Grand Sable Loop - Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Alger County (8-2-08)
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Grand Sable Loop Hike Route Map
The Route...
Grand Sable Visitor Center
I started from the Grand Sable Visitors Center just west of Grand Marais. Parking, water, and toilets are available here. Also, you can register here though it's not required for day-trippers...
Lakeshore Trailhead - Grand Sable Visitor Center
I would be heading west from the visitors center. Technically, this is the northern terminus of the Lakeshore Trail though an extension takes it as far as Lake Superior below Sable Falls...
Lakeshore Trail
Heading west from the trailhead the Lakeshore Trail passed through a mix of fields and hardwood forest on its way to Grand Sable Lake...
Lakeshore Trail
As the trail neared Grand Sable Lake it crosses this pretty little stream...
Lakeshore Trail
About a mile from the parking lot the trail breaks out of the wood for its jaunt along Grand Sable Lake...
Lakeshore Trail (H-58)
Arriving at Grand Sable Lake, I began the mile or so hike along H-58 between the dunes and the lake. Normally I don't like road hikes but his section was nice and scenic...
Lakeshore Trail (H-58)
The Grand Sable Dunes rise just north of the road. The sign warns visitors to please stay off of them for their protection...
Milkweed
There was tons of Milkweed growing alongside the road as I passed Grand Sable Lake, quite common for Michigan...
Grand Sable Lake
I was amazed how still the lake was this day...
Common Mullien
Common Mullien was growing all along the lakeshore. This plant has very soft leaves that pioneers and native americans used to use to pad and insulate their footwear...
Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy was everywhere, particularly along the west shore of Grand Sable Lake, fortunately Poison Ivy doesn't bother me...
Lakeshore Trail
After following the highway it was nice to get dirt under my feet again. The trail follows the west shore of Grand Sable Lake for a while. There were some fisherman trolling the waters near the shore and, though they hadn't had any luck yet, agreed it was a near perfect morning...
Grand Sable Lake
Rounding an inlet near the north end of Grand Sable Lake...
Lakeshore Trail
Along this section of trail the highway is never far away...
Lakeshore Trail
This shot was taken as I rounded a small inlet along the west shore of Grand Sable Lake...
Grand Sable Lake
Just before the trail headed back up into the woods you start to get some nice views back towards the dunes. The highway I walked earlier passes along the base of them...
Lakeshore Trail
As I wound my way up away from the lake I noticed this interesting fungi growing on a maple. I know, just fungi, but I thought it was interesting...
Lakeshore Trail
A northern hardwood forest with a thick fern carpet...quite typical of inland areas of the Lakeshore.
Lakeshore Trail (H-58 Crossing)
At about the halfway point between the start and the Log Slide the trail crossed H-58 again...
Lakeshore Trail (H-58 Crossing)
I decided to stop here, along H-58, and eat some grub before heading back into the woods...
Spotted Touch-me-not
Continuing on, the trail stays deep in the woods. Being late summer the main wildflower season had long passed but every so often I was treated to some color...
Lakeshore Trail
Not long after re-entering the forest the dunes started creeping in from the right...
Dunes Spur
Between the highway crossing and the Log Slide the Lakeshore Trail follows the southern edge of the Grand Sable Dunes. I decided to make a quick side trip up out of the trees to check them out. Expecting barren dunes, I was quite surprised to find that the dunes, in fact, are covered in grass and trees...
Dunes Spur
Another shot of the dunes...
Hoary Puccoon
I'd really like to know how this plant got its name! It was growing in large quantities all over the dunes...
Masse Homestead Campground
I knew I was getting close to the Log Slide when I reached the Masse Homestead backcountry campground. This is one of the few backcountry sites I havn't had the pleasure of staying at in Pictured Rocks. Looks like a rough place to stay though as the nearest water is a mile away...
Hemp Nettle (?)
Hemp Nettle, I believe...
Lakeshore Trail
There really isn't alot to see for the four miles between Grand Sable Lake and the Log Slide. I was VERY thankful, however, that bugs were not an issue this day. I never once had to break out the bug dope. This is the trail as it closes in on the Log Slide...
Lakeshore Trail
Finally reaching the Log Slide area I was more than ready for some views...
Log Slide Overlook
Looking east from the Log Slide Overlook the fog shrouding the banks surprised me a bit. It seemed like too cool a day for it as it was only about 65 degrees. As it turned out the fog would burn off shortly after I got down to the lakeshore...
Log Slide Overlook
This view is also from the Log Slide Overlook, just looking west. The Lakeshore Trail continues out from here and around the point passing by the Au Sable Lighthouse just barely visible in this shot...
Log Slide Picnic Area
My private picnic spot at the Log Slide...
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The Log Slide
This cute little sign warns that getting down can be easier than getting back up. 300 feet of descent over 500 feet of travel works out to a 60% grade...on sand...
The Log Slide
Looking down to the tiny people far below gives a good sense of scale...
The Log Slide
Looking towards Grand Sable Point on my way down the Log Slide. It was going to be about a 4-mile trek out to the point once I got to the bottom. Looked to be a nice walk...
The Log Slide
Needless to say the view back towards Au Sable Point was pretty nice also...
Lake Superior Shore Walk
Once down on the beach I stopped to empty my boots and take a look ahead. The sand along the water line was nice and firm so it looked like I could make good time along this section. I got this feeling that others at the bottom saw me walk off and were thinking, "Where the heck is he going?"
Lake Superior Shore Walk
Every so often I passed what looked to be washed out areas at the bottom of the dunes. From what I can figure these are places where groundwater from above is seeping out from beneath the dunes. Very cool...
Lake Superior Shore Walk
I kept thinking, "It doesn't look like 4 miles!" Distances are decieving when you're hiking along the beach...
Lake Superior Shore Walk
You can see here how the Grand Sable Banks are unique. The gravel can sit at steeper angles while the sand falls off to the base. This is also why the dunes are so difficult to climb, they're just SO freaking steep!
Lake Superior Shore Walk
A piece off an old shipwreck like the one in the next photo...
Lake Superior Shore Walk
A little over a mile from the Log Slide I passed the remains of an old shipwreck. Back in the 1800's this area was referred to as Lake Superior's shipwreck coast due to its barren shoreline and lack of navigational aids...
Fireweed
This pretty flower, Fireweed, is found all over the northern Great Lakes usually in disturbed areas. It was a nice surprise to find so much plant life even in such a barren environment...
Lake Superior Shore Walk
As you can see here, every so often I'd pass a tree-choked ravine in the dunes. These were areas where water was escaping out from beneath the dunes allowing plants to grow. I used these areas to just get a bit of shade...
Lake Superior Shore Walk
Some pretty designs in the sand formed by water seepage...
Lake Superior Shore Walk
A small stone, likely fallen from the banks, is slowly being excavated by the wind...
Lake Superior Shore Walk
This bit of fallen trees made for a bit of a tricky obstacle...