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  1. #1
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    Nordhouse Dunes January trip

    Hi everyone, my nephew and I are planning on going backpacking at Nordhouse Dunes towards the end of January. Anyone know how much snow is currently on the ground? Any idea how much may be on the ground by the end of January? WeÂ’re planning on snowshoeing and melting snow for water because it doesnÂ’t look like theyÂ’re many water sources in the Wilderness Area.
    Thanks for your help!

  2. #2
    Senior Member fugalster's Avatar
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    Nordhouse Dunes is one of my favorite spots! There are a few inland lakes that you could pull water from if they're not frozen, but by the end of January I would expect there to be snow on the ground.

    I don't think there is any snow accumulation yet, but winter next to Lake Michigan is frequently delayed by a month or so. I'm headed up there next weekend and can give a report if you'd like.

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    Quote Originally Posted by fugalster View Post
    I'm headed up there next weekend and can give a report if you'd like.

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    Yes, that would be great! Thank you! I was thinking about just taking a day trip there to check out the situation.

  4. #4
    Senior Member bloomgorge's Avatar
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    You could look at John Dee northwoods snow cams and pick somewhere near that area for live cameras

    Best bet is to pack in a little more water than you need or pull a sled with it, melt snow over a fire as my luck getting it out of the lake or any in land is a pain. Also, you'll need to wrap your filter really well so it doesnt freeze or you'll crack it. I've called the party store there at the corner going into the trail head before to get a snow condition update.
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    Quote Originally Posted by bloomgorge View Post
    You could look at John Dee northwoods snow cams and pick somewhere near that area for live cameras

    Best bet is to pack in a little more water than you need or pull a sled with it, melt snow over a fire as my luck getting it out of the lake or any in land is a pain. Also, you'll need to wrap your filter really well so it doesnt freeze or you'll crack it. I've called the party store there at the corner going into the trail head before to get a snow condition update.
    Thanks for the tips! I talked to a ranger, but they were in Cadillac and said what they get may or may not be the same as Ludington. I was thinking about getting a pulk, but most places are sold out of sleds to make one. That’ll be the plan for the next trip in the winter I think.

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    Senior Member bloomgorge's Avatar
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    REI has Paris sleds, you could try bass pro or dicks for a jet sled or Craigslist.,there is also this if you have a barrel.
    https://bushcraftusa.com/forum/threads/new-pulk.140069/
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    I just built a pulk. Got the sled at Ace Hardware

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    Senior Member fugalster's Avatar
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    So I didn't make it to Nordhouse after all, but I did get as far as Bitely. There's been a couple of snow storms over the past week+. In Bitely there was about 6" of accumulated snow and the little inland lakes were frozen over. We even saw some ice fishing going on. Temps were in the low 20's overnight.

    Sorry it's not Nordhouse, and things can certainly change between now and the end of the month. But if it were me I would definitely plan some good snow and freezing temps.

    The wind on the lakeshore can be brutal at times, and that can drive snow off the lake front. But further back in the trees you should be able to find some sheltered areas where to wind isn't so bad if you need to.

    Photos are from yesterday in Bitely.

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    Quote Originally Posted by fugalster View Post
    So I didn't make it to Nordhouse after all, but I did get as far as Bitely. There's been a couple of snow storms over the past week+. In Bitely there was about 6" of accumulated snow and the little inland lakes were frozen over. We even saw some ice fishing going on. Temps were in the low 20's overnight.

    Sorry it's not Nordhouse, and things can certainly change between now and the end of the month. But if it were me I would definitely plan some good snow and freezing temps.

    The wind on the lakeshore can be brutal at times, and that can drive snow off the lake front. But further back in the trees you should be able to find some sheltered areas where to wind isn't so bad if you need to.

    Photos are from yesterday in Bitely.

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    Thanks for the recon! I was hoping for more snow and their forecast doesn’t really show much going on this coming week, but that’s ok. Maybe the week of our trip they’ll get hit hard with a ton of snow! Hopefully 😀. What did you do for water?
    Last edited by markhait; 01-03-2021 at 13:14.

  10. #10
    Senior Member Stone's Avatar
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    There is very little snow here in the Ludington area, maybe 3" on the ground here in town.
    Its a proven fact that 78.4% of all statstics are made up on the spot.

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