Discover Magazine 2022

DISCOVER NORTHEAST MICHIGAN

2022

Bigfoot | Woods & Water | Mushroom Hunting | Cross Country Skiing Trials to Hike or Bike | Northeast Michigan Treasures

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Published by The Alpena News 2022

Seeking Biggie Bigfoot sightings dot Northeast Michigan’s woods and waterways

By JULIE RIDDLE News Staff Writer

ALPENA -- Northern Michigan woods may be the perfect hiding place for a creature some believe to be the stuff of legend and others say they have seen with their own eyes.

For decades, residents and visitors in Northeast Michigan have reported encounters with what may or may not have been bigfoots, a human-like creature said to live in deep woods and swamps where game is plentiful.

The Upper Peninsula, home of the Upper Peninsula Bigfoot/Sasquatch Research Organization, has been visited by a crew from the Animal Planet TV show "Finding Bigfoot," which also visited Houghton Lake and the Mio area in search of the possibly elusive, possibly imaginary creature.

While no such camera crew has made its way to the Alpena area, multiple reports of howls, unexplainable splashes, and eerie sightings in the region are posted on the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization website -- an indication that, perhaps, the mysterious creature calls Northeast Michigan home.

From the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization website: June 2018 Mikado Township, Alcona County Seven people leaving a house on the dead end of a heavily wooded road noticed a foul smell similar to rotting garbage. A loud “whoop” from across the street startled the group. When one of the party made a whooping sound in

return, the group heard the same sound repeated from farther down the road.

July 2013 Jewell Lake, Alcona County Around 2 a.m., two fishermen in a boat on the edge of Jewell Lake, inside the Huron National Forest, heard large rocks thrown at them from the nearby densely forested shore. No human could throw rocks so large such a distance, according to one of the fishermen.

November 2012 Lachine, Alpena County After a fresh snowfall, a landowner discovered large tracks that were 5-anda-half inches wide and 10 inches long, with no toe marks. Whatever made the prints walked in 20-inch strides from toe to heel and moved in a straight line through dense forest.

A nearby neighbor found similar tracks on adjacent property. Michigan Department of Natural Resources officers have not been able to identify photographs of the footprints, according to the landowner.

November 2012 Bear Den Lake, Montmorency County A hunter heard a powerful, terrifying roar from the woods.

Others reported hearing strange noises around their hunting blind the

same day. Relatives warned the hunter of a large bear known to frequent a nearby picnic area.

July 2011 Boilore Road, Alpena County A farm owner heard several screamlike howls from a wooded area near his house.

June 2009 Hillman, Montmorency County A 14-year-old saw a large, brown creature crouched behind brush in a wooded area near Hillman. He later heard low howls and tree knocks coming from the woods.

October 2006 Glennie, Alcona County Two experienced bowhunters in separate tree stands heard multiple, 10-second, human-sounding screams.

The screams sounded more angry than distressed, and the forest became eerily quiet afterward, the hunters told a Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization investigator.

The same month, in a nearby forest, another hunter reported hearing the splash of huge rocks being thrown into water and an angry, human-like scream coming from among heavy vegetation.

News Photo by Julie Riddle Bigfoot may, or may not, roam the woods of Northeast Michigan, appearing between trees like this wooden silhouette on M-68 in Presque Isle County in this photo taken in early 2021.

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DISCOVER NORTHEAST MICHIGAN - Page 3

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July 2003 New Presque Isle Lighthouse, Presque Isle County A driver saw a large, black, furry creature standing at the tree line, looking directly at him. The creature had long arms and was 7 or 8 feet tall, with a human-like face and flat nose.

The man has heard stories of other paranormal sightings around the lighthouse.

Spring 1993 County Road 489, Montmorency County A 12-year-old on a bike ride saw something reddish-black run out of the woods, take one step onto the road, and leap across the rest of the road. The creature then hopped over a small fence and disappeared.

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Spring 1998 or 1999 Atlanta, Montmorency County A woman heard “the most God-awful sound I have ever heard in my life” coming from state-owned woods near her Atlanta home. She heard the sound -- like that of someone dying -- every 30 seconds for almost an hour, she reported.

Later that summer, when driving on a dirt backroad, the woman saw something with a thick upper torso running upright through heavy undergrowth around a swamp.

September 1998 Long Rapids Road, Alpena County A bird hunter saw something dark brown, about 7 feet tall, running silently through the woods. The sighting lasted no more than three seconds.

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November 1985 Hayes Lookout Tower area, Alcona County Hunters in Huron National Forest heard a mournful wail and then a low growl and snapping branches while sitting around a campfire.

The next morning, they found broken trees and uprooted bushes where the sounds had been heard.

One of the party, walking deeper into the woods, found a large mound of earth, from which more growling sounds emanated. A DNR officer later found several mutilated deer and wild blackberry bushes buried in the pile of dirt. The DNR officer said the incident most likely involved a bear.

June 1980 Fletcher Pond, Alpena County Two bass fishermen heard a roar from a nearby, wooded shore, followed by the splash of something hitting the water 10 feet from their boat. The next morning, they found large footprints leading away from the water.

May 1967 Larke Avenue, Rogers City A girl and her neighbors heard repeated howls from a then-wooded lot next to the cemetery.

Though forbidden by her mother from going near the thicket, the girl and her sister rode past it on their bikes and saw long, black hair fluttering from what they at first thought was a tree stump.

The girl reported it was a creature with a flat, apelike face, long arms, and long legs crossed into a human-like sitting position.

The girl also reported a rotten meat smell coming from the thicket and said dogs and cats would disappear into it, not to be seen again.

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DISCOVER NORTHEAST MICHIGAN - Page 7

‘Just breathe it in’ Northeast Michigan woods and water offer quiet tranquility

By JULIE RIDDLE News Staff Writer

ALPENA -- While Northeast Michigan offers cheerful city strolls and the charm of small-town downtowns, a visit to the region isn’t complete without pausing to encounter the tranquility, freedom, and small excitements of the northern outdoors that never closes.

Northerners treasure their outdoor sports. Snowmobiles zoom down miles of groomed forest trails in winter, and, in summer, boats and paddleboards dot the waters of Lake Huron while four-wheelers hum across public lands.

Enjoying the waters and woods of Northeast Michigan doesn’t require experience or expensive grown-up toys, however.

In the quiet of a forest, on a stone-

pebbled beach, a visitor longing for peace and escape from a hectic life can just breathe, tourism officials say.

From the sandy beaches of Harrisville State Park in Alcona County to the narrow, rock-strewn shores of northern Presque Isle County, Lake Huron’s shoreline offers an ever-changing outdoor play area.

Rock-picking beaches near 40 Mile Point Lighthouse, north of Rogers City, merge into the state-protected sand dunes of Hoeft State Park, soft underfoot on summer days.

A road-accessible stretch of shore along U.S.-23 North north of Rogers City in summer hosts sandcastlebuilders and rock hounds kneedeep in gentle waves. In winter, ice volcanoes and miniature mountain ranges make a slippery climbing Continued on Page 9

News Photo by Julie Riddle A freighter glows on the horizon just before dark, seen from Seagull Point in Rogers City in December.

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ground for the adventurous.

Swimming beaches in several stops along the Sunrise Side offer underwater toes a sandy foothold.

Elsewhere along the lake, however, water shoes are a must for exploring the rocky bottoms and primitive shorelines of Thompson’s Harbor State Park, Rockport State Recreation Area, and Negwegon State Park.

A day at the lake means plenty to do, said Ron Olsen, chief of parks and recreation for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Visitors to Lake Huron spend long, leisurely days spying freighters, watching the ever-changing colors of everchanging waves, reading, poking among lake-strewn plants and driftwood, digging holes, or playing catch.

Continued on Page 11

News Photo by Julie Riddle Fallen leaves invite exploration at the Herman Vogler Conservation Area in Presque Isle County.

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DISCOVER NORTHEAST MICHIGAN - Page 9

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Published by The Alpena News 2022

News Photo by Julie Riddle A visitor climbs icy hills along the Lake Huron shore on a February afternoon.

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News Photo by Julie Riddle Sunrise brightens the windows of a home on Lake Huron’s shores in Rogers City in October.

9

An oversized rock or log makes a perfect place for a picnic overlooking the water, after dangling a fishing line or taking a bike for a spin down a nearby bike path, Olson said.

Away from the water’s roar and the din of town, a day in the woods is a tranquil escape full of discoveries of its own.

Among the trees, a person can close his or her eyes and just be, said Brittany VanderWall, district forester for the Presque Isle Conservation District.

“Be fully present,”VanderWall said. “Shut everything off and just listen.”

There’s a lot to hear in the woods, she said.

Waterfowl call from beside bubbling streams. Wings of swans, herons, and bald eagles whisper overhead.

“You can hear a lot of little songbirds and tweety birds singing,” said VanderWall. “They sing all day.”

Parks and public lands, from Herman Vogler Conservation Area in Presque Isle County to Thunder Bay River State Forest in Alpena County, are perfect places to step off a path and climb into a hammock or flop a yoga mat under a green canopy, VanderWall said.

Forests are full of sunlit groves and shady patches lined with moss. Overhead, dead trunks are turned into artwork by pileated woodpeckers, while riverside stumps bear the teeth marks of determined beavers.

In winter, snowy paths lead among silent trees, animal tracks darting off in all directions, and, in spring, wildflowers invite wanderers to identify and enjoy them.

In Northeast Michigan, with its miles and miles of forest and shoreline, a visitor can have a little piece of the world all to themselves, VanderWall said.

“Immerse in the beauty of the outdoors,” the forester said. “Just breathe it in.”

Published by The Alpena News 2022

News File Photo Summertime sands beckon bare feet on Lake Huron’s shore.

DISCOVER NORTHEAST MICHIGAN - Page 11

Fabulous fungi Mushrooming a tasty, muddy pastime in Northeast Michigan

Courtesy Photo Alpena native and mushroom forager Chris Engle prepares dried oyster mushrooms for spaghetti and meatballs at his home.

By CRYSTAL NELSON News Staff Writer ALPENA -- Each year, Northeast Michigan’s forests offer up a bounty of edible mushrooms just waiting to be picked.

Alpena native Chris Engle learned to forage for mushrooms with his family as a kid. While Engle said morels were the first for which he foraged, his interest in other mushroom species grew while working with a private forestry consultant.

Engle traveled across northern Michigan with that consultant and said

hunting for mushrooms while they looked for trees was a fun perk of the job.

His foraging skills have now expanded to include oyster mushrooms, chanterelles, and lion’s mane.

“Growing up in northern Michigan, you’re raised to revere the morel, that’s the thing that everybody goes after,” he said. “That’s sort of what gets everybody’s attention, but, once you learn maybe three or four different species, it kind of broadens your horizons and options, and makes it less likely you’ll go home empty-handed.”

Continued on Page 14

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Engle said the nice thing about living in Northeast Michigan is that there’s lots of public land on which to forage for mushrooms. Foragers need to be mindful of whether they’re on public property or private land.

Ed Golder, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, said items foraged from state-managed public lands cannot be sold. He said a permit from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is required to sell mushrooms foraged from private lands.

Christopher Williams, a state-certified mushroom expert and owner of Michigan Mushrooms, said mushrooms all have a special habitat.

Williams grew up in Alpena and got

into farming after attending Alpena Community College. He interned on a few different organic farms before starting Michigan Mushrooms in 2008.

“All mushrooms prefer certain types of trees to grow around, which is probably your easiest clue to finding these spots, is to find the right tree species,” he said.

“Plant indicator species can also be something you look for.”

When Engle looks for mushrooms, he uses an app called iNaturalist, which allows him to upload a photo and identify a mushroom by comparing it to similar photos. Engle also said foragers can use a field guide to help identify mushrooms.

Williams recommends first-time foragers go with someone who knows what to look for. Williams forages and sells the wild mushrooms he finds, but also offers guided mushroom hunts as

part of his business.

“Go with someone who knows,” he said. “Books are great, but find someone who knows what they’re doing. That’s the only thing I could responsibly recommend.”

He also suggests attending mushroom festivals, which often feature guided mushroom hunts.

Foragers also need to identify a mushroom’s look-alikes -- especially the toxic look-alikes, Engle said.

Engle said some toxic mushrooms look similar to edible mushrooms. Morels, honey mushrooms, and chanterelle mushrooms all have toxic look-alikes that could poison or kill a person.

If a forager cannot properly identify a mushroom or if they’re not positive which kind of mushroom they have, it Continued on Page 15

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shouldn’t be eaten, Engle said.

Once a mushroom is properly identified, it can be cooked, dried or frozen.

Engle said he likes to use dried oyster mushrooms in spaghetti and meatballs. He will also use the mushrooms he forages in soups or cooked with caramelized onions and served over steak.

Edible mushrooms These are some of the edible mushrooms that can be found in Northeast Michigan: MORELS Chris Williams, a state-certified mushroom expert and owner of Michigan Mushrooms, said there are three main types of morels, which appear at different times as the morel mushroom season progresses.

Williams said morels can usually be found around Mothers Day weekend on the ground near poplar trees.

Courtesy Photo Chris Williams, a state-certified mushroom expert and owner of Michigan Mushrooms, forages for mushrooms in Northeast Michigan.

Published by The Alpena News 2022

season ends in the fall. Mushroom forager Chris Engle said the mushrooms tend to grow in clusters along a tree’s trunk.

He said oyster mushrooms are typically found in hardwood forests and tend to associate with maple, oak, beech, aspen, and poplar trees.

HONEYS Williams said he’s seen honey mushrooms grow on every single type of tree.

“They’re extremely cosmopolitan in the type of food that they’re after, especially hardwood,” he said. “You will often see them appearing to grow from the ground, but it's actually a dead tree root they’re growing off of.”

LOBSTERS AND HEDGEHOGS Lobster mushrooms and hedgehog mushrooms can be found late in the summer and into the fall. Williams said those mushrooms can be found around mature red pine trees and tend to grow on trails.

CHANTERELLES Chanterelle mushrooms can be found starting in July through the end of the season. They grow out of the soil, usually in association with beech trees. Chanterelle mushrooms are a yellow-orange color. Engle said chanterelle Continued on Page 16

OYSTERS Fo r a g e r s can look for oyster mushrooms at the tail end of the morel mushroom s e a s o n , u s u a l l y around poplar trees, until the mushroom

DISCOVER NORTHEAST MICHIGAN - Page 15

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mushrooms are “a little less of a beginner mushroom.”

LION’S MANE Engle said lion’s mane mushrooms can morels be found in hardwood forests in the summer, usually on dead beech trees, several feet up the trunk.

Engle said the mushroom can be found in cooler weather and looks like a dense, white cauliflower that he will pop off the tree using a long, sharpened stick. He said the mushroom has to be caught before it hits the ground and Courtesy Photos Chris Williams, a state-certified mushroom explodes. expert and owner of Michigan Mushrooms, hedgehog shows the various varieties of mushrooms he mushroom forges.

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DISCOVER NORTHEAST MICHIGAN - Page 17

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Beautiful, affordable exercise Northeast Michigan gives cross-country skiers many opportunities

By STEVE SCHULWITZ News Staff Writer

ALPENA -- Cross-country skiing in Northeast Michigan is a good way to get outdoors, enjoy nature, and get some exercise.

Skiers can find three designated cross-country ski trails near Alpena, each providing a different terrain and views. All three trails are groomed by the Thunder Bay Trails Association.

Association President Jeff Blumenthal said the primary trails in Alpena County are Norway Ridge Pathway, Chippewa Hills Pathway, and Alpena Golf Course ski trail.

Norway and Chippewa pathways each measure about 6.5 miles, while the golf course trail measures 2.5 miles.

Blumenthal said each trail offers varying degrees of difficulty, but all of the trails have breathtaking views, and are user-friendly.

“Norway and the golf course are easy to use and perfect for beginners,” Blumenthal said. “Chippewa Hills is a little more advanced. Overall, I think we have a very diverse set of trails.”

The trails feature a mix of hardwood and

fir trees and wildlife such as deer, squirrels, to learn how to do it, you can just YouTube and rabbits. There are smooth areas with a it.” few small hills mixed in.

Dodge said she has skied on a lot of trails Blumenthal said it is important to spread in Michigan and the ones in the Alpena area the word on what the Alpena area offers for stack up well against any of them. cross-country skiers. He said quality hotels, “I go to quite a few different places, but restaurants, and shopping near the trails I’m always happy to stay close to home, make the area appealing to skiers from out too,” Dodge said. “We have some great trails of the area. that are accessible. We have a great trails “People need to be aware of what we association that maintains them very well., have to offer them,” he said.

Chippewa is beautiful. They are all beautiful.”

Amy Dodge is an avid cross-country skier in Northeast Michigan and other communities. Recently, she skied with her grandsons, Chance and Cooper Lukitsch, at the golf course.

Dodge said she likes skiing because it’s affordable, good for fitness, and easy to learn.

“The wonderful thing is it doesn’t take any gas or spark

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz plugs, you can be outside and Amy Dodge, left, and her grandsons, Chance, center, and Cooper cross-country ski at the Alpena Golf Course recently. clear your mind,” she said. “It Alpena County features three groomed trails offering is a great way to get exercise different views and degrees of difficulty. and enjoy the great outdoors.

It is so simple, and, if you want

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DISCOVER NORTHEAST MICHIGAN - Page 19

Paths to paradise Numerous Northeast Michigan trails pass small towns, forests, fun

By ALYSSA OCHSS News Page Designer

ALPENA -- Whether for a family outing or a more advanced rider, Northeast MIchigan offers numerous trails riders and walkers can explore.

Some offer a lakeside view, while others take riders through lush forests or through towns and cities like Alpena itself.

Thousands of riders go over those trails every year, and the busiest time is summer. However, snowshoers and fat tire bike riders enjoy the trails in the winter, as well.

Notable trails in Alpena include the Alpena Bi-Path, owned and maintained by the city. The fully paved path takes the rider around the city, covering about 14 miles and taking riders by Lake Huron and the Thunder Bay River and past amenities such as the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, according to The Top of Michigan Trails Council.

The Huron Sunrise trail stretches from 40 Mile Point Lighthouse to Rogers City. The paved and mostly flat trail, perfect for families and beginners, also passes Hoeft State Park. It runs along the shoulder of U.S.-23.

Jim Conboy, a member of the Top of Michigan board who lives in Cheboygan, said the Huron Sunrise trail spans about 11 miles from the lighthouse to the city.

Along with the Huron Sunrise trail, a spur runs north out of Posen to Rogers City, Conboy said. Top of Michigan officials hope all Northeast Continued on Page 22

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Published by The Alpena News 2022

medical care Go-To Place for Urgent Care We Are Here For You MyMichigan Urgent Care Alpena is the place to go for minor injuries and illnesses that just can’t wait.

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Published by The Alpena News 2022

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DISCOVER NORTHEAST MICHIGAN - Page 21

Continued from Page 20 Michigan trails will connect at some point.

The North Eastern State Trail stretches from Alpena to Cheboygan, passing many smaller towns like Posen and Millersberg on the way, according to Becca Nelson, associate director of The Top of Michigan Trails Council.

Both Conboy and Nelson said that trail is made of crushed limestone, rather than a completely paved path. Since the trail is state-owned, snowmobiles are allowed, Nelson said.

From the North Eastern State Trail, a rider can reach two other trails, the North Central State Trail to Mackinaw City and the Petoskey to Mackinaw City trail. The shortcuts are mentioned on The Top of Michigan

Trails Council website.

Conboy said that trail is nice because of it passes small towns and it’s off the highway though it crosses through a number of intersections.

Riders and walkers can find more detailed descriptions and maps on the Top of Michigan Trail Council’s website.

Other trails in and around the Alpena area include Norway Ridge which is more suitable for mountain biking and walking, and the Alpena to Hillman trail more suitable for snowmobiles, according to the website, but non-motorized vehicles can use it too.

Photo Courtesy The Alpena Area Convention and Visitors’ Bureau

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DISCOVER NORTHEAST MICHIGAN - Page 23

Rare and intriguing finds From carnivorous plants to endangered beetles, Northeast Michigan a treasure trove of interesting nature

By CRYSTAL NELSON News Staff Writer

ALPENA -- Northeast Michigan is home to a number of natural treasures, if you know where to look for them.

Endangered beetles, carnivorous plants, rare turtles, and birds with unique nesting habitats all make their home here.

Here’s a roundup of some of Northeast Michigan’s hidden gems: BLANDING’S TURTLE The Blanding’s turtle makes its home in wetland habitats in places such as Hubbard Lake and Squaw Bay. The medium-sized turtle has a hard, helmet-shaped shell covered in irregularly shaped tan or yellow spots, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. The turtle can be identified by its bright yellow throat and neck.

While the turtle is not endangered, development threatens its habitat.

CARNIVOROUS PLANTS Carnivorous plants, such as the pitcher plant and sundew, thrive in coastal fens

such as those found at Rockport State Park in Alpena County and Thompson’s Harbor State Park in Presque Isle County, near the Lake Huron shoreline.

Chris Engle, spokesman for conservation group Huron Pines, said carnivorous plants use sticky hairs to trap insects and then consume them using digestive enzymes.

Engle said butterwort and bladderwort can also be found in coastal fens, although they are floating plants that trap aquatic insects.

HUNGERFORD’S CRAWLING WATER BEETLE The endangered Hungerford’s crawling water beetle can be found tucked away along the AuSable River in Oscoda County.

The beetle is smaller than a watermelon seed and its numbers are so few that Michigan’s entire beetle population could fit in the cupped palms of your hand, Engle said in a blog series about Michigan’s rare and endangered species.

The beetles are less than a quarterinch long, yellowish-brown in color, with

irregular dark markings and stripes along the back, according to Fish and Wildlife.

The beetles are found in cool riffles of Continued on Page

25

Courtesy Photo A carnivorous pitcher plant is pictured in this photo provided by Chris Engle, spokesman for conservation group Huron Pines.

BIG WATER CHARTERS

Join us on our spacious 29 foot Tiara for a fun filled day on the beautiful shores of Northern Michigan.

Alpena, Presque Isle and Rogers City are the ports we call home and have the best Salmon, Lake Trout and Steelhead fishing on Lake Huron.

Perfect for anglers of all skill levels!

Page 24 - DISCOVER NORTHEAST MICHIGAN

Published by The Alpena News 2022

Continued from Page 24 clean, slightly alkaline streams.

The modification of the beetles’ habitat, beaver dam removal, and the introduction or removal of fish species threaten the beetles’ habitat.

KIRTLAND’S WARBLER Taken off the endangered species list in 2019, the Kirtland’s warbler nests almost exclusively in Michigan.

Daniel Kennedy, endangered species coordinator with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, said the Kirtland’s warbler is often on a birder’s bucket list.

“The bird’s song is very unique, and they tend to perch on top of the young jack pine trees that are fairly easy to see,” he said. “They’re not very secretive or elusive.

They tend to jump up on a small jack pine tree and sing to their heart’s content.”

Kirtland’s warblers can be found in Hartwick Pines State Park, just north of downtown Grayling.

Kennedy said the birds are believed to overwinter in the Bahamas and return to the young jack pine forests in northern Michigan to breed and raise their young.

The Kirtland’s warbler population is now estimated at over 2,300 pairs, more than double the goal set for the birds' recovery, according to Fish and Wildlife. The Kirtland’s

Published by The Alpena News 2022

warbler population continues to grow today.

PETOSKEY STONES The Petoskey stone is a fossilized piece of coral, easily recognizable because of its telltale hexagon pattern.

It is also Michigan’s official state stone and can typically be found in layers of limestone along Northeast Michigan’s Lake Huron shoreline Amanda Kucharek, education coordinator at the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan, said the Petoskey stone was once a colonial coral, meaning organisms grow together to form a colony.

The fossilized coral lived during the Devonian period, about 335 million to 410 million years ago.

Courtesy Photo The Kirtland’s warbler is pictured in this photo provided by Daniel Kennedy, endangered species coordinator with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Kucharek said Petoskey stones can be found at the LaFarge Fossil Park behind the museum, but can also be found naturally in Northeast Michigan.

She said Petoskey stones and other fossils from the Devonian period can also be found in the quarry at Rockport State Park.

Petoskey stones can also be found at Partridge Point Park near Squaw Bay in Alpena Township and Rogers City Fossil Park, located at the Rogers City Little League Ball Field.

News Photo by Crystal Nelson Amanda Kucharek, education coordinator at the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan, holds a Petoskey stone.

DISCOVER NORTHEAST MICHIGAN - Page 25

Finding a gem Rockhounding growing in popularity, and Northeast Michigan offers plenty of finds

By STEVE SCHULWITZ News Staff Writer

ALPENA -- An increasingly popular hobby in America is rockhounding, a term for hunting both interesting and rare rocks, plenty of which can be found along the beaches in Northeast Michigan.

Rockhounding involves more than just picking up and collecting the stones.

Identifying and polishing them is part of the fun, and some people make items like jewelry from their treasures.

Rob Abram, an avid rockhound who lives in Alpena, knows the best places to hunt for cool stones and which rocks hunters are most likely to discover.

Abram documents his adventures and shares his secrets on his YouTube, Michigan Rocks.

Abram said people can search for colorful and unique rocks in many places in Alpena, Presque Isle, and Alcona counties.

He said the beach near Harrisville State Park and Hoeft State Park are good, as is Rockport State Recreation Area and near the Sturgeon Point Lighthouse.

Abram said walking down the beach and getting away from other people increases your odds of finding more quality rocks and minerals.

Some of the popular rocks found at the beach include pudding stones, Petoskey stones, Charlevoix stones, banded chert, and plenty of fossils.

“If you find a nice banded chert, it is like finding a nice agate,” Abram said. “They are absolutely beautiful.”

People may also find granite, which Abram said is bountiful in Northeast Michigan and is very colorful. Granite doesn't polish well, however.

Abram said he began rock hunting well into adulthood, but fell in love with it. He said it’s relaxing and a good source of exercise. Most of all, he said, it’s a great way to enjoy the area’s natural resources.

“I just love getting out on the beautiful beaches, and it gets me out of the house,” he said. “It makes it even more fun when you can find things you’re going to take home and do something with them.”

Abram said he loves the tumbling and polishing process and how simply stones from the beach turn into glistering and smooth keepsakes.

Rockhounding is affordable for most people, Abram said. All a person needs is a bucket and to dress appropriately for the weather.

Abram said hunters can make or purchase a rock scooper, which works well in the water and reduces the amount of bending you have to do. He also recommends taking bug spray and sunscreen.

Some people like to take a stone and mineral identification book, a compass, a flashlight, and a change of clothes in a backpack.

Abram said he’s had some success finding quality rocks in the winter, when the snow and ice are light enough he can see the shoreline.

Courtesy Photos Above: Rob Abram, an avid rock hunter who lives in Alpena, poses with a large pudding stone he found. Bottom: Rob Abram shows off a rock he found while rock hunting in Northeast Michigan. He said hunters can find many types of unique rocks along the Lake Huron shoreline. Abram documents his adventures and shares his secrets on his YouTube channel, Michigan Rocks.

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Published by The Alpena News 2022

Published by The Alpena News 2022

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Published by The Alpena News 2022