Moosewatch 2022

 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 go to 

http://www.laketrek.com/

I was thrilled to return to Isle Royale to lead another team of women hikers on a Moosewatch Expedition.

My team has a rainy start to the week

This fox visited our first camp

Our second moose skull still had antlers attached!

Team (April, Allison, Liana) still smiling after a couple days in the rain

Moose near our camp on Feldtman Lake

Rainbow Cove

Final campsite

Hauling in the antlered skull

The team returns with 7 skulls total

All participants for this expedition

It was an amazing week on this wild island. I'm honored to be a team leader for this citizen scientist-driven study.

Winter Hiking

I went out to the lakeshore today to hike my trail for the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes. This volunteer organization does important work to help maintain and improve the gorgeous National Lakeshore. Volunteers do a variety of tasks, including:

• Adopt-An-Access Point (Accessibility)
• Adopt-A-Beach
• Adopt-A-River
• Adopt-A-Trail 
• BARK Rangers
• PSAR Log
• Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail – Trail Ambassadors
• Track Chair Report
• Administrative Projects

I have been a volunteer trail hiker for a couple of years now. I periodically hike the Bay View/Farms Loop trail and report on any down trees or other conditions on the trail.

Chilly, but gorgeous hike

Panoramic of the overlook

I'm not sure what made this tiny little trail in the snow

Lake Michigan from the trail

I love getting out on the snowy trails.