Hiking Michigan

330 Pages·2009·85.133 MB·English

by  Roger Storm, Susan M Wedzel

Hiking
Michigan
Second edition
Roger E. Storm
Susan M. Wedzel
Human Kinetics
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Storm, Roger.
Hiking Michigan / Roger E. Storm, Susan M. Wedzel. -- 2nd ed.
p. cm.
ISBN-13: 978-0-7360-7507-7 (soft cover)
ISBN-10: 0-7360-7507-0 (soft cover)
1. Hiking--Michigan--Guidebooks. 2. Parks--Michigan--Guidebooks. 3.
Wilderness areas--Michigan--Guidebooks. 4. Michigan--Guidebooks. I.
Wedzel, Susan M., 1953- II. Title.
GV199.42.M5S86 2009
917.7404'44--dc22
2008043165
ISBN-10: 0-7360-7507-0 (print)
ISBN-13: 978-0-7360-7507-7 (print)
ISBN-10: 0-7360-8475-4 (Adobe PDF)
ISBN-13: 978-0-7360-8475-8 (Adobe PDF)
Copyright © 2009, 1997 by Roger E. Storm and Susan M. Wedzel
All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in any form or by any electronic, mechanical,
or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying, and recording, and in any information storage and
retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.
The Web addresses cited in this text were current as of September 2008, unless otherwise noted.
Acquisitions Editor: Justin Klug; Developmental Editor: Amanda Eastin-Allen; Assistant Editor: Laura Podeschi; Copyeditor: Bob
Replinger; Proofreader: Anne Rogers; Permission Manager: Martha Gullo; Graphic Designer: Nancy Rasmus; Graphic Artist: Kim
McFarland; Cover Designer: Keith Blomberg; Photographers (cover and interior): Roger E. Storm and Susan M. Wedzel; Photo Pro-
duction Manager: Jason Allen; Art Manager: Kelly Hendren; Associate Art Manager: Alan L. Wilborn; Illustrator: Tim Shedelbower;
Printer: Versa Press
The maps on the following pages were adapted from maps from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources: 8, 12, 26, 43, 50, 70, 77, 93,
106, 110, 122, 125, 129, 132, 136, 140, 144, 156, 160, 164, 172, 175, 179, 199, 206, 209, 216, 231, 242, 250, 254, 270, 288, 294, 298, and
306. Map on page 4 adapted by permission of Drummond Island Tourism Association; maps on pages 16, 20, and 148 adapted by permis-
sion of Mackinac Island State Park Commission; map on page 54 adapted by permission of City of Negaunee, Jim Thomas; map on page 58
adapted by permission of Michigan Nature Association; map on page 62 adapted by permission of Grant Township; map on page 66 adapted
by permission of The Fumee Lake Commission; maps on pages 114, 118, 195, and 285 adapted from maps from the U.S. Forest Service,
Huron-Manistee National Forests; map on page 152 adapted by permission of Emmet County; map on page 168 adapted by permission of
Grass River Natural Area, Inc.; map on page 219 adapted by permission of Wayne County Parks and Recreation; map on page 223 adapted
by permission of West Bloomfield Parks & Recreation; map on page 227 adapted by permission of Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority;
map on page 235 adapted by permission of Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission; map on page 239 adapted by permission
of Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Department; map on page 258 adapted from “Hidden Lake Gardens Trail Map” authored by
Gregory J. Kowalewski, Copyright Board of Trustees, Michigan State University; map on page 262 adapted by permission of Chippewa
Nature Center; map on page 266 adapted by permission from a map created by Maggie LaNoue; map on page 274 adapted by permission
of Kalamazoo Nature Center; map on page 278 adapted by permission of the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan; map on page 282 adapted
by permission of North Country Trail Association; map on page 302 adapted by permission of Sarett Nature Center.
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Acknowledgments
This collection of Michigan day hikes came about J. Hokans, Ronald L. Crandell, Mary Clark, Chuck
by combining two of our passions—Michigan and Bauer, Chuck Fales, Eric and Carrie Myers, Steve
hiking. Our thanks go to the many staff and vol- West, Bill Cashmen, Betsie Winters, Warren M. Mullen,
unteers whom we had the pleasure to meet at the Harvey Silver, Patty Marshalek, Bill Underwood,
various parks and nature centers across the state. By Becky Goche, Chuck Dennison, Steven Courtney, Rose
giving freely of their time in providing information, Norwood, Len Baron, and Jenelle Tokarczyk. Thanks
answering our questions, and pointing us in the right also to Deborah Mulcahey, Barbara Nelson-Jameson,
direction, they made our task easier, as well as more and their spouses for the use of their homes.
enjoyable. Our deepest appreciation goes out to Colleen Carey
Besides everyone who helped with the first edi- for stepping in as a hiking partner, to Michelle Massey
tion, special thanks go to Mark Mandenberg, Anna- for her helpful tips on using our new digital photog-
marie Bauer, Jim Radabaugh, Paul Yauk, Dan Lord, raphy software, and to Leinnine from Pawsitively
Robin Pearson, Loretta Cwalinski, Ken Phillips, Ron Purrfect Pet Sitting LLC for taking care of the kids.
Yesney, Brenda Curtis, Rob Corbett, Paul Johnson, This fine-looking book you are holding did not
Don Mankee, Steve Walker, Jason Perkins, Howard happen by itself. It is the result of a lot of hard work
and Janet Chilson, Shelby and Christa Newhouse, done by the staff at Human Kinetics, including Pat
Mary Lee Turner, Rochelle Cody, Jim from Grand Sammann, who held our hands through the prepa-
Island Ferry & Tours, Carol Fulsher, Jim Thomas, Dave ration of the first edition; all of the editors, graphic
Johnson, Joan Schumaker Chadde, Charlie Eshbach, artists, and marketing staff involved in the project;
Clare Rosen, Sherri Laier, Dana Richter, Dick Powers, and Justin Klug, who asked us back. To all, we say
Sam Raymond, Sharon Eaton, Tom Paquin, Gregory thank you.
"Good boy, Stasha!"
iii
contents
How to Use This Book v • Trail Finder vi
40 Gaylord Forest Management Unit 159
Upper Peninsula 1
41 Jordan River Valley 163
1 Drummond Island 3 42 Grass River Natural Area 167
2 Lime Island 7 43 Wm. Mitchell State Park 171
3 Bois Blanc Island 11 44 Leelanau State Park 174
4 Mackinac Island State Park 15 45 Beaver Island 178
5 Mackinac Bridge 19 46 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore 182
6 Hiawatha National Forest East Unit 22 47 North Manitou Island 186
7 Tahquamenon Falls State Park 25 48 South Manitou Island 190
8 Seney National Wildlife Refuge 29 49 Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness 194
9 Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore 32 50 Ludington State Park 198
10 Grand Island National Recreation Area 38
11 Fayette Historic State Park 42 Southern Lower Peninsula 203
12 Hiawatha National Forest West Unit 46 51 Sanilac Petroglyphs State Historic Park 205
13 Little Presque Isle Tract 49 52 Port Crescent State Park 208
14 Old Town Negaunee 53 53 Detroit International Riverfront 212
15 Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary 57 54 Wm. C. Sterling State Park 215
16 Hunter’s Point Park 61 55 William P. Holliday Forest and
17 Fumee Lake Natural Area 65 Wildlife Preserve 218
18 Van Riper State Park 69 56 West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve 222
19 McCormick Wilderness 73 57 Indian Springs Metropark 226
20 Craig Lake State Park 76 58 Maybury State Park 230
21 Isle Royale National Park 80 59 For-Mar Nature Preserve and Arboretum 234
22 Sylvania Wilderness 84 60 Parker Mill Park 238
23 Ottawa National Forest 88 61 Bay City State Recreation Area 241
24 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park 92 62 Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge/Green
25 Black River Harbor National Forest Point Environmental Learning Center 245
Recreation Area 98 63 Pinckney Recreation Area 249
64 Waterloo Recreation Area 253
northern Lower Peninsula 103
65 Hidden Lake Gardens 257
26 Negwegon State Park 105 66 Chippewa Nature Center 261
27 Thompson’s Harbor State Park 109 67 Whitehouse Nature Center 265
28 Huron National Forest, 68 Yankee Springs Recreation Area 269
Lumberman’s Monument 113 69 Kalamazoo Nature Center 273
29 Hoist Lakes Foot Travel Area 117 70 Aman Park 277
30 Ocqueoc Falls Bicentennial Pathway 121 71 North Country National Scenic Trail,
31 Sinkhole Area 124 Birch Grove Schoolhouse 281
32 Clear Lake State Park 128 72 Manistee National Forest ,
33 Pigeon River Country 131 Loda Lake Wildflower Sanctuary 284
34 George Mason River Retreat Area 135 73 Saugatuck Dunes State Park 287
35 Wakeley Lake Semi-Primitive 74 P.J. Hoffmaster State Park 293
Non-Motorized Area 139
75 Muskegon State Park 297
36 Hartwick Pines State Park 143
76 Sarett Nature Center 301
37 Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park 147
77 Warren Dunes State Park/
38 The Headlands 151
Warren Woods Natural Area 305
39 Wilderness State Park 155
About the Authors 309
iv
How to Use this Book
Hiking is an antidote to the rigors of modern life. It more information. After the general information, a
gives the body some much-needed (and enjoyable) selected list of trails in the park follows. The length
exercise, and it gives the mind both rest and stimula- and difficulty of hiking each is given, along with a
tion. Hiking even lifts the spirit to connect again with brief description of its terrain. The difficulty rating,
this earth that we are a part of but seldom have time shown by icons, ranges from one (the easiest) to five
to think about. With this book, we hope to provide (most difficult).
you with an incentive to start or continue hiking, for Following the introduction are descriptions of the
the pleasure and the challenge of it. best trails in the park, along with a trail map. (A few
Preparation of this second edition of Hiking Michi- parks have only one hike, with just one map that
gan was a labor of love. Michigan is a beautiful state primarily shows the trail.) Each hike begins with
and, with over 7.5 million acres of public land, has information on the length and difficulty of the trail
much to offer in the way of day-hike opportunities. and the estimated time to walk it, as well as cautions
We expanded this new edition to include over 20 new to help you avoid potential annoyances or problems.
parks and nearly 50 new trails. We also included hikes The description of the trail provides more than direc-
on nine islands in the Great Lakes. In total, we feature tions; it is a guided tour of what you will see as you
nearly 500 miles of trail for the day hiker. hike along. The scenery, wildlife, and history of the
The trails in this book range from short, easy hikes trail are all brought to life. Points of interest along the
for occasional hikers and families with young chil- trail are numbered in brackets within the text, and
dren to longer, more rugged ones for the experienced those numbers are shown on the trail map to guide
trailblazer. None of the trails takes more than a day you. The approximate distance from the trailhead to
to hike, although some trails may be linked together each point of interest is given.
to create a hike of several days. If you are in a hurry to find a park or trail to explore,
The trails are divided into three areas—Upper use the trail finder on pages vi to xvii. It gives essential
Peninsula, northern Lower Peninsula, and southern information about each highlighted trail in the book,
Lower Peninsula. Within each area, trails are listed including its length, difficulty, special features, and
from east to west. Divider pages signal the beginning the facilities in the park.
of each new area, and those pages include informa- Please note that conditions are changeable. When
tion on the local topography, major rivers and lakes, we prepared the first edition, the year was exception-
flora and fauna, weather, and the best features of the ally wet. In contrast, conditions were extremely dry
area. as we researched this new edition. So, as you hike
The innovative format of the book is designed to the trails contained herein, be prepared, expect the
make exploring new parks and trails easy. Informa- unexpected, know your limits, have a great time, and
tion on each park begins with the name of the park take the second tree.
and a small state map that shows its general location. We hope that this book inspires you to get out
Bulleted highlights then point out features of the and enjoy a wide range of outdoor experiences. We
park. A description of the history and terrain of the have included interesting trails from all parts of the
park comes next. Practical information follows about state. Some are unexpected treasures—places that
how to get to the park, park hours, available facilities, you would never dream exist in the state. Some may
permits and rules, and the address and phone number be favorites that you have already hiked and recom-
of a contact who can give you more information. The mended to friends. But whether you live in a city or
section titled “Other Areas of Interest” briefly men- in the country, are away vacationing or are at home,
tions nearby parks and recreational opportunities, some of these trails will be near you. Find one that
and provides phone numbers or Web sites to obtain you like, lace up your hiking boots, and go!
v
Landscape
trail Finder m
nt a
e e
m ds ok Str
Park Trails Miles Difficulty Hills Escarp Forest Lake Wetlan Overlo River/ Page
UPPER PEninSULa
1 Drummond Island Island Heritage Trail 1.6 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 5

Unamed Loop on 5.5 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 6
17, 19a, and 24
2 Lime Island N. Beach (Yellow) 1.4 ✗ ✗ ✗ 9
Trail

S. Beach (Red) Trail 7.8 ✗ ✗ ✗ 10

to Little Lime Island
3 Bois Blanc Island Snake Island–Mud 1.2 ✗ ✗ 13
Lake Nature Study
and Natural Area
Lighthouse Point 6 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 14
4 Mackinac Island Natural and Histori- 3.2 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 17
State Park cal Features Tour
Tranquil Bluff Trail 3.2 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 18
5 Mackinac Bridge Mackinac Bridge Walk 5 ✗ ✗ 21
—Michigan’s Annual
Labor Day Hike
6 Hiawatha National Horseshoe Bay Trail 2.2 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 24
Forest East Unit

7 Tahquamenon Giant Pines Loop 4 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 27
Falls State Park With Upper Falls
Tour
Clark Lake Loop 5.2 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 28

RV camping tent camping swimming canoeing fishing boating picnicking biking
vi
Landscape
m
nt a
e e
m ds ok Str
Park Trails Miles Difficulty Hills Escarp Forest Lake Wetlan Overlo River/ Page
UPPER PEninSULa
8 Seney National Pine Ridge Nature 1.4 ✗ ✗ ✗ 31
Wildlife Refuge Trail

9 Pictured Rocks Chapel Basin Trail 9.2 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 34
National Lake-
shore
Beaver Basin Loop 5.1 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 35

White Birch Trail 2.1 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 36
Au Sable Light Sta- 3 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 37
tion
10 Grand Island East Ridge Trail 10.8 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 40
National Recre-
ation Area
West Ridge Trail 10 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 41

11 Fayette Historic Townsite Trail 1.7 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 44
State Park
Overlook Trail and 2.6 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 45
Loop 1

12 Hiawatha National Au Train Songbird 2 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 48
Forest West Unit Trail

13 Little Presque Isle Lake Superior—Little 3.6 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 51
Tract Presque Isle Point to
Wetmore Landing

Hogback Mountain 5 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 52
Loop
» continued
RV camping tent camping swimming canoeing fishing boating picnicking biking
vii
» continued Landscape
m
nt a
e e
m ds ok Str
Park Trails Miles Difficulty Hills Escarp Forest Lake Wetlan Overlo River/ Page
UPPER PEninSULa
14 Old Town Miners Trail Mix 2.4 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 55
Negaunee North
Miners Trail Mix 2.9 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 56
South
15 Estivant Pines Cathedral Grove 1.5 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 59
Nature Sanctuary Loop Trail
Memorial Grove 1.5 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 60
Loop Trail
16 Hunter’s Point North and South 1.3 ✗ ✗ ✗ 63
Park Beach Loop
Trail to Marina .8 ✗ ✗ ✗ 64
17 Fumee Lake Natu- Little Fumee Lake 1.8 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 67
ral Area Loop
Big Fumee Lake 6.2 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 68
Loop
18 Van Riper State Upper Loop—River 2.1 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 71
Park Trail With Old
Wagon Road
Trail Loop
Lower Loop—Old 2.7 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 72
Wagon Road Trail,
Main Trail, Miners
Loop, River Trail Spur
19 McCormick Wil- White Deer Lake 6.6 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 75
derness

20 Craig Lake State Crooked Lake Trail 4 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 78
Park
Craig Lake Trail 6 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 79
21 Isle Royale Stoll Memorial Trail 4 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 82
National Park to Scoville Point
Rock Harbor, Suzy’s 3.8 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ 83
Cave, Tobin Harbor

RV camping tent camping swimming canoeing fishing boating picnicking biking
viii