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This remote nature preserve was set aside as a special place by the Michigan Nature Association (MNA) in 1981. Today it is one of the most remote, rugged and beautiful hikes in the Keweenaw.
Because of its remoteness, and elevation changes, this three mile trail is a challenge that should only be attempted by hikers properly equipped. Good footwear with ankle support, bug repellant, long sleeves, water, energy snacks and good physical fitness are important. Medical rescue from this remote area is difficult and should not be assumed.
The trail is a loop which swings off a logging road and should be hiked counter clockwise (Proceed to the second trail head on the logging road to begin). Climbing up is much easier and safer. The first mile is a steady climb through a beautiful maple forest strewn with car sized mosey boulders. Then the massive pink bluff looms up through the forest. The trail switches back up to the base of the bluff where the mosses and ferns, lichens and other rare plants bring you into a lush rock garden. A little further and you walk through a 100 yard wide rock slide of the pink Rhyolite. Watch for the blue trail marks and be careful. Another mile of the rock garden and the trail turns up through a large fault strewn with logs. Take your time and carefully place your steps here.
A 100 yards and the trail turns up into the stunted hardwoods, wind deformed by the harsh environment here. Watch for the blue diamonds here as the trail winds and people have created volunteer trails which can be misleading. Suddenly you break out of the trees and onto clearings which open up the spectacular views of the SE shore of the Keweenaw. On a clear day you can see Manitou Isle off the tip to your left. The buildings in the foreground shoreline are the privately owned old commercial fishery know as Smith Fishery. A mile further down the shore is the mouth of the Montreal River, which falls into Lake Superior. Back to your right is Point Isabelle, Bete Grise and Lac la Belle. Stay on the blue marked trail as rare plants grow on these balds and keep your distance from the edge as the footing is treacherous and the sheer cliff is 250 feet high.
The trail continues across three balds and back into the woods for the gradual decent back through a beautiful woods to the logging road. Turn right for the half mile back to the parking area.
Please follow LNT (Leave no Trace) principals. Leave only footprints, take only pictures. Pack everything out. Use the bathroom 100 foot off the trail, kicking a shallow hole and covering everything before leaving. Remember there is no climbing, to stay on the trail, do not throw anything off the bluff, and no camping or fires are permitted. Respect this wilderness remnant. Take your time, enjoy the solitude. Turn up your senses as the sounds and smells of this place are intoxicating.
The Michigan Nature Association (MNA), established in 1952, is a non-profit land conservation organization dedicated to protecting examples of Michigan’s unique natural habitats and rare or threatened species. The MNA’s mission is not only to preserve exceptional land and native flora, but also to provide conservation education and conduct scientific study. With the help of many generous donations from people like you, the MNA now has 170 nature sanctuaries totaling 8500 acres located in almost every county in Michigan. Please consider becoming a member and lending your support to this worthwhile effort. MNA sanctuaries are open to the public to enjoy today and for the future.Michigan Nature Association 326 E. Grand River Ave.Williamston, Michigan 48895 www.michigannature.org Annual membership dues: $35
Unique Plant Communities
There are several rare plants that grow in this environment. The small blue-eyed Mary, the trail plant, Trisetum spicatum (a grass), and the wood fern, Dryopteris expansa.
Birds
Raptors frequent this area, riding the warm air drafts rising from the land. Watch for soaring eagles, ospreys and vultures. Also look for nesting raptors, such as the Merlin hawk, a threatened species, and several species of owl.
Geology
This location is important as a preserve because of its plant community which is unique and directly related to the geology. Bare Bluff is a rhyolite body that is a part of the Portage Lake Volcanics. A flood basalt sequence associated with the Keweenaw Rift which was active from 1097 to 1094 million years ago. When the rift started rhyolites and other silicic lavas and intrusions were derived as part of the rift initiation, from melting of the continental crust. As you hike note the pink color of the rock in contrast to most other Keweenaw rocks that are black (lavas) or red (sandstone and conglomerate). Silicic rocks must have been more abundant that the few surface outcrops visible today would indicate, since abundant rhyolite cobbles and pebbles can be found in the Portage Lake Volcanics along the Keweenaw’s north shore.
Directions
Drive north on US-41 to the Lac La Belle Rd. (11 miles SW of Copper Harbor) turn right and drive about 5 miles to Lac La Belle. Turn left onto the Bete Gris Road and drive about 3 miles to the Smith Fisheries Road (left unpaved). Travel 2.25 miles to the MNA parking area on the right. The first half mile of the hike is on a gated logging road taking you to both ends of the MNA 3 mile loop hiking trail. The second trail head is one quarter mile past the first. You may hike the trail in either direction but counter clock wise (starting at the second trail head) is the easiest as you are hiking up the steeper side which is safer.
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