See updated 2025 pictures towards the bottom of the thread! Made the trip in 2024 and again in 2025 Overdue post but better late than never! Took my first solo backpacking trip in June in upper Michigan along Lake a Superior. Was a great trip, checked out numerous waterfalls that were all really flowing well due to rain earlier in the week. Took a pontoon boat ferry over to the island and brought the mountain bike along. The trek to my campsite was a little over 3 miles and I spent two nights at the camp. Packed heavy since it wasn't that long of a trip. Site is on a lagoon/bay on the island that has 4 sites and maybe 2 miles of beach. First night had the whole beach to myself and second night I saw one other couple. For my full day on the island I mountain biked the 20+ miles around the perimeter of the island stopping at bluff overlooks, beaches, small waterfalls, etc. Checked out some local sights in the area on departure day then headed home. Great trip! Can't wait to go back again!
I definitely will. Did some hiking in Pictured Rocks NLS last year. Saw some water falls in the UP too. Only had a few days there but made lots of notes of things to do the next trip. I feel like a month wouldn't give you adequate time to explore it, without factoring in the islands.
I’ve been wanting to go to either that area or northern Minnesota for a while now. Thought about going this year, I always end up in Montana though.
Made the trip again this year and it was just as good as last time! 2 nights solo backpacking and mountain biking. Did around 30 miles total. Loons calling woke me up at sunrise both mornings, saw a lot of wildlife (deer, ducks, a black bear, etc). I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...
It was great weather! Cool to see how it went from blue skies and sunny to foggy in about 15 minutes, to a half hour later sunny again! Happened multiple times on the northward facing side of the island! The two bike pictures were about 20 minutes apart!
Where exactly was your bike route and camp site(s)? Great pics. Grand Island? I'll be back there in a few weeks. Manistique for 10 days but we always do day trips to Munising and the Superior Lakeshore area.
Yes, a spent most of the trip on Grand Island. All the campsites on Trout Bay are great there! Last year I was a week earlier and went mid-week and was lucky enough to get the whole bay/ beach to myself! This year I could only go on the weekend and there were definitely more people there... Only one other group of 3 camping on the beach and they were nice, they came the last couple years as well they said... There were enough people just biking for day and some people rented boats and beached on the island as well. I would suggest mid-week and either early spring or late fall for anyone looking to avoid the crowds... I've biked almost all the trails on the island at one point. This trip was biking to Trout Bay Friday night and explored both ends of the beach, Saturday I did the premitier of the island and the Trout Bay Beach again, then Sunday I headed out. Spent a lot of time enjoying the great weather we had! Here's the map of the island. It is a lot of work biking to Preservation Point and the North Beach (but it is great/secluded and definatrly worth it when you get there) - I would probably recommend the south side of the island for most people. Starting at the ferry dock and going counterclockwise to the stone quary cabin, check out the cemetary and Murray Bay, stop at Duck Lake, then spend some time enjoying the the Trout Bay Beach. It is a steep uphill trail but the Trout Bay Overlook gives a good view of the bay. Then I would head and check out the west side of the island with the beach, Mather Lodge, and Echo Lake before heading back. I think that is the route they suggest for most people. They also have a shuttle bus for tours I believe but I have never seen it going (not sure the season or hours).
Also, there is a pull out just before Au Train. Scotts Falls is a neat little waterfall of you never stopped. And there is a carving of Powers of Air - a grand island Indian hero. Carving was made in 1820 on a trip with the governor of the territory at that time. (It is on the east end of the beach, pretty close to the metal pole property marker). The book "A face in the rock" was a good read I would highly suggest if you are looking to learn more about the island (they had it at my local library to check out).
