Join the group for hiking, backpacking and kayaking trips in northern Michigan. Weekend backpacking trips include the Porcupine Mountains, Pictured Rocks, Manistee River trail, Jordan valley trail, North Manitou island, North Country trail, and Isle Royale. Weekend kayaking trips include the sturgeon, manistee, boardman, platte, au sable, 2 hearted, manistique and the pine. Weekend day hiking trips, (on the weekends when backpacking or kayaking trips aren't scheduled), include parts of the Jordan Valley Pathway, Shingle Mill Pathway, North Country Trail, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Nordhouse Dunes, Hartwick Pines, Sand Lakes Quiet Area, and areas of the U.P. I'd also like to do some local small hikes or winter activities during the week after 5 pm, if there is enough interest. I also organize some snowshoeing and cross country skiing winter weekend trips.

You can also join us on facebook- https://www.facebook.com/groups/northernmihikingbackpackingkayaking/

For those of you who would like packing list ideas for backpacking and kayaking events, please use these as a guide:

Backpacking Trip Checklist:

https://www.evernote.com/shard/s605/sh/c2489963-b7db-41fc-8ea0-ef3266c39f77/4343b47f92522458c7cacce1a8bcffa1

Overnight Kayaking Trip Checklist:

https://www.evernote.com/shard/s605/sh/2c23e519-d1db-4829-8073-053ac34c10de/17d0d283f148bf8bd0732914dde24fce

Core Values

•Spirit of adventure- We carry this in our heart always.
•Individuality- Feel free to be yourself, without any judgments.
•Determination- We use this to get through any challenges that we may face along the way.
•Relaxation- We come to relax, and to enjoy our time in the wilderness.
•Resilience- We weather the storms and any unknown elements that we may face along the way.
•Adaptability- Adapting to challenges that may arise help us to grow and to not fear the unexpected.
•Discovery- The sense of discovery is always within us.
•Respect- Always respect ourselves and respect others.
•Diversity- We can learn from each other, we are all unique.
•Ambition- This describes our strong desire to push ourselves when we need it the most.
•Safety- Be safe at all times, and help each other if we are injured.
•Encouragement- Offer this to others who may need it, and give this to ourselves when we need it.
•Environment- Respect and help protect the environment.
•Equality- This defines our relationships with each other.
•Exceed Expectations- Set new personal goals and strive to exceed them.
•Exploration- We set off to explore the places that we haven't seen, and to revisit the places which inspire us.
•Solitude- This creates inner peace and a feeling of being part of the wilderness.
•Open-Minded- Be open minded to changes and to new challenges.
•Perseverance- We persevere through the unknown obstacles in our way.
•Thoughtful- We remain thoughtful of others and to their personal space.
•Friendship- We seek this on our adventures, and we hope to develop lasting friendships.
•Cooperation- This helps us to remain cohesive and focused.
•Courtesy- We offer whatever we can do to help each person.
•Wonder- Our sense of wonder is an important element in our quest for adventure.

Groups near Byron Center, MI