Winter Adventures on Michigan's Upper Peninsula

Living in Austin, Texas I've become accustomed to mild winters. Here it seldom falls below freezing and rarely do we get any kind of snow. In fact, in the nearly seven years that I've lived here, it has only snowed once and that was barely enough to cover the rooftops. Despite the fact that my current home-state doesn't isn't exactly known as a winter wonderland, I still enjoy the opportunity to play in the snow from time to time. With that in mind, a traveled to Michigan's Upper Peninsula a few weeks back to get in  a few cold weather adventures.

For those unfamiliar with the Upper Peninsula, or U.P. as it is called, it is the northernmost landmass that makes up the state of Michigan. The region is sparsely populated and heavily wooded, making it a surprisingly remote wilderness for those who have never visited the place before. In fact, the U.P. features more than 300 miles of wilderness, giving outdoor enthusiasts something to love in every season.

Visiting the Upper Peninsula during the winter generally means plenty of cold and snow, but like much of the U.S., Michigan is also having a mild winter. In this case that means they've only received 75 inches of snow thus far this year, which sounds like a lot but is well below the 200+ inches of powder they region gets during an average winter. Still, I found there was plenty of snow for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling, some of the activities I was most looking forward to while I was there.

My U.P. adventure began in Sault Ste Marie, a charming little town that falls just across the St. Mary's River from Canada. The biggest summer draw to the town are the Soo Locks, which annually see more cargo pass through their gates than the Panama and Suez Canals combined. During the winter months however, Sault Ste Marie is the gateway to the winter playground that is the U.P. and not long after arriving I was off to Tahquamenon Falls State Park for a little snowshoeing.

The trail to the falls is a short one and an easy hike, even in winter, but the payoff is well worth it in any season. The Upper Tahquamenon is the largest falls east of the Mississippi River, stretching 200 feet across the river which gives it its name. They have a height of 50 feet and in the springtime the snow-melt swells the river so that more than 50,000 gallons drop over the edge each and every second. The falls remind open, even in the winter, when the snow and ice make the entire setting feel incredibly serene. On the day of my visit, a gentle snowfall only added to the experience.

The U.P. happens to be one of the premiere snowmobiling destinations in the entire U.S., and many travelers visit the area on an annual basis just to enjoy that activity alone. The state and national forests that cover the area feature more than 3000 miles of groomed trails just waiting to be explored. Flying along those trails at over 50 mph on the back of a powerful sled is a lot of fun and a great way to enjoy the backcountry. There are plenty of trails a short drive from Sault Ste Marie, but no matter where you go on the Upper Peninsula, you'll discover plenty of places to ride. I spent the better part of a day on, and off, some of those trails and had a great time chasing friends through the scenic woods.

A few days into the trip I payed a visit to the Treetops Ski Resort, which opened up even more opportunities for winter fun. The resort has a modestly sized ski hill with 23 runs and three lifts and options for every level of skier or rider. There are several miles of groomed cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails that are amazingly secluded and quiet. One morning I was fortunate enough to hit those trails before anyone else, including the groomer, and it turned out to be one of the more sublime experiences I've had in the woods in quite some time.

After spending a few days playing in the snow, I moved on to the WISSA event that I told you about last week, which was a completely different experience altogether. But my U.P. visit was incredibly fun and I would love to go back to explore the region more fully. In the warmer months, all those miles of snow covered trails turn into hiking and mountain biking routes and the rivers and lakes, including the Great Lakes, would make for excellent paddling. The forests that dominate the area should be fantastic for backpacking and camping, and there is even quality climbing options as well. The adventure activities abound, no matter the season, and outdoor enthusiasts shouldn't overlook this amazing wilderness that has so much to offer.

For more information on the Upper Peninsula and other outdoor activities in Michigan, visit Michigan.org.

Upper Peninsula Bound!

I'm off on a short adventure of my own over the next few days. I'm headed to Michigan's Upper Peninsula for a little fun in the snow. While there, I'm going to be snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, and attending the World Ice and Snow Sailing Association's Championship. The WISSA competition involves wind powered sleds flying across the ice at breakneck speeds, which of course, sounds like great fun.

For those unfamiliar with the Upper Peninsula, it is a fantastic wilderness destination that offers a lot to the outdoor enthusiast all year round. In the summer, it is great place to hike and camp, and since it falls on Lake Superior, paddlers will find plenty to do as well. The UP is one of those remote places that few people visit and many don't even know exists, but it is truly one of the great outdoor locations in the entire U.S.

Of course, I'll share more about the trip when I get back, and updates will likely be sporadic the rest of the week. Hope everyone is having their own adventures while I'm away.

Inaugural Winter Teva Mountain Games Begin Next Week

The first ever Winter Teva Mountain Games are set to get underway next week in Vail, Colorado. The event will run February 10-12 and will pit some of the top professional and amateur outdoor athletes in the world against one another.

The Winter Mountain Games, which are sponsored by Eddie Bauer, will include competitions such as snowshoe racing, Nordic and telemark skiing, mountaineering, and more. There will also be all kinds of other events, including live music, live demos, an interactive expo, and a lot more.

If you're looking for a little winter-time competition, this looks like a great addition to the calendar. Similarly, if you just want to watch the athletes compete, this should be a great event as well. Check out the preview video below for more info and start planning your trip to Vail next weekend.

Gear Box: Korkers SnowJack Boots

Let's face it, innovations in snow boots are few and far between. Sure, they occasionally get warmer and more comfortable, and the designs change with both function and fashion from time to time. But there is seldom any real major changes to this type of footwear, and we usually end up buying something we need, in the price range we can afford, without much consideration for anything else.

Gear company Korkers is looking to change that with a new line of boots that features a truly innovative approach to winter footwear. Their new shoes feature interchangeable soles that can be quickly and easily switched out depending on conditions, making them one of the most versatile pair of snow boots that I've seen in a very long time.

I recently had the opportunity to test out Korker's SnowJack boots and found them to be an excellent option in every way. They are comfortable, lightweight, warm, and rugged, which makes them a great choice for any cold weather outdoor activities. The boots use 3M's Thinsulate to insulate the foot and keep your toes toasty warm, even in sub-zero temperatures, and the design is a nice mix of leather and webbing on the outside, with a waterproof bootie on the inside. The result, is a shoe that breathes well but keeps moisture out – an important combination for extended, active winter excursions.

Of course, there are plenty of excellent winter boots on the market that would match the description above, but what sets the SnowJacks apart from competitors is its sole. Or perhaps I should say soles. Out of the box, the boots come equipped with Korker's patented SnowTrac outsole, which has a solid, dependable feel. This sole is designed for keeping a steady grip in wet, snowy conditions on a wide variety of surfaces ranging from pavement to muddy trails and even powder-covered rocks. But should you find conditions worsen, and you have to deal with icy conditions instead, these boots come with a second sole that can be used be swapped out in times of need. This second sole is called the IceTrac, and it features 32 carbide studs that provide a much better grip when walking across slick, icy surfaces.

Switching between the two different soles is easy and takes just a few seconds, even while wearing gloves. Once the new sole is locked into place, you would never even know that it is removable, and other than a noticeable change in grip on the specific surface that they are designed for, you would think that they are a natural extension of the boots themselves.

Beyond the innovative system for swapping out the soles, I was also impressed with how thin these boots are while still remaining very warm. I'm not a fan of bulky boots of any kind, especially if they make me feel like I'm clumsily plodding along through snow and ice. The SnowJacks don't feel that way on my feet, and while wearing them, I actually still felt nimble and relatively light on my feet. Because of this, these boots are a great choice for winter hiking or snowshoeing.

If you're in the market for a new pair of winter boots, and you're looking for comfortable and versatile footwear for your cold weather adventures, then I definitely recommend the SnowJack from Korkers. The boots carry an MSRP of $159.95, which is actually bargain, since it feels like you're actually getting two pairs of boots at that price.