Having never truly hiked more than an hour or two, and only on trails mapped out in state parks, this year's adventure will be hiking in the woods, and could take the better part of a day. Mann Lake, in Northern Wisconsin, is home to a family cabin. This lake, approximately 7 miles NE of the Woodruff-Minocqua area, has limited access and less than a dozen cabins, located the NE portion of the lakeshore.
The family cabin is located on the opposite side of the lake, surrounded by state forest land, and only accessible via forest roads and a private path. Having traveled this remote access several times, the idea of hiking this area seemed like an exciting adventure. So this year's exploration is to hike around Mann Lake.
This is pure hiking, as there are limited/no trails to follow. The terrain is hilly, especially near the shoreline, and the growth is dense. Talking with a resident of the lake, his advice was to plan for a tough day, and be prepared for wildlife (bears, wolves, deer and even moose have been sighted around the lake). In addition, his recommendation was also to prepare for insects, and particularly ticks. Making this hike in late March will help with the insects, and with the leaves not fully out, I'll be able to see what's around me easier. So even with all these possible "issues", I am set to make this journey.
Preparation
So, with all I know about the location, the weather, and the environment I'll be in, I decided to be prepared. On my list of equipment to take are:
- Backpack
- Handheld GPS, maps, and compass, cell phone
- Whistle, flare,
- Water, snacks,
- Multitool, Flashlight, first aid items, bug spray
- Digital Camera, pocket video camera,
- Hiking Boots, hat, rain jacket, and multiple layers of clothing
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Man, for an engineer who likes to make sure he has "everything" covered, this is hard! But thanks to some great friends, who are supplying some of these necessities, I am set to go.Here's some shots from around our old family cabin
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