Grand Marais - Pictured Rocks, Michigan

Grand Marais, Michigan - Page 2

Grand Marais, MIchigan - Page 2

Then it was on to the Pictured Rocks Miner's Castle Overlook. The sun was just starting peak through the clouds when we stopped here. The wind was still very strong and the 5-9 foot waves were crashing into the rocks.

Watching the waves through the window at the Miner's Castle Overlook.

Back in Grand Marais

The waves crashing into the Grand Marais pier.

At night there was a double rainbow right at sunset.

The rainbow at over the beach.

It was hard to know which way to look. There was a perfect sunset and rainbow at the same time.

The sunset from up by the campgournd...we have watched some of the best sunsets at this beach.

Hiking the Chapel Loop in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Getting up early the next morning to hike the famous Chapel Loop.

The first stop on the hike was Chapel Falls. The Chapel Falls trail was wide and flat. It was a very easy walk from parking lot to the to the intersection with the Lakeshore Trail.

Chapel Rock is just after the intersection with the Lakeshore Trail. The tree on the top has a big root that goes across the gap to the mainland and this is were it gets most of it's water and nutrients. It is hard to believe this tree survives on top of this rock on the edge of Lake Superior.

The morning sun on the rocks near Chapel Beach.

Approaching Grand Portal Point on the Lakeshore Trail.

Grand Portal Point.

The beach on the top of Grand Portal was a good place for a short rest.

Looking back towards Indian Head from the Lakeshore Trial.

The Lakeshore Trail is fairly easy walk on a single track that is often only a few feet from the edge of the cliffs.

Darker stained rocks along the trail.

The sea arch known as Lover's Leap on the way to Mosquito Beach.

The sand stone layers near Mosquito Beach.

The Mosquito Falls.

The trail from the Mosquito Falls back to the parking area was some of the toughest of the entire hike.

The 10.5 mile loop took just under 4 hours to complete, with a couple short rests at Grand Portal Point and Mosquito Beach. When starting at 7:45 am the parking area only had 3 cars left overnight by backpackers. There were only a couple people along most of the tail and they were by the back county campgrounds at Miner's Beach and Mosquito Beach. Close to the Mosquito Falls it started to get busy and arriving back at the parking area it was completely full and cars were starting park up the road. If you plan to do this hike an early start is recommended. Many hiking books rate this as one of the top loops in Michigan and it does not disappoint.

For more photos and information see the Chapel Loop on our Michigan Hikes page >>

Paddling Around Au Sable Point - A morning paddle from the Hurricane River out past the Au Sable Point Lighthouse.

The morning sun reflecting off the top of the Au Sable Point Lighthouse.

Landing at Au Sable Point.

There are the remains of 3 shipwrecks on shore near Au Sable Point. Above is the remains of the Sitka a 272 foot wooden steamer that went down in 1904. It is hard to believe it is still here after over 100 years on the beach.

Paddling to Sable Falls

Paddling the tandem kayak from the Woodland Park beach to the mouth of the Sable River.

From the beach it is about a 0.25 mile walk up to the falls.

Happy to be at the falls.

The cray fish that we found in the lake near the mouth of the Sable River was much more exciting than the falls.

Rocks at the mouth of the Sable River.

The Log Slide Overlook.

Late evening is the best time to view the Grand Sable Dunes from the Log Slide Overlook. It is just a short walk from the parking.

Painting the side of the popup.

We had a great week in the U.P. The End.

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Michigan Outdoor Guidebooks Used to Plan This Trip:

For more Michigan travel guides and short book reviews visit our: MI Adventure Guide Page >>

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