Conditions

Boating - 5/23/2013 Aquatic Nuisance Species / ANS Inspections are required to launch a boat on North Michigan. Inspections are done at the North Michigan Gate and the Moose Visitor Center. Wakeless boating only. North Michigan is 50% ice. Camping - 5/23/2013 Reservations accepted June 7th until September 30th. Snow should be receded by June 7th. Our campgrounds have undergone extensive pine beetle mitigation. For the Memorial weekend we will have 28-36 sites available on a first come basis as the weather warms up more will be added. Reservations can be made 6 months in advance. Call the Moose Visitor Center at 970-723-8366 for more information. Cell Phone Coverage - 5/23/2013 For the most part we do not have cell phone coverage in the area. There are a few spots that one - two bar coverage is sometimes available. Ask at the Moose Visitor Center or North Michigan Gate. Otherwise as you travel towards the town of Walden cell phone coverage gets better as there is a Verizon cell phone tower above Walden. Fire Restrictions - 5/23/2013 No backcountry fires allowed in the State Forest. Open flames including wood, charcoal, or campfires are allowed in designated fire rings only. Fully extinguish your campfire and do not leave it unattended. Firewood is available at the Moose Visitor Center and at the Entrance Stations. Fishing Report - 5/23/2013 4 fish in bag, 8 in possession at the lower lakes. Flies and lures only on the high alpine lakes, 2 fish in bag limit. North Michigan Reservoir is 50% ice covered. 5/23 North Michigan Reservoir stocked. Good fishing!!!! Hunting - 5/23/2013 Game Management Units 6 and 171 are within the park. Park Entrance - 5/23/2013 The Moose Visitor Center is open 9:00 - 5:00 every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Stop in the Moose Visitor Center and check out the great interpretative displays. We now have an all encompassing trail map at the Moose Visitor Center for a $5.00 donation. Road Conditions - 5/23/2013 County Road 41 is open year round. All other roads are closed for the winter. Roads will open as snow recedes and they are dry. Spring Colors - 5/23/2013 Spring Conditions, 64 High, 23 Low. There is still several feet of snow at 9500 and up but with the warmer temps we should see things changing daily. Birds we are seeing at our feeders are the Steller's Jay, Grey Jay, Cassins Finch, Dark-eyed Junco, Oregon Junco, White-crowned Sparrow, Pine Grosbeaks, Pine Siskins, and an occasional Sharp-shin looking for a meal. The Broad-tailed Hummingbirds return on Mother's Day. Flowers that are blooming are the Forget-me-nots, Buttercups, Pasque, Alpine Phlox, and Early Larkspur. Trails - 5/23/2013 Be careful around beetle kill trees especially if it is windy. The trees are easily blown over in areas where there is little protection from the wind. Gould Loop is partially open for hiking. Beaver Lodge from the second trailhead is dry and should have an abundance of flowers. Conditions are still a little wet throughout the park. The green meadows and the snow-covered peaks make for a beautiful site. Water Levels - 5/23/2013 Ranger Lakes and North Michigan is at normal water level. Water Temperature - 5/23/2013 Cold high mountain lakes and streams. No swimming. Weather - 5/23/2013 High 64 Low 23. Beautiful spring weather with afternoon and evening showers. The meadows are bright green, the flowers are blooming, the animals are having their young and the mountain tops are covered in snow.