Anyone hike the Finger Lakes Trail in New York or the Michigan Shore to Shore Trail?

[Flying Eagle]

My next hiking adventrues will take me across New York State and Michigan. Each have trails which also incorporate part of the North Country Trail, however I am finding it difficult locating reliable personal journals and/or written detailed information about these two trails, especially the Michigan Shore to Shore Trail. I have picked up a lot of information from the Finger Lakes Trail site so for that I'm just looking for whatever additional information I can gather. But the Michigan Shore to Shore seems to be very limited in it's documentation. Other than rough overviews I can find nothing. :confused: Any help out there?
Thanks,

Flying Eagle
Holland, Michigan

[Cuffs]

I dont have anything on eitherr, but very interested in the MI trail. Grew up in MI, now in AL, but will be in MI for several weeks this summer, sure would like to get in some hiking if possible!

I'll be looking/asking around for info, will post what I find!

Good luck!

[Flying Eagle]

Geohabit,

Thus far what I can tell you is that it crosses the northern part fo the lower pennisula ~ 250 miles. It is a combination horse riding/hiking trail through a lot of state and federal land and very lightly used, which makes it appealing to me vs the crowds often found on the AT. There are a couple sites that give overview information.

The Finger Lakes Trail will probably be the first I take as I have quite a bit of information from their site and have maps on order.

One hike in 2006, the other in 2007 and then back to repeat parts of the AT in 2008. That's as far out as I've planned. I've also started investigating the trail across the UP, but that is too many years out to get very serious over.

I'll post anything I do uncover outside of White Blaze.

Flying Eagle

[ivanputski]

There were 2 journals over on trailjournals.net that covered the FLT in 2004. I have done many 1 day hikes there. Not always well marked.

[txulrich]

I used to live in Western NY and have done several sections of the Finger Lakes Trail. The maps (at least the ones they had several years ago) were just paper, non-topo and hand drawn. There were like 25-30 of them. If they are still selling those, you may want to get them laminated. Earlier than May, you're dealing with the wet season (rain and snow melt). After September is hunting season. Some of the trail is through private land that the owners close off for hunting season. There are very few shelters or priveys, so be forewarned.

It is a pretty trail to hike with some great views from the ridges. Rolling hills, nothing real strenuous. Enjoy!

BTW, I grew up on the other side of the state from you in Howell.

[Cuffs]

http://www.kerchevalave.com/mtra/sh2sh.html

so far, thats the only map i can find for the MI Shore to Shore...

[Cuffs]

http://www.a1trails.com/hiking/hike_mi.html

And one more link... still not much info...

[Cuffs]

I had no idea there were so many hiking opportunities in MI!!
The links below are the Shore to Shore trail, but most are long enough for a long weekend or longer...

http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/ottawa/recreation/trails/hiking.htm
http://www.westernup.com/hiking/
http://www.stclaircounty.org/offices/parks/wadhams.asp
http://www.trailscouncil.org/
check the trail links on that page, some of the trails are "urban" but a couple are longer/rural.

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Meadows/2760/trail.html
That one is in your area Eagle...

http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/trailinfo.asp?id=46
http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/trailinfo.asp?id=50
I like this one and may attepmt this summer

http://www.danasresort.com/images/activities/pictrckm.gif
This one for a short weekend...

(yea, Im bored and nothing to do but look for hiking trails!!)

[Skyline]

I also have the FLT in my scope, and have ordered the maps and other literature. I'm sure it's a nice trail and the folks who make it possible work hard.

However, after getting the literature one thought came to mind . . . We who hike the AT are spoiled rotten! :-) With few exceptions, we have excellent maps and guidebooks, and there is a multitude of books, third party guides, videos, and journals to help us plan and hike. Compare what you get for the FLT with what you get for any state the AT passes through and see if you agree.

[Toolshed]

Having done many overnights and dayhikes on the FLT over the years when I lived in the Finger Lakes Region, I can say that there are parts of it that are a bit difficult to hike and sometimes sections aren't marked so clearly. I do recall some parts being very strenuous with constnat ups and downs and side hill slabbing along to the point where your feet hurt badly.

Water sources and camping areas aren't always clearly makred, but it is a nice trail.
The maps are still the old paper hand drawn maps, though there is now a thruhikers guide (I think put togehter by Ed Sidote).

[Flying Eagle]

thanks for the replies thus far. I grew up in a couple small towns in NY so am familiar with the area somewhat. I have seen the few journals entries on the web re: FLT

still interested in and will continue searching for info re: the shore-to-shore

part is written up if you check out the section that cooresponds to the North Country Trail

thanks again