (new & old) JK fans out there...What spot would you recommend to others as a favorite of yours? The spot should be open to the public so that we all can access it, other than that it can be common, off the beaten path or somewhere in between so long as you enjoy it!

I talked with JDS1 for a bit about my recommendation. Located just outside of Watersmeet, MI., the Sylvania Wilderness Area of the Ottawa National Forest. I visited there in mid=June this year and it was just beautiful!

Sylvania is an 18,327 acre "special use" area which is the only remaining true old growth forest left in Michigan. For over a century, it was privately owned by a series of rich industrialists who maintained this scenic tract as a personal hunting and fishing preserve, closed to public use. It was purchased by the Forest Service in the 60's and converted to its present purpose.

There are 35 named lakes and many smaller potholes and bogs doting the park. Access is limited to canoes, no motors of any kind are allowed.

There is an outfitter (sylvania outfitters) that provides canoes, gear and a wealth of information to visitors.

Access to the main lake (Clark Lake) is easy and allows portage opportunities to the other lakes...

Clark is the largest of the lakes and just perfect

Clark Lake also has some excellent fishing as demonstrated here by my fishing buddy The Bass Assassin...

My son and I beached the canoe and enjoyed a swim and some exploration as a break to the awesome fishing..

One of the days we decided to portage, the fishing on the remote lakes was spectacular, even better than the main lake. This was as we prepared to portage back, wringing every last drop of fishing time we could...

We had a great time and I would recommend this spot. The outfitter has a web site and it is a really good place to start, as is the official park site. They offer both drive up and remote campsites, with the remote sites reachable only by canoe.

I'd love to hear some recommendations for different opportunities that you guys have tried.

 

[Mr. Sogetsu]

Most of the land I use is private. But the Kettle Moraine is one that sticks out. I also remember one called the Ice Age trail too. When I graduate I plan on doing some serious camping/hiking for a few weeks depending if I have any money.

 

[mqqn]

Hi Outdoorsfan -

I really like the area north of Newberry Mi in the UP - it has great scenery and trails and small camp sites.

I also really enjoy the Wolverine / Weber Lake area near Indian River - that is also outstanding, an awesome place to spend some time in the wilderness.

Surprisingly, I don't have any pictures of the trips up there - I take dirt bikes with me when I go up there.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[fixer]

i have two spots, near me, but a world away from the Vegas metro area.

one is a cabin at an old mining claim. it's just east of Armagosa and looks out over the Death Valley area. it's well hidden even tho it has a view of the freeway and a brothel. several years ago i spend a bunch of time cleaning up the site and burning or hauling trash. nice area, but not good for the middle of summer.

the other site is somewhere on a ranch that's between Route 66 and the south rim fo the Grand Canyon. it's part private, part reservation and part BLM land and open to public use. it's about the closest place i can go and be in large trees. it's near the Havasupai Falls.

sorry, i don't have any pix of these sites online. but they're nice areas if you don't want to be around people, and don't mind not having plumbing.

 

[outdoorsfan]

Most of the land I use is private. But the Kettle Moraine is one that sticks out. I also remember one called the Ice Age trail too. When I graduate I plan on doing some serious camping/hiking for a few weeks depending if I have any money.

Is that in Wisconsin?

I really like the area north of Newberry Mi in the UP - it has great scenery and trails and small camp sites.

Any place to camp in particular in that area mqqn?

Fixer, both your spots sound incredible! Would love to visit as it's so different than most of the places I go.

Keep those spots coming!

 

[Mr. Sogetsu]

Yeah both are in Wi.

 

[jds1]

Two of our favorite spots in Michigan are Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

http://www.nps.gov/piro/

http://www.nps.gov/slbe/

Both spots offer incredible hiking and paddling, as well as some jaw dropping views. Pictured Rocks is located on the south shore of Lake Superior and Sleeping Bear is located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan so either place lets you enjoy one of Michigan's fresh water "oceans". You can put together a multi day pack trip along the Pictured Rocks shoreline or enjoy any of the scenic day hikes around the Sleeping Bear Dunes. You can paddle the shoreline of PR and be amazed by the soaring sandstone cliffs or make a crossing from SBD to one of the Manitou Islands. I can't say enough about these two sweet spots! Here's a view from a shoreline spot at the dunes looking out towards South Manitou Island.

Jeff

 

[jds1]

Another thing that my wife and I have been enjoying is collecting state highpoints. There are several awesome long dayhikes to state summits within a twelve hour drive from us, so it's reasonable for a long weekend. There is a lot of good detailed info available online for each of the popular summit trails, but here is a link to a site that gives good overview info.

http://www.summitpost.org/list/171191/u-s-state-highpoints.html

Jeff

 

[fixer]

I
Fixer, both your spots sound incredible! Would love to visit as it's so different than most of the places I go.

i forgot to mention that the first site is near the largest "collection" of petroglyphs that i've ever seen, which are AFAIK, undocumented. it's a BIG wall of them.... about 30' wide or larger.

i've seen "Newspaper Rock" in the petrified forest and was very disappointed in that... and you can't get near it. these are right there in front of you.

if you ever get this way, let me know and i'll show you. i need to get back there with a camera and take some good pix.

 

[frontiertom]

fixer, I'm sure most of us would like to see photos of the petroglyphs you speak of! If nothing else you really need to go take photos of them before something happens to them, or before someone buys the land and puts a subdivision around them where you can't get a good photo of them again. We went out to Colorado in July. It is absolutely terrible how they have let urban sprall move in and spoil some the most beautiful country I have ever seen. Humans are ruining a lot of country these days in a pretty big hurry. We look forward to seeing your photos, and thanks in advance for your trouble!
Take care,
JK##6

 

[fixer]

fixer, I'm sure most of us would like to see photos of the petroglyphs you speak of! If nothing else you really need to go take photos of them before something happens to them, or before someone buys the land and puts a subdivision around them where you can't get a good photo of them again. We went out to Colorado in July. It is absolutely terrible how they have let urban sprall move in and spoil some the most beautiful country I have ever seen. Humans are ruining a lot of country these days in a pretty big hurry. We look forward to seeing your photos, and thanks in advance for your trouble!
Take care,
JK##6

oh, it's BLM land in the middle of nothing, so it's not too likely that it will get bought up or developed soon. i'll probably head out that way in october or november as the weather cools off a bit. i NEED to get out of the house! i'm also planning on getting one filter for my camera to try some IR photography.

 

[mqqn]

Any place to camp in particular in that area mqqn?

Hi outdoorsfan -

Yes - there are several areas to camp in that area - Look for Newberry State Forest Area.

There are lots of RV trails in that area, not so much for hiking that I know of.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[JK Knives]

My favorite hiking area is along the I&M Canal, near Channahon.

Remains of old shelter complete with stone fireplace.

Snake sunbathing in the canal.

Wildflowers.

Another shot of the river.

 

[JK Knives]

The old lock keeper`s house.

The old locks.

 

[JK Knives]

McKinley Woods.

Remains of old buildings.

Old survey marker.