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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2015 7:29:36 GMT -8
I am new to backpacking and I am looking to hike the entire length of the Pictured Rocks National Trail. I am wondering if anyone on this forum has done this and if they have any pointers. Thank you in advance.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2015 16:09:25 GMT -8
Great trail. Nice views but relatively flat and smooth. When we backpacked it years ago you could get a shuttle to drop you off at one end and then hike back to your car. This trail inspired me to start hiking backpacking routes in one non-stop hike. We did the 42.4 mile Lakeshore Trail at Pictured Rocks in 14 hours (lightweight daypacks and a support person to refill our water bottles, give us more food, etc.) A couple years ago we went back and knocked up the yo-yo (Munising to Grand Marais and then right back to Munising) in one 35.5 hour non-stop hike. Started with 8 guys but only 2 of us completed it. The others bailed and got swept up by our support person. Our video of that hike is at www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZH5LNew6eY |
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Post by Outdoor Union on Jul 20, 2015 21:08:54 GMT -8
Exmarx68- We hiked this trial a couple years back, amazing hike. We took the shuttle from Munising to Grand Sable and then hiked back to Munising. I would recommend using this if you are looking to hike the entire trail. Take a look at our pics and a little info one of the guys on the trip added. outdoorunion.weebly.com/pictured-rocks-nls.html |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2015 8:33:02 GMT -8
Those are some amazing pics! Thanks for the great info.
Glowinrock, you guys are insane!
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Post by Chuck the Mauler on Jul 22, 2015 17:52:51 GMT -8
This is typically a 4 or 5 day trip. In my opinion East to West is the best way to do it. Getting a shuttle is fairly easy. Doing the trip in any less time is pointless. Take your time and enjoy the views. Bear poles and storage lockers throughout the park.
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Post by Outdoor Union on Jul 22, 2015 19:23:53 GMT -8
Yeah I agree, take your time. I wish we would of had more downtime to enjoy the views.
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Post by Coolkat on Jan 6, 2016 18:11:34 GMT -8
This is typically a 4 or 5 day trip. In my opinion East to West is the best way to do it. I whole heartedly agree. Yes it can easily be done in 3 14 mile days but the park is so nice and the scenery so great I'm not sure I'd want to do it any faster. Unless of course you're constrained for time. I also think it's best to hike east to west. However, I find the section between Miner's Castle and Munising a muddy rooty mess and uneventful after the first 36 or so miles. I skipped it last time and made my exit point at the parking lot of Miner's Castle. The only way to make this hike better would be to do it in conjunction with the Fox River Pathway. Here are my pics from my last hike there 2 years ago. flic.kr/s/aHsknwWnj1 |
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Hungry Jack
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Post by Hungry Jack on Feb 9, 2016 11:39:59 GMT -8
One of my favorite trips. I have done it 4 times now, most recently August 2015. Each time I started from the east TH using the All-Tran shuttle. The logistics work out great.
I have always done this trip in 3 nights / 3.5 days. I am a faster packer, and find the tread to be quite good with limited climbing.
Try to go mid-week in late August or early September to catch the lake at its warmest and reduce the crowds. For colors late September is probably best. I have been snowed/iced on in early October (2007) and walked in 80 degree heat and humidity in mid-September (2002 I think).
If you go when its buggy, leave the trail and walk along the beach to catch the breeze (roughly half of the hike is beach hiking). I did this one year and came across a set of wolf prints near the Coves area.
All the campsites are pretty good with water nearby (except Masse Homestead). I particularly like Benchmark, Coves, Chapel Beach and Cliffs Group for camping (Cliffs group should have a small rivulet crossing the trail very near the spur).
Chapel Beach is one of the prettiest spots in the central US, IMO. Take time to soak it in. Check out the rock, the falls, the beach. Really pretty.
Also a big fan of exploring the rock ledges around Mosquito beach. Be sure to explore there. Swim if the weather is good.
The walk along Miners beach is very sandy tread. You can skip it by taking the road, and then accessing the beach at the other (west) end of the lot where there is a boardwalk, stairs and benches.
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Hungry Jack
Trail Wise!
Living and dying in 3/4 time...
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Post by Hungry Jack on Feb 9, 2016 11:41:37 GMT -8
Quick note: The trail just west of the Log Slide where it descends the bluff down to Au Sable is in bad shape with some washout and unofficial tread. Hopefully they can rebuild this section soon.
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