» in general
our trip started out with us getting stuck in traffic with the other million people who decided to go "up north" for the fourth of july but luckily there is a lot of daylight during the summer so while we arrived late to the trailhead (5pm), we were still able to hike 6 miles of the manistee river trail and set up camp before dark. the next day we hiked out and drove up to charlevoix and canoed the jordan river. we then continued on to wilderness state park at the tip of northern michigan and then on again to munising in the upper peninsula. the next day we hiked around pictured rocks national lakeshore and then we headed home at about 9:30pm to ensure we would not be stuck in traffic. got home at 3:30am.

» backpacking the manistee river trail, northern michigan
the manistee river trail is supposed to be one of the nicest backpacking trails in lower michigan. it follows the banks of the manistee river, passing by roaring creeks and even a rare lower michigan waterfall. wildflowers were abundant but probably the coolest thing was the backcountry campsites. some were perched high up on the river bank and some were down on the river plains. on this busy fourth of july weekend, people were camped out all over the place along the river but we still managed to find a nice secluded spot. we hiked in about 4 miles, set up camp, and then hiked another mile to a nice overlook of a sharp bend in the river.

the hike started in a mostly pine forest with dense ferns covering the ground, creating a sort of "shelf" layer about 2-3 feet off the ground. a couple of times we came upon some deer which were only visible when they hopped up above the fern.

the stained river bank.

fallen trees.

some of the wildflowers seen along the trail.

setting up camp, checking out the river, a gurgling spring in the river, and the cool morning.

our tent (the yellow splotch) along the river.

making a fire.

a sharp bend in the river.

me up on the river bank (don't even attempt to find me unless you have successfully completed the first 9 where's waldo books) and megan on the trail above the river.

the forest, a "sucker" fish in the river, a rumbling stream that feeds into the river, and a field of flowers.

the forest and megan at the river bend.

misty morning.

packing up and heading out.

» jordan river, northern michigan
the jordan river is a small, fast moving, and winding river that keeps you on your toes (or running into log jams) the whole time. it's a pretty river with clean, cold water but the scenery all basically looked the same after awhile so i wouldn't recommend doing a trip longer than the two hour one we did unless you break it up by having lunch along the river or something.

the river, me piloting the boat, megan piloting the boat, and some ducks.

just as i was complimenting megan for not vomiting on this trip, this happened.

» wilderness state park, northern michigan
wilderness park is on a peninsula that sticks out from the northern tip of lower michigan. it has sandy beaches, shallow lake michigan waters, and marshes. i couldn't find the hiking trail i was looking for and we had already hiked/canoed that day so we didn't stay long.

the mackinac bridge, a beach, a wildflower, and a frog hanging out in a pond.

More Pictures: Days 2-3, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore