The Tolkien Trails (a.k.a. Pilgrim Trails) 12.21.11

Abigail and I took a walk today on the upper Michigan Tech Trails that begin on the Pilgrim River Road.

Bete Grise to Gay, MI and Back Again

On Saturday, April 22, 2011 I manufactured a personal duatholan. I started the 20 mile run-10 mile bike ride-1 mile run at Bete Grise  and ran to just outside of  Gay, Michigan. When I started at 10:00 the sky was gray and the possibility of sun looked pretty grim on that particular day. I shared the road briefy with a long distance road biker and a few cars - most likely folks who live out there year-round

The Black Creek Trail - 12.29.2011

The Black Creek Trail is a 4.7 mile Copper Country jewel-of-a-trail whose head is located near the end of the Seder Bay Road a few miles from the small town of Calumet, MI. Difficulty is moderate with undulating terrain and trails winding through tall stands of pine and birch forests, marshlands punctuated with active beaver ponds and gathering spots for wildlife. Down a bit, the path gently slices along and cleaves to the side of the steep hill offering panoramic vista views of Hills Creek. At the half-way point, you will find yourself at the mouth of Hills Creek and at the waters of Lake Superior. Throughout the trail wooden split-log benches are strategically scattered along the trail suggesting time should be taken to stop moving and to sit and enjoy the quiet and solitude of this 241 acre Michigan Nature Association Sanctuary. In early September, David and I hiked the trail, later that month I ran it for the first time, on December 29th, Abigail and I ran/walked it. It was a beautiful winter day - the snow on the trail was 2-3" deep, the temperature was in the 30's with a gentle breeze making for slippery spots especially on the steep drop-offs and hills. Two neighboring dogs joined us at the beginning of the run and stayed with us until we were back in eye sight of their house  Near the marsh we met another hiker with a leashed dog, No sign of wildlife this trip - but it was a beautiful day and a run for the books.

Mt. Baldy with Abigail - 6.24.11

Abigail at the stream crossing a 1/4 mile from the trail head

The south-side cliffs of Mt Baldy near the summit

Hard to see it, but Lake Superior is just beyond the last rolling hill near the summit of the mountain



Near the end of the run, the fog cleared, rocks and dirt trails gave way to sand and Abigail was far ahead





At the top of the mountain we posed for a wet photo and then started picking our way over and around the rocks, through the high bushes and along the cliffs to the trail head where Michaela and Marci waited for us

 

The Trails are Open - April 17, 2011

Last April, 14 year old Elly & I ran 17 to see the trails had just started to open - the snow was melting & on this day, the sun was shining brightly. We ran 4 miles together - the longest she had gone in quite a while - & she was a proud puppy indeed - tired as could be...but proud. 

Winter Solstice - December 22, 2011

Today Kat & I ran Trail 17 to the Maasto Hihto trials into Hancock & back. The trails were solid except for the bike trails which tended to be like wet beach sand. I stopped a few times to take pictures & to enjoy this new winter day.