Published Oct 28, 2024

This Natural Wonder in Michigan Is the Definition of a Hidden Gem

Wagner Falls is a hidden gem natural wonder in Michigan just a few minutes south of Munising, a charming Upper Peninsula town on Lake Superior.

Published Oct 28, 2024

Written by

Trent Jonas

Nature|Hiking

Published Oct 16, 2024

The Birding Trail in Michigan Where You’ll See More Than 200 Bird Species in a Single Afternoon

The Haehnle Sanctuary in Grass Lake, Michigan, is best known for sandhill crane viewing. Over 1,000 acres are filled with beech trees, oak trees, wetlands, native grasslands... and so many birds.

Published Oct 16, 2024

Written by

Jacki Mick

I'm about to say something I never thought I'd say: I'm an avid bird watcher. It's been that way since I moved to the Mitten State.

I don't know how it happened. Maybe it's something to do with getting older and gaining new appreciation for the little things in life? Or maybe it has to do with all of the incredible nature in the state of Michigan, which is bountiful and stunningly gorgeous, even in my own (quite small) backyard.

Each morning, the first thing I do is head out to the front porch with a small bowl of peanuts and seeds to feed my squirrel and bird friends. The squirrels are cute, but the birds are like living art.

I'm now familiar enough with their songs to know when a new feathered friend has arrived. I quickly open up my bird app to learn more about my newest buddy. My birding app of choice is Merlin Bird ID, powered by Cornell Lab. You can identify birds by sound or by photograph. It even keeps a life list of all the birds you've seen!

This is handy for people like me who want to expand their birding experience. After identifying most birds near my house, I wanted to get out into the world and see what other birds I could befriend. That led me to the discovery of Haehnle Lake Sanctuary in Grass Lake, Michigan.

Located just six miles from Jackson, which happens to be home to some of the best BBQ in Michigan, this sanctuary is best known for sandhill crane viewing. Over 1,000 acres are filled with beech trees, oak trees, wetlands, native grasslands... and so many birds.

This Michigan bird sanctuary is free and open year-round from dawn to dusk. It has walking trails with interpretive maps to guide you along them. Previous visitors often find themselves completely alone on this 25-minute hike, making it a perfect escape from the stressors of everyday life.

Be sure to bring some excellent binoculars, as you'll have the chance to see over 200 species of birds! I love this pair: they are waterproof and come in a variety of colors... much like our bird friends themselves!

Some species you'll see on this Michigan birding trail include the sweet little Eastern Blue Bird above, as well as sparrows, finches, ducks, snipes, and more. You might even see a prehistoric bird while you're at the Haehnele Sanctuary; other birdwatchers report seeing raptors on more than one occasion.

However, what makes this Michigan Audubon Sanctuary famous is the massive number of Sandhill Cranes that pass through during fall migration from September to November. Each year, the Haehnle Sanctuary conducts a "Crane Count," which is precisely as it reads: a count of all the cranes that have gathered. The most ever recorded in one afternoon were over 8,000 in November 2012. I bet that was a sight to see!

So, if you, like me, have fallen in love with our fine feathered friends, plan a trip to the Haehnle Sanctuary in Grass Lake, Michigan. Part of my trip planning will probably include an overnight stay in nearby Jackson. There, you'll find art, nature, and some pretty delicious eats. It's a perfect way end to a lovely trip to see some birds.

Do you have any other suggestions for bird watching in Michigan? I'd love to hear them! Just tell me all the details in the comments.

Nature|Hiking

Published Oct 10, 2024

The Iconic Trail in Michigan Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

The Escarpment Trail in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park may be the most iconic Michigan hiking trail.

Published Oct 10, 2024

Written by

Trent Jonas

My son and I were recently planning a backpacking trip, and as lovers of hiking and camping, we were searching for a place that was both iconic and outside of our typical milieu. In thinking of the places that he had yet to see, it didn't take me long to decide on Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park on the Upper Peninsula. All I had to do is show my kid some photos of Lake of the Clouds, and he was convinced that we had to head out to the U.P. and hike the Escarpment Trail, a truly iconic Michigan hiking trail that you need to visit at least once.

Instead of tent camping, we opted for one of the park's rustic, hike-in cabins. The trek to the cabin we chose - the Crosscut - was a moderately-challenging (a little uphill) two-mile hike from the trail head. But the solitude, dark skies, and quiet (all without having to pitch a tent) were very much worth it, especially during an early-morning thunderstorm that rolled through during our stay.

We spent most of our days hiking and exploring the park. And as large as it is, there was a lot to explore – believe me when I say we left plenty on the table for the next time, and for several times after that. The Porkies encompass more than 60,000 acres along the U.P.’s Lake Superior highlands, 35,000 of which are northern hardwood forest – one of the largest remaining expanses in the country. More than 90 miles of trails weave through the park’s forests and bluffs.

There’s definitely a lot more to see in this stunning wilderness park, but one thing we were sure to do was the hike that we came here for: the park’s iconic Escarpment Trail. If you access it from one of the terminal trail heads, the whole hike is a little over eight miles, out and back. You don’t have to do the whole thing, of course, and there is a trail head that comes in at around the middle of the hike, which halves the distance.

Or, if all you want is a to have a peek at Lake of the Clouds, just head down to the parking area for the westernmost trail head for the Escarpment Trail, which is right at Lake of the Clouds Scenic Area. Get there early, though, if you happen to visit on a summer weekend. The parking lot fills up quickly.

As for us, we connected with the Escarpment from our cabin via the Union Spring and Lost Lake trails. We used a paper map and offline guides from AllTrails Plus for navigation, because we had no cell service in the park. It was a long day of hiking, and my son was very patient with his out-of-shape dad. But we saw a lot of good stuff, including the iconic view we came for.

Something that makes the Escarpment Trail even more iconic is that it’s a segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail’s Upper Peninsula section. Between the stunning views and incredible setting, I don’t think there’s a more iconic Michigan hiking trail, and you should definitely hike the Escarpment Trail at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park at least once in your life. Visit the park's website for more info on the park and to make camping or cabin reservations.

Have you hiked the Escarpment Trail? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to share any other Michigan hiking trails you'd consider to be iconic.

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