PLATTE BAY The current of the Platte River runs strong into the big lake, and most anyone who has spent a peaceful few hours on a river paddle or float is lured into the stream for a chance to splash, swim and drift the day away in the warm current. Thanks to the popularity of river floats and a nearby campground, this is not a hidden gem. But it can be a peaceful one if you plan your journey in late spring or early fall, or start your paddle in the early morning, putting in at the Platte River Picnic Area near M-22 or
booking a rental from a paddling outfitter. Your earlyrising reward is the chance to spot a great blue heron, kingfisher or river otter. Do head inland a bit to find one of the national lakeshore’s most interesting hiking trails. From Peterson Road off M-22, you’ll access the Otter Creek/Platte Plains Loop trail, a “ridge and swale” system that mirrors the shape of Platte Bay with trail loops that follow the ancient shorelines of Lake Michigan.
CRYSTALMOUNTAIN.COM | MOUNTAIN LIFE | SUMMER 2018
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