Hiking/Snowshoeing SE Mi...Any recommendations?

[CopperCountry]

Went and hiked Proud Lake Recreation Area really cool place. I recently moved to the Royal Oak area...Any recommendations on other trails that would be good for hiking/snowshoeing in a 60 mile radius from me, besides the MTB trails. Thanks

[Davemtbkayak]

Nice dogs. I have 3 myself that I hike and mtn bike w/ all the time. REI in TROY just had an intro to snowshoeing lecture/class last week and I went to that. Instructor was great and gave lots of locations to go snowshoeing- just ordered some Tubbs Wilderness snowhoes and poles. I've also been donig some research on places to go up north- for snowshoeing and renting snowmobiles. I've never been snowshoeing, but I'm pretty active otherwise: mtn biking, kayaking, hiking, etc. Shoot me an email if you want to hit some trails this winter. I just moved here and am always looking to meet some new people.

Dave

[CopperCountry]

Thanks. Tubbs makes some nice snowshoes

I used to live up north the upper peninsula in the Houghton, Hancock area my favorite places are for:
Snowshoeing:
1. Porcupine Mountain
2. Pictured Rocks
3. Copper Harbor
Snowmobiling:
1. Houghton/Ontonagon area
2. Marquette/Michigamme area
3. Munising/Newberry area

What places did REI recommend for down here?

[WildWoody]

Pinckney / Waterloo Rec area...

[CopperCountry]

Thanks for the rec..WildWoody
Might go check it out this weekend. Did the hiking trails at stony recently not bad mostly flat though, but all the trails are well marked .

[Di_bear]

Hmm...if you want hilly, I would recommend Highland or Brighton's Torn Shirt. Both are very beautiful areas.

[CopperCountry]

Thanks Di_bear, but I'm looking for non bike trails that are scenic since we do the the mountain bike trails all the time. Looking for something different to do, for example the Proud lake hiking only trail.

[Di_bear]

Have you checked out the DNR website? Easiest way to find what you're looking for is to start out by Googling a park, such as Brighton or Highland, and then perusing their hiking link. You might find some hiking only trails in the same parks as some of the more popular and challenging mountain bike trails, or you may at least find something in those areas. Of course, it only covers state-owned land. Unfortunately, you're not going to find anything that comes even close to what's in the Keweenaw, but, IMO, you're in one of the best areas in the Lower Peninsula.

[bh357]

Hogbacks Area in Genesee/Lapeer County. Note they allow off-leash dog training is permitted in a portion of the area.
http://www.geneseecountyparks.org/index.asp?uniquetitle=ParkDirectory&active=10#page10
Photos from a hike a few years back: http://mmba.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=57885&p=372479

There is also some nice terrain (by SE Mich. standards) in the Lapeer State Game Area. Trails are not marked - plan on doing some exploring.
http://www.michigandnr.com/publications/pdfs/huntingwildlifehabitat/sga/lapeer.pdf

[CopperCountry]

Thanks again Di_bear and thanks bh357
The Hogbacks look nice, and the fact I can let my dogs off the leash would be cool. Will defiantly at it to the to do list.
Just did Indian Springs for the first time, good trail that close by, flat, can be done quickly.

[dawsonn57]

Hi,

One of my favorite winter hikes is Highland. Start at the MTB trailhead and take the 6 mile horse trail loop.

Great views and very little traffic. Some spots you would swear you were up North somewhere. Give it a try!

Dawsonn

[J/C]

You could try hiking around at 7 Lakes.

[CopperCountry]

Thanks dawsonn57, and J/C
@dawsonn57, yea Highland is one of my favorite places to mountain bike, parts of it reminds me of riding the Mi Tech trails.
@J/C, Once Hunting season is over, I'll head back over there, just biked it for the fist time last month, nice quite place.

[Di_bear]

Thanks dawsonn57, and J/C
@dawsonn57, yea Highland is one of my favorite places to mountain bike, parts of it reminds me of riding the Mi Tech trails.

I agree! I stopped on the A loop and looked across the way at some other hills and it reminded me of biking on the Outer Loop. Made me homesick.

[denny]

Head farther up north to Vanderbilt. Real nice hiking and snow shoe area.