Plan B: the UP...The Report...

[Haggis]

Pictured Rocks

The next day we headed up to Pictured Rocks and spent the day roaming about. First it was Mosquito Beach...

And then Miners Castle.....for some reason the Miner Castle pics didn't upload from the camera....but Upcruisers posted up some great photos in the UP Overland '09 thread. Just pretend we took them. eepwall:

Then we decided to hike on back to Chapel Rock and walk some of the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore trail. Of course the main reason was because there was another waterfall back there. I have mentioned that Michelle loves waterfalls didn't I? The trail is really easy as it follows an old logging/mining road. 1.5 miles later we arrived at Chapel falls and it was my personal favorite of the trip.

Then we slogged on back to the lakeshore another 1.5 miles or so and found ourselves at Chapel Rock...

We walked the Lakeshore trail for abit but came to the conclusion that Upcruiser has the right idea. To see the Pictured Rocks the best you need to be on the water. Add that to the list of things to do the next time we come up.

Then we headed back to camp, fixed up some homemade chicken noodle soup and called it a night.

 

[Haggis]

And so it comes to an end...

So the next morning we packed up the trailer and made ready to roll home. The ride back to our wooded glen was uneventful and we made good time.

Our time in the UP was just what this family needed and we really enjoyed the sights, the critters and the people we had met. There so much more to see and spots to visit again I know that this is just the beginning of our time spent wandering around da UP. Heck we never made it to the western sections like the Keweenaw and the Porcupines, areas we want to check out. Plus I think a September trip would be sweet. Sure we didn't get to Newfoundland this year, but the UP has all of the same appeal with a third of the driving distance.

I want to thank all the folks that contributed to helping us plan this trip and to all the fine people we met along the way. Your input added so much to our experiences up here. I hope to repay some of that in the future.






It was nice to get back home though.:elkgrin:

 

[Rattler]

We ran into Munising, found a laundramat, hunted down a pizza shop and watch a local girls softball game, chowing down on pizza as our clothes got washed. Then it was back to the campsite where we listened to the bullfrogs and spent the rest of the evening relaxing.

Did you go to Main Street Pizza? That place rocks!

Excellent report Haggis. There are a bunch more falls on the western side too! Some good ones just west of the Porkies. The wife and I hit quite a few of them across the UP a couple years back. A couple were dried up in Aug. Just a good excuse for an earlier spring trip there I guess.

 

[upcruiser]

Mark, I enjoyed reading that full account. Though I think you got off a bit easy with the bugs, the lack of rain lately has made them a bit light for June. haha Late July, August, and September are usually alot nicer though in respects to less bugs. Yeah, they are slowly paving over that whole stretch from Grand Marais to Munising. HUGE bummer in my mind as it felt like an outback adventure crossing that region before they started paving it all. There were long stretches of deep sand, and whoop-dee-doos and obviously alot LESS people. Now it will become a major corridor of traffic for the National Park. Bummer really. South Gemeni Lake is the Campground that we will be using for the UP Overalnd trip. Its a good location to explore from or just chill out on the lake. Looks like you left off at a great place to pick up again on the next trip. From Marquette to the west it is a much different feel due to it being the edge of the Canadian Shield and the wild geology. Its much different then the eastern portion and is cool in its own way. Anyway, glad you got to get up this way, maybe we'll cross paths the next time you come through.

 

[Haggis]

Did you go to Main Street Pizza? That place roccks!

Yep that was the place. We got a 16" loaded with cheese and meats and one of of the "cheese stixs" pizzas. Both were awesome!

Looks like you left off at a great place to pick up again on the next trip. From Marquette to the west it is a much different feel due to it being the edge of the Canadian Shield and the wild geology. Its much different then the eastern portion and is cool in its own way. Anyway, glad you got to get up this way, maybe we'll cross paths the next time you come through.

Next time we're up that way we'll start where we left off and explore west. Probably won't be 'til next year as the following months are alreay full of trips, but who knows. It'd be great to meet up with you guys sometime, maybe we'll be able to swing the UP Overland '10 next year. Start the plans early though, Michelle's vaction schedule need's to be in by the end of February.

 

[Co-opski]

Haggis,
Wonderful TR! The beauty in the Great Lakes country is world class. Once again well done report.


Ski

 

[kcowyo]

And that's how a trip report is done. I give it 5 stars - :clapsmile


Rarely will one read a report that blends quality local information, laugh out loud humor, blatant love of family, a sense of appreciation for the area and an adventurous spirit so seamlessly and effortlessly. A classic all around adventure with family, bugs, mud, waterfalls, an enviable outfit, sunsets and good food... Excellent presentation.


All hail the leader of the Clan - :bowdown:

.

 

[computeruser]

Great write-up. I'm glad you guys enjoyed the trip. I really think our state is underrated as a destination. Which is good, in a way.

 

[Co-opski]

Great write-up. I'm glad you guys enjoyed the trip. I really think our state is underrated as a destination. Which is good, in a way.

I'm happy to send a Princess Cruise Ship and the 30+ tour busses your way.

 

[scarysharkface]

Beautiful. When we were there in '04 the bugs were large and plentiful enough to steal our luggage if they wanted. Lucky for us they were only interested in our blood.. :Wow1:

John

 

[timbercruiser]

That really is a well written story.
It's amazing that as often as I have been in that area, I haven't seen all of the sites you mention.

If you really want a fun adventure up there, do it on a snowmobile!!

 

[Haggis]

All hail the leader of the Clan - :bowdown:

Michelle appreciates the sentiment. :sombrero:

 

[Haggis]

UP Appendix

I though I'd take just a moment and post a few things we learned on our trip to help other's plan.

*The ferry over to Drummond Island, located in Detour, is very casual. Just line up on the right side of the road and when the ferry's ramp drops and the passenger vehicles unload, head on up and into the ferry. They'll collect the fare while in transit (ours was $25 with truck and 12' trailer). No need to hold onto your reciept as there's no other way off the island, so just pull back onto the ferry when it's time to head back. The schedule is fluid as they come and go as traffic demands. It starts after 6:00am to 10:00pm, though later times can be arranged for a price.

*The trails are really well marked with orange diamonds with the County Road Numbers written within them. Stay between the orange markers and your good to go.

*The local Merchants Association has a good trail map of the island with an accurate representation of what is state lands and what is private. This is the map that Dave (timbercruiser) gave to us. The website for the Drummond Island Tourism Association is http://www.drummondislandchamber.com.

*I'd gas up in Detour before crossing over. I don't recollect any gas stations anywhere on the island, though I might just not have noticed. Surely there's at least one. I drove all over the island and used just a quarter tank.

*Head north were there's lots of inland water and your going to find bugs. If you go just prepare you're mind, and those of your family, to simply accept the fact that you're going to get chewed on. A headnet, light weight long sleeve shirt or bugshirt, long pants and socks will go along ways to making the worst way more bearable. Deet only seems to last until you sweat it off and at times seems to attract them. If I was tenting, I'd take along a easy up bug shelter to cook and hang out in. That's assuming you don't have the Super-Mega Family Tent.

*The State Forest campgrounds are self service and cost $15 a night. Fill out a form, deposit the envelope with your cash and camp away. From what I understand the state sites are self supporting, monetary wise, so be sure to do the honorable thing so these places stay around for all of us to use.

*Supplies are limited to the scattered villages (Paradise,Grand Marias and such) and are often family owned general stores. Selection is usually just the basics. Minising is more of a town and has more in the way of selection.As these folks are on the outskirts prices are higher for everything. Gas was pushing over the $3.00 mark while it was $2.59 here at home. I make a point of stopping and spreading some wealth in these types of areas. Not only does it help the local economies it also gives you a chance to BS with the locals, make some new freinds and find out about the cool "local secret spots".

*If anyone needs/wants the GPS coordinates for our Drummond Island campsite or the one we found on the southern bay send me a PM and I'll get it for you.

*We found the folks of the UP to be some damn fine folks. Their cheerfulness and eagerness to spend time shooting the breeze with a total stranger made a lasting impression on our travels there. They reminded me of the people I grew up around and it felt like an extension of home. Of course we come from a heavy timber and mining area too, so I guess attitudes would be similar. Take the time and shoot the breeze.

 

[Rattler]

We just participated in a trailmarking with Great Lakes Four Wheel Drive Assoc. on Drummond Island at the begining of May. The trails were just deemed ORV Routes by the DNR and it took some good folks a lot of effort to make it happen so we were more than happy to help out. There had been some controversial fining/ticketing by the DNR in the past on the island. There was even an incident with one of the groups from a Jeep Jamboree a few years ago. Needless to say, that stuff should all be of the past as long as everyone stays on the trails.

I can recommend the island to anyone that wants to get away from it all. I love it there and hope we can make it there again this summer for even a day at the end of our UP Overland Adventure.

Oh yea, there is one gas station at the 4-corners. Chuck's Place has a great burger. The Bear Track has an awesome breakfast and the shop in the Port-Of-Call has excellent fudge (the other more famous island south of there isn't too bad either)!!

Now I might have to bug you for some good spots in PA to go. The wife and I are big fans of exploring ghost towns.

 

[Haggis]

We just participated in a trailmarking with Great Lakes Four Wheel Drive Assoc. on Drummond Island at the begining of May. The trails were just deemed ORV Routes by the DNR and it took some good folks a lot of effort to make it happen so we were more than happy to help out.

You guys did a great job on the trails. The signage and markers were real well placed and easy to follow.

Now I might have to bug you for some good spots in PA to go. The wife and I are big fans of exploring ghost towns.

I'd happy to help out. We have quite a few lost and abandoned towns and villages from the oil and timber haydays. As a matter of fact our house is built on the site of an old village that dissappeared early in the 1900s. In our backyard is the old millrace and foundation from the gristmill.