Pintail Pond Nature Trail

Lumberman’s Monument is truly a hidden gem. Most people don’t realize there are towering sand dunes in the Oscoda area. While the majority of visitors stay at the overlook, there is a breathtaking trail for the more adventurous. The main parking for this trail is at the Lumberman’s Monument parking lot. Walk past the 14-foot bronze Lumberman statue, and you’ll come to the main overlook with 260...

The Mason Tract is a massive protected wilderness area encompassing 4,493 acres. The crystal clear AuSable River runs right through the heart of this forest. On this trip, you will encounter enormous old trees with beautiful remote scenery around each riverbend. Bald eagles and black bears are plentiful in this region. This portion of river also represents one of the country’s best trout stream...

Your paddle begins at Veteran's Waterfront Park in Port Austin. This is a beautiful sandy beach with plenty of parking. From here, paddle west. I like to stick close to shore to check out everything up close and to minimize the waves. Not far into your paddle, you will come across your first big rock formations and a couple sea caves to paddle into. Keep paddling and you will come across beaut...

Only accessible by a kayaking adventure, Turnip Rock is a one-of-a-kind natural wonder.Although it is close to shore, all land surrounding it is privately owned and therefore not accessible by foot. Kayak rentals can be found in downtown Port Austin.Most of the trek is over shallow water. Upon arriving to the location, you can beach your kayak on the nearby shore and walk to the base of the roc...

Launch your kayak in the sheltered marina of Grindstone City County Park. Once you paddle past the break walls, paddle east along the shore. In less than a mile, you will come to huge rock faces. Some faces have beaches of rocks and sand. If it's wavy or windy, be careful not to get too close! Always have a floatation device in your kayak, and be mindful of the weather. Check the marine foreca...

Just about an hour north of Traverse City in the village of Bellaire lies Schuss Mountain at Shanty Creek Resorts! The mountain offers 53 runs with several base areas. The terrain is applicable for any type of skier, whether you are a beginner or a more advanced rider. We spent the majority of our time lapping the red chair in the trees, while taking a few runs through the terrain park on the p...