Events

Hike with Spirit of the Woods Chapter on Saturday, March 7 at 10 am. Join the Spirit of the Woods Chapter (northern MI) for a hike on the North Country Trail and Bowman Lake Trail. This is west of the town of Baldwin, MI on 56th St.

A looped hike is planned (3 or 6 miles) that will include NCT and non-NCT mileage. The North Country Trail portion can be counted for the Hike 100 Challenge.

The hike leader will be Dan Driesenga.

We will meet at the Bowman Lake trailhead. Click here for the ArcGIS map to see the trail and the area where we will be hiking. The trailhead is at approximately Milepost 308.25.
Google Maps driving directions to trailhead. (Note: This is not the Bowman Bridge River Access).

Please RSVP to Loren Bach (call or text) at 2311 510-1983, or spw@northcountrytrail.org.
Also, plan to arrive 15 minutes early to gather; when it’s cold it’s difficult to wait at the trailhead for latecomers. *Not all parking areas are plowed in the Winter, plan accordingly, especially if we have had recent snow before the hike. You may want to carpool with someone with a higher clearance vehicle.
Also, if you’ve RSVP’d that you are coming and then later decide not to come, please text Loren of your change of plans.

Dress for the cold, but it’s best to dress in layers, as you will get warm while hiking. Cotton clothing is not good in winter. If you get wet or sweaty, it will not conserve your body heat. Hats, a scarf, or a neck gaiter can contribute a lot to being warm while hiking. Leg gaiters are recommended to keep snow out of your boots.

You may find that you need to adjust your distance, as it is harder to hike in snow. Deep snow may cut your distance in half.

Bring water. It’s still important to hydrate in cold weather. You may want to wear sunblock if it is sunny.

Traction devices for your hiking boots are recommended. They aren’t expensive. Packed snow turns to ice. You could slip and that isn’t good out on the trail in cold weather. Hiking poles are helpful for balance. Many come with baskets for winter use.

If the weather is hazardous for driving, please contact Loren or check our Facebook page  for updated details.