Stephen,

I would suggest starting where we finished last year at Miner's Castle overlook and head toward Little Beaver Lake. This is the best scenery in the park. You will probably have to go back the way you came.

H58 at the Adam's Trail Junction to Log Slide doesn't get plowed in the winter. It is open only to snowmobiles. If they have a lot of snow then your options are pretty much limited to the above suggestion. We lucked out last year in there being no snow.

If H58 is plowed or there isn't any snow, then you can leave from Miner's Castle and head east to 12 Mile Beach Campground. This is any easy 20+ mile hike. The campground is only a mile off of H58 and you could leave a car there if the gates are closed or the campground road isn't plowed.

Call the county road commission, based out of Munising. They are pretty cool and will give you all the info you need.

Edited by rOg_w on 02/27/2013 14:31:18 MST.

Cheers Rog,

All good information there mate.

Folks,

Some interesting info here,

http://www.nps.gov/piro/planyourvisit/wintercamping.htm

Stephen-
Chapel Rd is plowed to within about 3 miles of the parking area. If you didn't want to deal with shuttles you could start/end here, with a side trip to spray falls. I think this is similar to what Ike did. I'll be skiing this route this sat, so I could give you any current info you need. The Chapel loop is the better cliff section, but fun can be had towards twelvemile as well. The cliffs taper off and twelvemile starts at coves campsite. It's kinda neat being inland behind a dune out of the wind.

Since you have 2 vehicles a shuttle is easy, and as mentioned you could start at Miners castle rd and come out at chapel road. Miners is plowed to within a few miles of the lake. You'd have to ask at the desk, I forget if it's 2 miles or 4 miles.



And just to wet your appetite the above pic is from a weekend trip to the tip of the Keweenaw. It was outstanding and something I'll post here next yr for others to join.
Dana

Not to get too off topic, but I'd like to hike the Hurons. Dang uber-rich own those though.


Thanks, Dana. Cool picture!

I think we should bring a toboggan and really do the Log Slide in a proper fashion. "Hey guys, watch this!!"

Edited by T.L. on 02/27/2013 17:37:20 MST.

Travis,

You can toboggan down log slide yourself ;-)

Dana,

That is for that info, we will definitely be picking your brain close to the time

You can toboggan down log slide yourself ;-)


Heck no! You're all coming with meeeeeeeeeeee!

I will bring my life jacket so :-)

Stephen, you disappoint. Every ultralighter knows that an inflatable air mattress should be dual used as a life vest instead of carrying a separate one. Sheesh. Can't teach these Irish anything.


:)

And if I stick a frisbee on my hiking pole I have a paddle ;-)

Yesssss! :D

Yes if the directions are that you are going north out of Milwaukee on 41 I got that and it will be no problem to meet in Milwaukee. Could use some advise on snow shoes vs cross country skis as I have no idea what the trail and terrain are like. I have skis but no snow shoes or micro spikes... yet

Hi Mark,

I am a novice as skier and could ski the flat parts with a pack but the black diamonds would mess me up so snow shoes for me.

The Michigan folk will know better than I about skis up there, but I remember the trail being good for skis in some parts and good for snowshoes on others. My wife and I have an easy decision to make. We only have snowshoes! (And some Yak Trax we're borrowing if there's a big melt off, but that seems unlikely)

Mark, I don't have a huge car (Subaru 09 Legacy), so keep that in mind with extra gear. I plan on bringing a cooler for food to grill after the hike which you're welcome to use as well, and we'll have our packs. We should be fine if I don't overload the car with stuff. Pack less, be more....pack less, be more...pack less, be more..........

Edited by T.L. on 02/28/2013 07:42:14 MST.

Thats what I remembered also Travis.

Lets plan to snow shoe.

At work now but will reply properly later .

Edited by stephenm on 02/28/2013 07:52:46 MST.

I was planning on everything fitting in my pack other than snowshoes or skis which are sounding like a bad idea. I'm sure you have an rei in Milwaukee I hear rei rents snowshoes

If my wife is not coming (if its cold she wont) I can bring a spare set of snow shoes.

We do have an REI, Mark.

I think they're $12 a day to rent. If you'd like, I can pick some up during the day on that Thursday before.

Stephen posted while I was. I guess we'll play it by ear!


So far, it's my wife and I, Stephen and possibly his wife, and Mark. Have we heard from Ike or Rog? Jim from Minnesota was another possibility too, right?

Edited by T.L. on 02/28/2013 08:05:50 MST.

I am sure Rog cannot come, not sure about Ike.

It sure would be nice if they would come along.

>It sure would be nice if they would come along.

+1

Stephen/Mark, are you planning on bringing extra gear for show-and-tell? I don't have much, but I can bring a few things, assuming I have room.

Stephen, you've got a Hilleberg, right? Wouldn't mind seeing one of those in person if not too much a bother.

Edited by T.L. on 02/28/2013 08:17:43 MST.