Lake Superior near the mouth of the Little Carp River
I had a tough choice recently while on a hiking adventure in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I had just completed the Little Carp River Trail and followed the river to its mouth and confluence with Lake Superior. I could either loop back on the Big Carp River Trail, or I could continue on the Lake Superior Trail.
I choose the Lake Superior Trail
This was a tough choice as I love walking next to mountain streams and hearing the soothing sound and sight of the river as it dances through rocks on its descent from the mountains to its inevitable end. The other option was equally appealing as Lake Superior is perhaps the most beautiful lake in the United States.
The deal breaker was the night’s entertainment along Lake Superior was, well, superior, than hiking inland along the river. I could gaze west and watch the sun disappear over the horizon across this amazing great lake. Sunsets are beautiful no matter where they are viewed, but they are sublime when they slowly submerge over the horizon across a large body of water. It is hard to beat a Lake Superior sunset.
A preview of my night’s entertainment
If it was cloudy, I would have hiked up the Big Carp River Trail as I prefer a mountain stream to a great lake. Since it was a beautiful sunny day though, I chose the Lake Superior Trail. I proceeded to hike four more miles to a campsite right along the lake. I saw one other hiker setting up camp along this stretch of trail adjacent to the lake. I also saw one deer. When the ratio to other people and deer seen is 1 to 1 then one knows that they are in a wilderness setting.
Young buck spotted along the Lake Superior Trail
I got into camp around 4 p.m., and I had about two hours plus to get set up and eat before nature’s red glowing show came on. I cooked noodles and kept looking at the horizon. I wanted dinner over, dishes washed, and wood cut before the main event came on at prime time. I wanted nothing to distract me from the red ball in the sky disappearing over crashing waves.
Tent set up along Lake Superior
Determined to get cooking out of the way before the entertainment started
I also planned to take a few shots of Old Granddad. Once I took a tug or two of this concoction, I wanted no more responsibility for camp chores not to mention dealing with a sharp camp saw.
I timed it perfectly and had a nice stack of wood cut for the fire. I proceeded to put my food away after washing dishes and hung my food on the convenient bear pole in the camp. I even built up the fire, so all I had to do once the sunset TV show ended was light the fire, and the campfire channel would come on next.
It is time for the main event
I climbed on a rock looking over Lake Superior. For over an hour me and my flask of Old Granddad enjoyed one of the most amazing sunsets I had ever seen. I am sure I have echoed this same sentence for dozens of other sunsets. Each time you see another incredible sunset outdoors if feels like it is the most beautiful one you have seen since it is freshest in your mind.
Lake Superior sunset
I continued my sunset vigil on my rock until only a glimmer of light was in the western sky. I walked over to the campfire and lit the fire. Then I took another tug of Old Granddad and felt very lucky to be alive.
Lake Superior sunset
Lake Superior sunset
The great ball of orange about to disappear
One more last instance and it is below the horizon
The clouds above turn to a pastel like painting
It keeps getting better
When the sun goes down the soft pinks come out
The sky keeps changing
The show is coming to an end
Lake Superior sunset
Not a bad view off the back porch
That is all folks!
The sunset show is over, but the campfire channel is now on the air
Adventure On!
The goal of Traveling Ted is to inspire people to outdoor adventure travel and then provide tips on where and how to go. If you liked this post then enter your email in the box to get email notifications for each new entry. Daily travel photos are excluded from your email in order to not flood you with posts. There is no spam and email information will not be shared. Other e-follow options include Facebook (click on the like box to the right) or twitter (click on the pretty bird on the rainbow above).
On the right sidebar is a donate button. If you would like to donate in order to support the site, it would be appreciated. All donations would cover travel expenses and improvements to make the site better.
You *might* have convinced me to go camping with that sunset. WOW!!!!!!!!!! What photos!
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures recently posted..My 30th Birthday In Photos
Camping was a great way to see the sunset, but you don’t necessarily have to camp to see the sunset. There are many cabins and hotels around where you can view the sunset from the lake and then return to luxury.
What a great way to lower blood pressure: assume a comfortable position and stroll through the photos. Where did I put that Jack Daniels?
Jay,
Always great to have you with me following the adventure!
Great sunset and sky pics Ted! Love watching sunsets over water, especially anywhere on the Great Lakes. All your posts are making me want to get up to the UP and Lake Superior stat. 🙂
Aaron recently posted..California: A Glimpse at Manhattan Beach.
Although the other Great Lakes are beautiful too, Superior is superior in my opinion.
amazing sunset, made better we’re sure with the shots of old granddad…xo
Sunsets are always better with family around.
These pictures are spectacular! I thought I loved one, and then I came to the next one. They are absolutely beautiful. I think you’ve convinced me that I have to visit Porcupine Mountains State Park for sure!
The World Wanderer recently posted..Cape Cross Seal Colony Photo Essay.
Thanks! If you ever in the are in Upper Peninsula, the park is definitely worth a multiple day visit.
OH MY! That sunset is spectacular…certainly more intoxicating than those shots of Old Granddad you took.
Leah Travels recently posted..Eight Great Hours in Miami
And not as toxic on the liver.
Gosh, what wonderful photos! The Great Lakes area has so much beauty in it. I need to go camping, seriously Ted. It’s been too long…
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted..My ten favorite things about the USA
With winter approaching camping season is about over unless you go south. Hope you get out next year.
Way to capture a gorgeous sunset, Ted! Awesome!
Raul (@ilivetotravel) recently posted..A Historical Landmark Welcomes Me in Washington, D.C.
Thanks Raul, this sunset has to be one of the most pictured ever. I had two cameras and a phone blazing away. I was bound to get a few good pictures out of it.
you know what i loved i’m sure but i’ll tell you anyway. the soft pink hues when the sun went down – BEAUTIFUL!!
lola recently posted..cambodia starts with the letter P
I agree Lola, some of the best colors occur after the sun actually sets.
Wow what an amazing sunset Ted! Those colors are unreal.
John recently posted..Designs They Are A Changin’
Thanks John. It was mesmerizing to sit on a rock and watch it all unfold.
I loved my Lake Superiorsunsets last summer – and it must have felt so good getting in a late season camping experience.
Leigh recently posted..Southwest Utah’s Scenic Burr Trail: 68 Miles of Awesomeness
I did not think I would have a chance to hike this fall, so it was great to get out. Lake Superior is one of my favorite lakes. Great thing about the Porcupine Mointains is it has beautiful inland lakes too, so it makes for a great contrast.
love sunsets as you know, and also totally love view from that tent…that is some setting there.
stay adventurous, Craig
Craig Zabransky recently posted..Sunset Sunday – The Road Back to (for) New York
It is hard to beat a beautiful sunset. One of the many great perks of camping and being outdoors.
Wow, great sunset photos. Not bad views out the back of the tent. I hope there weren’t too many bugs joining you!
Nicole @ Green Global Travel recently posted..The Triumph of Tenacity & Our Next Eco Adventure
One of the best things about hiking and being outdoors in general in the fall besides the beautiful color of the leaves is the lack of bugs.