Marblehead is located at the easternmost point of the Upper Peninsula on Drummond Island. It rises only 100' above the waves but commands sweeping views of northern Lake Huron.
My guidebook had the hike starting some 4-miles from the overlook but stated that with a tough, four wheel drive vehicle one could all but drive to the top. Apparently some do but I stopped a couple miles short as the terrain was just to rough to justify going on. Besides, why drive to a place like this when you can walk!!
Mileage Hiked: 4.0 miles
Trailhead Temp: 48'F
Min. Elevation: 575'
Max Elevation: 730'
My guidebook had the hike starting some 4-miles from the overlook but stated that with a tough, four wheel drive vehicle one could all but drive to the top. Apparently some do but I stopped a couple miles short as the terrain was just to rough to justify going on. Besides, why drive to a place like this when you can walk!!
Mileage Hiked: 4.0 miles
Trailhead Temp: 48'F
Min. Elevation: 575'
Max Elevation: 730'
Getting on the ferry...it's been a LONG time since I'd been to anyplace truly new within Michigan so I was quite excited...
Leaving the mainland behind...
After driving 14-ish miles across Drummond Island I left pavement at South Glen Cove Road...I still had 8 miles to go...
The colors here were absolutely stunning...
Considering the location, I found this sign hilarious...
Cornbeef Junction...where the road forked and I traveled two rutted miles before ending up at a logging camp and realizing I made a wrong turn...
Back on the right track...the woodlands were interspersed with wide open fields...evidence of heavy logging in the past...
Some tall, stately Aspen's frame the narrowing road as I pass Glen Cove on the east shore of the island...
The final two miles were a nightmare of rocks and water...I likely wouldn't have made much worse time on foot...
Passing a local resident...
Ol' Trusty Rusty did good, but I don't think I'll put him through it again. Take it from me, if you decide to visit and don't have a vehicle with an aftermarket off-road package, just walk the extra two miles from Glen Cove...
Had to give the truck its own hero shot after a performance like that...
The jeep trail actually goes all the way to the top of Marblehead but in the interest of keeping this a hike and the fact I like my truck in one piece I parked south of the bridge over Sitgreaves Creek and would walk the remaining two miles...
Sitgreaves Creek...
Sitgreaves Creek as it empties into Sitgreaves Bay with the headland of Marblehead beyond...
Another look at Sitgreaves Bay...
I was shocked to find this ragged little Black-eyed Susan still clinging to life...
Looking south along Sitgreaves Bay in the general direction of the creek from earlier shots...
This small natural harbor was quite pretty...it almost had a lagoon feel to it, except that it was like 35-degrees...
The lowland conifers contrast with the upland hardwoods in the distance...
The first part of the trail curves along the south side of the ridge on the edge of a large marshy area. As is typical in such areas of the eastern UP, this forest was a mixture of Spruce and Balsam Fir, with some Junipers thrown in for good measure...
When the trail started to climb the ridge the forest quickly changed to a deciduous woodland dominated by Aspens...
As the trail topped the ridge there were some nice views back over Sitgreaves Bay...
A closer look at Sitgreaves Bay from the ridge...
Just thought the brown ferns, red shrubs, and yellow Aspens made for a nice color contrast here...
About two-thirds of a mile from the start, the trail tops the ridge and affords some limited views of the surrounding forest...
Once atop the ridge the going was pretty easy with only a few large puddles to worry about...
A Large-leaved Aster...
When the sun was shining the Aspen trees just lit up...
The trail atop the ridge, a little over a mile from Marblehead...
One mile to go!
The trail continued to pass through alternating Aspen groves and open fields...
The quickest 4/10 of a mile I've ever walked...2 minutes! If my math is right that gives me a walking speed of 12 mph...I'm guessing the signage is a little off...
A solitary maple amongst the aspen...
This stump gave me a good clue as to the historic fate of this area. Likely it was clear cut and then swept by fire...a common fate for the woodlands of Michigan in the 19th and early 20th Century. Its amazing how long it takes for forests to recover in these climes...
Juniper berries...which actually aren't really berries at all. As with all conifers, Junipers grow cones, not seeds...these 'berries' are actually modified cones!
A Pearly (not-so) Everlasting...ahhh, the cold season is upon us...
It's quite unusual that I find a new wildflower in October, but here one is! I'm still ID-ing this one...
The number of Aspens around this area amazed me...Aspens are common in northern Michigan but never as a dominant species in numbers like this...
This outcrop would've been fun to try and climb with the truck but being on and island 100 miles from home and 10 miles from the nearest paved road I'm OK with the fact that I didn't try...
I feel a view approaching...
Welcome to Marblehead...
Literally running out of ground to stand on at the edge of Marblehead...
Looking north over the vast North Channel of Lake Huron from Marblehead...
The forest of Aspen trees stretches down to the Lake Huron shore...
If you look close you can just barely make out the Canadian mainland on the horizon...some 20+ miles distant!
Another angle...looking east from the cliffs of Marblehead...
The large island sitting in the lake to the southeast is Cockburn Island, Ontario (pop. 10)...the stretch of water in between is known as the False DeTour Channel...
Now it was time to head down to the lakeshore...
After carefully picking my way down, looking back up at the limestone cliffs of Marblehead...
Below the cliffs the terrain didn't get any easier. Thick brush and a handful of sharp 3-5 foot drops kept me watching my steps...
Nearing the beach...
Looking north along the rock-strewn shore beneath Marblehead...the easternmost point in the Upper Peninsula...
A brief photo-op at the easternmost point of the Upper Peninsula...not the best shot but, considering that I had to use a pile of rocks for a tripod, I'm happy with it:)
The huge piles of large limestone rock along the shore were fascinating...
I've run out of UP!!
A last look across to Cockburn Island. Marblehead is a truly remarkable place that I feel fortunate to have visited. Unfortunately, due to the difficulty of getting there I doubt I'll be back anytime soon...it makes me appreciate the time I had there even more...
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