Prepping For Pictured Rocks

It’s almost time to hit the road for another trail

We’re coming up on 7 weeks since completing my last trip, which means it’s time for another one. And in keeping with my new philosophy of knocking out some bucket list hikes while I’m still above ground (hopefully for years to come), I’m going to head off for something a little bit different- the Lakeshore Trail through Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Roughly 45 miles of trail through possibly the most beautiful part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and for sure one of the prettiest parts of the entire country.

I’ll be doing several things differently on this hike.

For one, there’s no Guthook for this trail. I’ll be relying on conventional maps and trail notes.

For another, I’ll be going lighter than I ever have. I’m planning to do this as a leisurely 5 day trip, and I’ll finally be using my Nashville Cutaway and Penny Fanny packs, which is going to help get my base weight down to around 7 lbs. With a liter of water and 5 days of food, my total pack weight will be 16-17 lbs. And close to 2 lbs. of that will be in the fanny pack. Thus, no more than 15 lbs. on my shoulders. I’m really excited to see how this works out.

To aid in my quest to go as light as possible, I’ll be eating commercial dinners. I’m testing out 5 meals from Outdoor Pantry that I think show great promise.

You can pick apart my LighterPack HERE if you want to. I’m taking less than 1.5 lbs. of food per day because experience tells me that my appetite will be somewhat blunted for a hike of this duration. It’s not like I don’t have some spare calories in my love handles anyway.

I’m going light on clothing and quilt as well. I’m taking my EE Apex 50 degree quilt because I anticipate nighttime lows above 50. But just in case, my sleep/camp clothes are a KUIU fleece top and bottom that together weigh 11 oz. Those plus rain gear and spare socks are it as far as carried clothes.

However, due to anticipated bug pressure I will not be tarping, which would’ve saved me a few more ounces. The Tarptent Aeon gets the call for this trip. I’ll also be pre-treating all clothing with Permethrin. And for damn sure I won’t be forgetting a mini bottle of DEET, although I’m not sure if it will deter Pictured Rocks’ infamous stable flies. Which is why I’ll be wearing my OR Echo Hoody and RailRiders EcoMesh pants. Full coverage of arms and legs.

I’m only planning to average 9 mile days because I intend to take a lot of photos and explore beaches whenever possible, as well as some side trails. With scenery like this, why would I do otherwise?

Oh, for the record I haven’t posted in a while because I took my family to Bermuda. It was a pretty nice change of pace from the trail, I have to admit.