pictured rocks option

Well, kids, I'm afraid I don't have much detailed info for the Pictured Rocks hiking option. If we choose this, we'll have to trust the expertise of Bruce to guide us through the wilderness. He didn't send me any guidebooks containing info on this, but I was able to find some scant internet info that you can check out. Maybe someone else will have better luck.

Looks like if we choose the Pictured Rocks option, we will be visiting Pictured Rocks National Park. The main trail through the park is a portion of the North Country Trail, which is a trail that stretches from New York to the Dakotas. The map here is of the area, but it isn't very detailed and I haven't been able to find maps with more details or smaller trails marked. The most detailed descriptions that I could find of the trail, moving from west to east, are here. The author warns, though, that there may be errors in his information. (I know that up to six people can fit on individual camping sites (two tents per site) and groups of seven or more need to split up or reserve group sites; that is one thing that is different from his info.) And the park information on backcountry camping is here, but not very detailed. There is a potential to sight bears, though!

An update from Bruce is that it is likely we will be tenting it no matter where we go. It's a little too late in the year to reserve the shelters. We may want to plan ahead a year if we want to go to Isle Royale someday! In coming posts: hygiene, equipment, training programs, etc. Hope to hear from you on your preferences soon!