homepage - outings - national - brochure - 12309a
Trip Number: 12309A
Price: $595
Deposit: $100
Capacity: 8
Staff: Sherry Zoars
Highlights:
- Explore 40 miles of pristine Lake Superior shoreline
- Work alongside U.S. National Park Service personnel
- Enjoy evening hiking or canoeing
Includes:
- All meals
- Work tools and safety equipment
- Optional free day to explore the majestic scenery
The Trip
Photo: National Park Service
Help the U.S. National Park Service upgrade backcountry facilities within the National Lakeshore. The Lakeshore offers towering multicolored sandstone cliffs, miles-long sparkling beach strands, dashing waterfalls, a huge area of sand dunes, and inland lakes and streams. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is managed by the National Park Service as one of only four national lakeshores.
This park, which is about the size of five Manhattan Islands, is also a mosaic of human history. Historic sites include an 1874 lighthouse, early U.S. Coast Guard lifeboat stations, old farmsteads, and a Civil War-era iron blast furnace site.
The Lakeshore includes some 15 miles of cliffs along its 40-mile length. Within
the park, about 100 miles of trail lead to remote trout streams, secretive bogs,
and a system of 13 backcountry campsites. The park is open year-round and is
truly a four-season recreation destination.
As sunset in July is not until almost 10:00 p.m., there will be ample time to enjoy the park's facilities each evening. Canoes will be available to trip participants.
The Project
We will work with the U.S. National Park Service to improve backcountry facilities. We might install new signage throughout the backcountry trails of the park, as well as bear-proof lockers and several backcountry camp sites. We might also work on trail maintenance and/or improvement. Details of the project(s) will be decided based upon Park Service needs and available staff.
Itinerary
Photo: National Park Service
Day 1: We will gather in the afternoon at the Park Service
maintenance facility that's located just east of Munising, Michigan. Detailed
instruction will be provided to signed-up participants.
Days 2-3: We'll work on our service projects, based on the
needs of the Park Service.
Day 4: This will be an optional "free day." Pictured
Rocks Cruises has typically offered free 2.5- to 3-hour cruises of the Pictured
Rocks shoreline to Sierra Club volunteers. There will also be time to explore
the area -- you can choose to hike, canoe, read, or rest.
Days 5-6: We'll continue with our service projects.
Day 7: The trip will end with breakfast, and we'll say our
goodbyes.
Getting There
The nearest airport with regularly scheduled commercial airline service is
Marquette, Michigan. Transportation will be provided to/from Marquette Airport.
Pickup will be Sunday, July 29. Details will be arranged.
Accommodations and Food
Our base camp is about 20 minutes east of Munising, Michigan. It is a drive-in site that has an outhouse and running water for drinking and cooking. Primitive tent sites are provided. Volunteers must provide their own tent, sleeping bag, pad, and all personal gear.
The leaders take pride in providing appetizing and filling meals each day. Meat may be included. Vegetarians or participants with other dietary restrictions, allergies, or requests are encouraged to discuss them with the leader. All participants will assist with camp chores, including the preparation and clean-up of meals, on a rotating basis. The Sierra Club will provide stoves and cooking equipment.
Trip Difficulty
Photo: National Park Service
This trip will be moderately strenuous and requires basic manual work skills. You need to be in good physical condition. No special skills are required; the safe use of all tools will be demonstrated. The ability to work in cooperation with Park Service personnel and fellow Sierra Club members is a must.
Be prepared for daytime temperatures in the 70s to 80s, and nighttime temperatures that can get down into the 50s. The weather is often great at this time of the year, but you must be ready for rainy, wet, and cold conditions, as we will work in all reasonable weather conditions. Bugs can be numerous this time of year so a head net would not be a bad thing to bring along just in case.
Some sign placement may involve the use of a canoe for short hops around inland lakes. Participants must be able to backpack into remote areas and are expected to practice backcountry ethics to set a good example for other visitors.
Equipment and Clothing
The leader will send you a detailed equipment list after you sign up, but here are a few essentials: You must bring two pairs of leather work gloves. You will need a day pack for carrying lunch, drinking water, etc. to our work sites. Bring two one-liter water bottles (or equivalent) to take water from camp to the work sites. A pair of broken-in, waterproof boots suitable for hiking and trail work is mandatory. A pair of lightweight camp shoes (Tevas or similar) is recommended for comfort after a long day on the trail.
The Sierra Club provides cooking gear, but you will need your own reusable eating utensils (cup, spoon, knife, fork, and plate). A tent with a rain-fly and a waterproof rainsuit (not a poncho) are required. Your equipment need not be expensive, but it should be made of quality materials. Plan to layer your clothing so you will be able to take things off or put them on as the weather dictates.
References
If you do some reading and research before coming, you will better know how to spend your free time.
Books:
- Phipps, Terry W., Pictured Rocks: National Lakeshore.
- Karamanski, Theodore J., The Pictured Rocks: An Administrative History
of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Websites:
Conservation
Photo: National Park Service
The Central Upper Peninsula of Michigan is characterized by a variety of natural features such as miles and miles of Lake Superior shoreline, many miles of rivers and creeks with numerous waterfalls, and countless inland lakes. Due to the diverse range of unique landforms and habitats, many rare state and federal species of concern and globally rare natural communities are present. The biological integrity of these communities is being threatened by the presence of ecosystem-converting invasive plant species such as spotted knapweed, garlic mustard, glossy buckthorn, and Eurasian water millfoil. A coordinated effort of government and tribal entities, conservation organizations, and corporate forest landowners have the potential to eradicate and control many of these species while they are still at a manageable infestation level.
Trip Price
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details
about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.
The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Staff
Leader:
Sherry Zoars grew up camping and has led base camp trips for Sierra Clubbers, women, and families. She has worked in the natural areas restoration field and is a naturalist and birder.
E-mail: zoars@copper.net
Assistant Leader:
Julie Koivula has been a Sierra Club member for more than 25 years. She retired from teaching and coaching at the high school level. She also taught swimming and is a first aid/CPR instructor for the American Red Cross. She has her wilderness first aid certificate, and she loves to hike, bike, canoe, kayak, ski and play many other sports. She now leads and assists on a variety of Sierra Club outings, including backpacking, canoeing, service, biking, and archaeological survey trips. Julie is the Co-Chair for the Midwest Outings Subcommittee.
E-mail: julieakoivula@sbcglobal.net
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips