Category: Hikes

  • To the Top of the World!

    Hike to the Top of the World for rewarding views of Lake Superior, Marquette, Harlow Lake, and Little Presque Isle. Not as tall or well known as it’s neighbor Hogback Mountain, Top of the World offers a more secluded experience for hikers.

  • The Rugged Hike to Pinnacle Falls

    The Rugged Hike to Pinnacle Falls

    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.

  • A Rewarding Hike to Bulldog Falls

    A Rewarding Hike to Bulldog Falls

    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…

  • Porcupine Mountains Summit Peak: Great Views and an Easy Hike

    Porcupine Mountains Summit Peak: Great Views and an Easy Hike

    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,…

  • Hiking Hogback Mountain

    Hiking Hogback Mountain

    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…

  • McCormick Wilderness Area & the West Branch Yellow Dog Falls

    McCormick Wilderness Area & the West Branch Yellow Dog Falls

    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 Hills of Blind 35

    The Hills of Blind 35

    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…

  • Hiking Thomas Rock

    Hiking Thomas Rock

    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…

  • Climbing the AAA Walls

    Climbing the AAA Walls

    “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…

  • The Hike to Abram’s Falls

    The Hike to Abram’s Falls

    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…

  • An Easy Hike to Big Sable Lighthouse

    An Easy Hike to Big Sable Lighthouse

    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.…

  • 42 miles of Happiness: Hiking the Pictured Rocks

    42 miles of Happiness: Hiking the Pictured Rocks

    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. 

  • The Smokies: 3 Reasons Why We’d Skip Out on Rainbow Falls

    The Smokies: 3 Reasons Why We’d Skip Out on Rainbow Falls

    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.

  • The Smokies: Grotto Falls

    The Smokies: Grotto 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

  • A Trek Up Sugarloaf Mountain

    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…

  • Arizona’s Best: Horseshoe Bend

    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…

  • Hiking the Estivant Pines Sanctuary

    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.

  • A Michigan Secret – Eben Ice Caves

    A Michigan Secret – Eben Ice Caves

    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…

  • Exploring Yellowstone: The Grand Canyon

    Exploring Yellowstone: The Grand Canyon

    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.

  • Waterfalls of Yellowstone: Mystic Falls

    Waterfalls of Yellowstone: Mystic Falls

    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.