In 2016, we had the wonderful opportunity to backpack through the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Since then, it has been a dream of mine to run the length of the park. While this trip was short, it gave me a taste of that experience and made me even more determined than ever to complete the dream.
Hop on the Appalachian Trail and find beautiful vistas at Charlies Bunion in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is one of my favorite places within the park to experience autumn in the mountains.
Miners Falls is one Michigan waterfall that should be on everyone’s bucket list. Surrounded by the endless beauty of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Miners Falls can hold its own.
Mossy Cave is located at the end of a short hike in Bryce Canyon National Park in the beautiful state of Utah. Mossy cave isn’t what one might typically think when imagining a cave but with easy access and a unique surrounding area, it is worth a visit.
The Blue Ridge Mountains are part of the Appalachian Mountain Range and stretch for 550 miles, from Georgia to Maryland. They contain two national parks, miles of stunning vistas, amazing hikes, and gorgeous waterfalls. One such waterfall is Linville Falls in North Carolina.
A small waterfall tucked away on one of Pictured Rock’s most beautiful beaches. Elliot Falls, also known as Miners Beach Falls, is an iconic waterfall of the area.
Mosquito Falls is one of the smaller waterfalls tucked away in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. It does not have the impressive height of Sable Falls or power of Miner’s, but it is nonetheless just as beautiful.
One of the most iconic views of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Miners Castle offers visitors stunning views and a glimpse into the rich history of the area.
The isolation of dispersed camping is the perfect cure to the hustle of every day. It’s remote, quiet, and provides campers with the opportunity to reconnect with nature. From his previous years of backpacking, Steve was already hooked on dispersed camping but I had not experienced it until 2010. I immediately fell in love and …
Read more “Why We Love Dispersed Camping in Manistee National Forest”
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is known for its stunning rock formations, massive cliffs, and elegant waterfalls. It is an outdoor adventurers dream paradise. Nature’s finest. Sable Falls is no exception. Located on the east side of the park near Grand Marais, Sable Falls drops over 75 feet over sandstone formations on its way to Lake …
From the sandy beaches on the Great Lakes to the massive dunes that tower above them, Michigan has some incredibly beautiful sandscapes. When you mention these sandy terrains to someone from Michigan, it’s likely that they think of the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes or Silver Lake Sand Dunes. But the one that stands out most …
Located in Sequoia National Park is the world’s largest tree. Standing 275 feet tall and over 36 feet in diameter at the base, General Sherman is one impressive sight to see. Sequoia National Park is also known as a land of giants. And it’s easy to see why. With an entire park designed around the …
Read more “Visiting General Sherman in Sequoia National Park”
Buried within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a picturesque lighthouse known as Au Sable Lightstation. This 144-year-old active lighthouse provides visitors with beautiful views of Lake Superior and a history of the area. Built in 1874 on Au Sable Point, this lighthouse was intended to not only eliminate a “dark spot” in the 80 mile …
Located in Michigan’s Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Pyramid Point is a moderate hike with a stunning view of Lake Michigan. The trailhead is located off of Basch Road, about 10 minutes north of Glen Arbor. There were maps available at this location that show the 2.7 mile loop as well as a the .6 …
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.
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.
Seney Wildlife Refuge is a place of peace, relaxation, and wildlife. It is our favorite stop after a long week of hiking. With everything from waterfowl to eagles to bear, there’s no place quite like it.
On one of “resting days” between our hikes, Steve and I came across this 17 mile long section of Parkway that follows the backbone of the Chilhowee Mountain. The road, called the Foothills Parkway, is between Chilhowee Lake and the town of Townsend. Little did we know how peaceful and beautiful this drive would be.
We had a great time on this trip. We met up with some of my best friends and explored the many beautiful sights and stops found in Cades Cove.
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.
heer rock cliffs, unruly waves, miles of forest and wild waterfalls. Who could say no to that? That’s the scenery you can expect to see when you hike the North Country Trail in Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore. The trail follows, literally, along Lake Superior from Munising to Grand Marais and offers some spectacular views.
The Chapel/Mosquito Loop in Pictured Rocks is perhaps one of the most visited portions of the trail. This trip, my mom and I decided to taken 6.6 miles (RT) of the trail that included Chapel Falls, Chapel Rock, and Chapel Beach. Chapel Falls The waterfall is about 60 feet tall and cascades down rock face …
This was my first trip to the Grand Canyon, Steve’s second. Honestly, I wasn’t very impressed. I’m not sure what it was exactly but it lacked the appeal of other National Parks that we had been to.
350 stairs are all that stands between you and the top of Moro Rock. Three hundred feet of elevation change over a quarter of a mile. The trail, though easily accessed and short, isn’t for everyone.
When I read about this 5 start, 1,200 foot waterfall within a 3.4 mile hike, I had to check it out. Located in Sequoia National Park, Tokpah Falls is a well known and frequently visited waterfall. The trailhead is located within the Lodgepole Campground.