[From my Journal] April 6, 2019 7:00 PM
Even though it’s early in the season, the warmer temperatures and pleasant weather have provided the park with many visitors, most camping eloquently in their RVs and campers. After all, this is Michigan and the weather can always change, and quickly.
When planning for this two day adventure and my first hike of the 2019 season, I thought for sure I would be the only person rustic camping and sleeping in a tent. Alas I was mistaken; I actually have neighbors next to me on Campsite A!
I started my hike today, just North of the rustic campsite area and up a multi-use trail , at Marker 8, worked my way clockwise around the park, ticking the markers off one by one, until I reached Marker 1. From there, it was about half-mile road walk back to the multi-use trail head, and a short distance to reach Campsite B.
In addition to mowed sections to pitch your tent on, the Park has welcomed the advent of the hammock and provides multiple 4″x4″ wooden posts with eye-bolts or hooks to which one can secure their mattress -in-the-air if desired. The campsite has a nice cement fire ring, but no water, although Lake OVID is a short 300 yards away, if needed.
I used a new carabiner & hook combo called the HeroClip (https://myheroclip.com/products/heroclip) to securely hang my backpack to an eye-bolt on one of the hammock posts, which kept the backpack off the ground, and allowed for easy access into the pack while setting up camp. I like it!
After dinner, instead of the well known PCT Method for hanging a bear/food bag, I used a new method called the 2CR Method (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9L4ORK62oM) for hanging my bear/food bag from a tree branch; it was really easy to hang the bag and took no time at all, once I found a rock big enough to toss the rock bag over the tree limb.
Many sounds from birds and geese can be heard, and I’m guessing there is a nest of sorts located in the giant pine tree next to my tent.
The sun is setting behind the clouds now and the sky begins to glow along the horizon – all beyond me and through the trees to the West.
I can only imagine what it will look and feel like when I watch the sunset along the ‘Big Trails’.
Hike Data
- Sleepy Hollow State Park Trail
- Start: Marker 8
- End: Marker 1
- Garmin InReach: Avg 2.6 mph, 5.1 Miles
- FitBit: 24584 Steps, 17 Floors, 10.59 Miles
– Kelly
blog: Ramble Afoot vlog: YouTube Channel
fb: Facebook ig: Instagram tw: Twitter
Appalachian Trail Conservancy Member #22027626
Pacific Crest Trail Association Member #98397
North Country Trail Association Member since 11-28-2018
Ramble Afoot 
Cool share. Have a great trip.
LikeLike
Glad to have you back on the trail, Kelly. I’ll walk vicariously with you.
Celeste
Today’s mighty Oak is just yesterday’s nut that held it’s ground.
LikeLiked by 1 person