Want to Start Hiking/Camping

C

Cuchuga

Joined
Oct 11, 2007
Messages
114
I live in MI and want to start overnight camping/hiking trips. No one else in my family/friend group is interested so it would probably be solo.My skills are limited to fire making, simple navigation, and some knowledge gained from several Discovery Channel Survival shows. (haha) Anyway, heres my question: are there any good places to do such a thing in michigan, and can someone give me an idea of the gear i'd need. Thanks guys.
 
lol not to insult or anything but that was ultra funny when you said Discovery Channel Survival shows.
 
I don't know and i'm sure that locals will give you some MI specifics, but I would suggest getting a recreation atlas for MI and it will have trailhead locations, campgrounds, fishing areas, etc.. I have had the same rec map for AZ for 10+ years and still find new trailheads to discover and try out.
 
flip888 said:
lol not to insult or anything but that was ultra funny when you said Discovery Channel Survival shows.
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I dont feel insulted. It was a joke. I will look into some of that stuff thanks guys. Its winter soon here, so maybe I should wait till the spring so I dont prematurely die.lol
 
Take your sleeping bag and pad, and go sleep on your unheated back porch or garage. If you are still warm in the morning, you bag is adequate for your area. Till it gets colder.
 
Ok do you mean you want to do backpacking or actually go camping and take dayhikes from that camp and each night stay at the same camp?
 
Michigan is an outdoors paradise. Camping and canoeing can be done almost anywhere in the state. They have first class state parks and many hiking trails. Find an outdoor shop with friendy and knowledgeable sales people. Ask them to help you out choosing equipment. You can get good reasonable priced gear at Cabela's, Jay's and many other places in Michigan. Maybe they can refer you to a club or group that has outings. Find some forums and get involved in the discussions and read the posts. Remember we all started out as "greenhorns" at one time. Good luck and don't be afraid to ask questions
 
If backpacking means hiking during the day and setting up camp at night where you left off, then I want to backpack. I will try that Zman. Thanks.
 
Hey Cuchuga,

Upper Penninsula has some great state parks and trails. Also if you want to get a bit more adventurous, keep traveling north and cross into Canada at Sault St. Marie. Two hours drive west of the Sault is Lake Superior Park - which is absolutely fabulous!

Check out the TV-show Michigan Outdoors on PBS. Its been running for 25 years and a great program about hunting and fishing in MI.

Gear - if you are interested in backpacking you will probably want to do a bit of research. You don't need to get too intimidated by the ultra-light fanatics. Not what they do is bad, but I prefer a certain level of comfort, even if that means the discomfort of hauling it on my back. It is true though that weight is everything when you are hauling it around and you need to make choices about tradeoffs. In fact, the planning stage of a backpacking trip can be the most demanding part!

Clearly the season, circumstances (group or solo), anticipated activiites will dictate what you bring, the amount and type of food etc. I would recommend that you find a partner the first couple of times before backpacking solo. Even just having someone to help go over the trip plan and packing can be a help. Make sure you have a good first aid kit and know how to use its contents. Take quality footware that is appropriate to the load you are carrying and condition of the trails. There are lots of great threads on this site discussing tents (and other shelter options), backpacks, rain gear, outdoor clothes and of course survival knives.

Good luck and enjoy our natural heritage while it lasts!
 
I think waiting till spring/summer is a good start. I started backpacking late in my life and waited till the summer to start, this way you will enjoy more. I went to a government camp site (the ones you drive your car to) and camped out with my backpacking gear only - no luxury items such as coolers, bbq, and heavy food.

Then I planned what went well and what I had to change. A week later, I went backpacking for one night at a provincial park. Like all newbies, I carried way too much stuff.

I got home and made a list of all my redundant or extra heavy items and a few weeks later, went on a multi-day hike.

It is a learning process. Make sure you are in shape and for the first few times, go in good weather to develop your knowledge and skills.

Good luck and have fun.
 
wildstar said:
I think waiting till spring/summer is a good start. I started backpacking late in my life and waited till the summer to start, this way you will enjoy more. I went to a government camp site (the ones you drive your car to) and camped out with my backpacking gear only - no luxury items such as coolers, bbq, and heavy food.

Then I planned what went well and what I had to change. A week later, I went backpacking for one night at a provincial park. Like all newbies, I carried way too much stuff.

I got home and made a list of all my redundant or extra heavy items and a few weeks later, went on a multi-day hike.

It is a learning process. Make sure you are in shape and for the first few times, go in good weather to develop your knowledge and skills.

Good luck and have fun.
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Great advice. Thanks a lot. Thats probably how I will start.
 
Cuchuga said:
Its winter soon here, so maybe I should wait till the spring so I dont prematurely die.lol
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Inexperience + solo + winter coming = wait for spring :D

Seriously, wildstar covered it pretty well. If you follow his plan you should wind up in good shape.
 
I'm in the same boat. Nobody I know is really interested in this stuff. Maybe you could meet somebody from the forums and hike with them.
 
Snow said:
I'm in the same boat. Nobody I know is really interested in this stuff. Maybe you could meet somebody from the forums and hike with them.
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Funny you should mention that. I just talked with someone from here who lives very close to me who is more experienced so thats a possibility.
 
That's my biggest thing too. I want to go with an experienced hiker the first time, but have yet to find one. I've looked into local groups, but they really only plan for big trips. I just want to do a few local days. I know camping, but I don't know backpacking. It's not really the same thing. My cousins want to do a trip next year, neither of them have backpacked before either. I just think it's really dumb for three first timers to go out alone.

When I start camping again next spring, maybe I'll start reducing the amount of stuff I take with me until I get down to pack weight.

Keep us posted as to how your learning goes Cuchuga.
 
Will do, I am very excited about getting into it. I have camped many times(not with portable houses) and I thoroughly enjoy every aspect of it....well except mosquitos. I HATE them. Hope you find someone experienced who will take you. Backpacking seems to me like it would be more fun than regular camping. 3 newbies on a long backpacking trip doesnt sound very wise to me also. Almost as bad as me+winter+no experience = death lol
 
Cuchuga, I was once where you are, but at that time, we didn't have this fancy Internet thing. I got the idea of camping from a friend I met in college who had hike half of the Appalachian trail, as well as backpacked in different areas of the country. As a poor college student, I slowly accumulated gear over the course of a school year. I started with a small tent, a 0-degree bag, a Peak 1 stove, a Coleman solo cook set, and a 3/4 length Ridge Rest sleeping pad. At the end of that school year, my first trip was a solo drive around Lake Michigan. I had planned the trip and stops ahead of time. It was a fun trip, and was a real confidence builder, too.

I must admit I was a little apprehensive about going alone for three nights with minimal gear and three cans of Chili Mac or whatever. But if you can plan decently, you could probably handle something similar. The more you do it, the more comfortable you'll be, and you can tailor your experiences from there.

Take your time, and don't be afraid to ask questions. We're all glad to help.



And in MI, check out Warren Dunes. That was a pretty cool park. In the UP, the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness will accomodate car camping and backpacking. They also have rustic cabins for rent that can only be accessed by hiking.
 
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