A Moose hunt on Isle Royale? Bad Idea

Posted on November 20th, 2019

The moose population on Isle Royale has exceeded 2,000 and some Michigan lawmakers are pushing a resolution urging the National Park Service to stage a lottery hunt as a way to control the herd. In this latest Trail Talk blog from MichiganTrailMaps.com, Jim DuFresne argues that while such hunts wor… read more

The High Cost of a Backcountry Rescue – Who Pays?

Posted on July 12th, 2019

High water levels on Lake Michigan have doubled the cost of retrieving injured visitors along the shoreline dunes of Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore this summer. In this Trail Talk blog, Jim DuFresne wonders why are the rescued so shocked at the cost with many refusing to pay the $2,800 tab. If they… read more

Georeferencing, Smartphones and the Future of Trail Maps

Posted on June 10th, 2019

MichiganTrailMaps.com is proud to announce the addition of georeferenced maps for smartphones to its stable of trail maps. Following is a Trail Talk blog by Jim DuFresne on why we did it and how to download the new maps. But DuFresne also wondered if hikers and backpackers need or even want all this te… read more

Backcountry Camping in Sleeping Bear Dunes? Good Luck

Posted on April 24th, 2019

A prescribed burn at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will temporarily close the only place in April and early May where you can enjoy backcountry camping in Michigan’s most popular national park unit. And that’s a shame, writes Jim DuFresne in the latest Trail Talk Blog from MichiganTr… read more

Hard to Delete a Trail Like Valley View

Posted on March 14th, 2019

In a park known for great beaches, spectacular views and towering sand dunes, the Valley View Trail in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore had none of those. Yet when the decision was made not to reopen this short, obscure trail after the 2015 wind storms, we lost a lot. Read the latest Michiga… read more

Cooking Like a New York City Food Cart Vendor

Posted on February 13th, 2019

Jim DuFresne, the main blogger for MichiganTrailMaps.com, was sitting in Times Square when he realized that New York City food cart vendors could teach a thing or two to backpackers. What could they possibly have in common? Read his latest Trail Talk blog to find out (and pick up a few cooking tips). I… read more

Funding Our Natural Gems – Users or Society?

Posted on January 15th, 2019

Cross-country skiing on a snowy winter day in a Michigan State Park. The “opt-out” bills for the Recreation Passport didn’t survive the lame-duck session in Lansing last month despite all the support for them. But in this latest Trail Talk blog for MichiganTrailMaps.com Jim DuFresne argue… read more

Improving a Passport to Michigan’s Parks & Trails

Posted on December 14th, 2018

In this Trail Talk blog from MichiganTrailMaps.com, Jim DuFresne looks into a last-minute bill in front of our lame-duck legislators that is incredibly important to anybody who loves Michigan’s parks and trails. Don’t forget our a holiday sale is still on for a few more days; save 2… read more

#OptingOut of the #OptOutside Movement

Posted on November 23rd, 2018

The #OptOutside movement is full of good intentions but do they have to hold it today? Jim DuFresne our main blogger at MichiganTrailMaps.com, wonders if there isn’t a worse day than the final Friday of November to encourage people to go outdoors in Michigan. What this day is great for is plannin… read more

The Overcrowded Wilderness

Posted on October 3rd, 2018

Have you hiked Nordhouse Dunes lately? Our favorite trails and wilderness areas are getting crowded and not just on the weekends. What’s the solution to overrun campsites and the growing amount of trash left in the woods? Are reservations or strict permit systems to the backcountry a permanent p… read more

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