the Ultimate Winter Experience | Dog Sledding

In a previous article we made suggestions for a one day excursion in the Paradise area, then offered suggestions for a second day.  Ultimately, you'll want to test your muster with dog sleds; a means of transportation used in many snow laden communities for hundreds of years.  

After a day or two exploring the trails, trade your snowshoes or snowmobile for a dog sled. Nature’s Kennel in McMillan, Michigan offers various dog sledding adventure rides in the heart of Tahquamenon Country. With various guided tour options that range from half day jaunts to full-day fun, their seasoned guides are sure to keep you safe while you ride along or drive your own dog team through pristine forest trails. 

Michigan's Premier Dog Sledding Destination is only 55 miles from Paradise.  Take M123 toward Newberry to M28. Turn west on M28. At McMillan turn north onto CR415/McMillan Avenue to arrive at Nature’s Kennel.  Go ahead a make the plunge for the ultimate snow experience!

 

	Free Continental/Hot Breakfast Trail Access Pets Allowed WiFi Air Conditioning Meeting Room(s) Dining Nearby Open Year Round Cabins Available Curley's Paradise Motel
	Free Continental/Hot Breakfast Trail Access Pool/Hot Tub/Sauna WiFi Air Conditioning Meeting Room(s) Dining Nearby Magnuson Grand Lakefront
	Free Continental/Hot Breakfast Trail Access WiFi Air Conditioning Meeting Room(s) Dining Nearby Open Year Round Paradise Inn (Hotel)
	CABINS Trail Access WiFi Dining Nearby Open Year Round Paradise Shores Cabins
	Trail Access WiFi Dining Nearby Open Year Round No Pets Please Vagabond Motel

Experience Winter in Michigan's Paradise | Two Day Itinerary

If you have an opportunity to spend two days in the Paradise area during the winter months, we recommend four activities on the first day:

• Tahquamenon Falls Upper Falls; trek .4 miles to the falls from the parking lot
• Snow shoe the lantern lit Trail open Saturday's in February; snowshoes are available from Noon to 8 PM on Saturdays in February.  Usually the park offers a guided snowshoe hike this day at 2 PM.
• Enjoy Camp 33 Microbrewery 
• Capture an image of the Tahquamenon Falls State Park's Lower Falls.

On your second day, we recommend that you start your day with a Lumberjack breakfast at the Berry Patch then rent a snowmobile.  Take  Trail #452 to Whitefish Point; catch Trail 8 near Bear Lake and travel to Crisp Point.  Be sure to confirm your travel route on the trail map.

Eat lunch at Pine Stump Junction then catch County Road 414 reconnecting to Trail 452 and wind your way back to Paradise stopping at Tahquamenon Falls State Park and stretch your legs walking to the Upper Falls or enjoy a hot cup of coffee at Camp 33.

For dinner we recommend THE INN, Smokehouse and Gastropub in Paradise.  They offer a menu of hearty smokehouse meats to top off a day of trail blazing fun.  You just have to stop in and GET SOME!!!

There are some 120 miles of groomed snowmobile trails.  Tahquamenon Falls State Park has trails set for cross-country skiers, and snow shoe enthusiasts.  The Tahquamenon Country Pathways Association grooms the local Paradise Pathway trail, just west of Paradise.  They groom that trail for cross-country skiers and snowshoers.  To stay informed as to weather and trail conditions, follow trail groomer reports (Paradise Area Night Riders ), weather reports (weatherbug.com), or a local weather camera hosted by the Vagabond located in town! 

Add another day to your plans?

	Free Continental/Hot Breakfast Trail Access Pets Allowed WiFi Air Conditioning Meeting Room(s) Dining Nearby Open Year Round Cabins Available Curley's Paradise Motel
	Free Continental/Hot Breakfast Trail Access Pool/Hot Tub/Sauna WiFi Air Conditioning Meeting Room(s) Dining Nearby Magnuson Grand Lakefront
	Free Continental/Hot Breakfast Trail Access WiFi Air Conditioning Meeting Room(s) Dining Nearby Open Year Round Paradise Inn (Hotel)
	CABINS Trail Access WiFi Dining Nearby Open Year Round Paradise Shores Cabins
	Trail Access WiFi Air Conditioning Dining Nearby Open Year Round Cabin Available Vagabond Motel

Experience Snowfall in Paradise

Compliments Photographer Terry Humphrey

November 6, 2019, Sherry at Gene's Tahquamenon General Store located near the entrance of Tahquamenon Falls State Park Lower Falls posted on their Facebook page,

"Well,Ole" man Winter has arrived !! Ugh!!! Wasn't quite ready, but since last Saturday night until today we've probably gotten 13" of snow, if you go to Newberry or south of Paradise there's NO snow, WOW!!"

Her comments regarding snowfall in the eastern Upper Peninsula provides a clue as to the wide variation in snow levels in the region from Paradise to Newberry to Eckerman, Whitefish Point, and Sault Ste. Marie. 

Whitefish Point Road travels 11.2 miles north of Paradise from the intersection of Michigan's Scenic Byway, M-123 along Whitefish Bay to Whitefish Point.  For each mile north, the daily snowfall easily increases one-half inch each mile.  The National Weather Service (NOAA) provides the following data in tracking six seasons.  Unfortunately Paradise did not have a weather station in service during the season of 2014 - 2015.   The two stations are approximately 1.5 miles apart, south to north.

PARADISE MONTHLY SNOWFALL TOTALS
NOAA Weather Station USC00206354 South of Town
SEASON	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	TOTAL
2019 - 2020	-	0.5	54.4								54.9
2018 - 2019	-	1.4	30.1	14.7	57.3	54.8	13.7	2.3	1.0	-	175.3
2017 - 2018	-	0.1	10.9	62.8	39.9	24.2	4.9	29.3	-		172.1
2016 - 2017	-	-	6.0	56.3	52.1	53.2	26.8	1.5	-		195.9
NOAA Weather Station US1MICP0005  North of Town
2013 - 2014	-	0.1	19.1	68.1	74.7	24.8	25.9	13.6			226.3
2012 - 2013	-	1.0	20.8	25.0	74.2	51.9	35.6	8.8	1.5	-	218.8
* As of 11/12/2019

Compliments Photographer Terry Humphrey

There are some 120 miles of groomed snowmobile trails.  Tahquamenon Falls State Park has trails groomed for cross-country skiers, and snow shoe enthusiasts.  The Tahquamenon Country Pathways Association grooms a local cross-country and snowshoe trail just west of Paradise. To stay informed as to weather and trail conditions, follow trail groomer reports ( Paradise Area Night Riders ), weather reports (weatherbug.com), or a local weather camera hosted by the Vagabond motel located in town!  

Be safe in your endeavors to enjoy the winter season.  A measure of a Whitefish Township resident's stamina is the number of winters endured.  A measure of a visitor's enjoyment is the number of miles snowmobiled, snow-shoed, cross-country skiied, mushed or photographed!

	Free Continental/Hot Breakfast Trail Access Pets Allowed WiFi Air Conditioning Meeting Room(s) Dining Nearby Open Year Round Cabins Available Curley's Paradise Motel
	Free Continental/Hot Breakfast Trail Access Pool/Hot Tub/Sauna WiFi Air Conditioning Meeting Room(s) Dining Nearby Magnuson Grand Lakefront
	Free Continental/Hot Breakfast Trail Access WiFi Air Conditioning Meeting Room(s) Dining Nearby Open Year Round Paradise Inn (Hotel)
	CABINS Trail Access WiFi Dining Nearby Open Year Round Paradise Shores Cabins
	Trail Access WiFi Air Conditioning Dining Nearby Open Year Round Cabin Available Vagabond Motel

Winter Get-a-Way | One Day Trip Itinerary

Tahquamenon Upper Falls Extreme Winter Conditions

Winter is an incredible season!  There is so much to do: snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, snow boarding, snow snowmobiling, fat-biking, mushing, lantern-lit trails, sightseeing, photo opportunities, hot chocolates, bomb fires, friends, and conversations.    You have one day to get away and experience Winter in Michigan's Paradise.  

A must see and do for a one day stay is Tahquamenon Falls State Park!  Open year round, the park offers an incredible view of the Upper Falls.   Park in the parking lot then take a less than 1/2 mile hike on a paved pathway to view the Upper Falls.  This area is kept passable through the winter months.  Snowmobilers park their sleds in the parking lot and take a stroll.  These pictures reveal an extreme scene and a conventional winter shot.  Regardless, the falls are breath taking.   

Each Saturday in February, tradition has it that park staff members set up a groomed, lantern-lit cross-ski trail to enjoy.  The park office offers snowshoe instruction or a guided snowshoe hike and gear free to use Saturdays in February as well.

Tahquamenon Upper Falls Winter Wonderland

After hiking the trail, stop in at Camp 33, Tahquamenon Falls Brewer and Pub located at the Tahquamenon Falls State Upper Falls.and enjoy a  Black Bear Stout from their list of Micro-brewed in house beers as you swap stories with your friends.  

The lower falls is a series of five falls cascading in the midst of the river as it circles a small island.  Again, it is a short walking distance from the parking lot.  Coming to Paradise, one day?  Check out the Falls, take a snowshoe hike, and visit the micro-brewery.  Add another day to your itinerary?

	Free Continental/Hot Breakfast Trail Access Pets Allowed WiFi Air Conditioning Meeting Room(s) Dining Nearby Open Year Round Cabins Available Curley's Paradise Motel
	Free Continental/Hot Breakfast Trail Access Pool/Hot Tub/Sauna WiFi Air Conditioning Meeting Room(s) Dining Nearby Magnuson Grand Lakefront
	Free Continental/Hot Breakfast Trail Access WiFi Air Conditioning Meeting Room(s) Dining Nearby Open Year Round Paradise Inn (Hotel)
	CABINS Trail Access WiFi Dining Nearby Open Year Round Paradise Shores Cabins
	Trail Access WiFi Air Conditioning Dining Nearby Open Year Round Cabin Available Vagabond Motel