Snowshoe/ hike to Apostle Islands MAWIKWE SEA CAVES

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 9:30 pm

I would have the camp kitchen under control. 2 & 3 burner colmans and a turkey burner.

There really is much for lodging north of Ashland. Ashland would be a good home base. Spouses and such can go shopping or whatever but there isn't a whole lot but I don't know Ashland all that well. Parts of the move Public Enemies was filmed there.

There are a few other Earth caches and there is a cache "Lost Falls" that's been on my to do list for a very long time.

There is the Hotel Chequamegon, but it's pretty fancy. I have tried to get a hold of PassingWind, but know luck yet. Found out that I will get weekeds of with the new job. Would have to check with the wife to make sure I she doesn't have any wedding or shows, but I'm in. Just need to know what weekend.

Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 10:18 pm

The AmericInn is on the east side of town, and they did add some water features a few years ago. The Best Western is on the west side of town,right on Lake Superior. It has a restaurant attached to it.
Hugo's Pizza is located in Ashland and would have room for a group of cachers. It's closer to the Best Western.
For those that stay behind, the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center is very interesting, and the Timeless Timber Gift and Wood shop are great places to visit.

For Morgan Falls and St. Peters Dome, there is a $5 fee for access to the parking lot. It was quite a hike in the fall to the Dome, without snow, but the falls would be a nice secondary trek.

Glad to share info, but can't make the trip. I've worked in the area 6 times a year until 2009, so caching and exploring the area the last 12 years has been fun!

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 8:05 am

Lost Falls could almost be an epic cache of its own, especially this time of year. It is really an awesome place. If you haven't visited Twin Falls, that one is worth your time, too. There's one up in the peninsula we still want to visit but will have to hike a distance....Pratt's Peak. When we tried to approach it last time, the "road" looked like something only a tricked out big wheel ATV could navigate and we had a lot of other places we wanted to visit that day.

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 10:06 am

Well,

It's not easy around here to find free weekends. The beginning of February is pretty booked up. The end of January seems like it may be iffy for ice? Not many January logs on the cache last year. The best February weekend for us is the one that the Birkie is on February 27-28th. The best one for us is looking like March 6-7th.

So, here is where we are:

1. January 30-31st (maybe too early for good ice? I have no idea.)
2. February 27-28th (but this is in conflict with the Birkie)
3. March 6-7th (don't know if this is too late- there are photos from last year from March 2nd and it looks fantastic.)

Otherwise, realizing now that we have a busy February, perhaps this plan will have to go on without us. Sad

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 10:23 am

January 30-31 is definitely out for me.

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 10:34 am

I'd say the March 5-6. Could be a little bit warmer, but the ice should still be in good shape. Nothing going on then. There always seems to be a winter thaw just before the Birhie too. Making it later might also give more fold to make plans.

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 6:52 pm

No question I'd like to be in on this one... Let's see what dates coalesce and I'll do my best.

WGA Member Joined: 2008-09-02 Posts: 20

We would be interested in joining the group, too, if the final date works for us.

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 11:04 pm

Very interesting... will be watching this thread for the decision on the date.
the March date would most likely work best for me if that trip comes about.

WGA Member Joined: 2006-08-07 Posts: 501

Accordiongal and Eskoclimber are heading that way on the second weekend in January.

Dammit Jim! I'm in! Very Happy

I'd be interested in heading up for this one with the B.A.G.G!!!!! Those excursions are always the best time!!!!!! Keep me in the LOOP !

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 9:43 pm

It seems like the March 6-7th weekend works for most folks that have replied. That weekend works for us. So, unless there are great cries of unrest from the multitudes I think we can label that weekend as the Great Ice Cave Adventure weekend. So, next, we need to plan some details:

1. Hotel
2. Event or no event?
3. If an event, a cookout in the parking lot for lunch or at a hotel or restaurant in the evening?

JimandLinda- any advice on hotels?

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 10:31 pm

would that be overnight Friday March5, with the trip to the caves Saturday March 6, or overnight Saturday, trip on Sunday?

Not sure how many others may have commitments on Sundays.
I would like the Friday/Saturday arrangement if I can make the trip.

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 11:30 pm

I'm sorry to report that I was lied to temp agency!!! The plant is working 6 day weeks so I DON'T get Sturdays off. Things could change by then, but I have no clue. Sorry! If I happen to get free I'll be there!

Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 2:44 am

There are different motels for different budgets, including a couple ma and pa places for pretty cheap. Best Western is closest for heading out to the great north shore, and has an eating establishment with it. Super 8 might have continental breakfast, as well as AmericInn.

Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 11:48 am

Hey! PassingWind is alive. This is a note I got from him.

PassingWind wrote:

I plan to re-stock and update my Ashland breakwater caches and potentially place a few more "challenging" caches if the event happens in the next few months. I'll also be offering "stocked" ammo cans for sale. I have to get rid of a lot of ammo cans that I have... that is for a price (or geocoins)! Also, one of the managers of the Ashland AmericInn is a newbie geocacher, so if your looking for an event location.