The Sleeping Bear Point Trail was named one of the best hiking trails in a recent National Geographic publication. I saved the best for last as this trail was earmarked for my final day in this beautiful park. It did not disappoint.
Sleeping Bear Point Trail view of Lake Michigan and Manitou Island
Related: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore photo essay
The Sleeping Bear Point Trail is a three mile loop located just west of the Glen Haven historic village. I was a little weary from walking nearly three miles on the Dunes Climb Trail. I am in pretty decent shape, but the Dunes Climb Trail was an up and down trail in deep sand. The Sleeping Bear Trail was in deep sand in parts, but was a much easier trail than the Dunes Climb.
Sleeping Bear Point Trail beautiful sedge grass covering the rolling sand dunes
Another view of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands from the Sleeping Bear Point Trail
Hiking the Sleeping Bear Point Trail
The first section is similar to the Dunes Climb with fantastic views of the dunes, Lake Michigan, and the Manitou Islands. The trail then cuts inland into an amazing sand lake. At least that is what it looked like. Against the back drop of the sand lake was a ghost forest.
Ghost forest in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
A ghost forest happens when trees are killed by shifting sands and buried. The sands shift again exposing a group of dead trees. The ghost forests leave behind an eerie Tim Burton like back drop. As I was hiking through this ghost forest, I scared something that was very alive. A white-tailed deer burst out from over a sand dune and cruised through the ghost forest. It was an interesting contrast seeing a very alive animal impressively galloping through a long dead forest.
Was the white-tailed deer scared from my presence or was it the ghost forest that scared it?
Besides the ghost forest, evidence of power of the shifting sands and the wind coming off Lake Michigan can also be detected from the trail markers. The trail markers stand about five feet high. I saw a couple of them completely buried in sand with only a notch sticking up over the sand. A once proud stick guiding humans on a trail became a sign post for the power of nature.
A once proud five foot high trail marker now just barely sticks out
Related: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Scenic Drive
The trail continues to move inland and eventually leaves the dunes all together and then cuts into a beautiful lush green forest. This was music to my feet and calves, which were really worn out from the extra effort the legs need to produce from powering against the sliding sand. The walking became much easier in the forest.
Before we turn inland, one more look at beautiful Lake Michigan
I would say about a mile of the trail was in this easier environment and it was amazing the difference this section made. This trail is about a half mile longer than the Dunes Climb, but I found it much easier due to the lack of elevation gains and the section in the forest.
A small turn inland and it is a different world in the forest
The walk through the forest was beautiful. It is amazing how such a different yet equally beautiful environment can exist in nature when passing a threshold like in the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Once you get away from the coast, the strength of the Lake Michigan winds dissipates and you enter a northwoods forest similar to those you find in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the rest of Michigan. Walk back out towards Lake Michigan and it is back to the golden sands and the deep blue of Lake Michigan.
Adventure on!
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Great hike…Never seen trees coming out of the sand like that on a beach…
Me neither, the ghost forest was definitely a haunting scene. Would be a good Halloween hike.
I am so so so going to this place. A question – how hot does it get in the summer?
It is pretty far north in Michigan. The summer months can vary. I would say on average between 75-80, but it can just as easily push past 95 and dip into the high 60s.
“The Sleeping Bear Trail” – love how these trails are named in the US! Totally misleading 😉 The Ghost Forest looks pretty spooky however!
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The name of the park comes from the Chippewa Indians. According to a Chippewa Indian legend a momma bear and two cubs dashed into Lake Michigan to escape a forest fire.
They swam and swam, but soon the cubs grew tired. The momma bear made it to the other side, but the cubs drowned. The momma bear stayed on the shore and waited for the cubs who never arrived.
North and South Manitou Island signify the point where the cubs drowned. On the shoreline there is a dune with a lot of vegetation on top, which used to look like a sleeping bear. This is where the momma bear waited patiently and sadly for her drowned cubs.
The dune which used to look like a sleeping bear no longer has much vegetation on top and is actually in the process of blowing out. This means the wind is gradually blowing the dune away.
Each post is making me want to do a day trip up there more and more and get some hiking in! Love the pictures, great shots of the sand.
Aaron recently posted..Photo of the Week: Chicago Skyline from Lake Michigan.
You are very lucky to be able to day trip to this fabulous place.
Wow! This place is so amazing! At the end of the trail is a wonderful beach. The blue water really attracts me a lot. This is a place I most likely want to visit and see.
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Thanks born27, I love the avatar.
Great pictures, as always. I could totally see myself relaxing by the water…
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted..5 Boutique Picks in Chicago’s Bucktown Neighborhood
Yep, there is a lot of deserted beach here to enjoy.
The tourism board ought to be cutting you a check, Ted. Another reason for me to move Lake Michigan and the surrounding area up on my to-do list.
Leah Travels recently posted..Inside the House of Waterford Crystal (Part 3)
As usual beautiful pictures and a great post to help some of us that don’t get out much see the wonders of nature! Saw a deer that size in my back yard yesterday evening, until my shih tzu chased it away, ha!
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One of my favorite stories of all time was when our family dog on a canoeing trip took off into the forest on an island. A couple minutes later he was baying (which we had never heard him do before) and out from the woods crashes a deer in the water. A few minutes later into the water crashes Barney in hot pursuit.
Lake Michigan? I expected something completely different. What landscapes! So beautiful.
Christina recently posted..An afternoon in Steveston, BC
Being from Chicago, it shocked me to see this lake that is on our door step so much cleaner and beautiful up here in northern Michigan.
the water looks tropical!
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But ohhh is it cold. I took a dip after a hike and it knocked my breath away. It gets warmer though as the summer progresses.
You know how I love Sleeping Bear and Lake Michigan. You done ’em well with this post! Thanks for showing folks outside of the Midwest that we really do have much to offer 🙂
Francesca recently posted..National Park Service units of the Midwest: The Great Lakes States
Thanks Francesca,
I really enjoyed Sleeping Bear. It was much better than Indiana Dunes, but I knew it would be. Not fair to compare northern Michigan to Indiana.
i agree with Francesca, Ted. you really have been doing a stellar job of showing off the midwest. i had NO idea that the lakes and shores could look like the ocean and beaches that i love so much in the Caribbean!
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It may look tropical, but the water was incredibly cold. Better time to come for swimming is July, August, and even September.
I’m amazed at the diversity of scenery in Michigan – I never had any idea dunes like this existed. Looks very cool, thanks for sharing Ted.
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Thanks John,
I have been to several dune parks closer to Chicago, so I know they are pretty, but I was not expecting such amazing scenery.
This hike looks like such a treat and one that is now on my bucket list of hikes. I can’t believe that’s what Lake Michigan looks like though I really shouldn’t be surprised when I think of the waters around Michipicoten Island.
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