I just returned from a 4-day trip to Nordhouse Dunes. It's been a long time since the last time I was there. I think it was in 1995 with both boys. It's a great back country area however, it's a little bit crowed on the weekends.
Arrived at the parking lot at 6:30 AM on Saturday morning to a full lot. I had forgotten that this is bow hunting season. When I made it out to the beach there were quite a few people on the beach. I really wish people that visit the back country especially a wilderness area would pay attention to the rule. I don't mind people bringing there dogs but, they are suppose to be on leash. Most all I ran across were running free. It REALLY upset me to see a family riding there motorcycles down the beach, more than once. They were there both Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday night was a great sunset. It ended up being the only sunset night for the trip. Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights were cloudy just at sunset time. Because of the early morning and trip time I crashed early on Saturday.
I really abused myself on Sunday. Took a day trip from my camp at the south end to the observation platform at the north end. It was a couple mile walk up the beach. Once there I decided to take a trip to Nordhouse Lake, which about a mile and a half. Then from the lake back to camp, which was a coupe of miles. All tool I must have put about 5-miles on. The return trip brought me through the parking lot, which put me right at my car. I had parked at the far end of the lot and didn't realize that the trail started there. Sunday night after the sunset it cleared up nicely for a great start night. I didn't want to leave the spot I was in to get my camera to take night sky pics (Maybe next time). Monday was a day laying around camp recovering from the long walk on Sunday.
Overall the weather was great, with the exception of Tuesday night. It was pretty windy all day but, around 5:00PM it really got bad. I think it was gusting to 50 MPH. I ended up with every layer I had on and when the sun went down, it really got cold. Rained off and on all night and I awoke to wind and rain for the pack out on Wednesday.
I will make the trip again. Next time I want to spend more time in the interior to check it all out.
P.S. I'll post the rest of the pic's on my Flickr Bar the you can see at the other Blog Life Behind the Dust Pan (may take me a couple of days).
