Exploring the Upper P

Hiawatha National Forest – Michigan

The drive into Hiawatha National Forest gets you pumped for the weekend of hiking ahead.  The road was lined with tall pine trees, and just beyond them you see nothing but water.  Lake Michigan and its immensity visually transports you out of the city and into the wilderness.

We dipped out of work even earlier this time around to beat the city traffic.  This was our furthest trip so far clocking in at 5 & 1/2 hours! We finally headed north of Chicago going up to Michigan (not sure how we got into Eastern time…)  Our big plans for Hiawatha involved a bit more hiking, and a lotta wata.  Bruno’s Run is the main trail, linking eight lakes and two rivers.

We parked at Moccasin Lake and headed South, on the West side of Highway 13.  You definitely want to follow suite!  You know that feeling when you’re taking everything around you judging how your weekend of camping is going to go?  The beginning of the trail surpasses expectations, but the end of the trail was open due to birch wood disease.

we found snow in May!

After hiking about a mile, mile and a half  (excellent movie), we found our spot for the night.  The stars were beautiful in the dark sky, but it was completely silent.  We enjoy listening for birds and other animals, and there was almost a lack of sound!

We got up around sunrise, and took a morning stroll with just our cameras in hand.  Bushwhacked off the main trail through a lush green area, with a lot of duvets where trees had been uprooted.  This trail lead us to Town Lake, which had adorable houses nestled around it.  We walked up to a little log cabin that would be an ideal tiny house (in the mountains, with a pup…we’re getting ahead of ourselves).  It was called the Beach House, and had a toilet, sink, fire pit, and dock.  We headed back to our campsite, packed up, and hit the main trail.  We were getting hungry, and came up to a pretty sunlit clearing near Indian River.  We laid down in the grass with the intent to make ourselves some lunch, but fell asleep in the sunlight.  Don’t worry once we woke up we made chicken and noodles. YUM!  (Always make sure you take the time to sit back and enjoy the things around you).

Tiny house in the wood

It was getting time to find a place to rest our heads for the night.  We noticed on the map that just beyond the trail there was a peninsula, and thought that would be an ideal campsite for stargazing.  Our stomachs grumbled as we approached the campsite, and Nick mentioned “sure am looking forward to some of that trail mix”.  Angelina giggled as she realized she left it in the car once again.  Stay tuned for next week to see if our trail mix makes it on the trail.  When we arrived, we found out it was a designated camp site.  There was a picnic table, fire pit, and lots of level ground for our tent.   While rummaging for firewood, we found a lonely toilet in the woods!  Literally, just a toilet without walls around it sitting amidst the pine trees.

Toilet in the woods

We pitched the tent quickly so we could go warm up by the fire.  In our haste to warm up we delayed setting the stakes, Pro tip always stake your tent it’ll come for ya like ours did!  The sunset was beautiful, casting a pink hue on the clouds and reflecting pink in the glassy water.  We set up the camera and tripod and let that snap away while we sat by the fire and kept warm.

With time to reflect we contemplate the big questions in life like… Do deer ever sit like dogs?

Do birds dream?…(Fun Fact they actually do!  They dream about their songs)

Sunday was a short trek back to the car, and a quick one at that.  A lot of the forest was barren due to Birch Wood Disease, making it somewhat lackluster.  We did have another beautiful drive along Lake Michigan to take us home!  Stay tuned for our next boundless journey.

Tips:

We recommend going counterclockwise on this trail.  The beginning was beautiful, but we ended on a rather dull note.

Trail didn’t seem maintained for the season, a lot of debris on the trail.  Pete’s & Moccasin have water sources, but neither worked at this time.

The trail has been diverted by laying trees along the trail.  Stick to the Blue Blaze and stay true.

Elmer’s Diner was yummy!

Car Tunes