Bay Furnace Campground in Christmas, Michigan
August 17 & 18, 2012
We pulled into the Bay Furnace Campground in the early afternoon after about a 3 hour drive from the Porcupine Mountains. This was our first time staying here and we were not sure what to expect. We found a nice quiet rustic campground on the shores of Lake Superior and overlooking Grand Island. The campground is set far enough off busy M-28 that you can't hear any traffic noise..
After a couple hours of relaxing it was time to do something, so we drove over to Twin Falls Preserve in Munising. To access Twin Falls drive east from town on H-58 for about 1 mile to Washington Street. Just after turning left on Washington there is parking for a couple cars on the right side of the street. Then to find the trail walk back across H-58 and look for the stairs heading up the hill.
We chose to visit Memorial Falls first. For this route you skip the first stairs and continue along the shoulder of H-58 for a short distance until you see another trail heading up to the right. Just into the woods there is a fork in the trail. Going right takes you past Olson Falls and back out to H-58. The trail that begins climbing to the left goes to Memorial Falls. At the top of the climb there is another fork in the trail, going right takes you to the bridge above the falls and left takes you down into the canyon and the bottom of the falls.
Checking out the small cave past Memorial Falls. To get to here continue to follow the trail beneath the over hanging rock and under Memorial Falls. We were heading back under this section in the previous picture. It is a little creepy walking under this huge under cut rock shelf.
There was not much water flowing at Memorial Falls in the middle of August.
On the way back we walked up to see the bridge above the falls, but there really is not much of a view. It also a place that you definitely would not want to make a misstep. We were a little nervous with the kids up here so we quickly turned around.
Heading back down the trail from Memorial Falls.
From here we headed down the trail to Olson Falls. You will find the that the short hikes into the sandstone canyons are almost as impressive as the falls themselves.
Olson Falls. Beneath the falls there is a foot bridge across the creek and then the trail continues about a 1/4 along the opposite walls of the canyon and comes out on the first set of stairs that you originally passed on H-58.
The total walking distance to see both falls is a little under 1 mile, but there is some climbing involved. If you still have not had your fill of waterfalls continue driving another 1/2 down Washington Street to Munising Falls. This impressive drop is easily accessed by short paved path. There are also modern restrooms here if you need one after your hike.
After dinner we walked over to check out the old iron smelting furnace the gives the campground it's name.
Reid doing what we think was his first pose by the campfire.
The next morning was sunny and warm so we just took it easy and enjoyed our beach side campsite. The beach here is nice sand, but in the water it is all rocks, making sandals for swimming a must.
While we were playing in the water we noticed several cray fish hiding in the rocks. After several attempts we were able to catch one in one of our sand buckets.
Miners Beach and Castle:
In the afternoon the girls and I drove over to the Miners Beach area in Pictured Rocks. On the way to the Miners Beach day use area there is a tee in Miners Castle Road. The sign shows left to Miners Beach, but if you go to the right the road ends at a parking area for the Lakeshore Trail. What many people do not realize is that the less visited east end of Miners Beach can also be accessed from here.
Rock layers at the end of Miners Beach.
There is also an interesting little water fall trickling down from a low rock outcropping.
We walked out on the rocks along the shore and then after that it was time for some jumping.
Reesey taking a break in a rock seat.
When we started to see rain coming down over the lake between us and Grand Island we decided it was time to head back to the truck.
The rain didn't last long and by the time we drove back up to the Miners Castle overlook the sun was coming out again.
The girls at the Miners Castle overlook.
The mix of sun, clouds and rain continued for the rest of the afternoon.
It was raining at dinner time so we drove into Munising and went to the Dogpatch restaurant. We had eaten here ounce years ago, but could not remember much about it. After looking at the menu we began to remember our last visit where we had average food that is a little overpriced for what you get. This time it was more of the same with average service included.
On the way back to the campground we drove through another heavy down pour, but a short time later the skies started to clear again. Above is a time lapse video of the clouds moving out of the area.
Later we were even treated to a nice sunset.
A good way to end our last night in the U. P.
Later in the evening by the campfire we also saw a few shooting stars in the clear skies.
I was not able to sleep the next morning so I grabbed my camera and headed down to the beach for the sunrise. I must have wanted to savor our last few moments in the Upper Peninsula.
The clouds and the mist on the bay made for a really nice sunrise over Grand Island.
After this we ate a quick breakfast and it was time to hitch up the trailer and make the long drive back over the bridge and home.
