This created pressure on the underground salt bed. It covered the area around 300 million years ago.Īs time passed, the area filled with material left by rivers. The huge amount of salt is the remains of an ancient sea. Water and ice, extreme temperatures, and many layers of salt underground created these rock formations over hundreds of millions of years. The largest, called Landscape Arch, measures 93 meters from one base of the arch to the other. The smallest arches are less than a meter across. If you plan to do this hike an early start is recommended.Arches National Park contains the most natural rock arches of any place on Earth. By Mosquito Falls it started to get busy and when I got back to the parking area it was completely full and cars were starting park up the sides of the road. I only saw a couple other people along most of the trail and they were by the back county campgrounds at Miner’s Beach and Mosquito Beach. When I started at 7:45 am the parking area only had 3 cars left overnight by backpackers. The 10.4 mile loop took just under 4 hours to complete and is definitely on the top of my favorite hikes list. If the map does not show above click here > Most of the loop is fairly flat walk without too many rocks or roots until this section. It was probably because I was getting tired, but the trail from the Mosquito Falls back to the parking area seemed like some of the toughest of the entire hike. Mosquito Falls is one of the smaller waterfalls in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore at about 10 feet tall. By continuing on to the Mosquito Falls trail it is a 2.6 mile walk back to the trailhead.Ĭrossing Mosquito Creek just before the falls. There is another trail just before the creek that will take you back to the parking area in 1.9 miles. The other backcounty campground is located nearby.Īfter crossing the Mosquito Creek you turn off the Lakeshore Trail and starting heading inland towards Mosquito Falls. The Mosquito Creek flowing over the sandstone and out into Lake Superior. The sand stone layers near Mosquito Beach. Rock shelves just under the water as you start dropping down towards Mosquito Beach. The sea arch known as Lover’s Leap on the way to Mosquito Beach. The Lakeshore Trail is fairly easy walk on a single track that is often only a few feet from the edge of the cliffs. One more shot looking back to Indian Head from a little further down the trail. Indian Head is the next named rock formation that you the come to on the Lakeshore Trial. ![]() The view looking west towards Grand Island from the top of Grand Portal Point. ![]() It is 1.5 miles from Chapel Beach and 4.6 miles from the trailhead. The beach on the top of Grand Portal was a good place for a short rest. For some more interesting information on this collapse and one that happened way back in 1900 check out the this blog post for Munising resident Jonathan Gennick > The Grand Portal Point roof collapsed sometime between the fall of 1999 and spring 2000 partially filling in the arch. The sandstone walls are constantly changing. The morning sun on the rocks near Chapel Beach.Īpproaching Grand Portal Point on the Lakeshore Trail. This is also the location of the first hike-in campground. Just past Chapel Rock is the start of Chapel Beach. ![]() It is hard to believe this tree survives on top of this rock on the edge of Lake Superior. I read that at one time this root ran on top of an arch that has since collapsed. The tree on the top has a big root that goes across the gap to the mainland and this is were it gets most of it’s water and nutrients. In another 1.8 miles you reach the intersection with the Lakeshore Trail and Chapel Rock. Early spring or late fall is probably a better time to see this waterfall. Chapel Falls is 60 feet tall, but when I was here the view was partially obstructed by the trees. The trail then loops around for another view of the falls trough the trees. The first view of Chapel Falls is from a platform near the top of the cascade. The first 1.3 miles from the parking area to Chapel Falls is an easy walk on an old road or railroad bed. I hiked the loop in the counterclockwise direction. Words really can’t explain how awesome this scenery is, so I will stop writing and let the pictures do most of the talking. This hike can also be turned into an easy overnight outing by staying at the backcounty campgrounds located by Chapel Beach or Mosquito Beach. This section of the Lakeshore Trail offers a spectacular view almost every step of the way, but you must also watch your step because at times you are only a few feet from the edge of the sandstone cliffs. This 10.4 mile loop passes 2 waterfalls and the middle segment follows the famous Lakeshore Trail along the top of the Pictured Rocks Cliffs for 4.4 miles. If you are looking for the best loop to day hike in Michigan, try the Chapel Loop in Pictured Rocks National and you will not be disappointed.
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