Here are our most recent Park maps for Independence Oaks county park and Ortonville Recreation area. Everyone attending either Hike will get a map. But if you cannot make either Hike, you can download a PDF version here.
DOWNLOAD INDEPENDENCE OAKS PARK MAP:
DOWNLOAD ORTIVILLE RECREATION AREA MAP HERE:
We are doing something a little different for our February 4th Hike. It was originally scheduled for Ortonville Recreation area only. After talking with various members, some people wanted to Hike that day, but did not want the more strenuous hiking at the very hilly terrain of Ortonville Rec. area.
So Kim & Rosie offered to lead another Hike on the same day at the same time, at Independence Oaks county Park. The trails are much easier then Ortonville’s, sometimes non-existent trails. There is some slightly rolling hills at the beginning of the Independence Oaks Hike, and then it is an easy hike around the Lake, and all the features, campfires and amenities the park has to offer. That included the beautiful Lewis E. Winy nature center, where everyone will be meeting for this hike.
The Ortonville hikers will be meeting at remote Algoe lake on Sawmill lake rd. I very much suggest that everyone attending either hike, download the Flyers we have made, which contain maps to the specific places each hike will be starting at.
So if you want some tougher trails and more rigorous hike on Feb.4th, the join us our at Ortonville Recreation area. If you just want the forests, lakes and nature center, then join us at Independence Oaks county Park. Both hikes start at 12pm and run until roughly 3pm. Join us.
Download the Flyer with more details and maps for the meeting places for each hike: DUAL HIKES FLYER
A short video about Independence Oaks county park. Just in case you have not visited this park before, we hope this will give you some basic idea of what is there at this beautiful park.
We are working hard at getting things arranged for the Springtime and Hikes and activities for the new Hiking North/Central Michigan group. Because of the distances involved, getting around the entire central, western and northern sections of our state, we are looking for YOUR thoughts here. Please take our Survey and let us know what you think.
Remember here……the North/Central Group is being developed so that people living outside of the Southeastern Michigan areas, have the same opportunities to Hike and participate in outdoor activities, with other like-minded people. Hopefully getting this extended group going strong, truly will get the same benefits we all have gotten here in S.E.MI. with our 4,000 members, and 14 years of Hiking.
The North/Central group is of course open to ALL Hiking Michigan members. But remember when answering the Survey, that we want to create something like what we already have here in S.E.MI., for the people in much of the rest of the state.
Here is the C & G NEWS video release of the Stony Creek Anniversary Hike. Bad Bates did us very fine with his review of the group and the promotions of our Parks, here in S.E.Michigan. beautiful pictures from Deb Jacques in the video as well. Thanks to C & G NEWS, from all the Hiking Michigan members!
If you would like to read the written article by Brad Bates, head over to the C & G News web site here; C & G NEWS site
On our 14th Anniversary Hike out at Stony Creek Metro Park, upon our return to the parking area, Kathy pulled out some home-made cookies. Now we are a lucky group of Hikers, because there a many people who bake and bring some pretty tasty items to our Hikes. But these Cookies, that Kathy made, where some of the very best I have tried in many years.
That is saying alot, for the many excellent bakers we have in this group. After we had polished off about half the container of Cookies she had brought, it was explained to everyone that the Cookies where based on Earl Grey Tea. Unbelievable. Didn’t taste like tea, but did have a very unique flavor. Kathy was kind enough to let us all know where she had gotten the recipe and so I have posted the link here. You will not go wrong in whipping up a batch of these very tasty Cookies. EARL GREY COOKIES RECIPE
EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!! One of our better Hikes. Great turnout of some 45 people. This was our kinda Anniversary hike at Stony Creek Metro Park, where we did our very first Hike as Hiking Michigan, some 14 years ago. 4 people showed up for that Hike. Quite the difference 14 years makes. 
The C & G Newspapers joined us for this hike. Reporters and photographers came along on the entire 6 mile Hike. We covered alot of the Nature area, including some little unknown spots that I am sure many people will be returning to at a later date. because of the fresh snow, there where plenty of animal tracks around, as well as some deer we scared up.
Not sure what was in the air for this Hike, but everyone came out in great spirits and it reflected on the vibe for the whole Hike. Including some great trail conversations. Kathy baked some superior Cookies for us, and they where waiting the parking area for our return. Eric supplied the waters. About 10 of us didn’t get enough out on the Trails, and headed for some warm dinner at a local Restaurant. It was one of Hiking Michigan’s better Hikes, and how appropriate in our 14th year in existence.
Brad Bates from the C & G News posted this about the upcoming News article.
Happy Anniversary — Thanks for letting C&G Newspapers and the Shelby-Utica News/Rochester Post delay/join your hike for a story on the groups 14th anniversary Jan. 14. Check www.candgnews.com for a story and video on the groups big day (both will be up by Jan. 18). The story and more photos will run in the Jan. 18-19 edition of our papers.
To celevrate our kinda anniversary Hike at Stony Creek this Saturday, 1/14/12, we have redone a brand new Map for the Park. More accurate and detailed then our previous map. Showing trails that even the Park does not know about. Everyone attending the Hike will get this new Map.
If you want to download a new Park Map, click on the Link provided here: New STONY CREEK MAP
Don’t forget gang, it is now 2012 and new Park permits are needed for entry. The State Parks are covered by the PASSPORT system when you renew your license plates. The Metro Parks have to be purchased at the Park or on-line. I would suggest if you plan on some even semi-regular Hiking, that you purchase a State PASSPORT sticker and an annual Metro Parks sticker. There is also a pretty good deal with a combo Metro Parks/Oakland Co. Parks stickers combo Pass. Annual Passes are your best bargains. They pay for themselves after just a few visits, rather then constant daily Pass purchases.
Here is the Link for a Metro Parks sticker and the combo Metro Parks/Oakland Co. Parks Passes. http://www.metroparks.com/online_store.aspx
Here is the DNR PASSPORT info and Q&A for State Parks. http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10365_55798_58027-234654–,00.html
YUP we are pushing the BOW *Becoming an Outdoors Women) program at the DNR. The Winter Weekend program has just been expanded to include a single day program. So if getting away for the whole weekend at the end of January was to much, then stop in for just the day.
Head on over to Sue Tabor’s Blog, she heads up the BOW program, and get the details and registration forms. HM will be there taking care of the Winter Hiking program and we are heading to Hartwick Pines for our out of classroom jaunt.
14 years ago Hiking Michigan did it’s first Hike in March, at Stony Creek Metro Park, Nature area. There was 4 of us there. Chris Harbowy was one of those people an now holds a members number of 0001. We will retracing that first Hike. It was a combination of Nature Trails, Deer trail links and Lakes edge travel. We have not repeated this exact Hike since then. But we will on Saturdat, the 14th at 12pm-3pm, meeting at the Nature Center parking area.
The Hike will have a couple of options for varied lengths, which the Group will decide upon while we are out on the Trails. We also have a few surprises in store for all in attendance.
Join us for a 14 year repeat of Hiking Michigans first Hike.
You can download a Flyer at this Link:
http://www.hikingmichigan.com/PDFinfo/StonyCHike.pdf
A reminder: It is a new year and either a daily pass or a $25 dollar annual sticker will be required for entrance into the Park. Since we frequent many of the Metro Parks, and have a free Snow Shoe Event at Stony in late February and a Heron Days Event in April at Kensington Metro Park, it would be a good buy to invest in an annual Park sticker at $25, rather then a $5 dailt pass for only this Hike.
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