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  1. #1
    Member toferj's Avatar
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    Talking Calling all current and former Michiganders! :)

    I'm considering relocating to Michigan for work.

    Part of my decision to move is based around the fact that I don't like where I currently live (Texas). I want snowy winters and lots of good outdoor activities. The only place I've lived before that was even close to this far north was Portland Oregon.

    So, of course, I'm concerned with how much backpacking can be done in Michigan (I'd be moving to Gaylord MI specifically). I need to be able to take my dogs with me on my trips and I'm not interested in state parks with roads and set numbered campsites (if that makes sense). I want true backcountry, can't-get-there-from-here-without-hiking, backpacking. I enjoy section hiking longer trails, but a good ol' out and back or loop is fine too.

    I've been doing a bit of research online, but I'm having trouble getting a flavor for it.

    Can anyone who knows anything about backpacking in Michigan tell me more about what it's like up there?

    Thanks,
    tofer

  2. #2
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    Lots of opportunities here. Wilderness areas, National Forests, 200 miles of the North Country Trail, 150 waterfalls to explore, Isle Royale National Park,,, all in your back yard. Gaylord is an ideal central location to be!

    Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

  3. #3
    Member toferj's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by backpackerguy01 View Post
    Lots of opportunities here. Wilderness areas, National Forests, 200 miles of the North Country Trail, 150 waterfalls to explore, Isle Royale National Park,,, all in your back yard. Gaylord is an ideal central location to be!

    Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
    Brilliant!! Thanks Backpackerguy!

    I'm still open to any and all other information I can get about the area from anyone familiar. I've been looking at homes on zillow just to see what the real estate is like, and it seems well within my price range. Any gotchas that I should look out for on homes that far north (foundation type, heating, etc.)?

    Cheers!

  4. #4
    alifeoutdoors's Avatar
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    I live next door in Wisconsin but am an ex-Texan . If you like it up here, and yea, want true backcountry you will never regret your decision. I was from Austin so the hill country did offer something but my sister lives outside of Dallas and well yea, not the greatest environment for backpacking. My father moved up here about 30 years (father was a northerner, Mom was from San Antonio) ago so upon visiting I just fell in love with the north woods. Moved up myself and never looked back. I never could take the heat though, all my nordic blood I guess. :P
    Once you're lost in twilight's blue, you don't find your way, the way finds you.

  5. #5
    Member Stone Hall's Avatar
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    I used to vacation up into Gaylord area (winter and summer) and it’s a scenic area of the state for sure. The Upper Peninsula isn’t too far off from Gaylord to do some serious backpacking. It’s wild and beautiful up there!


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  6. #6
    alifeoutdoors's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stone Hall View Post
    The Upper Peninsula isn’t too far off from Gaylord to do some serious backpacking. It’s wild and beautiful up there!
    Aye, the U.P. is about as remote as you can get without going up into Canada or some of the BWCA trails in northern MN. Porcupine Mountains State Park is one of my favorite places on the planet even though it can get a bit "crowded". However the north country trail through the U.P., you won't see hardly a soul for days.
    Once you're lost in twilight's blue, you don't find your way, the way finds you.

  7. #7
    Member toferj's Avatar
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    This is good news! Thanks for responding!

  8. #8
    Member toferj's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stone Hall View Post
    I used to vacation up into Gaylord area (winter and summer) and it’s a scenic area of the state for sure. The Upper Peninsula isn’t too far off from Gaylord to do some serious backpacking. It’s wild and beautiful up there!
    That is just the sort of info I like to hear!

  9. #9
    Member toferj's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by alifeoutdoors View Post
    Aye, the U.P. is about as remote as you can get without going up into Canada or some of the BWCA trails in northern MN. Porcupine Mountains State Park is one of my favorite places on the planet even though it can get a bit "crowded". However the north country trail through the U.P., you won't see hardly a soul for days.
    It sounds great!!

    Now, to find out what the dating scene is like up there...

  10. #10
    alifeoutdoors's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by toferj View Post
    Now, to find out what the dating scene is like up there...
    Rotfl....... We have looooooooong winters.
    Once you're lost in twilight's blue, you don't find your way, the way finds you.

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