Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - Lakeshore Trail (23.0 miles; d=27.20)
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Lakeshore Trail Hike Route Map - Day 1
The track for the first day of my hike of the Lakeshore Trail at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, as depicted a la Google Earth...
Lakeshore Trail Hike Route Map - Day 1
The track for the first day of my hike of the Lakeshore Trail at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore...
Day 1 - Entering the backcountry just north of the Munising Falls Trailhead.
Day 1 - Munising Falls is at the end of an 800 foot side trail at the Lakeshore Trail trailhead. It drops about 75 feet off the Pictured Rocks Escarpment and is one of the more popular sites to see in Pictured Rocks.
Day 1 - I am not up on my fungi, if anyone knows what this is called feel free to let me know!
Day 1 - This is one of the first good views offered from the Lakeshore Trail heading north. I believe it was taken just after the junction with the Sand Point Trail. Sand point is the near point to the left. The town of Munising is barely visible in the center distance. Grand Island is to the right.
Day 1 - A shot of myself at the begining (or end) of the Lakeshore Trail at Munising Falls.
Day 1 - There are 2 or 3 of these types of waterfalls in the first 6 miles of the trail. They bear a striking resemblance to Munising Falls but are even more beautiful (I think) because of their remoteness.
Day 1 - A couple miles north of Sand Point the escarpment begins to drop more shrply to the lake. This is the first true cliff-top overlook as you are heading north along the trail.
Day 1 - Looking back into the wilderness from where the Lakeshore Trail emerges at the Miners Castle area.
Day 1 - Miners Castle is perhaps the most famous of the Pictured Rocks landmarks. Here is the obligitory photo. It is beautiful but after 7 miles of solitude the crowds here can be bothersome.
Day 1 - At the end of the day taking a quick dip in cool Lake Superior was just what we needed. This beach is just north of Miners Castle.
Day 1 - A small unnamed stream leaps off a rock shelf at the north end of Miners Beach.
Day 1 - Potato Patch Backcountry Campsite was our home the first night of the trip. The camp sits atop the escarpment just north of Miners Beach.
Lakeshore Trail Hike Route Map - Day 2
The track for the second day of my hike of the Lakeshore Trail at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, as depicted a la Google Earth...
Lakeshore Trail Hike Route Map - Day 2
The track for the second day of my hike of the Lakeshore Trail at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore...
Day 2 - A mile or so north of Potato Patch you arrive at the beginning of high cliffs section of Pictured Rocks. The lake is a good 150 feet below here.
Day 2 - A shot north of the cliffs just before the trail drops to the Mosquito River.
Day 2 - This is (in my opinion) the most beautiful section of Pictured Rocks. These are the highest cliffs found in the park and there is the perfect luch spot on top of the point.
Day 2 - Looking back at Arch Rock about 2 miles north of the Mosquito River. As you can see you can easily Mark your progress up the shore here. Miners Castle from the day before is the point in the distance to the extreme right.
Day 2 - The Mosquito River had very few of its namesake insects around on this day to our relief. A nice stream to relax by before the climb back up the escarpment.
Day 2 - Photo op on Indian Head Point with Lake Superior about 20 feet behind me and 200 feet DOWN.
Day 2 - The view is stunning (these pictures don't do it justice) from the top of Indian Head Point. Hundreds of seagulls were nesting in the cove to the left, 200 feet below.
Day 2 - It amazes me the places wildlife will grow. That has to be one tough tree!