Vasa Trail

This weekend Jennifer and I headed up to Traverse City for a weekend getaway. Since I wouldn't be able to participate in the group hike, we did a little research on trails around Traverse City to see if we could find a nice wooded trail about 6-7 miles long. Based on some pamphlets at the Bed & Breakfast we were staying at, we decided to check out the Vasa Trail, which has an 11 km loop route.

When we got to the trail head, it was apparent that the trail was primarily used for cross country skiers in the winter. In fact, there was a sign posted indicating that walking on the groomed was not allowed. With no un-groomed trails marked on the trail maps, we decided we would hike along the edge of the 11 km trail anyway to gauge the situation and see if we could find any other trails.

The terrain was somewhat challenging, with many rolling hills. The condition of the trail was mostly excellent due to its grooming. However, because we were hiking along the edge, there were a few places that were fairly soft and deep that our feet would sink into. The scenery was fantastic. The woods looked so peaceful and serene covered in a blanket of snow.

We passed a handful of skiers at the beginning of the trail but nobody said anything to us about hiking on the trail. It wasn't until about half way around that a skier went by and made a disgruntled comment about the posting regarding no walking on the groomed trails as he sped by. Occasionally we would pass by a track or two heading into the woods that looked like they could be side trails, but with no maps detailing where they went, we weren't about to set off bushwhacking.

So we completed the trail, trying our best to minimize the impact to the skiers. The snow was well packed due to its use, grooming, and a warm spell followed by colder temperatures, so impact from out footprints was minimal. Additionally, we only walked along the edge alongside the grooves created for track skiers where the only impact was to the snow already cut up from the placement of the track skiers' poles. That said, to clear our conscience when we were done we decided to make a donation of $20 rather than the $8 day use suggestion. Next time we'll bring skis or visit in the summer.

Week 4 update

Thank you all for your generosity so far. It's been less than two weeks and as of this writing, a dozen of you have donated over $961. That's fantastic! Keep it coming! I plan to do a bucket drive at a local grocery store a few weekends from now. I'm also looking into setting up a Guest Griller night at a local BD's Mongolian BBQ. A certain percentage of the proceeds go toward my fundraising goal. I'll be sure to post an update when I have more details.

Anil continues to update his blog with notes on the various check-ups and tests he is going through. It's amazing how many he'll have to have before his chemo treatments start. If you haven't checked it out, I suggest you do so.

The training continues to go well. I ran intervals on the treadmill this week and plan to do slower inclines next week.  The group hike this week was at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area. We received several inches of snow this week, so the trail was quite powdery and the hills a bit slippery with loose snow.

Dressing for these winter hikes has been an interesting challenge. I've done pretty well gauging the appropriate attire for the hikes on the whole: a synthetic base layer of various thicknesses based on the temperature, a wind-stopper vest and a thin waterproof-breathable shell has worked out well. On the lower half of my body I generally wear long johns (synthetic or wool) under my convertible hiking pants. I've been wearing my normal hiking boots with various thicknesses of socks, though

Though I'm generally fine once we've been on the trail for about 15 minutes, I'm generally a little colder than what I'd consider comfortable until then. Today was particularly uncomfortable, with temperatures in the 20's and gusty. As much as I've loved hiking through the snowy woods, I have to admit I am looking forward to the approaching springtime weather.