Eric Hansen - Hiking Michigans Upper Peninsula: A Guide to the Areas Greatest Hikes, Third Edition (State Hiking Guides Series)

Isle Royale is the least-visited National Park, but in my opinion, one of the most spectacular.

Rebecca Pelkyhas spent half of her life in the Upper Peninsula and the other half being a zookeeper. During her 20 years in the UP, shes hiked extensively, and though she couldnt say how many miles its been, hopefully every one of them has added something to this book. She has degrees in zoology and English, and a PhD in writing. She hopes to contribute the combination of science, research, and creative writing skills that shes acquired over many years.

This book would not have been possible without the help of many people. I would like to thank the numerous hikers who found time to return my questionnaires and inform me of their favorite routes. Many of those folks are active in the Michigan Nature Association, the Milwaukee Nordic Ski Club, the North Country Trail Association, Northwoods Wilderness Recovery, the Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition, or the Wisconsin Lets Go Hiking Club.

Doug Welker and Marjory Johnston generously shared their immense knowledge of trails and routes in the Upper Peninsula. Charlie Eshbach and Jeff Knoop tutored me on the Tip of the Keweenaw. Denise Herron steered me to the Little Garlic River and other gems. Mikel Classen tipped me on the picturesque coast near the Blind Sucker River. Jessie Hadley, of Woods and Waters Ecotours, offered keen insight into the quiet corners of the eastern U.P.

Bob Sprague, park interpreter at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, was a vital sounding board for my hike selections there. Bob Wild, park interpreter at Tahquamenon State Park, passed on his considerable knowledge of that notable ecosystem.

Jon Dorn, managing editor of Backpackermagazine, assigned a Trap Hills article that sparked this book project. Kristin Hostetter, of that same publication, sharpened my writing skills during her tenure as equipment editor. Thanks also to other editors thereAnnette McGivney, Dennis Lewon, Gina DeMillo, and Kris Wagner for savvy advice, and a string of assignments that dovetailed well with this book project. Jim Gorman, during his time at Backpacker, drilled me on the fundamentals of landscape writing.

Dave Foreman and Howie Wolke provided inspiration with their visionary volume, The Big Outside, an inventory of North American wilderness. John Hart, author of the practical and poetic guidebook, Hiking the Great Basin, set a standard I will always aspire to.

Thanks to all the tireless activists of the Trap Hills Conservation Alliance. Dave and Judy Allen, Doug Cornett, Jon Saari, and Scott Bouma offered valuable advice and timely support.

Im grateful to poet Harvey Taylor for spiritual sustenance over the years. My aunt, Marjorie Swann Edwin, a fearless campaigner for human rights and the planet, supplied a steady stream of encouragement.

I also owe thanks to copy editor Katie Sharp, project editor Jan Cronan, and the rest of the staff at Globe Pequot for their knowledgeable assistance.

Special thanks to my spouse, Anne Steinberg, for frontline editing that kept me on track and a faith in this project that smoothed the rough spots.

Thanks to James McCommons for introducing me to this project and to Abigail Alft for introducing me to Bond Falls. Also thank you to all of my NMU friends and colleagues who hiked with me and helped me stay on track (literally and figuratively).