By Andrew Wager

Pictured Rocks State Lakeshore is one of the most rewarding places to backpack.  Pictured Rocks is different from other parks, because it has continuous views all around it.  Wherever you look, you get a distinct view, not just one or two “hot spots”. As you are hiking along the lake shore you can see Lake Superior, key land marks along the trail like Chapel Rock, Beaches, Twelve mile beach, and more beautiful places.  So come along and follow the trail map to find out what Pictured Rocks is all about.

This past August, 2008, members of our troop went to Pictured Rocks.  This was my third time backpacking at Pictured Rocks.  In the past, we have done only a part of the trail but this time our troop wanted to hike the whole trail.  The goal was to start at Sand Point on the eastern end and hike all the way to Log Slide forty miles to the west.  Sand Point would be the only campsite that would look like any other park.  After that, Pictured Rocks is like no other park; you wouldn’t even know you were in the Midwest.

Day 1- Sand Point to Cliffs

• Wooded trail, not long, fun afternoon hike
• Saw a nice start to a sun set along the hike to Sand Point
• Stayed at a big campsite in the woods
• Went down to watch the first of many beautiful sun sets and fill up lots of water bottles

Day 2- Cliffs to Mosquito

• Hike through Miner’s Beach and Miner’s Castle
• Both are great places to take pictures and eat lunch
• Stopped at the only parking spot for bathrooms and would not see another one for three days                                   

Day 3- Mosquito to Coves

• A longer hiking day along cliffs
• Takes great pictures because the trail takes you out in to the lake and see where you came from and where you are hike to and what you will see all on a cliff of courses

Day 4- Coves to Seven Mile

• The longest day, great view of Lake Superior, great lunch spots
• Big open campsite
• Big beach to play and swim
• Great sunset over Lake Superior
• Loads of blue berries

Day 5- Seven mile to Au Sable East

• Easy trail, inland more great wooded views
• Lots of areas to stop
• Thunder River
• Au Sable light house and other great lunch/picture taking areas
• Hike on beach to light house and look out for ship wrecks  

Day 6- Au Sable East to Log slide

• Quick hike inland, stop at what was once a log slide, great view of the great lake

On your way home don’t forget to stop at Trappers and eat up all those pasties. The warmest, tastiest food, filled with meat, potatoes, rutabaga, and seasonings.  It is a great way to get back to real food after eating backing meals for 6 days. So eat up all you can.

As you can see, there is a lot to see and do and every day brings something different.  This trip may seem long and some days are longer then others, but it is worth the long and short hikes each day. So grab your pack, camera and hiking sticks, and hike out to the most wonderful place you will ever go.   

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