I don't winter hike, so taking an overnight backpacking trip the first weekend in April is risky.  This is Michigan...."...just wait 20 minutes....".  But, I lucked out.

I live about 45 miles northeast of Lansing, Michigan.  I'm lucky in that I'm fairly central to all of Michigan's major cities.  Lansing is 40 minutes west.  Flint is 30 minutes north.  Ann Arbor is 45 minutes south.  Detroit is about an hour east. One would think the southeast Michigan region is void of wilderness.  Not so.  I've already told  you about the wonderful Brighton Recreation Area.  If you drive a little further south, you'll find the Pinckney Recreation Area.  Over 11,000 acres of wilderness.  That's impressive.  The rec area also has more than 25 miles of trails.  A 'walk in'' campground on Blind Lake seals the deal!

I'd be hiking the Potawatomi Trail.  It was built by boy scouts and it's maintained by boy scouts.  17-miles.  I'd be hiking 11 miles the first day. I'd camp. Then hike 6 miles out.  Nice, easy over-nighter.

Temps were hovering around 40 degrees when I arrived at the parking lot. It was a clear, sunny day.  Things were looking good.

Actually, first I stopped at the ranger building to buy a vehicle pass and secure a reservation ticket for the campground.  I'd paid for the site, on-line, the week before. I found a parking spot in the 'upper' lot.  Silver Lake was looking fairly active.  It was a fairly windy morning and the lake was active.  I changed into some hiking clothes and put on my hiking boots.  My pack traveled in the trunk--28 pounds. 

To reach the trail head, I had to walk toward Silver Lake.  There was a sign marking the start of the Potawatomi Trail in a clearing just west of the lake.  I put boots to dirt.

The trail was obviously well-maintained at this point.  The start of the trail is used heavily by day hikers who come to the rec area, park their cars, and then walk for an hour.  This rec area is perfectly designed for the day hiker.  But, it's also a great place for someone wishing for more.  Challenging hills, but not too challenging.  This was my first big mile hike of the season.  I didn't want to kill myself.  Plenty of little lakes and bogs.  The frogs were screaming!  After an hour, I stopped and took a break in front of a huge lake.   Hiland Lake is massive.  It has a small island in the middle and it's shaped like a wounded jelly fish.  I would soon find out how long it's shoreline is as I'd be hiking around it.  The wind was strong, but the sun was out.  I snacked on a Clif Bar and continued.

The terrain remained rugged.  The trail was fairly busy today.  It's important to note that the Potawatomi is shared by both hikers and bikers.  Some backpackers refuse to hike on biking trails.  I say, so what?  Most bikers are friendly enough.  My walk was by no means ruined because I had to step off the trail a few times to let a biker through. A portion of the trail goes right past some research property owned by the University of Michigan.  It's hard to miss.  Giant chain-linked fences with razor wire on top.  I thought it was a prison at first.  The trail follows this wooded property for about a quarter mile. after crossing several roads and another group of lakes (Gosling Lake, Beaver Lake, Patterson Lake, Half Moon Lake) I arrived at the junction to the Blind Lake Campground. 

The campground was located right on the lake.  Campsite #3 is used by canoeists who want to keep an eye on their boat.   I camped at #1.  High on a bluff overlooking the lake.  The wind was dying down, but it was enough of a breeze to keep insects at-bay (yes, insects already!) and keep my tent dry.  A nice breeze through a tent does a great job of eliminating condensation.  I pitched my tent, made dinner, and read a book.  Several other hikers had arrived at the campground and were picking out sites.  I wasn't surprised there were others out in early April.  It was a beautiful day, weather-wise. I got to bed pretty early.  11 miles was a big day for me.  Temps dipped into the low 30's, but the wind completely died.  It was a very pleasant night.  My 20-degree, down sleeping bag may be my favorite piece of gear.

I awoke to sunshine.  I made coffee and began dismantling the tent, sleeping bag, pad, etc.  I was moving fairly quickly because it was a cold morning.  I was using a new down jacket I had just bought and was glad to have it.  11 ounces.  800 fill goose down.  Warm and light.  I was packed up in no time and was back on the trail.  Today's hike would be a breeze.  Six miles.  I hiked it in just under three hours and was back at my car. 

Observations:

-The Pinckney Rec Area is quality wilderness.  Clean water.  Deep woods.  Interesting topography.  Solitude.  I'll definitely utilize this trail system from now on.

-99% of the people I meet on the trail are very nice.  This statistic holds true in Pinckney.

-Don't overdress when hiking in the cold.  I thought a fleece hat and gloves would be necessary at the start of my hike.  I had both off within 5 minutes.

-Saffron-infused rice w/chicken makes for one tasty trail meal.



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