PHOTOS OF
Bay de Noc - Grand Island Trail
Though much of the trail follows the escarpment east of the Whitefish
River Valley, there is enough terrain change to make the trail interesting
and more than just a simple, level hike. Most of the trail is in beautiful,
dense forest, with a variety of trees as you make your way north -- sometimes
pine plantations, sometimes deciduous forest. The fall colors were spectacular,
and the lack of bugs in October is another plus to fall hiking. Numerous
forest roads and two-tracks are crossed, and at times followed, as the trail
wends its way. Although the trail is marked for non-motorized travel only,
several ATVs passed us (hunters baiting for deer with apples) and tire tracks
were obvious in many areas. Equestrians and cross country skiers are also
authorized to use the trail.
Several "hollows" (as they are called in Tennessee and elsewhere)
were traversed on our second day, giving a different feel to the trail,
as we found ourselves surrounded by hills on all sides. I named one "Muddy
Hollow" and the second "Endless Hollow," both for obvious
reasons. Leaves were falling profusely as we hiked, making for rustling
sounds as we walked. The trail was very well marked with blue diamonds and
yellow arrows at turns, which was very helpful given the number of turns
on the trail. Mile markers are also located at nearly every mile, with mile
zero being at the southern trailhead. We encountered many downed trees,
but all could be easily negotiated.
Only twice in the first 24 miles did we have a view out over the river
valley, but the river itself is never evident due to the dense woods and
foliage. The fall colors were vibrant and the bugs were non-existent, making
fall (early October) a perfect time to be hiking here. Daytime temperatures
were in the upper 50s and low 60s for us, and at night in the mid-40s to
50s. We heard gunshots numerous times as this was grouse and bear season.
A guide we met said his group had taken 7 black bear, one being 300 pounds,
though one of his hunting dogs had been mauled pretty badly by the large
bear.
We drove down one of the County Roads heading west and
crossed the Whitefish River, just to assure ourselves that there really
was a river there (since we never saw it from the trail). Two large creeks
and several smaller creeks were crossed in the first 22 miles. Safe water
is available at Haymeadow Campground (mile mark 10) and at the trailhead
at the 22 mile mark.
The only large body of water we saw was Upper 18 Mile Lake, which
is adjacent to the trail, although the mimeo map of the trail from the Forest
Service showed the lake as being across the road from the trail. You hit
the lake about mile 20 on the trail and it would be a fine place to spend
the night (much nicer than the trailhead reached at mile 22).