These little blue signs guide you to the top of Mount Arvon

Mount Arvon – A Must See

Part of the Huron Mountains, Mount Arvon is Michigan’s highest point. Rising 1,979 feet above sea level and fairly accessible by many vehicles, the summit of Mount Arvon is definitely worth checking out.

A Brief Summary of Mount Arvon

You drive through L’Anse, take a trip down Skanee Road, then turn onto what shortly becomes a gravel road. Eleven curvy miles later you reach the top of Mount Arvon.

There’s a sign noting that you are in fact at the top of Michigan’s Highest Point. There’s also a picnic table, a fire pit and a mail box.

Oh, and there’s a pretty awesome view.

There didn’t used to be a view. But now a few trees have been cleared and on a clear day you’ve got a beautiful view of Lake Superior and the Huron Islands.

And about that mailbox…

The mailbox contains a book for you to sign your name, where you’re from and when you visited. It’s pretty cool to flip back a few pages and see all the different people from all over the place that have been here. There’s even a group of people called the High Pointers Club that are all about reaching the highest point in each state. If you see something like “HP 22” next to someone’s name, now you know why. (For the record, this was HP #1 for me!)

Mount Arvon: Not Really a Mountain

Apparently geologists get to decide what is a mountain and what is not a mountain. And from what I’ve heard, geologists say that a mountain is anything over 2,000 feet above sea level. Of course, this leaves poor Mount Arvon a measly 21 feet short of true “mountain” status.

Well Mount Arvon, you’re still a mountain to me.

This sign marks the top of Mount Arvon.

Getting There

The road to Mount Arvon is a windy gravel road that’s often used for logging and, from what I can tell, is often very rough in spots. If you chose to visit, I’d recommend taking a high ground clearance vehicle. I wouldn’t say you need four wheel drive (as long as the road is dry) but there are a few ruts and rocks here and there that could very likely cause a standard passenger car to bottom out or blow a tire.

Also, the road gets fairly narrow toward the top to the point where if you meet another car and have to pull off the road a bit, you may want something a little more beefy than a Camry.

The road is very well marked, though. Either a sign or a small blue arrow marks each place where the road splits to keep you on track. (Be sure to follow the blue signs!)

My Experience at Mount Arvon

I visited Mount Arvon on my way back from camping at Big Eric’s Bridge State Campground and exploring the mouth of the Huron River. I honestly expected it to take a little longer than it did and was surprised at how little time this side excursion added to my trip back home.

The eleven mile drive from Skanee Road to the summit took about a half an hour because I took it easy and stopped to check out a cool little roadside waterfall. I met two cars on my way up, but once I reached the top I had the place to myself.

View from the top of Mount Arvon looking at Lake Superior and the Huron Islands

There’s a good size parking area at the top and then there’s that clearing I mentioned above that gives you a great view of the lake and a couple islands. With the grill and the picnic table right there, I sort of wished I’d carved out more time for this stop. It would have been cool to fire up the grill and have a cookout at Michigan’s highest point. Next time!

At any rate, the drive down was uneventful. I made it back to Skanee Road in about twenty minutes and then continued onto L’Anse to grab a coffee at Java by the Bay.

Bottom Line: At 1,979.238 feet above sea level, Mount Arvon is Michigan’s Highest Point. A gravel road leads all the way to the top, making this attraction an accessible “must see” in the U.P.

Directions:

From the intersection of US 41 and Broad Street in L’Anse, drive north into L’Anse on Broad Street for .7 miles until you reach Main Street. Turn right (East) on Main Street, which becomes Skanee Road, and continue 16.1 miles to “Roland Lake Road” (I’ve seen directions that say “Church Road,” but when I was there the sign said “Roland Lake Road.”)

At any rate, turn right there (by the large Zion Lutheran Church) and drive 2.9 miles to where the road comes to a T. Turn right at the T onto “Ravine River Road” and follow the blue signs (mostly just small blue arrows) to the top of Mount Arvon.

To view more photos of Mount Arvon, click here to visit the Mount Arvon photo album on my Facebook page. (I have decent “photo directions” in the Facebook album.)

Map of Mount Arvon: To view Mount Arvon’s location on my map of the Upper Peninsula, click here.

Trader’s Point – Manistique’s Best Kept Secret

This is how the signs for Trader’s Point look up close.

You see, I recently stumbled upon a little spot in Manistique I never knew existed. This surprised me, because I’ve driven through the town nearly 200 times. (I went to college at CMU and Manistique was on the way.)

The good people of Manistique aren’t trying to hide this place by any means. They’ve even got signs out with big arrows pointing you toward some really cool stuff.

The problem is that the signs are all a little bit off U.S. 2, and as you pass by them unknowingly you’re most likely eyeing up the Shell station ahead and glancing at your fuel gauge because you know it could be miles before the next signs of civilization. (And you’d be right about that.)

For more nearly 200 trips through Manistique, I was that guy.

Don’t be that guy.

…And this is how they actually look when you’re driving by. (See them there, the little signs on the right?)

Here’s what you do:

Just after you go over the bridge for the Manistique River (if you’re coming from the east) or just before you go over the bridge (if you’re coming from the west), turn south (that’s toward Lake Michigan if you’re directionally challenged like me) onto Trader’s Point Drive.

You’re now on a road that looks like it goes absolutely nowhere. Keep driving. Turn right on the first paved road, which also looks like it goes nowhere, and all of a sudden you’ll very much be somewhere. You’ll be at Trader’s Point.

So what the heck is Trader’s Point?

Trader’s Point is location on the Manistique River that houses a few cool small businesses. Among them are:

• The Upper Crust Café & Deli
• Trader’s Point Antique Mall
• Tamarack Books & Toys
• The Lake Effect Art Gallery

When I visited Trader’s Point I had lunch at the Upper Crust Deli and the moment I walked in I began kicking myself for not knowing about this place on my countless car rides between the central U.P. and CMU. It’s awesome.

The view of Trader’s Point as seen from the Mackinac Trails winery.

I also spent a few minutes perusing the wares at the Lake Affect Art Gallery and was really impressed by all the cool stuff. Everything was reasonably priced, too!

I’ll have more on those places soon, but for now just know that when you’re driving along the seemingly endless stretch of road that is U.S. 2 between the Mackinac Bridge and Escanaba, Trader’s Point in Manistique is an excellent place to get out, stretch your legs and grab a bite to eat if you’re in the mood.

Bottom Line: The shops (and restaurant) at Trader’s Point in Manistique make an excellent stop on that long stretch of U.S. 2 between Escanaba and the Mackinac Bridge.

Other Things to Note:

The Mackinac Trail Winery is directly across the river from Trader’s point, and also well worth checking out if you’re at all into wine.

Address and phone for The Upper Crust Café & Deli: 375 Traders Point Drive Manistique, MI 49854 (906) 341-2253

How to get there? Just west of the Manistique River, turn south onto Trader’s Point Road then take the first right.

To view more photos of Trader’s Point (including “photo directions”), click here to visit the Trader’s Point photo album on my Facebook page.

Published in the Manistique Pioneer Tribune in 1929, this photo shows the first raft to be guided by a wire cable stretched across the spring.

Kitch-iti-kipi: The Big Spring of the North

Kitch-iti-kipi (aka “Big Spring”) in Palms Book State Park is unlike any other attraction in the Upper Peninsula.

Just eleven miles north of U.S. 2 outside of Manistique, MI this 300 foot long by 40 foot deep natural spring has been a local claim to fame for more than a century. Some of the first settlers of the area floated over the spring on a primitive raft and local residents still come here to kick back. Nowadays, though, Kitch-iti-kipi is also the biggest tourist attraction in the area, and for good reason.

The bottom seems to glow with a light emerald green color as about 10,000 gallons of water per minute flow out from fissures in the limestone underneath the spring. As the water rushes out of the spring’s floor, sand bursts upward and then falls somewhere else, which means the floor of the spring is always changing.

The crystal clear water is filled with huge trout and as you float across the spring, with fish swimming below you and birds chirping in the surrounding trees, it almost feels like you’re on a Hollywood movie set. Interpretive signs on the shoreline show photos of what it was like “back in the day.”

History:

Kitch-iti-kip wasn’t always this pristine. It took the passion of a local businessman named John I. Bellaire and the cooperation of the state of Michigan and the Palms Book Land Company to turn it into the wonderful state park it is today.

Here are a few excerpts from the interpretive signs at Kitch-iti-kipi that I found interesting:

You could say the current raft is quite an improvement!

“When Europeans first arrived in the upper Great Lakes, the Ojibwa called the Big Spring Kitch-iti-kipi. The word is said to have many possible meanings including: The Great Water; The Blue Sky I See; The Roaring, Bubbling Spring; and others. Whatever its name, Kitch-iti-kipi has drawn curious sightseers for decades.”

“The Manistique Tribune reported in the spring of 1910 that “the North Shore Lumber Company of Thompson had gone to the expense of placing a big raft on the “Big Spring” capable of carrying forty people.”

“Mr. John I. Belaire moved to Manistique from the roaring lumber town of Seney around 1920. As a well-known and respected figure, Bellaire’s passion for the spring, and desire to see it properly cared for, earned him much of the credit for its preservation as a Michigan State Park. Bellaire later recalled:

“The first time I saw the spring it was not more than a black hole mostly covered by fallen trees. A lumber camp (Camp 22) in the vicinity threw their rubbish into it. I could have purchased the land myself, but instead I made the contacts to have the State acquire it.”

“It was John M. Bush, land agent of the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company who volunteered to approach the executors of the Book and Palms estate of Detroit with a proposal to make the Big Spring a State Park. Apparently, the deal was promoted by businessman John I. Bellaire, who ran a five and dime store in Manistique. Members of the Book and Palms families eagerly fell in with the suggestion and gave the property to the state. The deal transferred almost 90 acres to the State for one dollar. The deed stipulated that the property was “to be forever used as a public park, bearing the name Palms Book State Park.”

Hundreds of trout fill the spring and are fun to watch.

“After the original 90 acre land gift from the Palms Book Land Company in 1928, the State obtained several more parcles through tax delinquency and land exchange. By 1940 Palms Book State Park protected 257 acres around Michigan’s largest natural spring.”

“In the early 1930’s Jon Bellaire again became active in the park improvement. Up to this time the road to the park was described by Bellaire as a “meandering pathway, wrought with hazards.” After reporting “considerable trouble with the highway department”, the present Michigan highway M-149 was constructed.

At that time, telephone poles paralleled every road, including the new M-149. Bellaire painted white rings around each pole from Manistique to the Big Spring so anyone inquire about the spring could be told to “follow the ringed telephone poles.”

My Visit to the Spring

When I visited Kitch-iti-kipi in late September, the leaves of the trees were showing a little color and there were only a couple cars in the parking lot. As I walked the short path down to the spring, it felt like I was entering a place that time forgot.

Aside from a few birds chirping and the occasional squeak of the “big wheel” on the raft, the scene was silent as a half dozen people leaned over the edge of the raft and peered into the water.

“It’s so clear,” a young girl said to her mother as we watched from the shore. “

That fish is sooo huge” said her big brother.

“Sshhh!” she replied and jabbed him in the ribs, “I’m trying to see.”

I had to laugh at that one.

Onto the Raft I Go

The opening in the center of the raft makes for excellent viewing.

Though you can see quite a bit from a viewing platform on the shore, the best way to experience Kitch-iti-kipi is on the large floating barge provided by the state. So, I hopped aboard.

It works like this: The raft (maybe 10’ x 20’ or so) is guided by a large metal cable, and propelled by a big wheel that someone on the barge must turn to move the raft ever so slowly forward, and then equally slowly back to the dock.

The raft is very easy to operate, but if you want to gaze into the spring the whole time I’d recommend NOT being the one turning the wheel. There will almost always be other people on the raft, though, so the polite thing to do would be to take turns so everyone gets a chance to have a look. (I’d heard something about a park employee being on hand to “drive” the raft, but no one was there on the day I visited, and I was told by a local who knows the area well that it’s up to the park visitors to man the raft.)

Luckily, I was able to peer over the edge and take photos the whole time. I even spotted a shiny silver coin way at the bottom, forty feet below the surface. The water is crazy clear, the fish are huge, and the setting is serene. Kitch-iti-kipi is a must see.

Bottom line: Kitch-iti-kipi is truly something to see. The water is so clear that you can see to the bottom of this forty foot natural spring with ease, and the huge fish swimming around really add to the experience.

One of the shady picnic areas.

Other things to note:

• Since the 45 degree water flows all year long, the spring doesn’t freeze over and can be enjoyed in winter as well!
• A park store that sells concessions is right off the parking lot, and there are a few small picnic tables scattered under shady trees where you could have a really pleasant picnic lunch.
• I’d highly recommend picking up a lunch to go from The Upper Crust Deli in Manistique (375 Traders Point Drive – (906) 341-2253) and then picnicking at Big Spring.

How to get there? For as popular as Kitch-iti-kipi is nowdays, you would think the path to get there would be well marked all the way from the highway. It’s not. Here’s what you do:

About 5.4 miles west of Manistique turn onto M-149 north. Drive for 2.7 miles then turn left to stay on M-149 north. Drive 1 mile then turn right on County Road 455 (The sign says “Westshore -455”). Drive 4.3 miles then turn right on Sawmill Road and follow the signs to Palms Book State Park.

To view more photos of Kitch-iti-kipi, click here to visit the Kitch-iti-kipi photo album on my Facebook page.

Our son and his friend couldn’t wait to get lost…

Getzloff’s Corn Maze: The Basics

Corn Maze’s, pumpkin patches and hay rides are all part of fall in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and Getzloff’s Corn Maze (http://www.getzloffcornmaze.com/) near Escanaba, MI has all that and more.

If you’re looking for a fun place to spend a few hours with family or friends while soaking up the best that fall has to offer, Getzloff’s Corn Maze is definitely worth checking out. Just a mile off the U.S. 2 in Wilson, MI, it’s easy to find and they have a pretty wide range of things to do.

There’s the corn maze of course, and the hay ride, but they’ve also got a hay stack for the kids to play on (and jump from), a “corn sandbox,” a tractor made of hay (to climb on), a pumpkin patch, concession stand, a huge slide and, for the younger kids, a “mini-maze” made from hay bales.

My Experience at the Maze

Next up was the hay ride! It was nice, but chilly! I’d recommend you bring an extra layer and a rain jacket, just in case. (Fall weather in the U.P. is crazy.)

I’ve wanted to check out Getzloff’s maze for the last few years, and finally made time to do it this year. My stepson had a friend over, so my wife and piled a total of four kids into the car and headed to Wilson! (Two nine year olds, a two year old and a baby, oh my…)

The Getzloff farm was easy to find (a big sign right on U.S. 2 told us where to turn) but we probably could have picked a slightly nicer day to go, weather-wise. But, we dressed according to the forecast of high wind and light rain (or so I thought) so we pressed on into the maze. Darci, co-owner of the maze, assured us that it was less windy and warmer once you got into the maze, and she was definitely right.

The boys dashed into the maze as Darci let me know that there were six colored posts hidden throughout the corn and that the goal was to find all six. I smiled and nodded. My goal was to get through the maze without losing any kids.

Eventually, We Found Our Way Out

After about ten or fifteen minutes and only a few wrong turns, we did eventually find our way out of the maze! We were chilly, though, and the kids needed a snack so we huddled in their nice new building/concession stand and got some hot chocolate to warm up. A cold rain was sprinkling down outside and the building made a great shelter! It’s outfitted with the “corn sandbox,” which our two year old loved.

The hayride stops at Getzloff’s pumpkin patch, where you can pick your own pumpkin. They were all $5 and under.

Next up was the hay ride. Remember how I said I thought we were dressed well for the weather? Well, not so much.

Don’t get me wrong, many fall days in the Upper Peninsula are absolutely beautiful. It’s often sixty to seventy degrees and sunny in late September and early October. Not this particular day, however. It was windy and rainy, and we should have brought rain jackets and another layer of fleece to wear under them. Windbreakers and a single layer weren’t enough to fight the bitter wind. Note to self.

That said a good time was definitely had by all. Before we knew it a couple hours had past and it was time to get home for supper. The hay ride was still pleasant in spite of being a little chilly, and the kids had a blast jumping from the hay bales and generally just paying all around the farm yard.

Next year we’ll be back for sure! And next year, no matter what the weather forecast is, we’ll be geared up for anything!

Bottom line: Getzloff’s Corn Maze is a fun spot to spend a few fun filled fall hours with friends or family. Pumpkins and concessions are available for purchase.

Hours: As of this writing, Friday after 4:00 PM. Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Weekdays by appointment for groups. (Double check their website for current hours).

Location: N15891 County Road 551 Wilson, MI 49896 (One mile west of the “Island Resort and Casino, then one mile south on county road 551.)

Website: www.getzloffcornmaze.com

Phone: (906) 466-2222

Email: getlost@getzloffcornmaze.com

Costs: Kids 4 and under are free. Kids 5 and up (and adults) are $6.00 each. Group rates available.

To view more photos of Getzloff’s Corn Maze, click here to visit my Facebook page and browse to the “Getzloff’s Corn Maze” album.

Horseshoe Falls – Munising, MI

Horseshoe Falls is one of the many beautiful Pictured Rocks area waterfalls, but it’s private, so an entry fee is required.

That said, I’d say it’s worth it depending on your travel budget. The falls are really beautiful and there are little interpretive signs along the (short) uphill walk to them that add a little interest to your visit. There’s also a gift shop and trout pond on the well cared for grounds.

The gift shop sells ice cream, books and trinkets, and feeding the large rainbow trout in the pond is a fun way to spend a few minutes. It’s one of those deals where you put a quarter in an old fashioned vending machine and out comes a handful of fish pellets. And man, those trout are always hungry.

When I took my stepson there this past spring, we both enjoyed the falls but his favorite part of the visit was definitely feeding the fish. I’d say if you’re just looking for a cool waterfall, nearby Munising Falls, Tannery falls or Memorial Falls are all good bets. But if you want to peruse a gift shop, get ice cream or watch some big fish fight over every single pellet you toss in the water, Horseshoe Falls will be a good stop!

Bottom line: Horseshoe Falls is a fun little spot with a picturesque waterfall, gift shop and trout pond. An entry fee is required.

Address: 602 Bell Avenue Munising, MI 49862

Phone: (906) 387-2635

The trout pond at Horseshoe Falls. You can’t catch them, but you can feed them!

Other Info: Current fees as of August 2012 are as follows: Adult: $5.00, Kids 8 and under: free, Kids 9-15: $3.00, Seniors (60+): $4.25, Family Rate: $19.00.

Website: http://www.uppermichiganwaterfalls.com/horseshoefalls.html

To view more photos of Horseshoe Falls, click here to visit my Facebook page and browse to the “Horseshoe Falls” album.

Only 1.4 miles to go!

Chapel Falls – Easy Hike. Pretty Falls.

The Chapel Falls trail is an easy 1.4 mile hike that leads to a gorgeous waterfall with a sixty foot drop.  Since it’s not right off a paved road, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself with some elbowroom both on the trail and at the falls, even in the busy summer season at Pictured Rocks.

One of the unique things about Chapel Falls is that you can walk over, around and behind it for multiple excellent views. Sound cool, right? Lets talk about how to get there.

How to Get to Chapel Falls

If you’re not familiar with the Pictured Rocks area, there’s a “main road” called H-58 that runs through the entire Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, connecting Munising to Grand Marais. About fifteen miles east of Munising (just past the tiny town of Melstrand), you’ll see a sign directing you to the “Mosquito / Chapel area.” Turn there, onto Chapel Road.

Most of the trail is flat, like this.

The road is gravel, but when I was there it was in great condition. Some construction work was being done on the parking area on my last visit, so we had to hike in about a third of a mile or so to get to the trailhead. I’m guessing the parking area is probably complete now, so you’ll be able to drive all the way to the trailhead. It’s about five miles in from H-58.

The Chapel Trail

The trail itself is a pleasant walk through the woods. There were no challenging uphill or downhill sections, and before I knew it my son and I were at the falls. We weren’t exactly speed hiking, though, so it took us about forty-five minutes to get there.

The trail to Chapel Falls is part of a larger (roughly ten mile) loop that takes you past some of the more scenic areas of Pictured Rocks. On this particular day we just wanted to do a short hike, so we hiked to the falls and then straight back. We saw one deer, many cool trees and plants, and about a gazillion chipmunks. All in all, it was a great little hike to a great waterfall!

The Falls

Chapel Falls has a sixty foot drop!

Chapel Falls really is a beautiful waterfall. It seems to be unique in the fact that, as I’d mentioned above, you can skirt around it for views from a few different angles. We were on a bit of a time crunch so we couldn’t linger, but I’m looking forward to getting back here soon so I can spend some time taking photos from different angles and probably hiking the whole loop.

Bottom line: The hike to Chapel Falls is an easy 1.4 mile walk through the woods, and the falls, like most of the falls in Pictured Rocks, are worth seeing.

To view more photos of the falls and the hiking trail that leads to it, click here to visit my Facebook page and browse to the “Chapel Falls” album.