Wintery Hike

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 took a wintery training hike today, passing through the Tweddle/Treet farm in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and out to 

Lake Michigan.

Wind-sculpted snow

Snow angels along the way

 Near the lake, the snow was tinged brown with sand blown by the winter winds.

The lake has very little ice on it.

Just a few chunks along the edge, clinking together in the waves.

 I hoped to hike a loop down the nearby Empire Bluff Trail, but there were deep drifts of snow that often collapsed. I found myself post-holing up to my knees, so I hiked back the way I came.

Treat Farm Trail to Mount Baldy

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

She has completed a trilogy of 1,000-mile adventures 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 took a lovely fall hike with my rucking friends. 'Rucking' is hiking with a weighted pack. 

(HERE is the facebook page for the Traverse Area Rucking Club.) We hike weekly alongside the Traverse City Track Club.

Sometimes, we have extra energy so we gather to hike again. 

With the leaves beginning to change and the air getting cooler, we headed to the lakeshore to hike through the Treat Farm to Mt. Baldy in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Harry (wearing his amazing kilt), Terri, and Homer

Lake Michigan and the magnificent dunes 

 The wind was howling when we reached the top of the dunes. What a view!

Homer, Terri, & Harry

Platte Bay

Hiking back to Treat Farm

The original Treat Farm

Some shots inside the farm house: 

Front porch of the house:

 This trail is just south of the Empire Bluff Trail and loops up to Mt. Baldly and back (about 2.8 miles). You could go up the Treat Trail (on Norcock Road off of M22 south of Empire), hike along the dune trail, then back down the Empire Bluff Trail.

Hmmmm....that might be my next day hike!