Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
by Mark ~ August 22nd, 2008. Filed under: Great Lakes, Michigan, landscape, nature photography.I am just back from a quick trip “Up North”, and one of the stops was of course at my favorite place in Michigan - Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. (link is to NPS map) Sometimes photographers talk about how there are no ‘grand landscapes’ (aka. “out west” style) in Michigan, and I certainly think this place is one of the many that proves them wrong. There is no place in the world quite like it and I feel fortunate to live within a day’s drive of the region. For those not familiar with it, Pictured Rocks is located near Munising in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula along the southern shores of Lake Superior. It was designated by Congress as the first national lakeshore in 1966.
Although certain spots of it are popular tourist spots, the 17 miles of coastline that have the dramatic cliffs generally have pretty limited access. Road access is only possible to spots like Miner’s Castle. Hiking is possible via the Lakeshore North Country trail, but you are mostly on top of the ridges, and it is one heck of a long hike - so my personal preference is to explore it via the water. That represents its own challenges as Lake Superior conditions change rapidly and the water is quite cold most of the year. This particular trip, our boat rental was canceled twice due to rough water.
On this particular trip, a particular boulder (ie. large hunk of fallen sandstone) caught my eye from the boat and I wanted to get closer to it to use it as a foreground element. This particular boulder was just begging to be used in a photograph. Its jagged lines and alternating colors made for something quite interesting.
There aren’t many places to beach a boat along Pictured Rocks because of the sheer cliffs and rocky shores of Lake Superior. Many ginormous boulders lie in shallow waters along the shore. But fortunately a small pebble beach wasn’t too far away with a single opening to make a landing. I was able to climb over the rocks to get to “my rock” that I wanted, and ultimately had to wade into the water as you see here.
Ideas for images are one thing, but the logistics of making them happen can sometimes be tricky. The end result was worth it for me, although looking back I think I should have spent more time here working even more compositions than I did do. Perhaps this particular rock (the one in the foreground far right) will wait for the next time I come back, or be consumed into the sometimes violent conditions that Lake Superior is known for.
More of my Pictured Rocks photographs will show up in my gallery as I make my way through keywording and post-processing. Just click the link to see what’s new.
August 22nd, 2008 at
Mark - Love these images! I’ve been in the Porkies & up as far as Copper Harbor, but have yet to make it over to Pictured Rocks. Really feeling the urge to pack the van & go now…
- Jack
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Jack Johnson
http://www.jackjohnsonphoto.com
608.313.9202
August 23rd, 2008 at
Awe-inspiring shots. I’ll have to get up that way at some point (but first, a trip back to “my” beach on Lake Erie.)
August 23rd, 2008 at
Jack - went to your site, nice work. Seems you have an affinity for the north woods - so you definitely have to get to PR.
Lana - thanks. Once you have taken in Lake Superior, you may never want to go back to Lake Erie.
August 23rd, 2008 at
Hi Mark - these rocks are absolutely spectacular. I envy you to have those national parks in the US. I cannot believe that these rocks are natural.
And I fully understand - it can be quite an addicition to reach for something that you have seen and getting totally frustrated if you cannot make it near to it.
August 26th, 2008 at
Beautiful photos Mark. The upper peninsula of Michigan is on my short list of places to visit the first chance I get. These are great reminders that I need to visit sometime soon. My wife’s friend is getting married in Minnesota next year and I am thinking of taking an extended stay in this area at the latest. I’ll have to tap your brain for ideas when I get closer to planning a trip here. Thanks for the inspirational photos.
August 26th, 2008 at
Petra, thank you very much.
Jim, thank you also. Perhaps a bit of a drive from MN, but certainly closer than SF!
August 27th, 2008 at
Great shots Mark, I have got to get there sometime soon, when do you think the best dates in the fall would be…I know you can’t hit it exactly but what would you suggest !!
August 27th, 2008 at
Bernie - thanks - - 1st week October is usually the best bet.
August 28th, 2008 at
Looks like a fun trip, and a good excuse for standing in the water on a hot day!
Ron
August 28th, 2008 at
It’s beautiful rock. And, perhaps more interesting than a grand “out west” scape that has been photographed from every angle by thousands (or millions?) of photographers.
The water looks so inviting in the first image. What lovely color.
September 3rd, 2008 at
Very great shots. It almost looks like HDR. What equipment was used for this shot?
September 17th, 2008 at
You’ve got some really interesting colors in those rocks. Lake Superior is something else. Nothing like clean clear sweet water as far as the eye can see.