Waterloo-Pinckney Trail: Day 3 (8.5 miles)

My second morning and last day on the trail, I get up early and break camp, cook breakfast. The last day of the thru-hike is from Blind Lake to the Silver, 8.5 miles. Silver lake parking lot is where the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail ends. Morning sure is a fun time to be on the trail. Everything is there for you to participate in the great outdoors.

This hike is 38.5 miles of pure leg hurtin' enjoyment. It's a mix of feelings when you finish a walk like this in the woods. My mind thinks about hot food and that hot shower, and walks with the pride felt after accomplishing such challenges.

Seize the day~

The photo above is at Blind Lake. My MSR Mutha Hubba was a great place for my wife and I to spend the night together here. The cool air roles off the water, which we welcome as we climb into our warm bags with full stomachs. Out of the 10 sites available, site number 3 is great. Behind it, up on the ridge is a close second. Blind lake has a pump for drinking water and a nice drop down toilet.

I've recently tried to reduce my pack weight by trying different packs, cooking systems, etc. Below is an REI flash 50, very light wight compared to my Acrtyric Bora 80. My goal is to keep my pack weight for this thru hike to around 35 pounds. The year I had quiet this thru-hike, I carried a 50 pound pack. I've borrowed the name, Big MuthaFerWalking to describe the giant pack. I'm convinced walking in the woods is more fun with less pack weight.

My wife Cyle and I hit the trail together in September 0f 2009. She strapped on a pack and we walked the 5.5 miles to camp. I took the photo below when we walked across a bridge that I used to fish on with my father and brother. The lake in the background is Pickerall lake, one of 4 lakes on pass on your way to Blind Lake.

Silver Lake parking area, where I leave my car before going on my thru-hike. This Prius is sure a fun care to own. The more I drive it, the more I like it. I plan to hit some serious trails these next five years. If I can save some money on gas along the way, all the better.

If you want to learn more about this trail, check out a great book about hiking in Michigan: Backpacking in Michigan, by Jim Defrence. The cover of the book inspired me to take my profile pic in the same location. My goal is to visit all 50 hikes in the book.

To date I'm 11 of 50 of hikes in the book.

In the future, I'm going to refer to this trail as the Nenawkee trail instead of the Waterloo-Pinckney trail. Nenawkee means "this land is ours."