Grand Island Backpacking - Intermediate Trip

Trip Summary:

• Dates: Saturday September 5 - Tuesday September 8 (with option to add on Friday September 4)
• Distance: approx 21 miles
• Location: Grand Island National Rec Area in the Hiawatha National Forest, about 6.5 - 7 hours from Chicago
• Meeting location: Grand Island Ferry parking lot, N8016 Grand Island Landing Rd. Munising, MI 49862.
• Capacity: 12 people total (3 organizers, 9 participants)

This trip will hike around Grand Island in the Hiawatha National Forest/Michigan Upper Peninsula. While the mileage and terrain are moderate, this is a higher level intermediate trip as it is on an island with no easy bail out points.

Requirements:

This is a trip for intermediate backpackers. If you have not yet successfully completed an overnight trip with our group, please direct message the organizers to introduce yourself and detail your experience. Organizers will reach out prior to the trip to confirm experience level. Participation is at the discretion of the organizers.

Participants must have appropriate gear for the trip and be able to:

• hike up to 9-10 miles in a day with all of their gear, food, and water;
• store food safely in bear country;
• filter water; and
• properly estimate needed water for each day of trip based on the location of water sources

Review information about camping on Grand Island here. Review information about black bears on Grand Island here. Review additional club guidelines posted here: https://www.meetup.com/Chicago-Backpackers/. Message trip organizers with any questions about gear, requirements, etc.

Our group practices the Leave No Trace principles to best preserve the spaces we explore. Learn more here: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/

Pre-trip planning:

We will use email for pre-trip communications, in addition to hosting a pre-trip video call. Please enter your email and phone number when you sign up. Respond to organizer emails in a timely manner or risk forfeiting your spot on the trip. Do not rsvp unless you fully intend to participate and have arranged for time off from work, etc. Cancellations and non-responders require the organizers to take additional time to contact and confirm waiting list participants to fill the spots.

This is a self-supported trip, meaning each participant should provide their own backpacking gear and food as though this were a solo trip. Participants are encouraged to bring their own stove and fuel, but the organizers can share theirs with participants who do not have these items.

Costs:

• Camping costs will be divided evenly among the participants and organizers. Approximately $5-6 per person (not including Fri night).
• Round trip ferry cost (including forest fee) is $25 per person. Each person must purchase their own ferry ticket.

Trip itinerary: (full itinerary will be sent to those who sign up for the trip)

Saturday September 5:

• Drive up to Munising, MI (about 6.5 - 7 hrs from Chicago)
• Meet at ferry at 3:15 pm EASTERN TIME (note the time difference)
• Hike in about 2.5 miles to campsite
• Backcountry camp

Sunday September 6:

• Hike about 9-10 miles to campsite
• Backcountry camp

Monday September 7:

• Hike about 6.5 miles to campsite
• Optional 1 mile add on hike
• Backcountry camp

Tuesday September 8:

• Hike about 3.5 miles
• Take ferry back to mainland
• Drive home

Optional Friday add-on: if sufficient interest, folks can drive up Friday and car camp in Hiawatha National Forest. We can do a short day hike in Pictured Rocks Saturday morning before meeting at the ferry location.

Water access:

• Saturday: water accessible to filter at campsite
• Sunday: no water accessible at campsite. Will filter water about 1 mile before campsite. Each participant must filter and carry sufficient water to last through Monday PM.
• Monday: no water in AM. Water available to filter once we arrive at next campsite.

Acknowledgement: As a member of the Chicago Backpackers Group, by registering (RSVPing) for this event, you accept that Hiking & Backpacking can be a dangerous sport and fully assume all risks associated with such participation, including travel to and from the event. You agree to be responsible for your own safety and equipment. You realize that conditions, obstacles, and weather are always changing, and your personal safety cannot be guaranteed. You understand the [Meetup.com](http://meetup.com/) Terms of Service agreement (https://www.meetup.com/terms/) which you signed when you joined Meetup and accept that participation is at your own risk. You agree to communicate with event organizers to plan for the trip and sign the Release of Liability provided by the organizers prior to participation.

Prior to the trip, you will be emailed a waiver form that must be signed and returned before the trip. Again, please ensure that you provide an email address that you actively use.

We’re looking forward to seeing you out on the trail!