Devil's Lake State Park (Test Hike #1)

Just sent in the registration checks for Charlie and I for Test Hike #1 at Devil's Lake.  Charlie did a great job raising funds to cover all but $1.00 of his registration costs.  Me...well...I'm heading in tonight for an extra shift at the department to make up the difference for my fees.  Such is life.

Charles and Trish, friends of ours in from Wisconsin, were in for a visit over the weekend and they were really excited for us when we told them that we were going to be up at Devil's Lake for one of our hikes.  They told us that we were going to love the area and should have a wonderful time.  I'm really excited about this trip.  It should be a great time and some excellent hiking.  - Brian

Map of Devil's Lake State Park

April 22, 2012 (HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLIE!!!)

Happy Birthday Charlie.

Hope you like the new Boots and Waterproof Jacket.  These should help keep you on the trail as you log some miles on your next hike. 

Merrell 'Moab Mid Gore-Tex® XCR' Hiking Boot

   

365 Nisqually® Lightweight Shell Jacket

Up hill both ways...

Saturday, April 14, 2012 – Swiss Valley Hike

Ever wonder what goes on at ski resorts when all the snow melts?  Well, I’m not sure what the employees of Swiss Valley Ski & Snowboard Area, located in Jones, Michigan, were up to last Saturday morning…but I do know that I have developed a great respect for whomever cuts the grass on those hills. 

Unfortunately, Charlie wasn’t able to join me on today’s awesome hike…because he was busy setting new personal records while at a Track & Field Meet in Sturgis Michigan.  5:28 in the mile.  GREAT JOB CHARLIE!!!

We all met at the lodge for one of Coach Gunn’s informative lectures on stretching and core strength training.  We all got a good laugh when Coach Gunn decided to demonstrate the famous, and most important, hamstring stretch.  Then Coach sent us out to the trail with a reminder that today’s hike was a “character builder” and a “Fire Up!!!” cheer.

              

 I should have known something was up when I noticed all the veteran hikers started to grin as we headed over the first rise.  Then of course I saw the first sign…

       

   …followed shortly by the second.           

  

A nice congratulatory break before we headed down the last hill, for this round, into the woods…

BFR

The 7 miles through the woods were great.  There were lots of pretty views and gentle rolling hills.  The pebble stone (3 inch rock) path was a bit rough on the feet…but that was soon forgotten when I saw the BFR.  It looked like some giant had rolled up a pebble stone walkway into a big wad and tossed it into the woods.

And although the BFR (Big Flippin’ Rock) was really cool…the BFH (Big Flippin’ Hill) was not so much!!!

BFH

                      

The final push came when we exited the woods and I heard someone say, “Almost done…just one more run through the washboard”.  The second time up and down the slopes I really learned the value of switchbacks.

Afterwards a bunch of us stopped for a nice lunch at the Broadway Café in Cassopolis.  This was a great hike even with the rain in the morning.  Another lesson learned…need to trade in the cotton cargo pants for some hiking pants.  My new waterproof jacket kept my top dry but my pants were wet all day.  Wish we could do this one again…I am sure Charlie would like it.

The 1/2 Marathon Hike at Dr. TK Lawless Park (13.1 miles)

Yesterday our hike was at Dr. TK Lawless Park located at 15122 Monkey Run Street in Vandalia, Michigan.  TK Lawless is an 820 acre nature park with miles of hiking, cross country skiing and mountain biking trails.  Many of the trails have a lake view and some have scenic lookout points.  

Over the past few years I have been out to TK Lawless Park a number of times with my friends to go camping, tubing, and sledding.  I have always had a lot of fun when I have been there so I was pretty excited about this hike.  Of course, when I told my friends last week that I was going to do a hike on the first Saturday of Spring Break they said I was “crazy”.  When I told them that it was going to be a ½ Marathon Hike…they all decided that I was insane…sometimes I wonder if maybe they’re right.  

 

We all met at the warming shack at 8:00am and hit the trail about 8:20am.  It was great to see everyone from the hiking group.  My dad said he thinks about 32 people showed up for the hike.  I really liked how this hike was all on trails and in the woods.  We saw a bunch of deer running across the fields at one point.  They were flying.  It was really cool.   

The trails were in pretty good shape even though we had a major down pour on Friday.  There were a few spots where it was pretty muddy.  But nothing that you couldn’t get through.  It was a little cooler and my dad got to try out his new waterproof jacket.  I should get mine in the mail next week.  He said it worked really good and kept him warm.  I was glad it didn’t rain.  I forgot to pack my rain gear and wasn’t in the mood to get wet.

 

 There was this one really cool dock that went way out into one of the lakes.  The view was really cool and the dock was constructed by Brandon Scott an Eagle Scout from Troop 572.  I thought that this was really neat because I am working on finishing my BSA Eagle Scout Application Packet right now with BSA Troop 579.

 

After the hike we got invited to have lunch at the Old Farm Bakery.  Mr. Janssen gave us directions and my dad went the wrong way.  I kept telling him we were supposed to be looking for a water tower and he was driving toward a cell tower.  We had to stop and ask directions…and finally got there.  It was worth it.  The food was good and my dad and I got the chance to talk to the rest of the members of the hiking club.  We had learned some valuable tips from the members.  It was a great hike and I can’t wait to see everyone again at our next hike.

Below are a few more pictures from our hike...be sure to checkout the Great Trail Snack suggestion...

 

Leaving the warming shack…	Into the woods we go…
A cool grove in the woods…	Dad’s picture for Mom.
Trail snack!!!	Link to Trail Map @ Dr. TK Lawless Park

New Equipment Test...

Today Charlie and I are heading over to Lawless Park for a hike.  The temperature is about 35 degrees right now with expected highs of 52 degrees.  Typical Michigan weather for this time of year.  I'm pretty excited because I am going to try out some new gear today.  For our birthdays next month my parents and Lorie bought Charlie and I our first gear items for this experience last week. 

On our first few hikes, in the snow, we wondered why many of the team members were able to stand the temperatures while only wearing what looked to be a very light Spring jacket while Charlie and I were hauling around a ton of weight wearing our Carhartts.  Turns out the jackets they were wearing were technically designed and acted as a shell that kept out the elements while holding in heat.  Charlie and I have been doing some research and found jackets that I think will fit the bill.

Today we will put them to the test.  Last week we picked up our Eddie Bauer 365 Nisqually Lightweight Shell Jackets.  These jackets are a technical waterproof/breathable shell designed for every type of precipitation, from light drizzle and morning mist, to total biblical deluge.  Complete with a full hood, pit zips and easy packability, they are a fully technical shell that will provide protection from wet weather in any climate.  They are a 2 1/2 layer construction with fully sealed seems and rated to withstand up to a 10,000psi pressure.  The layers relate to the durability with 3 layers being the toughest while the psi rating translates to hours of rain protection.  They are made of durable nylon with a full-zip front, zippered chest and hand-warmer pockets, adjustable cuffs, and a drawcord at the hem.  Lorie helped with the color selection reminding us that a hi-vis color was more important than the current style trends.  A very wise suggestion.  I think they look great and can't wait to see how they work out in the field.  Well, time to head out into the woods...we will let you know how they worked in our next post.


Brian

Grand Mere State Park Hike - StairMaster on Steroids

Saturday March 17, 2012  -  Grand Mere State Park  (12 miles)

StairMaster on Steroids

A 12.5 mile hike may not seem like much to the experienced hiker.  Although, add massive sand dunes to the equation and the scenario changes.  Today, my dad and I hiked at Grand Mere State Park, a beautiful lakefront park located near Stevensville, Michigan.  It was really beautiful.  We got to hike in the woods, up and down the dunes, and along Lake Michigan.

We met, at 9:00am, with our hiking team at the pavilion before the hike and Coach Gunn and Mr. Janssen gave us some instructions about trekking poles, strength training and Hours on Feet (HOF).  Coach Gunn and Mr. Janssen really explained why trekking poles are useful and showed us how to hold and use them so we wouldn’t tighten up our bodies and waste energy.  After the lecture I told my dad that I was still not sold on the idea…because I like to have my hands free.  But now that I have hiked some real hills and narrow trails I think I will work with my dad to figure out a way to attach them to my pack…so I can have my hands free when I want…but still have them available when I need them.

Coach Gunn told us that this hike would be somewhat like hiking in the Grand Canyon, minus all the sand.  The hike was two laps long with one part being in the woods and the other over the dunes and along the beach.  My dad and I had talked about the importance of staying fueled and hydrated a few days before this hike…he says I get crabby when I get thirsty…he shouldn’t complain much because he’s really grumpy when he gets hungry.  So, we decided to take a break and eat something and drink one of our water bottles on each loop that we completed.  This worked out really well.  We both felt good at the end of the hike and I never felt like I was running low on energy…even when we climbed over all the dunes.

 

There was this one dune that was a monster.   They had an alternate trail that you could take but my dad and I decided that we would do it…and believe me…you had to DECIDE that you were going to make it or half way up you’d probably change your mind. 

My dad loved Coach Gunn’s saying right before you got to the dune…my dad and I kept chanting “Suck it up!” as we climbed the monster.  When we got to the top the view was awesome. 

You could see the hidden lake behind the dunes from the top.  And coming down the backside of the dune was a blast.  We started out slow and then just let it rip…it was like running on the moon and in mushy marshmallows at the same time.  




 Each step you felt like you were kind of floating and then the dune would suck your leg in to the middle of your shins and then grab hold.  Then you had to yank your leg out and then you would kind of float until you hit the dune again.  It was really cool!  We conquered that monster twice during this hike.

Unlike most of the hikes that we have done the second lap went the faster.  I think this was because we were really trying to stay hydrated and fueled throughout the hike.  I really liked this hike.  Next month, Papa, my grandfather from Tennessee, is coming to visit and my dad and I are going to take him on the first part of this hike.  I can’t wait to show him this trail.  He hikes with a hiking group in Tennessee and always takes us for hikes when we visit during Christmas break…so, it will be neat to take him on a cool hike when he comes up to visit next month.  I think he will be really surprised.  Below are some other pictures from our hike at Grand Mere State Park.

Here we go...up, up and away...	Dang...Where's the Top???
Cool view...	Down to the beach...
Walking along Lake Michigan...	Back-up we go...
Thanks for the hand...	This looks bad...
That's a HILL!!!	It's a Never Ending Hill!!!
Proof that we made it up the mountain...	The Hidden Lake
Time to come down off the dune...	A refreshing break for dad...
Sign of a good hike...	Grand Mere State Park Stevensville, Michigan