
North Manitou Island Backpacking
July 21, 2023
July 23, 2023
Secret coves. Warm beaches. Forgotten homesteads. Lush forests. Discover the authentic beauty of North Manitou Island.

Immerse yourself in the imperial landscape of North Manitou Island for 2 nights and 3 days of cultivating wholeness and connecting with nature. Fifteen thousand acres of wilderness floating in the sparkling waters of Lake Michigan, provides some of the most isolated backpacking in the State. North Manitou Island offers visitors a primitive experience emphasizing solitude, a feeling of self-dependence, and a sense of exploration.
We will enjoy hiking the dune landscape, playing in turquoise waves, spying island flora and fauna, exploring a ghost town, while learning the island's history and rediscovery ourselves.
Let’s get outside! I live to empower people. To open their wild hearts through slowing down and connecting to wilderness, honoring their bodies, supporting each other, and listening to nature’s whispers. To carry everything that we need on our backs to a desolate island to encourage a rhythm to life we all need more of. The island is bold enough to nudge us back to our uninhabited ways. A place where you can be free again – barefoot, sunburned and wild.
The island demands more from our increasingly comfortable lives. We get out of our comfort zones to experience true growth. One must embrace isolation on an island that is hard to get to. It requires a reliance on our own wits—where you can let your imagination wander while your soul inhales the wildness it needs. Leaving you with a fresh perspective on the life you thought you knew so well, a healthy reminder to stop taking it for granted.
These backpacking trips are the perfect adventure for every age, fitness level and every personality! During the trip, you will learn how to plan a backpacking trip, learn what equipment you’ll need, how to select a base camp, nutrition and campsite cooking, map reading and outdoor ethics. This trip is designed to empower you and help you connect with nature by teaching you the skills you need to feel confident in the outdoors and in life.
Trips are “expedition style”, which means everyone works together to carry the gear, cook meals, and perform camp chores. But don’t worry, even if you have never been camping before I will teach you everything you need to know!
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RECOVER your wild heart and mind ~ RESTORE your connection to nature ~ RECONNECT to your soul
Itinerary
Your guide will take care of all the details regarding planning, packing, what to expect and what gear to bring through a pre-trip zoom call.
(full, detailed itinerary sent upon registration)
Day 1
Meet at the designated meeting spot at 9AM. Directions sent upon registration & payment. We'll divvy up food and gear, circle up, set intentions and set out on our journey by ferry across the Manitou Passage. Hike, Set up camp, Dinner & sleep under a blanket of stars to the sound of crashing waves.
Day 2
Hot beverages & breakfast. Morning circle, meditation and intention setting. Maybe an invigorating Lake Michigan dip! Pack for guided hike across the island. Afternoon open to wild exploration and paying special attention to cultivating intimacy with nature. After dinner we’ll practice a group activity & story time.
Day 3
Hot beverages & breakfast. Pack up and hike back. Lunch enjoyed along the way. Before arriving at dock to meet the ferry we will have final gratitude circle, say our goodbyes as we step into a new appreciation of life affirming nature, path and self!
Back at cars by or before ~5:30pm

Maximum enrollment 10 people
Meet your leader


Heather Zigler is an experienced International Tour Guide who has led people to far away regions on the planet including; Belize, Patagonia, New Zealand and Antarctica. An outdoor guide, backpacker, nature-based mentor, and storytelling goddess. She is a facilitator for those seeking a different truth and a greater meaning.
Sharing her deeply personal experience of how she overcame obstacles to accomplish her dreams. She is here to humbly use, and share, her passion for bold adventure and the wisdom she has gained through worldly experiences and reflection. Her mission is to open minds to new discoveries and inspire others to live their truest, most authentic lives.
Heather creates a strong, compassionate, loving environment that facilitates deep healing and sacred connection to the wilderness. Every person can open up, be real and reimagine themself while finding a new community of friends.
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