42 miles along Lake Superior from Munising to Grand Marais.
4 nights, 5 days
3 hikers
Shuttle Service: www.altranbus.com/backpack.html
We took the shuttle from Grand Marais to Munising and start of trail and then we start the hike to the car. This worked out really well! We got our permit at the Grand Marais Visitor Center (issued by Park Ranger Brody) and five minutes later, the bus arrived to pick us up.
Permits: http://www.nps.gov/piro/planyourvisit/backcountry.htm
I faxed in my campsite reservations and got a mailed response within a week. My campsite reservations:
Camp at Cliffs after 5 mile hike
Camp at Chapel after 11 mile hike
Camp at Sevenmile after a 12 mile hike
Camp at Au Sable after a 7 mile hike
Last day we hike out 7 miles and we are finished.
After getting on the trail in Munising, it did not take long to get spectacular views from the cliffs. The campsites we were in were not crowded -- it was just us and 1-2 other groups. All campground we were in had bear poles for hanging food. On day three of the hike, we finally left the Picture Rocks cliffs behind us. We then walked along the beach. Some beaches were so lonely -- it was only us splashing around in the water! We hiked on some hot days and the biting flies came out. We were told that these flies come out on hot days all summer long. The flies attack only legs and arms so the only thing we could do is put on long pants. I found that Deet kept the flies off my arms pretty well. At Hurricane Beach, we found that once we were in the water, we were on a sometimes slippery rock ledge. This rock ledge extends out to Sable Point and to the lighthouse. You are able to see some shipwrecks in this area and the Aux Sable Light House. We ended the hike with a meal at a restaurant in Grand Marais -- minutes from the trailhead. Trail time always goes by way to fast. Here I sit home writing about the trip already. Sigh.
Pictures (left to right): Miners Rock, Miner's Beach, Pictured Rock overlook, waterfall, sunset on Twelvemile Beach
