Besser State Natural Area (1.5 miles; d=1.60)
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Besser State Natural Area Hike Route Map
My approximate route...
Besser State Natural Area Hike Route Map
A rough approximation of the route of my hike at Besser State Natural Area...
I arrived at the natural area in the midst of a fairly intense lake effect snow squall. These would continue off-and-on for the entire hike...
I was hoping to drive in to the official trailhead but the snow was a tad deep for my two-wheel drive car...I need a truck!!
Besser Natural Area Access Trail -- 610'
Luckily for me, a short access trail leads from the edge of the woods near the road to the main loop...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 600'
After only a few minutes walking I reached the main loop and this helpful arrow pointed me in the right direction...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 600'
This area is dominated by Pine Forests. The Red Pine, in particular, rules the woods here...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 600'
A woodpecker condominium...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 590'
The snow falling amongst the pines made for a very beautiful and relaxing hike...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 590'
About a half-mile in I reached the true trailhead for the natural area; where I would have started if the access road was open...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail Map
A closer look at the route I was following...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 580'
Shortly after the trail sign the path gets close enough to Lake Huron that I decided to walk out for a closer look...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 580'
The small ridge I'm standing on here testifies to higher lake levels in the past...
The extreme size and depth of Lake Huron allows it to remain mostly ice-free even at this latitude. In these conditions, though, it still seemed strange...
Old snowmobile tracks convinced me that the ice was probably strong enough to support a lone hiker...
Just thought this rock was pretty...
Small ice sheets washing up against the shore...
Experience a cold day along the Lake Huron shore from the comfort of your home...
This small iceberg appeared to have beached itself in the shallow water along the shore...
I was able to walk a little more comfortably when I reached the edge of the ice and realized the water beneath was only a few inches deep...
There's something about being out on the lakeshore in a winter storm that I just love...if only for a couple minutes!
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 590'
The cold wind eventually drove me back into the shelter of the woods...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 590'
I wonder what caused this tree to grow like this?
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 590'
There were a number of strange clearings in the woods that I assume are former building sites of the now defunct logging town of Bell...
Christine Peat
on August 17, 2017I am going there this weekend with my husband, to find the gravesites of my ancestors, John and Mary Charboneau, whose final resting place is in the Bell Cemetary..
Mosin Tom
on October 30, 2016I was a member of the 1975 YCC crew that restored the chimney at Bell. There were also the remains of some sort of structure in front of the chimney.
Mosin Tom
on September 26, 2016I have been to this area many times. There is also the remnants of an old cemetary nearby, recently and carefully cleaned up. Also, recent research indicates the community of Bell was more widespread than originally thought.