Humbled by the High Country Pathway - Backpacking Michigan's 80 mile Closed Loop Trail
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- čas přidán 5. 10. 2022
- With a week of great fall weather, I was itching for some back country. I spent 3 nights in some of the most remote wilderness the lower peninsula offers on the longest loop trail in Michigan, home to the largest elk population east of the Mississippi.. the High Country Pathway offers 80 miles of variety and beautiful Michigan scenery, winding along the Pigeon River, Canada Creek and several large lakes, hill top vistas, meadows, old growth and young rebounding forests of loggings sites from days of old, marshy lowlands and long boardwalks over bogs. It was a humbling experience.. I had to fjord the pigeon river butt naked with my pack over my head after hiking 12.5 miles on day one as the bridge had been removed due to severe ice damage in the past. Day 2 was a 21.5 mile hike to the small shelter built by the local boy scouts in the late 90's. I went swimming in the river while I filtered water. The temp dropped to 40 that night so I was thankful for the shelter. I saw nothing resembling civilization during the hike, not a single person.. I did see millions of mushrooms, bear scat and claw marks on trees though. Unfortunately, day 2 was a long and wet hike, and day 3 completely broke me so I made the tough call to exit at Clear Lake.. next time I would like to come back with a small group and add an extra day or two on so that there are no 20+ mile days with the pack.
This trail is connected to the beautiful Shingle Mill Pathway, and also crosses paths with the Shore to Shore trail.
For this trip, I started from the backpacker parking area directly across from the Pigeon Bridge Campground, and backpacked clockwise.
Clear Lake State Park is roughly halfway through the trail and is the only modern campground along High Country. It offers showers, vending machines, modern facilities, firewood and a beautiful lake with beach access.
Please stick around to the end, as I have included some great photos taken during the trip! - Zábava
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My God did you ever go through rough territory..you brought out the things you can incounter unexpectedly. A real learning experience. Were glad you made it through all of that... youv got true grit. Very adventurous and beautiful...was very fun too watch all though we really felt for you.😮
Just hiked Shingle Mill via the Pigeon Bridge campground. I am hwading back that way ASAP and going through High Country. 😊
Shingle Mill is my favorite section, great trail!
I stumbled across this path by accident and am very intrigued! Your experience definitely gives me some caution! Thanks for sharing! Really enjoyed following along!!
Hey! I’d love to have a redemption trip on this trail with a friend or small group, just saying! Might be a great late fall, early winter or early spring trip.
@@jeremysart Right on!! I’m kicking around the idea of early next year, give or take. Hit me up, I’m totally up for it. Excited to tackle this trail. (And I can’t believe more people aren’t talking about it!! Shhh!!!) 😉
YEAAAH another hiking videooooooo~~
Wow, what a hike. Looks like the trail could use some loving.
It certainly could! It surprisingly doesn’t get a lot of use outside of the occasional backpacker and a single organized mountain bike ride each year. It’s a shame because there’s really nothing else like it in MI!
Is there a lot of easy fishing access along the trail?
If starting near Pigeon Bridge CG and hiking Clockwise, it seems there would be plenty of opportunities on the first day to fish in the Pigeon River. Pine Grove CG is also situated very close to the river. Likewise, Canada Creek Shelter is also located by a fishing worthy stream. Along the path there are several back country camp worthy lakes that I imagine would be fishable as well.
i did this loop over 3 days back in august. the wet ferns sucked the life out of me
Unfortunately I had a similar experience with wet grass and constant misting. I'm considering doing this as a winter trip some day with snowshoes or my icebugs!
I hiked this trail over 6 days in spring of 2018. I was not a fan honestly. There's much better hiking in Michigan to be had.
I can understand why anyone wouldn’t like this trail, though unfortunately the much better hiking is also a much further drive - places like Pictures Rocks, Isle Royale or the Porkies.. any thing else here in the lower peninsula is either a 2-3 day trip max and/or overcrowded unless you do a winter trip. High Country is un-maintained and rough, but I thought it was beautiful and enjoyed the solitude.
Have they replaced the bridge by now?
A new bridge has been approved and should be installed next year, they have also worked to replace the old dangerous boardwalks!
good to know but wondering why it takes so long to make a footbridge! Drop a couple of logs across the river together until you build something!
Nice video and channel. New follower here. Crow✌️
Thanks for checking out the channel, it means a lot!
You could have cut your second day in half if you just dispersed camped near McLavey Lake.
Unfortunately that was not an option for me this time around, I only had 5 days 4 nights. My route plan was Pigeon Bridge to Pine Grove, Pine Grove to Canada Creek Shelter, Canada Creek to Clear Lake, Clear Lake to Town Corner, Town Corner back to car. I definitely plan on coming back now that I have a better feel for it. I'm no stranger of 20+ mile backpacking days, but the constant misty wet-out definitely got the better of me. Live and learn.
There's no cougars in the lower peninsula. Stop being a scaredy cat. 😹
Hey, 'm not afraid to admit I spook easy when I'm alone. It was a difference kind of alone too, I didn't see a single other human until I landed at Clear Lake! I'd love to come back with a buddy and do this trail in the late fall early winter when there is some snow.