Garden Island, in Lake Michigan, Exploring the history, relics, and missing trails

[TZBrown]

I spent a week on Garden Island with friends.
The trip was coordinated by Squirrel bait and Turkey, and they invited Thunderarrows and me along

The Island is rich in history and relics. Some of the trails are cleared pretty well, and some are a match of skill, and sometimes just will, to find them, or just get past the rough spots.
We covered between 30 to 40 miles during the week, probably about half off trail and through the brush



https://www.flickr.com/photos/568443...h/34679709563/ The Flickr album



https://youtu.be/HQrTjxgdwWE The YouTube link

The population by observation is as follows

Mosquitoes: lots but not an issue, Permethrin on the gear and Off on body
Poison Ivy: It's everywhere the sun gets to the ground, I don't think any one got it though, even after a week there
Spiders: Fun to watch the kung-foo battles with the trail crossing webs
Snakes: Lots of them but no poisonous ones, and they always run away before I got to them on the trail, though the really big one startled the heck out of me
Partridge: We saw about 8-10 hens, all with broods just hatched
Rabbit: Only one that hung around camp and visited a lot

We only covered the major attractions, there is a lot left to see
I see this island as an under used area with a lot of potential. It is a bit of trouble arranging the transportation, but the solitude is sure great

Beaver Island Boat Co http://www.bibco.com/ Getting to Beaver Island
Archipelago Charters https://www.archipelagocharters.com/ Charter to Garden Island
Reading and reference Exploring North Manitou, South Manitou, High and Garden Islands of the Lake Michigan Archipelago ISBN 0-940029-02-2
on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Exploring-Man.../dp/0940029022

[sr1355]

Very cool Tom, I have my eye on North Fox Island one of these days....

[Big Flounder]

Nice report! I see Turkey and Squirrelbait haven't gotten any prettier since I last seen them.

[AlanH]

Looked like a good time. A lot of history there. Thanks for sharing.

[michigandave]

Sign me up! Thanks for the great report, TZ. Usually when I see you guys everyone is wearing wool and eating bacon. Wish I could have made this one.

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[Donk_67]

Thanks for the report TZ. Mayhaps the island should be renamed Snake Island. Looks like it was a good week of ramble and bushwhacking.


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[TZBrown]

Very cool Tom, I have my eye on North Fox Island one of these days....

North Fox would be another good adventure. Check out High Island also

Nice report! I see Turkey and Squirrelbait haven't gotten any prettier since I last seen them.

No beauty contest winners in any of us but we love the woods

Looked like a good time. A lot of history there. Thanks for sharing.

It was a good time, and still a lot of history to discover

Sign me up! Thanks for the great report, TZ. Usually when I see you guys everyone is wearing wool and eating bacon. Wish I could have made this one.
We missed the bacon more than the cold weather, keep me in mind when you want to go

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Thanks for the report TZ. Mayhaps the island should be renamed Snake Island. Looks like it was a good week of ramble and bushwhacking.

There were a lot of snakes for sure, but they caused no issue. It was a good ramble, sure glad the guys don't mind following through the brush.....to much

[gargoyle]

Nice TR, TZ.
I've done South Fox. I knew somebody , who knew somebody. Remote.
Favorite question from a hiker on the islands, "where do you get water?"....

[Donk_67]

Favorite question from a hiker on the islands, "where do you get water?"....

LOL.



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[hippiepunkpirate]

You guys covered a lot of ground! Nice report