Pictured Rocks

Six nights, 55 miles of a journey along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. A section of the North Country Trail spanning from The Dakotas to Vermont.

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Day one August 17th

7:45 AM shuttle from Munising MI to Grand Sable Visitor Center. Started at 9 am, walked approximately 9 miles to Au Sable East campground. Reached that spot at 2 Pm. Campground hosts 6 spots with two fire rings. Can hear the waves on Superior from our tent. Terrain was wooded with limited views until close to camp when Lake Superior emerged!

Day two started with a gaggle of sunrise photos. Broke down camp, headed out at 9:00 AM. We hiked to Seven mile campground. This leg took another 9 miles with one hour long break for lunch and playtime in sand/lake. Washed our bodies in a stream! Met some black flies, quick fire and bed.

Day three

Coffee, breakfast, pack up … out at 9:30 AM. Walked a more tiring 8 plus miles to Lowney Creek camp on Beaver lake. Bathed ourselves & washed clothes in the lake. Campsites are more spread apart with great access to lake.

Day Four (second night at Lowney Creek)

Coffee, sunrise, oatmeal, yoga lakeside. Read in hammock. Afternoon chat with Federal Fish & Wild about eradicating Sea Lamprey. An invasive worm that destroys trout. Watercolor painting on the beach, eagle spotting (no pic), and our own little duck family. Napped in tent during afternoon rain.

Day 6

Left camp around 9 or after today. Hiked 8.5 miles, kayakers and touring boats along the shore of Superior most of the way. Many great overlooks. Took a longer lunch break which always contains yoga and stretching! Chipmunks invaded us everytime.

Met two sisters Kelly & Penny who took our picture on Grand Portal Point.

LAST DAY!!!

Up at 5 AM, packed out of Potato Patch camp. 10 miles to the finish line !! This last leg had great forest views, water falls, Eagle sighting, and all the last minute peeks at Superior. We made it! 55 miles …. Six overnights on the trail ….

Toured the town of Munising, ate, drank, shopped and randomly re-met Penny and Kelly from the trail!

Our last night of the trip was a quick overnight in Mackinaw city. SHOWERED, ate and woke to an amazing sunrise.

Super grateful for this thing that we all have the ability to create, it’s called life. Get out there and do the things that bring you joy.