Details & Planning
- Where / Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness | Manistee National Forest
- When: May 2020
- Nearest town / Ludington, Michigan
- Activity: Backpacking
- Nights: 1
- Total distance / 3.9 miles
- Route style: Loop
Preparation & Weather Outlook
I have been to Nordhouse Dunes once in the past (click here for that report, or click here for that adventure story!) so not much research regarding the hike was required. There was, however, much to research about trail closures and interstate travel. This of course being due to the global pandemic. At this time, travel between my state and Michigan is permitted and Manistee National Forest had just re-opened the trails. The forecast looks near perfect – clear skies each day with little wind and comfortable temperatures.
The Plan
- Day 1: Arrive at Nurnberg Road Trailhead no later than 1300. Hike the Algoma Ridge Trail until we arrive at its intersection with the Lake Michigan Trail. We will then use a side-trail to descend to the dunes and beach. Find an existing legal campsite and relax for the remainder of the day. Hammock, frisbee, walks on the beach, and dinner!
- Day 2: Morning walk on the beach and a simple breakfast. Instead of climbing back up to the Lake Michigan Trail, we will hike parallel to it while walking along the waters edge. Once we reach the Nordhouse Dunes Trail, we will use it to hike eastward and return to the trailhead where we began.
Reality
| Day 1 | Algoma Ridge Trail (orange) | 1.8 miles |
| Day 2 | Lake Michigan Trail (blue) | 0.7 miles |
| Nordhouse Dunes Trail (blue) | 1.4 miles |
Day 1 / 1.8 miles hiked
After departing the Nurnberg Road trailhead, we hiked nearly 1.6 miles on the Algoma Ridge Trail before arriving at the shore of Lake Michigan. The Algoma Ridge Trail begins in a forest at the Nurnberg Road Trailhead. While walking this trail to the lake, you will pass through a variety of environments. As you near the lake, it climbs to a sand and sandstone covered overlook before continuing north along the ridge towards the water.
There are plenty of established campsites along the ridge, the Lake Michigan Trail, and below at the base of the dunes near the tree line. Regulations require you must be 400 feet from the waters edge, so be mindful to find a legal site.
Day 2 / 2.1 miles hiked
We hiked south, but not on an official trail. As with yesterday, the weather forecast was correct. It is a beautiful day. Instead of climbing back up to the Lake Michigan Trail, we walked along the beach at the waters edge. As always, a good map or GPS with plenty of battery life is essential. During a past trip to Nordhouse Dunes in 2015, I learned that the Nordhouse Dunes Trail could be difficult to find with all of the sand. With the mileage already planned out, we kept a close eye on the map and departed the beach at just the right time to meet the Nordhouse Dunes Trail, which would lead us back to the Nurnberg Trailhead where we began.
Gear Notes
- Pack: Gossamer Gear Gorilla 40L
- Shelter: Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 HV
- Bag: Marmot Never Winter 30
- Pad: Thermarest Neoair X-lite Regular
- Stove: MSR Pocket Rocket
- Shoes: Saucony Peregrine trail runners
Amanda brought her new Gregory Jade 53 on it’s maiden voyage and I, as usual, used my trusty old Gorilla 40 from Gossamer Gear.
She carried the tent, I carried food.