Bay de Noc - Grand Island Trail

Reviewed by SCguide1 on October 15, 2009

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This was one of the best point-to-point backpacking trips I have ever done. I did the 60 mile trip mentioned in the description. Five days on the trail.

I did the walk during early spring. Not a bad time at all to be in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula woods. The whitetail deer were very active after migrating back from their winter shelters in the cedar swamps. They were everywhere and it was great to see so many of them.

The trail was wet, which some people complain about, but I found the creeks to be a welcome source of drinking water…after running the water through my filtration system.

My camps were at Bill’s Creek, Haymeadow Creek, and Middle Trailhead. I also camped at the Ackerman Lake Trailhead parking area before doing the last leg (road walk) to Munising.
The distance between Middle Trailhead and Ackerman was 19 miles. Long day but not difficult.

Car spotting is easy for this trail using County Road 509 and the northern and southern trail heads. Car spotting for the 60-mile version will require some imagination and perhaps some permissions. Things may have changed since I did my trip. Call ahead with questions and/or your plans, and to obtain a trail map. Ask about camping opportunities and rules along the trail. There seems to be a gray area on the subject, but there also seems to be leniency for backcountry-type usage.

Call the Munising Ranger District, Hiawatha National Forest, 906-387-2512 for information on the trail and other opportunities on Lake Superior.
Call the Rapid River Ranger District, Hiawatha National Forest, 906-474-6442 for information on the trail and other opportunities on northern Lake Michigan.

As a special note: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore begins near Munising, offering 43 miles of linear trail along some truly breathtaking vistas. Pictured Rocks Trail is part of the famed North Country Trail and is one of the biggest attractions along it’s entire length.

The Munising Rangers are very proud of Pictured Rocks, as they should be, and will talk your ear off if you call and ask questions. That’s a good thing!

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