Alger County, MI - Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - Lakeshore Trail
48.0 mi total 43.8 certified 4.2 connecting 48.0 marked 0.0 bare
MUNISING, MI 49862 (Pop. 3083). County seat of Alger County, and the town probably the most familiar with hikers in the Upper Peninsula, and one of the best "trail towns" on the NCT. Most routine hiker services are available, though selections may be limited. The North Country Trail Association had its annual membership meeting here in 1990. LODGING: Several motels, among them, Northern Motel, (906) 387-2943; Scotty's Motel, (906) 387-2449; Vacationer Motel, (906) 387-3400; Starlite Motel, (906) 387-2991; Sunset Motel, (906) 387-4574. Many others. PLACES TO EAT: Everybody remembers the Dogpatch,, for its amusing and unique "Li'l Abner" atmosphere, but there are other restaurants, mostly family style. GROCERIES: Two full-service supermarkets. Also, several convenience stores. OTHER SERVICES: Bank, laundromat pharmacy, Western Union, hardware, doctor, dentist, hospital. TRANSPORTATION: In cooperation with the National Park Service, Alger County Transporation runs a shuttle bus between the Munising Visitor Center and the one in Grand Marais. Summer only; schedule varies. Contact Alger County Public Transportation, 101 Court Street, Munising MI 49862 (906) 387-4845 for details. POINTS OF INTEREST: Pictured Rocks Boat Cruises - Get a view of the Pictured Rocks different from what you'll get from the Lakeshore Trail on this 3-hour cruise. If you miss some of the commentary on the cruise, you'll get another chance to hear it from the trail.
PICTURED ROCKS NATIONAL LAKESHORE: The Lakeshore Trail. This is a very heavily-used backcountry segment of the North Country Trail, partly because of the rugged, scenic, often remote coastline, 50-200 feet above lake level, formed by wind and water thousands of years ago when Lake Superior was at a higher level. "The sandstone cliffs tower abruptly above Lake Superior, with strange formations of caves, castles, chapels, sails and battleships. Water and minerals paint bright pictures on the cliffs, stimulating the imagination. Sand dunes at the other end of the park sweep even higher against the sky, with a promise of distant vistas from their crests. Between the cliffs and the dunes, wide sandy beaches stretch for miles along Lake Superior, with waves constantly washing rows of bright pebbles," wrote Olive M. Anderson.
In July and August, use is heavy. CAMPING: If you camp in the backcountry, you must have a permit and you must camp at one of the 13 designated backcountry campgrounds. Tents must be pitched within 15' of a numbered post in the campground. Thirty percent of the individual sites and all of the group sites are available by advance reservation; individual sites are for 1-8 people, group sites for 9-20. Backcountry camping permits can be obtained year-round at the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - Hiawatha National Forest Visitor Information Center in Munising, and at the grand Sable Visitor Center in the summer only. . Dogs and other domestic animals are prohibited. Fires only allowed in fire rings. INFORMATION: Superintendent, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, PO Box 40, Munising MI 49862. Other information sources: Hutchins Guide and "Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - A Guide" by Olive M. Anderson, both available from NCTA Trail Store. MAPS: A special park topo is available from the Lakeshore. The park brochure is also adequate, as are the sketch maps given here.
0.0 [0.0] USFS/NPS JOINT VISITOR CENTER
Corner of M-28 and East Munising St. (County Road H-58); backcountry permit, maps, and other useful information are available. The trail begins as a roadwalk east down East Munising St, following the "North Country Trail _ Connecting Segment" signs, which have a hiker, rather than a star at the center.
1.1 [1.1] H-58 LEAVES
H-58 branches off to the east; the trail continues to the northeast along Washington St.
2.5 [1.4] MUNISING FALLS VISITOR CENTER
Offical start of Lakeshore Trail; start of certified segment of NCNST. A short side trail - 0.2 mi - leads to Munising Falls, one of the larger and more interesting waterfalls in the region. The trail ascends the escarpment gradually, past the former site of the Schoolcraft Iron Furnace. Small streams cross the trail and descend in picturesque unnamed waterfalls.
5.4 [2.9] SIDE TRAIL TO PARK HEADQUARTERS
The park headquarters is about .5 mi. down the side trail, in a former Coast Guard station. There is a beach near the headquarters. Past the junction, the main trail converges with the coastline, and will follow the coast for much of the next 40 miles.
7.6 [2.2] CLIFFS CAMPGROUND
Three individual sites. No water. Sheer, rocky cliffs make up the Pictured Rocks shoreline here, with lookout points that give a good view of Grand Island and Miner's Castle opposite.
8.6 [1.0] CLIFFS GROUP CAMPGROUND
One group site, no water. The trail continues on high, level ground through open hardwoods until it emerges near the restrooms at Miner's Castle.
9.5 [0.9] MINER'S CASTLE
Restrooms, drinking water, side trail (0.2 mi) to Miner's Castle. The trail leaves from the path closest to the parking area and goes along the rim of the escarpment, where there's a bird's-eye view of the basin and the cliffs at the lakefront. The trail descends the escarpment in easy stages, then crosses Miner's River by way of a footbridge. Trail signs mark the route through through a picnic area with tables and a water pump toward the beach; restrooms are off the parking area. The trail continues along the bank above the beach to the east end, where it turns inland to the trailhead parking area.
11.0 [1.5] MINER'S BEACH TRAILHEAD
From the parking area (long-term parking allowed), the trail re-ascends the escarpment in one of the steepest climbs of the route, emerging into an old field.
11.4 [0.4] POTATO PATCH CAMPGROUND
Three individual sites, no group sites, no water. Beyond Potato Patch, an easy trail winds northeast, with many short sandy paths leading out to the cliffs to give close views of the Pictured Rocks. Some paths lead to high sandy ledges, pleasant places to relax. Take care at the edges, which are often unstable overhangs. After about 2.5 miles, the trail descends gradually to the harbor at the mouth of the Mosquito river, and crosses on a footbridge.
14.4 [3.0] MOSQUITO RIVER CAMPGROUND
Campground is located in pines above the lake; 10 individual sites, one group site. Water available from the lake or the river. The trail leaves the campground along the lakeshore at the east side. This is a spectacular section, following many promontories and formations, and will be some of the most memorable hiking of the North Country Trail.
18.8 [4.4] CHAPEL BEACH AND CAMPGROUND
Largest backcountry campground in park, 15 individual sites, no group sites. Composting toilet; water available from Chapel River, or from lake. A side trail about 1.5 mi. past Chapel Beach leads to Spray Falls. Trail from here to Beaver Creek can be strenuous in spots, with board steps over steep rocks. This is about as far as the tour boats go; from here on, their loudspeakers are pleasantly missing.
21.8 [3.0] COVES GROUP CAMPGROUND
One group campsite, no water (except from lake), located back in the woods.
23.1 [1.3] COVES CAMPGROUND
Five individual sites, no water (except from lake). Side trail leads inland 1.5 miles to Little Beaver Lake Campground. 1.0 miles farther is backcountry Beaver Lake Campground with with 10 individual sites and one group site. Back at the lakeshore, past the trail junction Twelvemile Beach stretches east along the Lakeshore Trail at the base of a steep sand bank. It's possible to take a route through the sand, but walking in the sand can be tiring and it's a steep climb back to the trail, which can elude you where it turns inland. The trail, however, follows a level, sandy path through pines and aspen, and eventually follows the banks of Beaver Creek to emerge near its mouth, and then crosses on a footbridge.
24.4 [1.3] BEAVER CREEK CAMPGROUND
Six individual sites, no group sites, located just past the creek in pines. Trail leaves the campground on the east side, back from the lakefront, and is an easy trail through a variety of woods.
25.7 [1.3] PINE BLUFF CAMPGROUND
Five individual sites, no group sites. Get water from lake.
26.1 [0.4] SIDE TRAIL TO TRAPPERS LAKE CAMPGROUND
Side trail leads inland to Trappers Lake Campground, with five individual and one group sites. The main trail goes inland on an old logging road, then follows a narrow foot path. There is no access to the lakefront until the trail comes out at Sevenmile Creek Campground; some people prefer to walk the beach during mosquito and blackfly season. It's this area that's the cause of the tales of hikers going swimming without benefit of swimsuit,though such sightings have been made anywhere east of Chapel Beach and the tour boats.
30.1 [4.0] SEVENMILE CREEK CAMPGROUND
Five individual sites, one group site. Beach walkers usually ford the stream at the mouth. The mostly level trail continues inland for a short distance, then re-emerges along the shore.
32.0 [2.9] TWELVEMILE BEACH CAMPGROUND
This is a drive-in campground; backcountry permits are not needed. Water, rest rooms, tables, etc., are available. Most hikers prefer to avoid the Winnebagos and continue on along the lake the extra half mile to the Benchmark backcountry camp.
33.6 [0.6] BENCHMARK CAMPGROUND
Six individual sites, no group sites. Past Benchmark, the trail follows the lakeshore, then joins the road, paralleling the lake. It leaves the road about 0.5 mile before Hurricane River.
35.8 [2.2] HURRICANE RIVER CG
Again, a drive-in campground and no backcountry permits needed, with water, restrooms and Winnebagos. The trail crosses the river on a footbridge, and leaves by way of an old road. Out on the lake it's sometimes possible to see the broken hulk of a wrecked schooner just below the surface; signs along the trail indicate shipwrecks on the beach.
37.3 [1.5] AU SABLE LIGHT STATION
This historic landmark is being restored. Beyond the lighthouse, the trail proceeds along the low-lying point through conifers and bog vegetation.
38.3 [1.0] AUSABLE POINT EAST CAMPGROUND
Eight individual sites, one group site, water only available from the lake. Beyond the campground, the trail ascends in a steady climb through hardwoods.
40.2 [1.9] LOG SLIDE
Lookout platforms give a stunning view of AuSable Point to the left and grand Sable Banks to the right. No evidence remains of the 500-foot chute used to drop logs down to the lake so they could be assembled into rafts. A sandy path tempts a descent to the beach, but don't take it without considering the long climb back up. Restrooms and picnic tables are provided. The trail leaves the parking area at the sign and soon joins an old road.
41.6 [1.4] MASSIE HOMESTEAD CAMPGROUND
The last backcountry campground in the park, Massie has three individual sites and one group site, but no water available. It's 500 yards off the trail on a side trail, tucked against the wooded base of one of the highest dunes in the park. Past Massie, the trail continues on an old road to a junction with County Road H-58, and continues through a variety of wooded stable and active dunes, then descends into jackpines before reaching H-58 again at Grand Sable Lake. Follow H-58 past the swimming beach.
45.3 [3.7] GRAND SABLE VISITOR CENTER
Restrooms and drinking water are available, along with information, permits, and long-term parking. The center is usually open summer months only; off-season, backcountry permits may be obtained in Munising at the USFS/NPS Visitor Information Center. The Lakeshore Trail officially comes to an end at this point. The North Country trail follows a side trail toward the lake along Sable Creek.
46.5 [1.2] GRAND SABLE FALLS
The North Country Trail continues as a signed connector along the Lake Superior Beach to wooden steps leading to Woodland Park.
47.7 [0.9] WOODLAND PARK CAMPGROUND
Operated by the village of Grand Marais. Water, picnic tables, restrooms and hot showers, etc. Continue east on H-58.
48.0 [0.3] M-77 INTERSECTION
End point for this segment, in the village of Grand Marais.