justnorth posted on January 01, 2008 19:54 :: 1762 Views
The Michigan Forestry Visitor Center and Logging Museum at Hartwick Pines State Park near Grayling has announced its schedule of winter and spring programs for 2008.
The programs are:
Cross Country Skiing by Lantern. Skiers can enjoy lantern-lit cross country ski trails at Hartwick Pines State Park on the Saturday evenings of Jan 12 and 26, and Feb. 9 and 23. The event starts at 6 p.m. and concludes at 9 p.m. The 1.25 mile groomed and lantern-lit trail starts at the Visitor Center parking lot. At the conclusion of the event, there will be a campfire at the trailhead (weather permitting) for skiers to enjoy. The Visitor Center's warming room also will be open with hot refreshments and snacks.
Guided Snowshoe Hikes. Guided snowshoe hikes through Hartwick Pines' Old Growth Forest will take place on Saturdays in January, February and March. The hikes will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, Jan 19, Feb. 2, Feb. 16 and March 1. Participants can bring their own snowshoes or borrow a pair for free from the Visitor Center. The hike will begin at the Visitor Center with a brief review of snowshoe history, styles and winter survival tips. The group will then be led through the Old Growth Forest's 300 year-old white pine trees. At various points, Park Interpreter Craig Kasmer and Site Historian Rob Burg will stop the group and discuss animal signs and tracks, as well as historical facts and stories about winter logging done during Michigan's White Pine Logging Era. At the end of the hikes, visitors can warm up by a campfire and have a cup of hot cider while listening to logging camp stories.
There will be three events as part of Hartwick Pines' Winter Lecture Series. On Thursday, Jan. 24, there will be a talk on winter logging from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Visitor Center. On Thursday, Feb. 21, there will be a talk on the history of Hartwick Pines State Park from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Visitor Center. On Thursday, March 20, there will be a talk entitled "River Drives and River Hogs" from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Visitor Center.
Other events at the Michigan Forest Visitor Center to mark your calendar for include Maple Syrup Day on Saturday, March 22; and a fly tying workshop on April 5. There will be a fee and pre-registration required for this workshop.
All events at the Michigan Forest Visitor Center are free (unless otherwise noted); however, a Michigan State Parks Motor Vehicle Permit (MVP) is required to enter a park. The permits are available at the park entrance for $6 for a daily and $24 for an annual for Michigan residents. Out of state permits are $8 for a daily and $29 for an annual.
For more information on events at Michigan state parks this winter, please visit the DNR's Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr and click on GO-Get Outdoors under the Recreation and Camping section. For more information about events at the Michigan Forest Visitor Center please call 989-348-2537.
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