Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - a place so close to home that is a gem in all seasons. I met Andy, John and Laura at the ranger station on Friday morning. I hadn't seen the guys for a few years and I just now met Laura.
Our permit was filled out by the friendly ranger (Pam) who always remembers my name as I am a frequent visitor. We headed out to Sand Point to drop my car and then John shuttled us to Grand Marais where we would start our journey.
Andy likes to begin the trip at Sable Falls so we descended the steps to view the falls, checked out sand dune view points along the way, all before walking by the Grand Marais Ranger Station. We noted the status of the spring flowers along the way. With the early spring this year, many of the flowers were past prime and the ferns were well higher than norm.
We stopped to eat our lunches around the Log Slide. It was a windy day in the mid 70's F but felt actually cool when we rested. This was Laura's first backpacking trip and she was doing exceedingly well. Andy had versed her in the selection of equipment and she was well under 30 lbs for her first trip.This was an awesome way to start. We all had our "beginner" status tales from long ago and I recalled how I use to bring dried apricots weighing a ton because they were after all, "dried".
While we chatted, a group went by with typical beginner gear, heavily loaded including massive tents strapped to the outside of their packs.
The remaining 1.5 miles to the camp site at Au Sable went quickly. The camp sites were mostly unoccupied except for the group that we had seen earlier. We set up in close proximity as the sites aren't very large.
We spent time on the rocky shoreline, it was a time for "catch-up" and time for new thoughts and ideas. We are a diverse group and it makes it quite fun! Later we went down to catch the rosy sky before retiring to a full moon in the sky.
May 29 - Shipwrecks
Relatively warm night - stayed in sleeping bag until around 7 AM. We hiked the short distance to the Au Sable Lighthouse where we planned to have breakfast.
Instead of walking the actual trail itself, we followed the shoreline to catch sight of shipwrecks. The water levels were very low so iron and wood was evident from the late 1800's.
Ironically but not unusual, an ore boat passed by as we walked the beach. We took our time and enjoyed every picturesque opportunity along the way.
At Seven Mile Beach, we took an extended break in the shade, walked in bare feet in the cold water, and watched a scout troop jump in the water.
It was already late afternoon when we headed to Trapper's Lake. Along the way we ran into a group of rowdy young men and women. One guy was carrying a ridiculously big log over his shoulder and they were trying to find the group site.
They didn't realize that they had already passed it but Andy redirected them and they were soon following us. They were laden with adult liquid refreshments and had evidently been already partaking.
We quickly decided to take one of the individual sites the farthest away from them as peace and quiet is what we were after.
Andy found a huge snapping turtle as he went down to retrieve water.The evening remained hot as it was all day. We didn't even have to add layers to our clothing as dusk settled in.
Coyotes and frogs plucking their banjos entertained us during the night. I apparently made some noise of my own as I awoke myself and others with cries of "Help Me". Andy was fully prepared to help, but I assured him it was just a dream.
May 30 - Hot, Hot, Hot!!!
Left camp and then spent a bit of time at Beaver Lake. Andy went swimming and soon Laura headed down the shore to do the same. Stopped again at the Coves and rested on the massive rocks.The day was already hot but a breeze made it tolerable.
Just before Chapel we saw several people climbing on Chapel Rock in full view of the sign that tells one to stay off. After a quick view of the offenders, we hiked on to see the ranger running fast toward the rock. It was Cliff, a backcountry ranger I knew who was definitely set to confront the guilty people.
After a break at Chapel Beach in the shade, we were back on the trail. We picked up the pace and the humidity did the same. It was much hotter than I liked (90 F) and I was happy to find that my favorite camp site under the hemlocks was available at Mosquito. I set up and rested to cool down before heading to the shore to join the others.
This afternoon we heard three distinct and loud crashes of rocks as we neared Mosquito Beach. They were evidently pieces of large rock crashing into the water. This often happens but I can't say that I've ever experienced the sounds before.
We stayed down at the beach until well after sunset. The skies looked ominous and later around 3 AM a storm blew through and then it was mostly peaceful.
Monday - A Lone Wolf
The day went quickly even though we had many miles to hike. We just didn't take as many breaks but we did pause for a snack at each end of Miner's Beach. The lake was really picking up today and the waves were rolling in..rip tide conditions for sure.
At the confluence of Miner's Beach and Miner's River Andy decided to lighten his pack by sharing his huge stash of licorice, chocolate-covered cranberries and more. We all gladly obliged and I teased him about the big climb ahead of us...I knew he would fly up it anyway but now his pack was even lighter.
We cruised to Sand Point where my car would serve as the shuttle back to Grand Marais. On the return journey a wolf crossed the road. Andy and the rest had seen one the night before the trip began so this was only fitting. How cool was that?
We cruised to Sand Point where my car would serve as the shuttle back to Grand Marais. On the return journey a wolf crossed the road. Andy and the rest had seen one the night before the trip began so this was only fitting. How cool was that?
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