Pine Valleys Pathway - Baldwin, Michigan
 
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Michigan winter camping along the Pine Valleys Pathway. - January 21 & 22, 2012

We got an early start, meeting at 7 am, for the drive up to the Pine Valleys Pathway trailhead on 7 mile road just north of Baldwin.

heading in on the pine valleys pathway
We loaded up our sleds and headed down the path into the morning sun. It was 12 degrees when we left, but it didn't take long to warm up pulling all of our camping gear.
heading in on the pine valleys pathway
There was about 6 inches of new snow the night before. All of the snow still hanging in the trees made for a nice 1.5 mile trip in to the hike-in campsites on Lost Lake.
winter at lost lake
The view of Lost Lake near our campsite. At one time the DNR maintained the walk-in campsites here and there was a pit toilet and water pump. Today all that is left are the campsites and fire pits. We melted snow for water, but other times of the year you will want to take a filter.
winter camp at lost lake
Our campsite. It looked like there were 3 other places nearby that would make good sites. We chose this one because it was a little lower and behind a group of pine trees in case the wind picked up.

snowshoeing the pine valley pathway south loop
After setting up camp and cutting firewood we put the snowshoes back on and headed back up to the trail. The trails are marked very good with blue triangles and there were maps posted at most of the intersections.
the south side of lost lake
Heading down bluff on the east end of Lost Lake. It looked like this would also be a good spot to setup a camp. Photo by J.V.
south loop on the pine valleys pathway
The south loop was a nice hike on a sunny afternoon.
crossing lost lake
Taking the short way back to camp from the south loop.
the crew
The crazy crew. Photo by J.V.
winter campsite at lost lake
The day light was already starting to fade by the time we got back from our hike. We stoked up the fire and ate dinner as the sun went behind the bluffs surrounding the lake.
warm fire and cake at night
The good part about winter camping is that you can pack more weight when pulling it in a sled. JV even packed in his Dutch oven and we had warm pineapple cake by the fire. After our stomachs were stuffed with cake it was time to get in the sleeping bags. The temperatures only got down into the mid teens, but I was really glad to have a couple hand warmer packs to put in my bag. Photo by J.V.
heading back out on the pine valleys pathway
In the morning we made a fire to warm up and cook some bacon and eggs in the Dutch oven. Then it was time to pack up camp and head back up to the trail.
little syers lake
We decided to take the south trail on the middle loop back to the parking lot. It made for a little longer trip, but it was another nice morning. Through the trees above you can just see Little Syers Lake.
nearing the end of the pine valleys pat way
Entering a large clearing near the parking lot and the end of our trip.

To learn more about doing trips like this see our Winter Camping List and Tips Page >>
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