MI Best - Weekend Edition - December 10, 2023

Telling Michigan’s Best Stories

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[LOOK INSIDE] Plan your Munising winter adventure

Winter playgr und

t

Making memories

in Munising

TANDA GMITER | tgmiter@mlive.com

here’s a big difference between people who have learned to tolerate Michigan’s long winters and those who embrace them. For those outdoor enthusiasts who welcome the colder months with their arms wide open and their faces tipped back to catch the next wave of lake-effect snow, Munising is a natural winter adventure spot.

Located along the northern edge of the Upper Peninsula and bordered by Lake Superior, Munising draws thousands of visitors each winter who want nothing more than to play in the snow. Snowmobilers, cross-country skiers and ice climbers all come to this area near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore to find their slice of winter bliss.

But make no mistake:

the winter crowd lured to the state’s wild northern rim is definitely a different set than the summertime tourists, said Cori-Ann Cearley, president of the Munising Visitors Bureau. There’s a relaxed, convivial attitude among those on the snowy trails that makes friends out of strangers pretty quickly, something she equates to the shared play-hard attitude of the winter vacation crowd.

“There is a camaraderie among people who come up here in the wintertime,” Cearley said. “It’s a very different group of people, who have a very different group of interests (than the summer visitors).”

“I know people who have met people here and who come back year after year to be together, some for 25 years.”

Whether you’re a sledhead ready to angle your snowmobile around the next forest bend, or a silent sport lover who gravitates toward cross-country skis and snowshoes, Munising can be a winter playground.

“There is really something to suit just about anybody,” Cearley said.

Here are four ideas if you’re not the snowmobiling or ice-climbing type: 1. Cross Country Skiing at

Valley Spur Despite its popularity among snowmobilers, Munising has its own fan base among the “silent sports” crowd. Whether your perfect day includes gliding for miles on cross-country skis or trekking down a trail on snowshoes, you’ll find an abundance of trails waiting here.

Valley Spur is a destination stop for people who love cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Located about 5 miles from Munising, it features a 27-mile groomed trail system. To start, pick one of the 10 loops that wind through the Hiawatha National Forest, all with varying degrees of difficulty.

2. Winter Hiking and Trekking Check out the Munising Bay Trail Network: During the summer, this trail system is a hot spot for mountain bikers and runners. In the winter, it attracts snowshoe enthusiasts and hikers.

Bruno’s Run is a pretty perfect spot for a snowshoe adventure.

The nine-mile scenic loop offers up some rustic beauty. Here’s a description: “The trail winds its

you don’t want to miss this

way past a host of small lakes imprinted in this relatively young glacial plain, taking adventurers over gently rolling country. Further along, the trail runs over foothills, along overlooks and through valleys.”

3. Beaver Basin Wilderness Zone A nearly 12,000-acre portion of Picture Rocks carries a special designation because of the natural beauty and diversity of the ecosystem, which includes three crystal clear lakes, five cold-water streams and hardwood forest habitat for a variety of animals and plants. It protects 13 miles of shoreline from Spray Falls to Sevenmile Creek. There are 8.5 miles of trails that can be used via hiking, snowshoeing or crosscountry skiing.

4. Twelvemile Beach: Beaches hit a bit differently in the winter, and this one is worth checking out as it stretches 12 miles (as the name indicates) of the cliffs’ shoreline. The sands, if they’re not snow-covered, are best reached with a 1.5-mile walk from the day-use parking lot on Little Beaver Lake Road.

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The need for speed

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Even in an El Nino year, Michigan snowmobilers can bet on the U.P.’s trails being open As Andy Cooper worked the desk at the family-owned Buckhorn Resort in Munising late in October, the region’s first winter weather advisory had just been issued and the potential of four inches of snowfall offered a sign of things to come.

Soon enough, Cooper said, that warning will be commonplace in the Upper Peninsula’s snowbelt where on average more than 230 inches accumulates every year, turning the Hiawatha National Forest into a snowmobiler’s dream.

HERE ARE THREE TRIPS, WITH STARTS IN MUNISING, THAT ARE RECOMMENDED BY LOCALS: Munising to Grand Marais This 120-mile round trip comes with a bonus excursion that takes riders to Miner’s Castle on the only legal access trail in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore via trails U.P. 8 and U.P 422. Miner’s Castle is famous year-round for its dramatic views of the cliffs, Lake Superior and Grand Island. Ice formations on the sandstone cliffs are an amazing sight. Get back out on the primary trail and you’re treated to a smooth ride. The trail takes operators in and out of hardwoods and open terrain, where they can get off the trail and play around in fields.

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“

SPONSORED for Munising Visitors Bureau

ou can bet that from December to May, we’re going to have enough on the ground that you can roll out of bed, warm up the sled and then head out for as long as you want,” Cooper said. “Some people are out there from dusk to dawn and ride over 200 miles. Some people go out for a little bit; it’s whatever you want to do.

“And as soon as you sit down for lunch or dinner, the question is always ‘where have you been today’ and people start swapping stories.”

Cooper’s family has operated the Buckhorn since 2012 and since that time the trail network has developed and expanded to 330 miles, all of which are groomed daily. The riding options are a draw that has earned Munising the title of the “Snowmobiling Capital of the Midwest.”

The vast array of wide, safe trails offers terrain that varies between open fields, hardwood forests, hills and valleys for a unique ride. Operators can explore the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, the Eben Ice Caves and more. While most people stay on the trails, there are opportunities for off-trail excursions for a more rugged ride in the 900,000-acre national forest.

Munising has built a reputation as the place to be for sled riders looking for a complete trail system that allows travel with stress-relieving scenic views.

“People just love it,” Cooper said. “We see a lot of the same groups year after year, and they book for the next year once the current trip is done because they know they want to come back and do it again.”

Snowmobiling in Alger County is different than many places, Cooper said, because riders are experienced

and respectful of each other. When new riders arrive for their first time, they can learn from the veterans.

At the Buckhorn Resort, Cooper’s family provides lodging in hotel-style rooms or large group cabins, and they have a full-service restaurant and gas to fill up riders’ tanks. There are plenty of lodging options and plenty of restaurants along the way, too.

“There’s always a lot of activity,” Cooper said, “but here you have to get out and ride to the next stop, and that’s the fun part.

There are other places where you spend more time getting your gear on and then taking it off because you don’t get to go very far.”

With forecasters predicting a mild winter because of an El Nino weather pattern, some popular areas in the lower peninsula could experience sketchy conditions from time to time, but that won’t be a problem in Munising.

“We’d like a consistent snowfall with a bit coming each day, but if there’s one thing we can count on, it’s that there’s always snow,” Cooper said.

Check out Gwinn Two primary options to get to Gwinn will give riders between 95 and 114 miles on their sleds, either following U.P. 417 west along Lake Superior and then going south on U.P. 8 or taking a direct shot on U.P. 8. Riders will experience varying, rolling terrain. The Hiawatha National Forest is again a trail highlight as the routes take travelers through oldgrowth hardwoods.

A snowmobile is like a magic carpet that can take you anywhere you want in a winter wonderland.

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MICHIGAN’S BEST | 12.10.23 | 2

Visit Kitch-iti-kipi and Manistique Heading out of Munising and hopping on to U.P. 41, riders can enjoy a roughly 100-mile round trip that takes them to the shores of Lake Michigan in Manistique and the famous Kitchi-iti-kipi freshwater spring. Long known for the summer views, the cold spring is equally visually impressive with snowtopped trees and the crystal clear water. The trail system offers riders options to head through the Hiawatha National Forest on U.P. 413 and U.P. 7, or groups can take more of a straight shot on U.P. 2.

7 waterfalls that take your breath away in winter

t

LONGER HIKES THAT ARE WORTH THE REWARD:

SPONSORED for Munising Visitors Bureau

he turn of seasons changes how we see the world around us, and in Munising, this is more evident at any of the 17 waterfalls that are carved out of nature and offer amazing views.

In the spring, water volumes are at a peak with the snow melt.

Come summer, lush green growth of trees and

other plants present a colorful and vibrant scene.

Fall is mesmerizing for the contrasting colors of the changing leaves.

And in the winter, water is seemingly frozen in midair against the stark rock features in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and the surrounding region.

Here’s a look at several of the most popular waterfalls and others with the most challenging hikes: Laughing Whitefish: A moderate half-mile trail through a beechmaple forest spills out to one of the Upper Peninsula’s tallest waterfalls: Laughing Whitefish. Classified as a slide waterfall, it features a 100-foot drop. It’s a quintessential waterfall to see in the springtime (or following a heavy rainfall) as the water really surges during this period.

Munising Falls: In the city of Munising, this 50-foot waterfall is only ¼ mile into the woods and is accessed via a paved trail and a viewing platform.

Interesting rock formations are highlighted in every season and this fall is also known for great ice formations in the winter.

Chapel Falls: One of the larger straight drops, the 60-foot falls are at the end of the Chapel Road Drive and about a 2 1/2-mile hike to Lake Superior, where the famous tree and rock formation is found. Pictured Rocks boat tours are available to this majestic setting, one of the few where falls cascade into the Great Lakes.

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Spray Falls: A 70-foot waterfall located along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore can be observed by land or water. The remote area requires walking the trails along the cliffs and the Spray Falls are located 1.75 miles Northeast of Chapel Rock.

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Wagner Falls: A short walk on a gravel path takes you to a peaceful spot where you can take in the 20-foot drop of the Wagner Falls, which is fed by Wagner Creek.

This is one of the most photographed falls as it features stepped areas with multiple rock ledges.

Bridalveil Falls: A one-ofa-kind view is found on the 140-foot sandstone cliffs of Pictured Rocks and is part of an eight-mile loop that will also take you past the previously mentioned Chapel Falls. Boat trips from Munising will also grant you looks that will last a lifetime.

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Miners Falls: The impressive 50-foot fall is a 20-minute walk from a parking lot of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

There are two platforms for viewing and the park service advises to take the time to enjoy the views of the Miners Basin.

Munising: Winter in

a

SPONSORED for Munising Visitors Bureau

s Bill Thompson tells the story, the Michigan Ice Fest, slated for its 32nd year in Munising from Feb. 7-11, had humble beginnings that slowly developed into a world-renowned location for professional ice climbers as well as the best spot for the sport’s newcomers to learn.

Thompson, in a podcast with MLive’s Eric Hultgren last year, recounted that four men from Kalamazoo with an interest in ice climbing were at a winter trade show in Chicago and happened past a snowmobiling booth with images of amazing ice formations. They asked the volunteers where the pictures came from, and they learned it was along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, not far from their homes.

The men visited, climbed the ice surfaces that formed on the face of the sandstone cliffs, and they were hooked.

Afterward, they retreated to a Munising bar and agreed: “We should do this every year.”

They did, and so have many others, Thompson said.

“When people think of ice climbing, they think of somewhere else other than Michigan,” he said. “They’d be wrong because we have some of the best ice climbing on the planet. We’ve been telling people for 30 years that it’s just an amazing place to come climb, but (it remained undiscovered).

“Now 1,200 to 1,300 climbers come from all over the country and the world.”

The ideal conditions are created by abundant moisture in the fall that is followed by a heavy snowfall, courtesy of Lake Superior. The sandstone cliffs, which are a summertime draw for their multi-colored face, leak water that freezes and the surface builds to an ice climbing mecca.

“A lot of people come up here in the summer, but they should experience it in the winter,” Thompson said.

Experience an international ice festival with a humble start While the professional climbers come to compete, the festival is oriented to all potential enthusiasts with programming and presentations about the sport, as well as instruction and gear for beginners. It’s the best possible exposure to the outdoor activity, Thompson said. He’s recently compared it to being at a basketball camp and having Michael Jordan, Lebron James and Steph Curry as your coaches.”

“People that might be thinking about it say, ‘oh, I could never go ice climbing, I’m not strong enough,’” Thompson said. “But that’s totally not the case. With the proper instruments, really anyone can start to do it.”

Now 1,200 to 1,300 climbers come from all over the country and the world.

BILL THOMPSON

MICHIGAN’S BEST | 12.10.23 | 3

Share your winter

Munising

mem ries

e

SPONSORED for Munising Visitors Bureau

ventful vacations never truly end. They echo into time through the sharing of photos and memories. Fun outings create stories that inspire future smiles and laughs. They may even convince others to seek similar experiences. A captivating trip embeds into one’s fiber, often revisited through declarations that begin with “remember that one time when…”

Munising’s vivid landscape spurs such reflection. Whether a family getaway, solo excursion, gathering of friends or a couple’s retreat, the gateway to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore produces indelible moments that perpetuate through imagery and storytelling — and the Munising Visitors Bureau wants you to share these memories.

If you’ve visited Munising in the winter the past, show people who haven’t witnessed the snowy beauty what they’re missing. Or if you’re still hanging on to fall color images, put that brilliant display in front of others to understand how the area is picture perfect.

Munising Visitors Bureau encourages travelers to upload their enthralling memories to their CrowdRiff account. CrowdRiff is a user-generated content hosting platform that accepts JPG, PNG, TIF, SVG, PDF, AVI, FLV, MOV, MP4, MPG and WMV file types.

By uploading content on the platform, your memories could make their way onto Munising’s website; further cementing its everlasting qualities that may influence future travelers.

Munising’s expansive environment — replete with waterfalls, sprawling forest, miles of trails and unspoiled beauty —unfurls the adventurous spirit in its visitors. An authentic Munising experience can’t be confined to a singular person’s camera. CrowdRiff provides Munising Visitors Bureau the opportunity to visually highlight the scenic area from anyone in the sharing mood.

The natural attractions in the region can keep a thumb in motion, regularly snapping photos. Just when you think you’ve captured

the perfect Instagram moment, another enters the fray. You may find Instagram’s 10-image post limit inadequate to showcase your trip.

Maybe your trip focused on hunting down the area’s 17 majestic waterfalls. From small, tranquil falls to large cascading flows from the cliffs of Pictured Rocks, it’s easy to flood your camera roll with eye-catching shots. Have an image where the sunlight hits just right upon the water? Share it. Have a charming group shot in front of a waterfall that surges with ear-to-ear smiles? Share it.

Munising memories manifest on both land and sea. Getting out on the water is a popular area activity. Kayaking offers a refreshing perspective of Pictured Rocks, glass bottom boat shipwreck tours wow with historical adventure and fishing opportunities provide serene recreation. Perhaps you made a big catch. Maybe you captured a thrilling action shot paddling through a cave. Whatever image best highlights your Munising trip, let it make waves by sharing it on CrowdRiff.

There are no parameters to what makes an image worth sharing. Posting on CrowdRiff reveals the unlimited possibilities awaiting in Munising. Munising Visitors Bureau leverages CrowdRiff to showcase the area from all angles. It provides a platform for explorers to share their cherished memories with others.

and share your Munising memories

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