Hikers, Paddlers Log 8,459 Miles in Trail Challenge
A scenic shoreline photographed by Melissa Wellman while taking the Trail Challenge.
Way back in 1973, Huron Pines embarked on a mission to protect wildlife corridors, restore streams, improve forest health and help communities across Northern Michigan develop more opportunities for outdoor recreation. Five decades later, those core priorities continue to drive our essential work to ensure healthy water, protected places and vibrant communities for all.
In April of this year we issued another challenge, this time to you: Commemorate Huron Pines’ 50th anniversary by walking, hiking, biking or paddling 50 miles of trails and streams. You answered the call, driven not just by the promise of a cool sticker for your water bottle but also the satisfaction of accomplishing a personal goal. Many of you took our challenge to a whole other level.
Of the 29 who accepted the challenge, half exceeded 100 miles. Eight surpassed 300 miles. Five hit 500 miles and kept on going. Three achieved superhuman status by trekking over a thousand miles. Don’t be jealous, Vanessa Carlton.
In total, our challengers logged 8,459 miles—that’s a nonstop flight from Gaylord, Mich. to Auckland, New Zealand. It’s like walking the shortest route from Los Angeles to New York, back to L.A. then back again to NYC. It’s 1.2 laps around the Moon. That tells us you love being outdoors and it inspires us to work even harder to protect it.
Along the way you explored new trails, revisited old favorites and experienced the best that Northern Michigan has to offer—and that’s exactly what we were hoping for with this challenge. We appreciate everyone who shared their highlights with us. Here are some of them:
“My family and I had a wonderful time on the Ocqueoc Falls trail catching frogs, finding gorgeous flowers and of course swimming in the waterfall,” Emily said.
Molly saw her first tundra swan on Marl Lake. Brayden got caught in the rain at Negwegon State Park. Sue hiked the secluded Reid Lake area to see its many lakes and ponds. Tony came face to face with a beaver on the Pigeon River.
“That surprised us both!” he said. “A journey into the wilds of Northern Michigan never disappoints.”
Thank you and congratulations to everyone who achieved the 50-mile mark or accomplished the goals they set for themselves. If you haven’t submitted your miles log yet, you can still do so here.
If you’d like to support Huron Pines’ goals to conserve and enhance Northern Michigan’s natural resources, please consider a gift today at huronpines.org/donate.
Cheers, to another 50 years ~
Trail Challenge participants and their miles logged, by alphabetical order:
Michael B., 603
Shelby B., 55
Ken B., 83
Chris E., 50
Abigail E., 375
Karl F., 1,344
Molly F., 50
Jeramiah H., 50
Logan H., 304
Sue H., 75
Amber H., 84
Brad J., 113
Emily K., 100
Maddie K., 150
Paige L., 825
Tyler L., 56
Josh L., 1,056
Emily L., 60
Kathy M., 1,208
Amy N., 65
Tom O., 100
Tonya O., 115
Brayden P., 324
Tony P., 90
Kahlan R., 72
Taylor S., 62
Nick T., 175
Melissa W., 50
Brian W., 765