Besser State Natural Area Hike Route Map

The Besser State Natural Area is a nice little piece of protected property that sits on the Lake Huron shore in extreme eastern Presque Isle County. Formerly home to the logging community of Bell the natural area features a nice empty stretch of Great Lakes shoreline, virgin forest, and a few scattered remnants of Bell itself. Quite a variety of things to look at for only a 1.5 mile hike!

Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 45.248123, -83.418866

Route Type: Loop Difficulty: EASY (Petzoldt Rating: 1.60 )

Hike Length: 1.5 miles Hike Duration: 1:15

Trailhead Temp: 29'F Trail Traffic: NONE!!

Min. Elevation: 575' Max. Elevation: 590'

Total Vertical Gain: 50' Avg. Elevation Gain / Mile: 33'

Trails Used (blaze color): Besser Natural Area Loop (blue)

2-17-2009

Besser State Natural Area (1.5 miles; d=1.60)

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...
Besser Natural Area -- 610'
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...
Besser Natural Area -- 610'
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...
Lake Huron -- 580'
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...
Lake Huron -- 580'
Old snowmobile tracks convinced me that the ice was probably strong enough to support a lone hiker...
Lake Huron Beach -- 580'
Just thought this rock was pretty...
Lake Huron -- 580'
Small ice sheets washing up against the shore...
Lake Huron -- 580'
Experience a cold day along the Lake Huron shore from the comfort of your home...
Lake Huron -- 580'
This small iceberg appeared to have beached itself in the shallow water along the shore...
Lake Huron -- 580'
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...
Lake Huron -- 580'
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...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 590'
On a few occasions the surrounding forest pressed in close...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 590'
Near the north end of the loop the trail passes this small pond which lies between the trail and the beach...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 590'
Another look at the pond near the north end of the loop...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 590'
Exposed areas near the lakeshore were almost devoid of snow, which was a nice change...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 590'
A close-up of a Ground Juniper, common along the lakeshores of the northern Great Lakes...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 590'
The snow, the trees, the wind...I was thoroughly enjoying myself...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 590'
A pretty coating of snow on a Balsam branch...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 580'
One last look out to the big lake before turning back inland...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 590'
Soon after leaving the lakeshore I started noticing old wooden structures strewn across the forest floor...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 600'
My trail guide stated there was a grove of virgin White Pines along this section of trail so I was anxious to see some big trees...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 600'
...and it wasn't long before I was walking among giants...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 600'
Always a sucker for a bit of history, this sign lured me a short distance off-trail to see what I could see...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 600'
Just like the sign said, a chimney, and not much else. The small town of Bell was once a thriving logging community that has long been abandoned...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 600'
Two almost-fallen Red Pines made for a couple of the largest widow-makers I've ever seen...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 600'
The remainder of the loop continued to pass beneath some impressively large pines...
Besser Natural Area Loop Trail -- 600'
Closing the loop...my little arrow sign from earlier marks the side trail back to the car.

Christine Peat
on August 17, 2017
I 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, 2016
I 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, 2016
I 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.