Return to the Conifers Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Sylvania Wilderness (22 pix)
| | |
Posted by tsugajunkie 5a SE_WI (My Page) on Mon, Nov 16, 09 at 22:38
| In early October my brother and I went on a camping/fishing trip to northern Wisconsin. I took a day off from fishing to check out the Sylvania Wilderness area near Watersmeet , Michigan. It is an 18,327 acre wilderness with large stands of old growth hemlock and red and white pines. I only had time to hike a couple miles into the hemlock forest (the pines will have to be another day), but that little taste of forest was awe inspiring. I didn’t make it to the largest hemlocks but I did see several over 30 inches dbh, the largest being 33 inches dbh (84cm). No grand vistas here, nor scenic mountain overlooks. Just a walk in the woods.
Double leader starting 30 feet up. No doubt wouldn't last without neighboring tree's support
This foursome varied from 18 inches to 24 inches dbh (46-60cm)
A view looking between them
These two were both over 30 inches dbh (76cm)
This little guy sprouted on driftwood near a lakeshore.
And a bit of color in the area.
To anyone who hasn't experienced a hemlock forest you really should seek one out. The eerie darkness and stillness is amazing. I hadn't been to one in many years and, Good Lord willing, it won't be long before I return to one.
tj
|
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Sylvania Wilderness (22 pix)
| | |
RE: Sylvania Wilderness (22 pix)
| | |
| A lot of people like to go fishing there, skipping from lake to lake. I'd need a large bell to alert me to return to the shoreline or to let me know my pole is being dragged - along with my canoe - by some monster sturgeon. Thank you Tom, I appreciate it. I'll bet you ate like kings. Dax |
RE: Sylvania Wilderness (22 pix)
| | |
| Great stuff, TJ! I spent a lot of time in and around the Sylvania tract years ago. In fact, I worked in Watersmeet MI for two summers when I was in school. And while it is true what you say about no sweeping vistas, etc., at least in comparison to say, Colorado, there are, in fact, some very impressive views to be had not far away at all in the Porcupine Mountains area just north. I especially like standing on the cliff overlooking Lake Of The Clouds and being able to catch a glimpse of Lake Superior over my shoulder. In addition to the big pines and hemlocks, there are some yellow birch in Sylvania so large that it is quite challenging, at first, to identify them. Being so big and old, all the bark one can see is not the gleaming yellow-coppery looking stuff, but just craggy, indistinct sheets. Huge sugar maples too. I'm sure you noticed this. Thanks much! +oM |
RE: Sylvania Wilderness (22 pix)
| | |
- Posted by botann z8 SEof Seattle (My Page) on
Tue, Nov 17, 09 at 20:27
| Hiking in a forest of Western Hemlocks is fun too. Not much grows under their canopy. Well, moss and a few ferns do.
Those last two pictures are really nice! Our native woods don't color up like that here in the northwest.
Thanks. |
RE: Sylvania Wilderness (22 pix)
| | |
Beautiful colors...!
Thanks, Josh |
RE: Sylvania Wilderness (22 pix)
| | |
| Thank you for your appreciation, gentlemen. Dax you're right, we did eat well. Walleyes were hard to come by, but the panfish made up for it. +om- My wife and I have hiked the Porkies and they are very nice. And you are right about the yellow birch. It took a bit to ID them. botann & Josh- My brother & I plan this trip at this time each year to try and hit the colors at their peak. We are batting 1000. tj |
RE: Sylvania Wilderness (22 pix)
| | |
Seedling on driftwood - nice!
Also like the pond colors. |
|
|
|
|
