Snowshoeing Season is Here!

When I first moved to northern Michigan in the fall of 2012 I knew there was one thing that I truly needed to prepare for: Winter. I've never really been a fan of winter (an ironic statement coming from someone who spent much of her life wishing/trying to move farther north) but knew that it was something I was going to have to put up with (a gross understatement considering what last winter brought us...thank you Mark Torregrossa for posting this awesome map on MLive detailing total snowfall amounts for the LP of Michigan...yes folks, I live in that minuscule "light pink part"). Needless to say, I had to come up with some way to keep myself from going insane. Enter: My idea to find a winter activity that I enjoy, and that's where snowshoeing comes into play.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore holds ranger lead snowshoe hikes every winter, and since they've started up their weekly hikes (they'd begun on December 27 and will go every Saturday until March 7!) I thought I'd post my awesome snowshoeing experience that I didn't get around to posting last year. I'd been coveting this activity for quite some time, and my moving to Leelanau County provided me the opportunity. Bryan and I were able to go on the last ranger led snowshoe hike of the year, March 8th. After the frigid temps and non-stop snowfalls subsided, we were able to bear being outdoors longer than the time it takes to run from our car to our front door. Needless to say, we took advantage of it!

Bryan and I were instructed to meet at the SBDNL Philip A. Hart Visitor's Center located in Empire, MI before the hike.

(Photo: http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm)

It was here that we gathered in the auditorium for a short presentation given to us by our guide. For the life of me I can't remember her name (Stephanie, or Melissa maybe??? Ugh!) and I wish I could because she did a great job! It was well organized and very informative. I learned a lot and really enjoyed her presentation.

You'll see it straight ahead when you walk into the visitor's center. The artwork on display is wonderful...I highly recommend taking a look when you visit!

It wasn't just a nature hike. Our guide began her presentation with an explanation of the National Park System Emblem and what each item on its emblem means.

Here's a closer look at the NPS Emblem. Glacier National Park in Montana (its website being the source of this photo) dictates well what our guide presented: "The Sequoia tree and bison represent vegetation and wildlife, the mountains and water represent scenic and recreational values, and the arrowhead represents historical and archeological values."

She went on to explain the different types of snowshoes (who knew there were so many?), why each type was designed in its particular way, and the function of the different parts of the snowshoe.

From left to right:

1. Ojibwe design: The wide base and curve on the front end would ensure good deep snow trekking for long distances on different types of terrain.
2. Bear paw: Wide, "short and stocky", no tail design. It's good for maneuvering through brush and I assume tight spaces while still being able to trek through deep snow.
3. Modified bear paw: It's a little longer with an upturned front that makes it a little easier to glide over snow. 

4. Modified bear paw: This time with a slight tail. 

5. Modern design: Basically a modified bear paw made of waterproof, lightweight materials.

6. Plasic snowshoe: I believe there was mention of these being good for children. Weight plays a factor in choosing the correct snowshoe. A child, being lighter than an adult, would be able to use this design without sinking into the snow.

7. A different bear paw design

8. Teardrop design: Very versatile. The tail helps counterbalance the front, turning it up when stepping to help you glide over the snow. 

9. Hiking poles can be very useful!

Ironically enough, the car company Suburu has this great snowshoe diagram detailing all the different parts of the snowshow. Many were explained to us buy our guide.

Off to the little storage room to get our snowshoes. Notice all the awesome artwork on the wall in here!

They have quite the snowshoe load! Anyone who didn't own a pair could borrow a pair. Hanging on the wall on the right are examples of the Alaskan snowshoes. Wide and long, upturned front, and tail for counterbalance so that those who dare to live there are able to trek over snowy terrain for long distances. 

Ready to go! They're bigger than they first appear...

After the presentation we were off to our hiking location. Our guide picked a location in the southern section of the park. I haven't spend much time in this area and was excited to explore.

Turning onto Lake Michigan Road, home of the popular Platte River Campground.

View of the Platte River.

Bryan getting ready to snowshoe.

Ready to go...

And we're off!

Our guide stopped at points along the way, all the while explaining different features and also discussing the four types of rangers that are employed by the National Park System.

Our guide told us she wanted to take us where few people have gone. Our off-trail hike was beautiful.

Our first view of Lake Michigan!

One pleasant surprise presented itself: A sighting of a juvenile bald eagle! Thanks to a biologist who was hiking with us we were able to confirm that it indeed was a bald eagle. They're a little difficult to identify when they're not "bald" :). This guy (or girl) seemed to be quite curious about us...he flew over a few times to check out our group.

Another view of Lake Michigan through the trees. It was a beautiful day to be out...these blue skies had been pretty scares in the months previous!

We've reached our destination. Here's a great view of Platte Bay at the end of our long winter. Lake Michigan was 93% frozen over, which is evident in this photo. On the left you can see the steep bluffs of Sleeping Bear.

I think I can, I think I can...

Bryan is rewarded with a gorgeous view of Platte Bay.

My favorite photo of us from our hike!

Our first guided snowshoe hike couldn't of come at a better time. We were reaching the end of the brutal winter of 2013-2014 and had an awful case of cabin fever. While snowshoeing may not be the cure for such an ailment, it was definitely a much needed remedy! I'm looking forward to participating in another hike this season. Puremichigan.com posted the event Ranger Led Snowshoe Hikes on their event calendar. I'll definitely be keeping a Saturday open!

Hiking a Moraine

Today was a beautiful day to be outside. The temps reached about 60 and there wasn't a cloud in the sky--a nice reprieve from the rainy October we've been having. Bryan and I decided to head out for a hike this afternoon before watching the big game.

The Leelanau Conservancy has many natural areas, and Bryan and I have been slowly crossing them off our list. We decided to check out the Whaleback Natural Area. It didn't disappoint:

One of our first views as we entered the access trail. The colors have been spectacular this year.

The access trail, which leads to the actual natural area, is bordered by private land. Even these areas provide beautiful landscapes.

Our first view of Lake Michigan (look closely!) shortly after entering the actual Natural Area.

We've reached the viewing platform with crystal blue water as its backdrop...looks promising...

No matter how many times I see a view like this it never gets old. Looking southwest over Good Harbor Bay towards Pyramid Point.

This zoomed in photo of Pyramid Point turned out better than I thought. The view of its dunes is fairly clear. I've never seen it from this angle before.

We're just past peak color season and it was an advantage on this hike. With most of the leaves now off the trees we were able to see Lake Michigan for most of our hike along the bluff.

Bryan, leading the way.

I was a little nervous at some points because of how close the trail came to the edge of the ridge. Here we are looking down at a thick forest of cedar trees growing up the bluff, with a few other types of trees thrown in.

As we looped back around towards the parking lot we were rewarded with amazingly blue water and a view of Leland Harbor...

...and a beautiful sea of yellow (probably my favorite part of our hike).

The downed birch trees provided a neat contrast to the yellow leaves.

The sun peeked through the trees many times during our hike.

Whaleback is obviously an interesting name for a geological feature, especially on the great lakes (you guessed it, we don't have any whales here). According to the Leelanau.com Blog, Whaleback was given its name because of its resemblance to the unique whaleback cargo steamships that were fairly common on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Considering that Whaleback is not only a moraine but a drumlin, I'd imagine that this geological feature would look like its namesake from the viewpoint of those sailing on the lake.

Originally, we planned on hiking the Clay Cliffs Natural Area but decided against it because that area is open for bow hunting. Considering that we're currently in the middle of bow season it didn't seem very safe to head that way. The Whaleback Natural Area was definitely a great substitute. The hike wasn't too long or strenuous, and the views were worth every step...well, I didn't think it was that strenuous...;)

Oh, and for those of you who were wondering about "the big game", we were victorious! GO GREEN!