The Grand Traverse Bay watershed spans 976 square miles in Antrim, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties. Waterways in these land areas drain to Grand Traverse Bay, which holds 9.9 trillion gallons of water! The following article highlights some favorite places to explore in the watershed. Grab your hiking boots or kayak.

 

 

By Lisa Taylor 

 

The good news? You can eat a LOT when you're hiking and playing in the snow. According to nutritionists, winter hikers burn between 100 and 500 extra calories per hour, depending on the level of activity. 

To improve your comfort and safety while exercising in the cold, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends the following:

You may have to hit the roads when the snow gets too deep, but you can keep your running going in winter! With a few adjustments, you might find you like it better than any other season.

 

The rare dangers of winter running include frostbite, hypothermia and aggravation of bronchial difficulties, but these can be prevented by wearing the right clothes and staying inside when temperatures drop too low, say below zero.