North Ottawa Dunes Hike - Sat. Sept. 14, 2013

Lake Michigan beaches are popular for the clear salt-free water and beautiful coastline.  Occasional empty places along the beach where you can enjoy the lake without hundreds of folks.  North Ottawa Dunes follows that description.


We'll meet at 10:30 am at Coast Guard Park and hike 5/6 miles of beautiful North Ottawa Dunes and then head to North Beach Park for lunch.  After lunch is about a mile hike back to Coast Guard Park, but we can continue and hike North Ottawa Dunes.  Terrain is moderate and we will move at a moderate pace.  Tennis shoes are fine.

Bring Passing Plate to share for lunch.  Suggestions: crackers/cheese, stuffed mushrooms, pudding shots, brownies, chips/dip, meatballs, etc.

Fees
No entry fees.

Directions to trail head
North Ottawa Dunes is located in Spring Lake Township and the City of Ferrysburg. From US 31, take the Ferrysburg exit and go west on 3rd Street to North Shore Drive. Turn west on North Shore Drive and travel about 1 mile to the City of Ferrysburg’s Coast Guard Park.  Enter Coast Guard Park and we will start at the North Ottawa Dunes trail head.

Here's the trail map.
http://www.miottawa.org/Parks/pdf/Park_Maps/Trails_NOD.pdf

Come join us for one more beach day before the cool weather!

RECOMMENDED READING

               

Sunset Beach Hike, Douglas MI - Sat. Sept. 28, 2013

To continue walking Lake Michigan.  This one will start at Douglas Beach Park in Douglas MI.  We will meet at the beach at 5:00 pm.
We may go 4 miles out and 4 miles back.

Teva like shoes are fine to wear or walking/running shoes.

No fee to park.


RECOMMENDED READING

Michigan's West Coast: Explore the Shore Guide: A Journey to 500 Public Parks and Points of Access Along the Lake Michigan Shoreline


Kids Love Michigan

Between Storm and Stillness 

Best Hikes with Children in Michigan

Hike Havasu Canyon - June 19 - 25, 2014

There are no better words better to explain Havasu Canyon than a hidden jewel of the southwestern U.S!  Our adventure begins in Las Vegas.  If we have time before our drive to Havasu, we will hike Red Rock Canyon, where Mother Nature worked 600 million years to create a uniquely beautiful land: its red stone brightens under a deep-blue, cloudless sky in the state of Nevada.&nbsp We get up early the next day to drive to Hualapai Hilltop where we begin our hike to the extravagant Havasupai Waterfalls.  This trail carves through a narrow canyon as we make our way to the Supai Village in Havasupai.

Our trek into Havasu Canyon, a paradisiacal gorge at the western edge of the Grand Canyon, where turquoise waters cascade into travertine pools in an extraordinary setting of towering red sandstone cliffs beneath a cerulean sky.  The canyon is home to the Havasupai  (“people of the blue-green waters”) Indian Nation.  Havasu Canyon is accessible only by an 8 mile roundtrip hike.  A second night at the Havasupai Lodge will allow us to hike to the magnificent waterfalls of Supai Valley.  Overnight in inns and lodges.  Daily hiking 8-10 miles.  Elevation gain of 1000 feet and elevation loss of 1000 feet.

Staying two nights at the Indian Reservation gives us time to discover the Indian culture and also play in the falls!
 

Upon leaving the reservation, we will ascend from the canyon, and spend one night in Peach Springs again before we drive back to Las Vegas.  On our way to Las Vegas, we will spend the day at Hoover Dam and tour this historic landmark before we continue to Las Vegas and we sadly end our adventure and leave for home.




Included in the price:

• 6 days/5 nights lodging (double occupancy)
• 16 meals
• Nevada and Arizona ground transportation
• Admission into all parks
• Hoover Dam tour

Not included in price:
• Personal charges such as wine, liquor, laundry
• Transportation to and from home airport to Las Vegas airport
• Transportation from Las Vegas hotel to McCarran airport
• Additional fees for extra luggage

• Any pre-trip costs or anything else not in the above list of "Included in the Price"
• Transportation other than with the group


RECOMMENDED READING

Nevada's Red Rock Canyon : The Story Behind the Scenery

Nature Wonders RED ROCK CANYON U.S.A.

Indian Shangri-La of the Grand Canyon [Havasu Canyon]

Havasu Falls DVD

Havasu Canyon: Gem of the Grand Canyon--An Illustrated Guide

RECOMMENDED APPAREL

Patagonia Midweight Hiking Crew Sock Fraternal Stripe: Natural, XL

Vasque Women's Breeze GTX Hiking Boot,Olive/Sage,8 W US

Vasque Men's Breeze GTX Hiking Boot,Taupe/Orange,9.5 W US