Snowshoeing Palmer Woods Reserve

Loreen Niewenhuis is an author, adventurer, and dynamic speaker. 

She has completed a trilogy of 1,000-mile journeys exploring the Great Lakes and has authored three books about these adventures. 

To learn more about her work, or to engage her as a speaker, go to 

http://www.laketrek.com/great-lakes-speaker/

We're finally getting some snow here in Michigan's NW lower peninsula. I've had my snowshoes in my car for several weeks, but today was the first time I took them out for a hike.

I've been meaning to get out to the Palmer Woods Forest Reserve, one of Leelanau Conservancy's properties. This wooded reserve is located about 2.5 miles south of M22 on S. Wheeler Road near Maple City. 

There are both mountain bike (or fat tire) trails along with trails dedicated for hiking.

I avoid trails where mountain bikes are allowed during the mild months...I don't like having to watch my back for bikes. During the winter, these trails are quiet, and the dedicated trails make for a relaxing hike.

Some of the trails had been groomed for cross-country skiing, so I stayed off those (or hiked off to the side) so as not to mess up the grooming with my snowshoe tracks.

Check out some photos and a video from my snowshoeing hike:

The Great Lakes have set a record for lack of ice this year. Read more HERE.

Trees

Loreen Niewenhuis is an author, adventurer, and dynamic speaker. 

She has completed a trilogy of 1,000-mile journeys exploring the Great Lakes and has authored three books about these adventures. 

To learn more about her work, or to engage her as a speaker, go to 

http://www.laketrek.com/great-lakes-speaker/

I get out to hike at least twice a week no matter the weather. I love being out there in the elements, pushing against the wind, balancing on ice, pushing to get up the next hill.

There's always something to see.

Wildlife, plants, fungi, tracks, clouds.

This week, I hiked the trails at the The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. There are a few miles of trails looping through and up some tall, wooded dunes.

I came across a tree being dismantled by pileated woodpeckers. This bird was the inspiration for 'Woody Woodpecker,' and its call is similar to the laughter of the cartoon character.

Check out these photos and one video:

The woodpecker is at the top of the above photo.

There is a massive hemlock (~12 feet in diameter) on these trails. It's quite a specimen!

First Hike of 2021

Loreen Niewenhuis is an author, adventurer, and dynamic speaker. 

She has completed a trilogy of 1,000-mile journeys exploring the Great Lakes and has authored three books about these adventures. 

To learn more about her work, or to engage her as a speaker, go to 

http://www.laketrek.com/great-lakes-speaker/

Happy New Year!

My first hike of the New Year was out at the Dune Climb in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

The first dune off the parking lot was dotted with kids on sleds. It's a great ride, even when there's just a dusting of snow.

I love to watch the interplay of sand and snow on these dunes:

And the sand and snow reveal which creatures are on the move in the landscape.

I love this landscape in any season. It's an extra-challenging workout when the snow begins to drift amongst the dunes.

A late season freighter moved through the Manitou Passage today (below).

Happy 2021 everyone. 

We made it through 2020. Yay!