Experience Michigan's Most Trusted Dog Sledding and Quiet/Silent Sport Adventures by
Creating Quiet/Silent Sport adventures for the Novice and Intermediate outdoor enthusiasts for 15 years +
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This home page has become our bulletin board for things going on here at Fred Powers. Please use the links below for contents of our website. Thank You for visiting and we hope to see you on our trails and streams.
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What's on this page
what's new on the website
Job Description
daily weather forecast
index
to the pages of this website airport
information
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New
Wilderness Trail Outfitters (Fred's Story) from Tom Okins on Vimeo.
A sit down interview with Fred Powers, the owner and operator of Wilderness Trail Outfitters.
Camera work by Kirk Anderson, Jim Merkouris and Tom Okins.
Edited by Tom Okins
If you can't watch the above video click below
click here for a 3 minute video on how I got into dog sledding
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Member of AAA Show Your Card and Save
receive a 10% discount on all day trips and packages
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As of 1-21-12 we have 2 feet of snow!!!!
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Trail Breaker Picture Corner
For those of you who think the trail breaker
(person who is up front of the dogsled caravan/train) has a easy job opening the
trail from the storms the night before, so that the dogteams keep moving, this is
the tribute to them with their pics.
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We have some winter gear for rent
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We have excellent group rates please call for group pricing 906-280-6612
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What's so important about trusting your
outfitter:
Whether it is here at home or on this website "what
you read and see is what you get" that's my promise as a woodsman, a business
man, and your Host and Guide. I love to guide/help folks experience the real
adventures of living in this wilderness area. From speaking about my lifestyle
to adventures on snow and adventures on water I am going to do my very best not
only to guide you through the more adventurous areas but to also capture it on
film for you.
About the kennel We are
dog people who love our dogs, love to travel by dogs, love to camp with our
dogs. We are not driven by a race venue and fill-in in-between, we are driven
because of the love for this breed and what they offer to us for friendship and traveling
everyday through this
wilderness area. ALL of the dogs here go through dog obedience classes (that
alone sets us apart from everybody else) so I can ensure you a safe wilderness
experience. The conditioning program for all the dogs here is accomplished
throughout the year. During the summer months dogs are swimming in our ponds at
the US 2 facility, in August we move the dogs back north to our Forest Outpost
where we start a slow - meticulous - conditioning program bringing their mileage
up slowly - bringing the dogs to a working level of 5 to 6 days per week if need
be - alternating between 14 to 60 miles per day.
I could say that our dogs run 7 days a week, all dogs
actually run 7 days a week around around they go, in a circle to a chain attached to a
pole that's NOT a good professional conditioning program, in fact its NOT
a conditioning program at all..
Our trials are identified with trail markers ensuring you the
safety that you are on/in the right place, if the trails your on at some other
place is not marked maybe they are not legal or permitted by the Forest Service
or State.
For years we have given a folder of pictures on cd. I'm not talking about 1 or 2 pics here, we've managed to get up to 50 pictures on the 2 hour and up to 150 pics on the all day tours. Sometimes things just happen and we don't get any but that does not happen very often, what I can promise you is every guide out their will have a digital camera and if not from here the guides will ask for your camera to take pictures of you-scenes you can't get. This is about sharing the real quiet sport experience of dogsledding with you and we want to do everything we can to capture this experience of yours on film for you at no extra charge.
Even though some of my dogs race and do quite well, it has taken years of breeding to produce the type of dog that I have here. Using the most trusted-obedient type males and females of 5 of the top long distance bloodlines, they have proved themselves over and over for their willingness to please, friendliness, loyalty, positive attitude, and work ethic.
You will be given a comprehensive class about the dogs and handling the sled from one of the experienced guides before we hook up the dogs, there is all kinds of time for questions during the class, and of course there is lots of time to mingle with the stars of the day-the dogs.
Learning about the dogs-harnesses-food etc is free here, you can come early and/or stay after we have gotten back from the tour (even have a cup of hot chocolate with us) or you can stop here any time you like spring-summer-fall-winter to pet the dogs and visit. We have a long ways to travel (the length of our tours is another thing that separates us from everyone else) in the miles that we travel on our tours, other then stops for pictures and lunches it takes all the time allotted for the specific tour to get back here at the kennel.
We maintain hundreds of miles of trails mostly for long distance conditioning but 80 miles are used for the touring operation with 40 miles of that being used everyday. The first 40 miles of trail is compacted and groomed and kept in excellent condition. Partly because its easier for the dogs to pull and partly for the smoothness of the ride (old timers like myself appreciate not being on a bumpy trail, especially sitting in a dogsled - even with padding!!!!) Adventure is defined by moments and I guarantee you this type of trail system and how we manage it is designed to give you and your friends/family the safest, most awesome wilderness dogsled adventure that we can muster up here in this 1600 square miles of the Hiawatha National Forest.
The latest bs from my competitors is that my trail goes along side the highway (this really shows my competitors ignorance). Out of 300 miles of trail I do have a trail (called the corridor trail) that is a emergency exit from the southern trail system wilderness area in case we need to get someone out to an emergency unit on Hwy 13. Thank God I have not needed to use it for an emergency but it is their and it is just as beautiful as the other 292 miles of trail. Remember you are driving into a 1600 square mile wilderness area which I live in the middle of, in any direction it is wilderness from here, In any direction you will drive 30 miles to get out of this forest. Do you really want to go with someone that does not have a emergency plan. Do you want to trust the safety of your family to someone with no emergency plan?. Oh, and National Forest Highway 13 is a two lane road that connects lake superior (M-28) and lake michigan (US 2). It is the only paved north south road in 1600 square miles with very little traffic.
I am a Licensed Outfitter by the Federal Forest Service with Liability Insurance - not all dogsled touring operations are.
I count on you speaking to your friends about your dogsledding adventure - My advertising is minimal, so I rely heavily on you having a enjoyable experience and speaking to your friends about your wilderness dogsled adventure here at Wilderness Trail Outfitters, that is the advertising and the success story for me and my dogs here.
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You can follow us on Facebook-- www.facebook.com/fredpowers
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Fred Powers/Wilderness Trail Outfitters is located at the north end of Nahma Township which encompasses a 68% or about 75,000 acres of the Hiawatha National Forest which is 1600 square miles total. The village of Nahma's history stems back to the logging era of 1857 which at that time was owned by the Big Bay de Nocquet lumber Company. To continue to read about the rich history of Nahma and what we all have to offer you click on this link. http://www.nahmatownship.us/
From fishing Lake Michigan's Big Bay de Nocquet to Ogontz Bay to the Bass Tournament to golfing, to enjoying the beaches here on Lake Michigan to the many remote campgrounds on the numerous inland lakes found here in Nahma Township, a true quiet sport area. We offer trails for hiking, Mountain Biking, Cross Country Skiing and Skijoring. We also offer guided hunts and winter fishing trips with dogs. Nahma Township is truly a 4 season quiet sport place to enjoy. A perfect place for family reunions, church group outings, business retreats or just for family leisure, Nahma Inn located in the heart of Nahma is where most of our customers stay.
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click here to read one of the most awesome dogsled true stories
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Delta County Airport - 906-789-5654
Delta Airlines, Escanaba - 800-221-1212
National Alamo car rental at Delta county
airport
906-786-0603
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New
Wilderness Trail Outfitters (Outdoor Activities) from Tom Okins on Vimeo.
Commercial for Wilderness Trail Outfitters focused on the additional outdoor activities offered.
Camera work by Kirk Anderson, Jim Merkouris and Tom Okins.
Edited by Tom Okins
Music: "Pour Petite Tete" by L'Onomatopeur
Wilderness Trail Outfitters (Dog Sledding) from Tom Okins on Vimeo.
Dog sledding focused commercial for Wilderness Trail Outfitters.
Camera work by Kirk Anderson, Jim Merkouris and Tom Okins.
Edited by Tom Okins
Music: Chicago by Plusplus
If you can't watch the above videos click on the links below.
click here for short video a look into our trails and what we have to offer
another short video on what we offer
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I am taking reservations
also for our dogsledding experience,
Lake
Superior dogsledding, for the last week of March and the month of April I will be up north
dogsledding along Lake Superior. I have established a beautiful trail system
that entails about 40 miles plus there will be lots of exploring. To see a few videos of the area click on the link
below. To see pictures of the area click on the blue colored Lake Superior words
above.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvsk05SKWmU&feature=channel lk superior
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The snow has arrived and we have taken to the trails so make your reservation today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/weather/
BRING foot and hand warmers!!!!!!!!!! also bring sleeping bags
to put into the sled bag to help keep warm.
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Double D Cabins - 906-387- 3319
located about 6 miles from my driveway on County rd 440. These
beautiful Log Cabins are on the Sturgeon River. Check their website out!!!!!
small cabin sleeps 8 - $80.00
larger cabin sleeps 10 - $90.00
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Nahma Inn
Charlie and Laurie MacIntosh owners - give them a call Laurie
would be more then happy to speak with you and answer your questions.
please check out their website
Rooms are $65.00
Group rates are available!!!!!!
Continental Breakfast included
Dining Room and Bar room
They are located 20 miles south of the FF Hwy 13 location and 4 miles south of
US 2 (south location).
906-644-2486
A consideration when you have kids is:
With the bar downstairs it can get noisy
upstairs in the rooms.
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Big Bay
Getaway Motel - located on the shore of
Big Bay de Noc on US 2, 23 miles southeast of my driveway. Very reasonable rates
especially with the community kitchenette. Click on their name for their
website. 906-644-2893
Big Bay Getaway Motel has a Kitchenette for your cooking needs- especially for
breakfast. You will be traveling into a
wilderness area and there are no places for 20 miles to get breakfast so bring
supplies.
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Join Fred, Tyler, Rick and Geri, Bobbie Jo, Josh, Bruce, Danielle and the rest of the staff at Wilderness Trail Outfitters on a unique wilderness experience, Mushing dog teams across the beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
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Ok class, today you will be learning about the people who will be mushing your
sleds!!!!!!!
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Dog picture of the week
yes Blue, we love you!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Picture of the week
Is Boogie and Carson trying to tell me something?
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Reservations for the 2011/2012 dogsled season are being made. You can still get in on the fun. Make your reservation today.
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To see pics of dogs for adoption and pups for sale. click here.
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If it is to cold in the winter for you to dogsled then come with us on a Fall Training Run, the fall training runs have started out with a huge success with individuals and families learning what it takes to get a dog team in shape for the snow season. Click on Fall training run to see pictures and to read what our customers have to say about it.
For those of you who are new to the dogsled world check out our "What to Expect" page.
Fall Training tours start September 1
Dogsled Tours start on December 1 and run to April 30
Job Description
I will be looking for a individual or couple to
live in one of my locations, job duties to help train and condition 60 Alaskan
Huskies and to help operate a touring facility in winter. I provide housing you
must have some sort of income, I do provide a small weekly stipend from fall to
spring.
Send resume by e-mail to
Fred Powers
15480 Federal Forest Hwy 13
Wetmore, MI 49895
To all journalists, this is an invitation for you for a free dogsledding trip. The catch is, you need to write an article on your experience here and have it published. If interested please call or e-mail.
Gift certificates available - unique gifts for everyone
If it takes a few days to return your call/e-mail we are probably out with the dogs and we apologize for the delay.
If you do not receive a response from an e-mail you send us, please resend the e-mail as it may have gotten deleted by our spam mail detector.
For those of you who are new to the dogsled world check out our "What to Expect" page.
Between Lake Michigan and Lake Superior lies an expanse of land called the Upper Peninsula of Michigan containing thousands of square miles of semi wilderness to wilderness area. Between these two great bodies of water are marshlands and lakes with fir, pine, and spruce trees dotting their shores. These lowlands are surrounded by upland ridges where maple, birch, beech, red pine, and the great white pines thrive.
After the summer growing season, when the trees lose their coat of leaves, the winds shift from south to north ushering in the beginning of a long winter blanket of snow with temperatures around zero. It is now time for the adventures of dog sledding in the Hiawatha National Forest.
The picture to the left is supplied by Eric Deaton
Whatever your age (12 to 80 years young) we can customize your wilderness dog sledding adventure. If you would like to ride or drive (mush) a dog sled for 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, a weekend All Inclusive Package or take one of our Wilderness Experience Tours or anything in between, we can accommodate your wilderness dog sledding adventure.
Children ages 5 and up are welcome to ride along on this unique winter experience.
Its fun for the entire family
pic below supplied by DSilk
For information you may not find in this website, please call, write or e-mail and please make your checks Payable to:
Fred Powers
1-906-280-6612
15480 Federal Forest Hwy 13
Wetmore, MI 49895
dogsled@wildernesstrailoutfitters.com
For a faster
response please call the number above.
Current local weather for today is:
Kennel Tours start June 15 but are by reservation only
Fall Training tours start September 1
Dogsled Tours start on December 1 and run to April 30
All tours require a reservation
http://www.upicefishing.com/
guided ice fishing trips
Clickstate.com
Lookdirectory.com
Directorylocal.com
Directorycities.com
Directorymichigan.com
GreatMichigan.com
The largest Michigan directory and
guide to everything you need in Michigan with useful resource of business
information.
Double D Cabins - located 6 miles from my driveway on County rd 440 - 906-387-3319
Nahma Inn - located 20 miles south of our driveway.906-644-2486
Kenbuck Resort- located on Stevens Lake road is a resort offering cabin lodging 906-573-2237
Big Bay Getaway Motel located 23 miles away, 8 miles east of Hwy 13 on US 2. 906-644-2893
Hiawatha Resort and Cabins located 4 miles from our driveway. 906 -573-2450
Super 8 Motel located in Wetmore they also have snowmobile rental & ATV 906-387-2466
Camel Riders Resort and Restaurant located 5 miles from our driveway 906-573-2319
Munising Snowmobile Rental
located in Wetmore 906 387 4300
and in Grand Maria at the North Shore Lodge
906- 494-2361
There are only a given amount of tours we can run in the 18 week season so make your reservations now.
If you have problems viewing this website please notify us.