Munising Off The Beaten Path

This fantastic rock formation rises beside a spectacularly beautiful beach, complete with a small waterfall which flows from the forest into Lake Superior. It's a spot you will long remember, but to reach it is a six mile (round trip) hike. Karen and I thoroughly enjoyed this walk, past the high cascading Chapel Falls, and through a deep woods that had an unusually high population of chipmunks. Black Bear are not uncommon along the trail, although we were not fortunate to see one.

Reach the trailhead by following H-58, 15 miles east of Munising, past the small town of Melstrand, and in another mile or so you will see a sign on the left pointing to the Chapel area. Turn onto this narrow, bumpy, dirt road and follow it to a fork, stay right, and you will see the trailhead parking area. It is possible to make a loop by taking the Chapel Falls trail one way and the Mosquito Trail the other. Signs at the trailhead help explain the route.

This grand old 87 ft. lighthouse, established in 1874, is still active and in excellent condition. It is reached by a 3 mile (round trip) hike from the Hurricane River Campground at the far eastern end of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The trailhead is reached by taking H-58 east for about 31 miles. The road will be dirt for the last half of the way. Hurricane River is a small remote campground on the shore of Lake Superior. There you will find a sign pointing out the lakefront trail to the lighthouse. When we were there in early August two National Park intrepreters were on hand to give us a tour.

Along the 1.5 mile of stretch of Lake Superior shoreline, between Au Sable Point Lighthouse and the Hurricane River Campground, one can view the remains of several old shipwrecks. Karen and I hiked the regular trail from Hurricane River to the lighthouse, then we returned via the rocky/sandy coast. Along the way we stopped to inspect the timbers and steel of several shipwrecks which have washed up at this point.

To reach Hurricane River Campground take H-58 about 31 miles east of Munising. It will be a dirt road for the second half of the way.

This highest of all the waterfalls in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is reached by a three mile (round trip) hike through a pristine northwoods forest. It is approximately the half way point to Chapel Rock and Chapel Beach, for those who want a longer hike.

To reach the falls take H-58 east of Munising for about 15 miles. Go through the small town of Melstrand and in another mile or so look for a sign on the left pointing to the Chapel area. Take this bumpy, narrow dirt road to a fork, stay right, and you will find the trailhead parking area.

Marquette Michigan is about a 45 minute drive from Munising. If you are interested in maritime history visit the Marquette Maritime Museum, which has been in operation since 1984. Lake Superior is the largest body of clean, fresh water in the world. It is almost 400 miles east west, and 200 miles north to south. Over 1300’ at its deepest point it is a powerful, beautiful, and frightening, body of water sending many ships to its depths below in its fierce gales. This museum will tell you the story of the lake through its interesting, and sometimes interactive exhibits. This museum is open daily May 1 to October 31 and is located at 300 Lakeshore Boulevard in Marquette. The photo is copied from the museum's website.