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Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Tuesday, June 25, 2024 - Tuesday, July 2, 2024 -- $1550 ★★★

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is one of the most beautiful and isolated ecosystems in the country. Situated in the Eastern Upper Peninsula on the shore of Lake Superior, it features sandstone cliffs, isolated beaches, tumbling waterfalls, sand dunes, inland lakes, deep forest, and wild shoreline.


It also features a 42+ mile trail called the Lakeshore Trail between Munising (where?) and Grand Marais. This segment is often considered the crown jewel of the 4800 mile North Country Trail because it features soaring bluffs over layered sandstone with sweeping views of the spectacular turquoise Lake Superior.


The national lakeshore contains nearly 300 native vertebrates including 58 fish, 12 amphibians, 5 reptiles, 182 birds and 42 mammals. Although we will generally only encounter common animals such as chipmunks, squirrel and deer it's possible we'll see bald eagles, black bears, gray wolves, fisher or mink.


Our trek will begin in Grand Marais, MI. Every day, we'll walk Westward atop soaring ridges and deep forest working our way towards Munising over 42 miles away having traversed the shoreline of Lake Superior along the way.


The long days of Summer are prime time to visit the North Country. So why not join us to see a wonderful place, improve your fitness level and lose some fat?



Topographical Map of Proposed Route

See CalTopo map


Weather

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. Summer is the ideal time to hike Pictured Rocks. Expect daytime hiking temperatures into the 70s and nighttime temperatures in the 50s. Remember too that weather along the coast can vary markedly from forecasts even a few miles inland. Here are the current conditions Be prepared with lots of bug protection, raingear, and water containers that add up to 4 liters of capacity.



Probable Trip Leaders

Steve Silberberg
Rick Romine
Any Other Guide(s) TBD

Difficulty

Although the trails are rugged in places, our hiking distances that are not overly aggressive, especially when considering that we'll have up to 15 hours of daylight this time of year. Elevation changes are fairly moderate as well, making this trip both fun and accessible.


Ruggedness of the trails are dependent upon how recently crews have maintained them. Furthermore, there may be rocks, mud, roots and other impediments to foot travel so be prepared for varying terrain. Fortunately, there are few dramatic elevation changes.



Cost

$1550 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a room with another participant during the 1 hotel night You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Marquette, MI (MQT), personal equipment, restaurant meals eaten off the trail and any gratuities for guides.


Covered expenses include 1 hotel night, 1 campground night, 6 days of trail meals, ground transportation, park fees, park permits and awesome guides.



Tipping: In order to keep our prices competitive with (and hopefully favorable to) other outfitters, we shamefully can’t pay our guides as much as we think they deserve. Like most other guiding services, we rely on the generosity of our participants to make up this shortfall by tipping the guides. While tips are not required or expected, if your guides have served you well, please consider a gratuity so they can continue living their extravagant lifestyles of eating powdered meals, sleeping in the dirt and pooping in smelly outhouses and small holes they've dug.



Important Notes


Depending upon conditions, insects may be brutal so consider treating your clothes with permethrin.


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Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
Map
 
 

Itinerary


Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Fly or drive into Marquette, MI (MQT). Please plan to arrive by 3PM if you can 1 hour drive to Musining, MI when the entire group is assembled. Since flights to Marquette can be limited, let us know if you have to arrive later than 3PM so we can make arrangements. Note: Michigan is in the Eastern Time Zone.

If you fly in, take the airport shuttle to our local hotel where we will be set up in either a breakfast room, lobby or a conference room. If you drive in, just meet us here.

We will assemble at: TBD, To Be Determined

Mini equipment shakedown. We double-check your pack for any items you may have omitted or forgotten after your pre-trip online shakedown.

Trail mix distribution from our make-your-own Trail Mix Bar

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Go to the Down Wind Sports, 514 N Third Street Marquette, MI 49855, 906.226.7112 for forgotten and last minute equipment purchase if necessary. Store is open unitl 5PM.

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage

At around 3PM, shuttle to campsite: Munising Tourist Park Campground, E8518 M-28, Munising, MI 49862. Site(s): Waterfront d & e Elevation: 600'

Shuttling will take about 1 hours

Guides prepare dinner in camp. On some trips with longer shuttle times, we may opt to go out for an opening dinner at a local restaurant. (Cost of restaurant dinner not included in trip price)

Camp at Munising Tourist Park Campground, E8518 M-28, Munising, MI 49862. Site(s): Waterfront d & e Elevation: 600'


Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Second set of "before" measurements taken

Take an 8AM shuttle from Munising Falls Visitor Center to Grand Sable Visitor’s Center.

Begin Hiking at Grand Sable Visitor’s Center, elevation 760' (Lake Superior is at 600' above Sea Level)

Hike 7.7 miles on the Lakeshore Trail to the Au Sable East Group Campground, elevation 620'

Camp at Au Sable East Group Campground, elevation 620'

Miles today: 7.7. Total miles: 7.7

Possible Bailout: H-5B (road)


Thursday, June 27, 2024

Hike 7.2 miles on the Lakeshore Trail to Sevenmile Group Campsite, elevation 625'

Camp at Sevenmile Group Campsite, elevation 625'

Miles today: 7.2. Total miles: 14.9

Possible bailout: H-5B (road)


Friday, June 28, 2024

Hike 8.3 miles on the Lakeshore Trail to a trail spur, elevation 690'

Hike 0.1 miles to Coves Group Campsite, elevation 690'

Camp at Coves Group Campsite, elevation 690'

Miles today: 8.4. Total miles: 23.2

Possible bailout: Route 699


Saturday, June 29, 2024

Hike 0.1 miles to Lakeshore Trail, elevation 690'

Hike 6.8 miles on the Lakeshore Trail Trail to the Mosquito Group Campsite, elevation 630'

Camp at Mosquito Group Campsite, elevation 630'

Miles today: 6.9. Total miles: 30.1

Possible bailout: Route 695


Sunday, June 30, 2024

Hike 5.2 miles on the Lakeshore Trail to a trail spur, elevation 800'

Hike 0.1 miles to Cliffs Group Campsite, elevation 830'

Camp at Cliffs Group Campsite, elevation 830'

Miles today: 5.3. Total miles: 35.4

Possible bailout: H-11 (road)


Monday, July 1, 2024

Hike 0.1 miles to Lakeshore Trail, elevation 800'

Hike 6.0 miles on the Munising Falls Visitor Center, elevation 630'

End of Hiking

Miles today: 6.1. Total miles: 41.5

Possible bailout: Sand Point Road

Shuttle one hour back to Marquette

We will assemble at: TBD, To Be Determined

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Take Free Shuttle to Airport or we will pay for a shared cab/Uber


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