John Madigan, the owner of Pictured Rocks Cruises, contends that the best fall color views in Michigan come from the Lake Superior waters, whether that perspective comes from one of his boat tours or a kayak adventure.
Not so fast, says Rhonda Lassila, who pitches the serenity of being among the colorful hardwoods while on the roughly 50 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails that have been developed in and around Munising in the last 10 years.
The best part of the two takes: They both could be right – it just depends on what visitors to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore want to experience.
And there’s still another set of travelers who rave about the explosion of bright hues that can be viewed from a vehicle casually roaming scenic country roads along several suggested routes – or a winding self-guided outing – with varying distances and terrain.
“Fall is spectacular because whatever you want to see and do, it’s right at your fingertips,” said Cori-Ann Cearley, the president of the Munising Visitors Bureau. “Take your pick of an activity, grab a bite to eat along the way and you can easily make a day of it and then do something else the next day.
“It’s kind of ideal because it’s not too hot, and it’s not too cold. You’ll be out and about with people, but it’s not the height of summer, so there’s not as many crowds.”
With peak fall colors lasting into mid-or-late October, there is plenty of time to get up north and see nature’s spectacular seasonal displays in Munising.
Fall boat tours with Pictured Rocks Cruises run daily through Oct. 20 with options for day-time outings or a breathtaking sunset ride. The trips run about two hours and passengers can sit on a top deck with the fresh air or covered seats on the entry-level.
Along the way, the ship passes landmark attractions that include the East Channel Lighthouse, Miners Castle, Lovers’ Leap, Chapel Rock and Spray Falls. Riders are also treated to historical information on how the sandstone cliffs, which tower between 50-200 feet above the water, formed and why the colors radiate all year.
“It’s the only way to see the magnitude and colors of the cliffs and then the sheer beauty of the trees beyond them,” said Madigan, who has been involved in the business for more than 20 years. “People just can’t believe how amazing the view is, how great the season is, so we’re seeing more people come up for the colors.”
A great ride or a calming hike
Meanwhile, land the all-volunteer supporters of the Munising Bay Trail Network have seen the same word-of-mouth drive mountain bikers and trail hikers to the Alger County multi-use system. Cross-country skiing is available come winter, Lassila notes.
“It’s still sort of a secret and a hidden gem,” said Lassila, who serves as the group’s president. “In any season, the views and being outside are incredible, but in the fall, it’s pretty stunning. It’s something everyone could and should see for themselves.”
The trails are not highly technical and there are varying degrees of difficulty, including a tot lot and downtown trails that are easily ridden and walked, and there are loops that people can design their own distance at many of the locations.
Families can easily enjoy the trails, and it’s also a network that attracts serious riders. On a recent ride, Lassila stopped to talk to a group of guys who told her they’d been coming to Munising to ride every fall for years now.
“They are always impressed with what we’re adding, what’s different,” she said, noting that additional development projects are planned, including an effort to connect all the trails. “We’re just a bunch of outdoor enthusiasts trying to make it available to people who live here and others who visit.”
Hit the pavement (and some dirt)
For those who would rather see the show from the road, Munising can be the hub of a variety of drives that wind through forests, along lakes and past the rural fields that showcase fall colors.
The most popular routes include these loops:
Munising to Au Train to Chatham
Cruise along M-28 and gaze at Lake Superior while heading to Au Train, where motorists have the option of a 31-mile drive that travels down Au Train Forest Lake Road’s rolling hills and open farmland. Continue past Au Train toward Chatham, turning on Rock River Road (a portion of which is unpaved) and then back to Munising for a 43-mile trip.
Munising to Manistique to Shingleton
H-13 or NF-13 (National Forest) leads drivers south out of Munising for about 36 miles until it connects with U.S. 2, passing through rural national forest lands and letting out just a short way from Lake Michigan’s northern shores. Hopping on U.S. 2 takes visitors into Manistique and then to M-94 for another jaunt into the woods to Shingleton, another 37 miles of utter beauty. About 10 miles back into town, and you’re ready for the next adventure.
Munising to Grand Marais to Shingleton
Waterfalls, rock hunting and beaches are the highlights of this trip through Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, a journey that can be either 98 miles or 111 miles depending on your route. H-58 to M-77 to M-28 has thrilled drivers for years and is the most-driven path in the fall. The 98-mile version cuts down Adam Trail for a shorter outing. Colorful tree canopies are everywhere along this itinerary.
Cearley said drivers and their passengers all come away excited about what they’ve seen.
“Just take it at your own pace and enjoy it your own way,” she said. “That’s how to do it in the U.P. in the fall. There’s no rush.”
