Here you’ll find my recent Great Lakes Mindset blog articles from 2024-2026. Share in my adventures from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on the southern shore of Lake Superior and southern Lake Michigan beaches. Additionally, I share my exploration of Wisconsin’s Ice Age National Scenic Trail, the northwoods of Wisconsin, and top scenic biking and hiking trails throughout the Upper Midwest. There is so much beauty in the Great Lakes region!
Outside of the Midwest, I’ve highlighted recent adventures from the western U.S., including a hike along the rim of the ancient Capulin Volcano in New Mexico, exploration at 10,000 feet in the Santa Fe National Forest, and hikes across the vast dunes of Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado.
Winter Hiking | Ice Age Trail, Wisconsin
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Experience the Unique Beauty of Winter at Wisconsin’s Snow Sculpting Festival | Lake Geneva Winterfest
Winter in Wisconsin Wisconsin is home to a world of amazing winter recreation options. From hikes along the Ice Age Trail, skiing, ice climbing, snowshoeing, tubing, and fat…
4 min read
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Hike the Beautiful Ice Age Trail | Eagle, Wisconsin
Wisconsin is home to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. One of only 11 National scenic trails in the United States, this beautiful trail encompasses over 1000 miles…
4 min read
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Experience Winter in Wisconsin’s Beautiful Northwoods | Boulder Junction
Vilas County, Wisconsin | Boulder Junction Boulder Junction is located in the heart of the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. This beautiful…
4 min read
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Explore the Beautiful Sandstone Bluffs of Gibraltar Rock, Wisconsin
The 9 mile Gibraltar Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail passes through Wisconsin’s unique post-glacial terrain, providing a close up look at the remnant landforms of…
4 min read
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Hike the Beautiful Landscapes of Kettle Moraine State Forest in Wisconsin
The 5.6 mile Scuppernong Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail travels through Wisconsin’s unique post-glacial terrain. Throughout the state, this scenic trail passes through landforms left…
4 min read
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Experience Wisconsin’s Beautiful Ice Age National Scenic Trail
The unique and varied terrain of Wisconsin’s Ice Age National Scenic Trail highlights the state’s unique glacial history. One of just 11 National scenic trails in the United…
4 min read
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Enjoy a Beautiful Snowy Winter Hike on Ice Age Trail
One of just 11 National scenic trails in the United States, Wisconsin’s Ice Age National Scenic Trail encompasses over 1000 miles and 28 counties throughout the state. The…
4 min read
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Explore Geologic Time on the Ice Age Trail | Whitewater Lake
Wisconsin’s Ice Age National Scenic Trail is one of only 11 National scenic trails in the United States. This scenic trail encompasses over 1000 miles and 28 counties…
4 min read
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Wisconsin’s Blue Spring Lake – Hike the Beautiful Ice Age Trail
Wisconsin’s Ice Age National Scenic Trail is one of only 11 National scenic trails in the United States. This scenic Wisconsin trail encompasses over 1000 miles and 28…
4 min read
Outdoor Gear Recommendations | Great Lakes Region
Outdoor recreation should be comfortable and fun in all seasons. If you’re looking for comfortable, functional, durable outdoor gear, check out my personal recommendations for outdoor gear HERE. I’ve highlighted a few of my favorite packs, hiking layers, insulation, biking gear, and outdoor accessories that have worked well for me for different weather conditions and activities.
Check out the images below from some of my recent adventures!
View looking up through the pines, Ice Age Trail Sunny afternoon among the pines (edited with Prisma) 
Ice Age Trail yellow blaze trail marker 
Snowshoeing around Lake LaGrange, Ice Age Trail 
Hepatica, spring ephemeral 
Gray tree frog 
Eastern Pasque flower 
Lake Superior rocks beneath the water 
Miner’s Castle, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore 
Blackrocks Beach, Presque Isle 
Blackrocks Beach, Presque Isle, Marquette, Michigan 
Picnic Rocks Beach, Marquette, MI 
Simmons Island Beach, Kenosha, WI 
Osprey Talon 11 backpack 
Fresh strawberry pie from Jelli’s Market Farm Store 
Tree-lined stretch of the Glacial Drumlin State Trail 
El Santo Tacos and Tequila, Michigan Margarita 
Marquette Harbor Lighthouse at McCarty’s Cove 
Noquemanon Trailhead – South Trails, Marquette, Michigan 
Sculpture at South Trails Noquemanon Trailhead, Marquette, Michigan 
Sign for intersection of Sugar River State Trail and Badger State Trail 
Gifts from the farm store and lavender ice cream – delicious! 
Lavender fields of Baraboo 
Manitowish River, WI 
Ghost Pipe 
Blackrocks basalt outcrop – 1.7 billion years old (Presque Isle Park) 
Expansive view of the Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field from Crater Rim Trail 
Sticky Gilia with visitor, Crater Rim Trail 
Great Sand Dunes National Park 
Ozaukee Interurban Bike Trail, Cedarburg, WI 
White River Trail near Lyons, Wisconsin (effects by Prisma) 
View from the Tumbled Rocks Trail, Devil’s Lake State Park 
Aspen leaf, Santa Fe National Forest 
Nambe Lake Trail – Santa Fe National Forest 
Fallison Lake Nature Trail, Boulder Junction, WI View from cedar trees atop Gibraltar Bluff 
Geodetic Survey Marker atop Gibraltar Bluff
Great Lakes Facts
Check out the Pure Michigan website for 10 Great Lakes Fun Facts You May Not Know. To learn more about current research in the Great Lakes, check out NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab.
Furthermore, I’d love to hear about your adventures in the Great Lakes region, or topics and places you’d like to learn more about. Subscribe using the form below for access to my bi-monthly newsletter filled with information on outdoor recreation, food, culture, and adventure in the Great Lakes region. Come explore with me!
GET OUT THERE AND FIND AN ADVENTURE!
-Erin