East Coast Paddlers: XC Ski Trip to the U.P.

XC SKI 2012

February 24, 25, 26, 2012

This coming February we’re going to explore beautiful Alger County. If I know the East Coast Paddlers, I know that you like terrific scenery, good food, something new to experience, and to be outdoors. Alger County and the Munising area in the U.P. has it all. After you see what’s up there, you’ll want to come back. The kayaking is great, but when the lakes are frozen the skiing is great too. We’ll get out to Valley Spur, the Pictured Rocks Trails, and McKeever Lakes Trails for skiing. The area has 17 waterfalls to see. We’ll snowshoe hike to Laughing Whitefish Falls or Miners Falls to view them in winter.

If you don’t snowshoe, I’m sure that those who do can break trail and your skis will be fine. We’ll make The Dogpatch Restaurant in Munising our home base for hearty, if not totally healthy, food. For lunches, you have the option of having award-winning Muldoon’s Pasties bake a fresh pasty for you to take along on the trail. Stuff one in your pants like the old miners used to, and it’ll keep you warm. Don’t fall though! Munising also has a homey coffee shop (The Falling Rock Café) that features a variety of wonderful micro-roasted coffees. Our motel is The Munising Motel (906 387 3187) right on M-28 in Munising. You need to call them for your room reservations and mention East Coast Paddlers to get the group discount. Leave a voice mail and they will get back to you. If you wish to share a room, designate a caller to make a reservation for you. Contact me ggranlund622@gmail.com to be put on the ski trip list and I’ll keep you up to date on what’s new. As of 12/12/11 the motel has 6 rooms available. If we fill up 4 rooms, we get their group discount. We will be competing against snowmobilers for rooms, so commit NOW as February is NOT their offseason.

Itinerary

Friday February 24

Meet at the H-58 Trailhead for noon skiing on the Pictured Rocks Trails. 12:00 P.M.

Arrive and check in at the Munising Motel

Dinner at The Dogpatch Restaurant

Saturday February 25

Breakfast at The Dogpatch

Full day of skiing at Valley Spur Ski Area

Dinner at The Dogpatch (Brownstone Inn Optional)

Sunday February 26

Breakfast at The Dogpatch

Checkout of Munising Motel