Who are we?
We are Ben and Cindy Flynn, husband and wife living in the beauty of north-west Lower Michigan.
Why Trails From North Country?
We have another blog, Tales from North Country, that covers our life here in Northwest lower Michigan. For the past 9 years, Ben has had health problems that have impacted his ability to get outdoors and go on adventures. In 2020, we were in a head on collision that left me (Cindy) with extensive injuries.
Wanting to get back outside as soon as possible, we began exploring trails that are accessible in a variety of ways in our area. We found a few, but they were few and far between. There were many other trails around, but not a lot of information about them, at least not the kind of information we were looking for. And so, Trails From North Country was created as a way for us to not only share adventures, but also information about the trails we visit and their accessibility.
While we hope to share weekly adventures, sometimes life gets in the way. Winters are tough for both of us, and sometimes make it difficult to get out on the trails, but we plan to share as much as possible.
What will we look at?
We’ve decided to consider the following areas on the trails we hike:
| Accessibility | Physical Trail |
| Features | |
| Trail Difficulty | |
| Trail Head | |
| Trail Map | |
| Critters | Critters to Be Wary Of |
| Critters to Admire | |
| Critter Favorites | |
| Highlights of the Trail | |
| Favorite Part | |
| Cool Sightings | |
| Length | |
| Time | |
| Permits and Regulations | Dogs Allowed? |
| Permits Required? | |
| Open to Hunting? | |
| Safety; Include nearby emergency, poisonous plants | |
| Facilities | Bathrooms |
| Stores/Nature Centers | |
| Seasonal: | How does trail change in season? |
| What season did we go in? | |
| Gear | What to wear |
| What to take | |
| Critter Control (Sprays, gear to take) | |
| Weather | forecast |
| What was the weather actually like? | |
| Leave No trace | Pack in Pack out |
| Where to dispose of Garbage |
Each of the main areas will be rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being for more experienced hikers/outdoor people to enjoy, and 10 being for beginners to enjoy and be able to access.
As we explore new trails, the areas and scale may change, but this gives us a starting point, and a way to evaluate the trails we hike.
Happy Hiking!
-Ben and Cindy Flynn
Trails From North Country 