Hartwick Pines State Park

Hartwick Pines State Park. . , Logging Museum , The Logging Museum was built in 1934-35 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Exhibits in the museum include a bunkhouse, mess hall, company store and blacksmith shop. The museum is jointly managed by the Michigan DNR and the Department of State's Michigan Historical Center. , , HARTWICK PINES FESTIVALS , "Wood Shaving Days" and "Black Iron Days" festivals are held annually. These festivals are dedicated to visitors of all ages who wish to explore an old growth pine forest, view a steam powered sawmill, enjoy whittlers, dulcimer music, blacksmiths, woodcarvers, artists and other demonstrations. , Join us for a visit to the past! , , WHITE PINE , The White Pine needles are in clusters of five, blue-green and soft, usually 3 to 5 inches long. The cones are long, tapering, with flexible scales. , , HEMLOCK , The Hemlock needles are 1/3 to 2/3-inch long, the twigs are soft and flexible and the cones are 3/4-inch long. , , The "Enterprise Mill" dates back to 1940, while the steam traction engine is a 1912 Port Huron. The sawmill is operated during the park's festivals every summer. , , STUMP FIELDS - Throughout the park numerous stumps bear witness to the timber cutting which once occurred here. Whole fields of these stumps can be seen along the ski and mountain bike trails. The Salling-Hanson Company of Grayling logged most of the area between 1883 and 1925, and built logging camps where ever they were needed. , , RED PINE , Needles are in pairs. The foliage has a tufted appearance. Red Pine cones are small and egg-shaped. , , A black bear nicknamed Karren by Michigan DNR biologists is known to spend a good deal of her tme in and around the park. 17 years old as of February 1997, Karen has been a research subject since 1992, and has successfully reared many cubs over the years. Karen may live to be 30 years and is capable of breeding until she is 20. Her presence and success attest to the high quality bear habitat in and around the park. , , Towering 350 year-old white pine trees dominate the 49 acre old growth forest at Hartwick Pines. Beautiful in every season, this deep woods offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of the modern world and a glimpse into Michigan's past. , , Archaeology in the Parks Archaeological excavations have occurred at logging camp sites within the park. Information and artifacts recovered from the digs are used to construct exhibits at the museum. , , Memorial Building: Constructed in 1929 of logs brought down from the Lovells area, the Memorial Building was the first public structure in the park. It was built under direction from Karen Hartwick to serve as a memorial for her husband Edward. The building served as the park's Visitor Center for over 60 years. , , "The Old Growth Foot Trail", nearest the visitor center, is a paved, accessible trail for all to enjoy. , , The Civilian Conservation Corps (The CCCs) operated a camp within the park from 1933 until the program was discontinued in 1942. During that time the "CC Boys" constructed many of the park's trails; planted hundreds of thousands of trees; cut fire breaks; built bridges, the museum buildings, and a campground; and many other projects. , , This map is presented to you, the visitors of Hartwick Pines State Park, proudly supported by the Friends of Hartwick Pines with the artistic talents of Dennis Piché. Proceeds from map sales are dedicated to future Friends projects to benefit Hartwick Pines State Park.