Inn Based
Frozen Sea Cave & Waterfall Snowshoe Tour Inn-Based Trip
Ottawa National Forest, Upper Penninsula, MI
Dates: January 21 - January 24, 2010 & February 25 – February 28, 2010
Days: 3 days, 3 nights
Price: $489 (double occupancy) $599 (single occupancy)
Trip Level: 1
Includes: Lodging, Snowshoes, Sleigh Ride, Meals described in itinerary.
Group Size: 6-14
Trip Description
Join the Geneva Kayak Center for one of its winter adventures to the snow
covered Upper Peninsula of Michigan. One of the owner’s favorite trips,
this experience will become an all-time favorite for our customers!
Participants are accommodated in our log cabins located on the top of the
National Wild & Scenic Black River Gorge and in close proximity to
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park and the Apostle Islands
National Seashore. During the day, we’ll snowshoe through powder down
the densely wooded gorges, past frozen waterfalls, through sea caves with
ice stalactites, and down the majestic shores of Lake Superior. When
finished with snowshoeing, cross-country ski trails are located directly
behind our log cabins for optional ski trips. At night, a Finnish style sauna
and wood fires glowing in the fireplace await the group looking to relax
after a day of snowshoeing.
The Bear Track Cabins are located near the edge of the Black River
Gorge, the perfect location for this adventure. Deep within the west end
of the Ottawa National Forest, the cabins are tucked away in a land of
glacially worn hills, wildlife and water. These log cabins have been hand
scribed and are truly rustic, unique structures. While they are rustic
wilderness cabins, all feature modern conveniences, comfortable beds and
linens, and charming fireplaces or woodstoves. Participants can choose
between single occupancy, double occupancy with separate beds, and
double occupancy rooms with a queen bed. On the property is a Finish style sauna for relaxing after a day of
snowshoeing. Our itinerary for the trip also includes a evening trip to a local stable for an horse drawn sleigh ride and
bonfire. Meals served during the weekend are all freshly prepared and fit right in with our northwoods winter
weekend. Vegetarian options and special diets are all easily accommodated.
This adventure will be lead by Ryan Rushton, the owner of the Geneva
Kayak Center. Ryan has been guiding in this area for 15 years and
intimately knows the Black River, Apostle Islands and the Porcupine
Mountains. His experience in mountaineering and leading winter
excursions including dogsled, backcountry snowshoe, and ski
mountaineering trips, combined with his knowledge of area, and love for
providing customers with a truly great northwoods experience, will make
this a truly special experience.
Itinerary
Day 1 (Thursday)
Guests can arrive after 4pm to check into the Bear Track Cabins. A dinner will be served for those arriving before 6pm. Evening activities include a fire and optional night hike.Dinner Is Included
Day 2
Snowshoeing the lower Black River Gorge includes hiking past waterfalls including Surprise, No Surprise, the Ledges and Rainbow Falls and also a hike through virgin Hemlock Forest. This trip ends at the mouth of the Black River at Lake Superior. Evening activities include the horse drawn sleigh ride and /or lounging around the fireplace.Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Are Included
Day 3
For Saturday’s adventure, we will drive over to the Apostle Islands for a snowshoe trip to the frozen mainland sea caves. Snowshoeing through sea caves with myriads of ice stalactites and next to sandstone cliffs is a truly awesome experience.Breakfast and Dinner Are Included, lunch will be eaten at a restaurant
Day 4
A shorter snowshoe hike up the Upper River Gorge includes some of the Black’s largest waterfalls – Sandstone, Gorge and Potowatomie Falls. After returning from the hike we will serve a quick lunch and participants are able to depart by 1pm.Lunch Is Included