Join Michigan Crossroads Council and Cole Canoe Base’s High Adventure team on a Fall backpacking trip through the Jordan River Valley Pathway. Autumn foliage changes will be in peak season, making for some breathtaking views. A trained High Adventure Guide will accompany each trek and be available to assist with any associated Merit Badge requirements. 

Hike Plan

Join us for a fall color backpacking trip to northern Michigan’s Jordan River Valley Pathway. This 20 Mile overnight trek is considered moderately difficult with nice elevation changes. Participants should be in good physical shape with at least some backpacking experience preferred.

We will be hiking the Jordan River Pathway clockwise beginning at the Deadman's Hill trailhead. Each day will consist of approximately 10 miles of hiking. Saturday will begin with a scenic descent into the Jordan Valley, while Sunday will see us skirting the cedar banks of the Jordan River and finish with a breathtaking (literally) climb up Deadman's Hill.

Our hike wil practice Leave No Trace Principles and work with any Scouts on camping, backpacking, and other outdoor-related Merit Badge Requirements.

Registration is limited to 12 participants in addition to a BSA trek guide who will accompany the group. The following meals will be provided: Saturday Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner and Sunday Breakfast and Lunch. Participants are encouraged to bring their own snacks to supplement food service.

Itinerary

Friday, October 8th:

1800-2100: Check-in (Attendees are responsible for their own dinner)

2100: Participant Meeting & Cracker Barrell

Saturday, October 9th:

O700: Wakeup and pack

0800: Breakfast (provided by Cole Canoe Base) & prepare lunch to take.

0900: Depart CCB 1030: Arrive Trailhead (https://goo.gl/maps/cW9iMzGdY1z5Z27Z6) 

1100: Begin the hike

1230: Lunch (Cold cut / pbj Participants encouraged to bring supplemental snacks)

1800: Arrive Piney Bridge Campsite (https://goo.gl/maps/mkscmWMG6w1fPMT28)

1830: Dinner (Mountain House)

Sunday, October 10th,

0800: Wakeup and pack

0830: Breakfast (Mountain House)

0930: Begin Movement

1230: Lunch (Trail Food/ Participants encouraged to bring supplemental snacks)

1500: Return to Trailhead

1700: Arrive back at CCB and released

Jordan River Valley Area Background & History

The Jordan River Valley is within an 18,000-acre block of the Mackinaw State Forest.

The area was heavily logged in the early 1900s with lumberjacks leaving behind their telltale trademark, a sea of stumps. But since then the forest has recovered and the area is now protected from future logging or gas development.

The Jordan River was Michigan's first National Wild and Scenic River and is still a popular destination for anglers fishing for brook trout. The tract’s best wildlife viewing opportunities are for beavers, raccoons, mink, otters, herons, and waterfowl seen along the river corridor. The hardwood and pine forest is home to many species of woodland songbirds, raptors and the usual forest mammals including the occasional black bear sighting...