• Thursday-What'sUP May 6 - 09:11 am

I think I'm going to dub Nate Alwine as our resident adventure seeker. He's always busy in the western and central areas of the U.P. Here he finds places of interest for folks that are either unaware of or unable to make the hike which enables you to drink in the vistas. Nate calls this latest expedition 'Purity Trek III - The Trap Hills' and after doing a bit of research, I discovered the Trap Hills are located near Bergland and the Gogebic Ridge Trail. In the second shot we get a view of the Norwich Ridge and the 12 brave hikers who made the journey. The views are spectacular as you can witness for yourself by taking a mini-trek through Nate's slideshow.

For jAPEi's link of the day, see What'sUP.

If you were looking across the valley above this morning, you would see a subtle green blur through the treetops as buds are quickly appearing. My favorite time of year, such a period of rapid change (and no black flies to boot).

From the mountains, to the prairies . . .

Looks like the lads are having great fun. With that as a panorama, who couldn't have fun venturing out there?

Congratulations to all these young men for making such a great hike available to us who can't! Was wondering what kind of wildlife they came across during their trek through the hills.

The hills are alive with the sound of music. Nice picture. :)

Hey all. What a great surprise to see these pictures this morning! I just finished uploading the rest of the pictures from the Purity Trek III this morning. We hiked from M-64 just north of Bergland to Norwich Road just south of Ontonagon. It was about a 20 mile hike. This is the 3rd year we've done a hike like this, check out https://pasty.com/pcam/albup08 for pictures of last years trek. Each year we take a group of youth backpacking for about 4 days. The first year none of the kids had been backpacking before. This year we had several veterans of the previous trips and some newcomers to backpacking. It was both fun and challenging to show them a new way of enjoying the Upper Peninsula, and to show them just how special of a place we actually live in.

Looks like a lot of fun...I want to wish my husband and his family and friends a very safe fishing trip. Some are already up there, while others are traveling today to their famous (secret spot near Lanse) fishing spot. Some are heading to the U.P. for the first time ever and coming from as far as Georgia. Good Luck and Safe travels...my husband will be taking lots of wonderful pictures I am sure.

Great album Nate !!
Loved the pics.... Bergland is my former home when I was growing up and I still have lots of relatives in the area. Whenever I'm up that way I enjoy a hike,run, or mtn bike in the trap hills region. Its rough, wild, and very scenic, just as your pictures show. thanks for the nice shots... JK

Nate, Great slide show of your hiking trip. You can definately tell that you made memories for all those teenagers, who will, years from now, still be telling their children and their grandchildren of this wilderness adventure. I think the last pic says it all...you can just see the look of pride and accomplishment in everyone's face. :)

Nate, based on your Pastycam material alone you've provided a great companion guide to the western UP. If you ever consider putting together a travel guide, sign me up for one.

Nate -- were you on part of the North Country Trail?

Thanks for the positve comments everyone!

JAD--We were on the North Country Trail. The section of the NCT that we were on is regarded as one of the most rugged sections of the entire 4,500 mile trail. It was very well marked too. The first 13 miles had plenty of blue blazes on the trees to help mark the way. The 3.3 miles from Forest Rd 400 to Forest Rd 630 was a little harder to follow only because of recent logging activity in the area. The Blue Blazes were more spread out, and someone (the loggers?) had spray painted other trees in the area with blue paint to mark property boundaries I think--making it hard to decide which direction the trail really went. However this section does have a lot of fourescent pink ribbons tied along the route to help mark the way.

Steve--I've actually been working on some guides and now have enough material/knowledge to put something decent together, but I need more time before it will become a reality. Some day though...

Nate,

Let me know when you are ready to publish, and I will hook you up with one of the Michigan State Troopers who has published books and has his own publishing company.;)

Great pictures..looks like a good time had by all. I can't wait to start hiking again.

sur5er,

thanks, I may take you up on that. I just bought myself 6 weeks by dislocating my shoulder tonight. Just got back from the hospital and am somewhat dissapointed at the prospect of 6 weeks without my right arm. But I guess the hospital experience was pretty cool, probably the most pain I've ever been in, but a pretty interesting/neat experience all and all.

Nate, Glad that I can be of help to you. Sorry to hear about the shoulder...and am trying to imagine getting work done and getting around without my right arm...don't think I would be able to do it. Hope you don't drive a stick shift ;)

sur5er,

I do drive a stick shift :P So that should be interesting

Nate, Hmmmm...very interesting, indeed. Pop that baby in third and keep it there and hope for da best...and in the meantime work the clutch a lot? :)

Sur5er,

Luckily Nate's wife drives an automatic and is kind enough to switch with Nate for awhile.