August 6, 2021
Boyne City, MI
As we arrive, Mason makes the obligatory “I only go to old state parks” joke. Gob and I both let out audible groans.
We walk around the day use area and through the campground, eventually finding the trailhead hidden at the boat launch. Mason’s knee has been bothering him. He is ambling on behind us like the old man he is. I give Mason the option of the short loop, or the long loop. He picks the long one.
Everything starts out great. Aside from the mosquitoes that somehow always catch us by surprise. Our hike begins in a pine forest, then opens into a meadow lush with ferns.
As we near the halfway point we are cautioned by signs warning of mud. We have been on muddy trails before, so we think nothing of it and press on. We should have heeded the warning.
Before we know what’s happening, we are trekking through a literal bog. Ok…maybe not literally. But the beautiful prairie we once found ourselves in was flooded. The trail was but a slight indent in the weeds that we occasionally lost sight of. At times I wished I had a machete to slash through the cattails that obstructed my path. The few log “bridges” were interrupted frequently with puddles of knee deep mud. Gob was in heaven. Mason was not.
When we got back to the day use area, we attempted to use the beach showers to wash the mud off our legs. It didn’t help much. I fear the mud will forever be ingrained on my feet. Gob had more success with his dip in the lake, but he is still muddy. I don’t think he tried very hard though.
Pro-tip from a friendly camper: ask the park rangers if the trail is passable. They likely would have said no…
Interested in checking out this park? Find out more here!
Check out my other Michigan State Park adventures!
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