There is nothing easy about Pinnacle Falls. Just getting to the parking area can be a challenge. Winding dirt roads with few to no signs marking the way. But for those with the spirit of adventure, Pinnacle Falls is well worth the trek.
The Yellow Dog River is well known for it’s impressive Yellow Dog Falls. However, it is deep within the boundaries of the McCormick Wilderness Area that the river truly shines. Bulldog Falls is one of the many waterfalls along Yellow Dog River and one of the most impressive. With several drops, a rapid staircase, and …
When visiting the Porcupine Mountains highest point, Summit Peak, prepare yourself for beautiful vistas. At nearly 2,000 feet above sea level, on clear days, hikers can see the Apostle Islands to the northwest and Isle Royale to the northeast. It is well worth the easy, short hike. During our visit, the heat index reached the …
Read more “Porcupine Mountains Summit Peak: Great Views and an Easy Hike”
Considered Marquette’s second most popular summit, Hogback Mountain’s rugged terrain, hemlock forests, and stunning views make this an incredible hike. While the trail is well marked, getting to the summit of Hogback isn’t easy. It is a strenuous hike across bare bluffs and up steep mountainside. The first half of the hike is easy and …
Upon approach, the McCormick Wilderness trailhead looks like any other. However, before embarking on your hike, you must leave detailed information about where you are going, how long you will be there, and your emergency contact information. Why? Because the trails are unmarked and it is easy to get lost. The isolated area known as …
Read more “McCormick Wilderness Area & the West Branch Yellow Dog Falls”
Welcome to the Huron Mountains. That’s the message we received when we crested the top of the Blind 35 Hill. No special platform, no group of people. Just simply the mountains. Since buying the property in the area, we have been eyeing the massive rock face that we have begun to call Odin’s High Chair. It …
Thomas Rock, previously known as Gobbler’s Knob, may not have the 360-degree views that the neighboring Sugarloaf Mountain has, but it still offers something spectacular. We discovered this scenic site back in 2013 and it has yet to lose its charm. Visitors follow a paved, interpretive trail to the top where they are greeted with …
“Welcome to the AAA Walls” The sign that greeted us was dwarfed by the massive rock wall looming before us. Based on topographical maps, we knew that something pretty large sat near AAA Road (Marquette County, Upper Peninsula) but we never suspected it was a solid wall of rock. “With your help, climbing is permitted …
We decided to take the 5.2 mile round trip hike to Abram’s Falls. The trail has a total elevation gain of 675 feet with the first part being almost entirely up hill. It’s a bit rocky but nothing compared to the Appalachian trail we had hiked part of the day before.
If you’re looking for an easy hike that takes a couple of hours or for a place to have a picnic and hang out, Big Sable Lighthouse is a great location. The hike is around 2 miles, each way, down a sandy but well-worn path that starts at Ludington State Park. There’s even some hike in …
Hiking the Pictured Rocks – really hiking – is amazing. It is one of the trips that will stick with me forever. Two hundred foot cliffs, numerous waterfalls, lake shore as far as the eye can see and mountainous dunes.
As usual, Steve and I were eager to seek out the supposedly impressive waterfalls in our visit to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. One such waterfall was Rainbow Falls.
Grotto Falls is a 25 foot waterfall that has one major drop. This drop falls over a ledge, providing visitors the chance to walk in behind the waterfall for a different perspective
Sugarloaf Mountain may not be Mount Everest, but it certainly has something to offer those in the Marquette area. Honestly, I could have sat up there all day, admiring the view. Miles and mile of forest in one direction, Lake Superior 470 feet below in another. This 360 view of the Marquette area is pretty …
Horseshoe Bend gets it’s name from the horseshoe shape the Colorado River makes as it heads south to the Grand Canyon. It is quite the sight to peer over the 1,000 foot edge and see tiny boats floating in the river. Located a half mile south of the Glen Canyon Dam in the town of …
In 1971 Lauri Leskinen published an article in the Houghton Daily Mining Gazette called The Last Stand. It addressed protecting “one of the last stands of virgin pines in the Midwest” from the lumber industry.
Eben Junction is a small city about 30 minutes outside of Munising. Every year visitors from all over come to this city to see one spectacular piece of nature. Hidden about half a mile within the Rock River Wilderness area is something known as the “Eben Ice Caves.” The caves aren’t really caves but rather …
One of my favorite places to visit in all of Yellowstone was The Grand Canyon. Not the famous Grand Canyon of Arizona, but the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. This stunning canyon has a little bit of everything.
There’s no arguing that Yellowstone National Park is full of beautiful and unique waterfalls. From massive 300+ foot tall Lower Falls to the 130+ foot single tower falls. But Mystic Falls, for me, is certainly a favorite.