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Hot topics from the Leelanau Blog: Sleeping Bear Dunes on Good Morning America,
Mario Batali loves Leelanau, Leelanau Wine, Northern Lights | Sugar Loaf | Leelanau Cherries, Sleeping Bear Dunes
SRJacobs (Spencer Jacobs) is a structural engineer from Michigan with a lot of hobbies which include photograph & travel. Check this photo out bigger and more from North Manitou Island in his North Manitou Island slideshow!
The townships of Cleveland and Centerville invite the public to provide input and ideas for the future of the former Sugar Loaf Resort AND the surrounding areas.
Sugar Loaf Resort closed nearly ten years ago and now a vision for the future of the site and surrounding area is sought to provide guidance for how the Townships' master plans and ordinances could address potential development. Ideas and perspectives from the public will assist the townships as part of a sub-planning process initiated by the Cleveland and Centerville Planning Commissions.
There are 96 slots at each session (12 round tables with 8 at a table), the first two sessions filled up and the one they added next Thursday (Jun 25) from 1:30 - 4:00 pm is filling up fast – call them at 231-256-9812 to make a reservation! Visit the Leelanau County Government web site for all the info on these visioning sessions and to add your comments online if you can't attend.
Photo: Leelanau Cedar Mi Little Rare Little Traverse Lake & Sugar Loaf Hill by UpNorth Memories - Donald (Don) Harrison
IMG_0089 by Dave Mc
News from the Week
Stories from the week included a proposed tunnel to the Pierce Stocking Overlook and Leelanau.com's Great Big Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Giveaway.
The Week's Weather
The weather was (finally) summery last week, with 70s and even 80s!
June 11, 2009: Partly sunny & upper 60s (67/49)
June 12, 2009: Sunny & 60s (60/43)
June 13, 2009: Sunny & upper 70s (77/47)
June 14, 2009: Sunny & upper 70s (77/53)
June 15, 2009: Sunny & 70s (75/47)
June 16, 2009: Mostly sunny & low 80s (82/53)
June 17, 2009: Partly sunny & 70s (75/59)
You'll also want to check out the Leelanau Calendar and the latest news and features from Leelanau, Traverse City and the surrounding area in our blog! Here's the June 2008 archive and the Leelanau Almanac for the Week of June 4-10, 2009 and the Leelanau Almanac for the Week of June 18-24, 2009.
Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak in Empire invites you to celebrate International Surfing Day this Saturday (Jun 20).
The day begins with a cleanup of Empire Beach at 10 AM. At noon, the C4 Waterman manufactures rep will share his boards and knowledge from 12-4 PM with anyone wanting to try the very popular and fast growing sport of Stand-Up Paddling. There will be Current Designs kayaks to demo as well! At the end of the day, enjoy some free cake & ice cream for all participants to celebrate International Surfing Day & itty’s 10th birthday.
Meet at the beautiful Empire Public Beach at 10 in the morning to commence the clean-up and for more info call Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak at (231) 326-WAVE (9283). Learn more about standup paddle surfing via Michigan in Pictures.
The Grand Traverse Lighthouse and the Northport - Omena Chamber of Commerce are joining together to host the first annual Northport Lighthouse and Martime Festival on Saturday, June 20 in Northport. The festival celebrates the lighthouse and Northport's maritime history and will be held at Haserot and Marina Parks from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. A few of the highlights of the festival include schooner cruises, maritime historical displays, an nautical arts and craft who, boat-building displays, U.S. Coast Guard demonstrations, storytelling, and more.
The annual Fish Boil dinner is being moved up this year, in honor of the festival. Fresh whitefish, from Carlson's of Fishtown, is simmered with redskin potatoes and onions. Also available is slaw, corn on the cob, rolls, pie, and beverages. Dinner will be available from noon to 6:00pm for $15/person.
For more information about the festival, contact Sally Staley at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum - 231.386.7195.
The National Park Service proposes a tunnel through the dunes to a new Lake Michigan overlook on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. They also propose a new trail to the second platform that overlooks the Sleeping Bear, which would have less impact on the dunes and be less difficult to maintain. It is essential that the local public carefully evaluate this dramatic proposal and comment to assist park official in this complex management decision.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) that provides an array of alternatives for addressing issues at Lake Michigan Overlooks 9 and 10 on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is a 7.4 mile self-guided auto tour that provides visitors insight into the history of the area, a sample of vegetative communities, and overlooks of Glen Lake, the Sleeping Bear Dunes, North and South Manitou Islands, and Lake Michigan. This highly-visited site attracts over 200,000 people each year to overlooks that afford spectacular views. It is the only location in the National Lakeshore where visitors can access these views by a short walk from their vehicles.
The perched dune at this location is roughly 450 feet above Lake Michigan. The path from the parking area to the overlooks takes visitors directly across the top of the perched dune, and despite signs discouraging visitors from descending on the bluff face toward Lake Michigan, many do so. Some of these visitors are injured during the descent, due to missteps or falls, or during the ascent, from heat injuries or exhaustion. The intense foot traffic in this location has caused considerable erosion of the dune and perhaps the bluff face. Finally, maintaining the current configuration of the path and overlooks is difficult and expensive because of the blowing and shifting sand.
The Lake Michigan Overlooks Environmental Assessment describes the “no action” (current management) alternative and provides three action alternatives to address the issues described above in a way that still allows people to access the outstanding views. The National Lakeshore Preferred Alternative (Alternative D) proposes a tunnel and raised boardwalk to access a newly-constructed Overlook 9 and a new path from the existing parking area to existing Overlook 10 that consist of trails, steps, and boardwalks. Trails on the dune areas may use cable/post and sand ladders, as needed, to delineate the trail.
The park service would like your opinion on the best way to offer the spectacular views while reducing hazards, erosion, and maintenance costs. The Lakeshore encourages you to comment on the EA until the public comment period closes on July 6, 2009. the proposal can be seen on the Lakeshore’s website (link). Paper copies are available for review at the National Lakeshore Visitor Center in Empire, the offices of Empire and Glen Arbor Townships, the Village of Empire Office, the Glen Lake Community Library, Benzie Shores District Library, Darcy Library of Beulah, Leelanau Township Library, Leland Township Library, Suttons Bay Bingham District Library, and Traverse City District Library. A very limited number of paper copies and CDs are available upon request.
You are strongly encouraged to submit comments electronically. Alternatively, you may mail comments to: Superintendent, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, 9922 Front Street, Empire, MI 49630.
A public open house on the project is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center auditorium in Empire. A 30-minute presentation on the EA will be held at 5:00 p.m.
We look forward to receiving your thoughts and opinions concerning the Lake Michigan Overlooks Environmental Assessment. For more information, please contact the National Lakeshore at (231) 326-5134.
Photo credit: The overlook by c.f.mason
Michael snapped this photo at last year's Art Walk. The Suttons Bay Summer Solstice Art Walk happens next Friday night (Jun 19) from 5-9 PM.
He has more photos from the Art Walk and bunches of others from the Traverse City area including a Day Trip to South Manitou (slideshow).
This summer and fall Leelanau.com is bringing you America's Lakeshore: A Comprehensive Guide to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. To kick things off with a bang we've gathered together an amazing giveaway to help one lucky winner and their family & friends jump for joy and experience a range of what the Lakeshore has to offer.
To enter, all you need to do it to be on our mailing list when we draw the winner on June 30th. We'll be doing a giveaway every month, so you'll probably want to stay on!
Here's what you'll win:
To start it all off, Leelanau.com will buy you a Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Annual Park Pass. The pass provides you and your passengers free access to everything in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore from July 1st 2009 -July 1st 2010! (yeah - it\'s just $20, but what a deal)
The Trading Post is just seconds away from the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and offers, canoe, kayak, and tube rentals (and also fishing supplies & licenses, homemade pizza, hand-dipped ice cream, fresh deli sandwiches and all kinds of groceries & beverages. 8294 Deadstream Road Honor, Michigan 49640 (231) 325-2202
A unique way to experience the beauty of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is with a sunset cruise for 6 from Manitou Island Transit. Depart at 6:30 PM from historic Leland harbor upon the large and comfortable vessel Mishe-Mokwa. As the sun slowly sinks behind the Manitou Islands, you cruise along the Manitou Passage through scenic Good Harbor Bay, passing close to such landmarks as Whaleback, Pyramid Point and the North Manitou Shoal Light. There is a cash bar available aboard the vessel. For more information on the cruise and other cruise options please visit Manitou Island Transit's website.
In the shadow of the great Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, the Crystal River winds its way from Glen Lake to Lake Michigan in no apparent rush. The River at Crystal Bend an ageless playground of native plants, putts, paddling and peeling laughter. The River also offers, canoe kayak and tube rentals, guided eco-tours, great activities and family fun for all! The River Glen Arbor 5959 Oak Street Glen Arbor, MI 231.334-PUTT
After your round of golf head on over to Cherry Republic and cool down with ice cream for 6 at Cherry Republic's World Headquarters in downtown Glen Arbor - right in heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. They have world renowned cherry treats throughout three buildings which are nestled among English-style gardens. 6026 Lake St Glen Arbor, MI 49636 1-800-206-6949
Take a Sleeping Bear Eco-tour with a guided Tucker Lake fishing trip for 6 from The River. All you need to do is show up and they provide the boats, rods, tackle, ice, soft drinks and an experienced guide to help you find, catch and release the fish. The River Glen Arbor 5959 Oak Street Glen Arbor, MI 231.334-PUTT
When your day has ended snuggle up close to the person you in your brand new matching M-22 Sweatshirts. The creators of the M-22 brand identify M-22 as "the feeling you get when you realize there is no other place you would rather be". The M-22 brand was created to express a common passion for Northern Michigan. Check out their retail store downtown Traverse City or visit the M-22 website to learn more.
Take a personal tour of anywhere in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with former ranger Bill Herd. Name your spot or allow Bill to pick one out of his favorite places in the Park for you. Details to be agreed upon by both parties.
kascott_20090530_9464b by Ken Scott, Photography
Ken says that this photo of 1867 South Fox Island Lighthouse lit by a 1/2 moon is a compilation of 80 20second exposures. You can learn more about the light and efforts to preserved it from the Fox Island Lighthouse Association.
This photo is part of a series that are being sold to help raise funds for the lighthouse preservation project ... visit Ken's South Fox page for information and other photos in the series!
News from the Week
Our America's Lakeshore series continued with Behind the Dune Climb and Camping at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. We also had a nice photo of apple and cherry blossoms.
The Week's Weather
After a promising start in the 70s, the week's weather was (again) unseasonably cool. It's getting to the point where that's not cool!
June 4, 2009: Sunny & 70 (71/34)
June 5, 2009: Light rain and upper 70s (78/48)
June 6, 2009: Rain & 50s (56/39)
June 7, 2009: Rain & 50s (56/47)
June 8, 2009: Heavy rain (almost 1") & 50s (57/49)
June 9, 2009: Cloudy & 50s (58/48)
June 10, 2009: Partly sunny, light rain & 60 (62/50)
Check out the June 2008 archive, the Leelanau Almanac for the Week of May 28 - June 3, 2009 and the Leelanau Almanac for the Week of June 11-17, 2009.
by Bill Herd
The Dune Climb at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is perhaps the best known natural feature in Michigan. A surprising number of people haven’t just seen a picture of it or viewed it from an overlook - they know it from having had direct personal experience with it. They have struggled to the top, felt the sand between their toes, and - when a run down the dunes ends abruptly -tasted it in their mouth. They have vivid memories of their family and friends having fun together there. Usually when they say “Sleeping Bear Dunes” they mean the Dune Climb. While they know the Dune Climb from personal experience, it is just the tip of the “sandberg” it is much more then a big wonderful pile of sand to climb. Here are some of the most interesting things about this favorite Michigan landmark.
The Dune Climb is different than almost all other dunes along the Lake Michigan shore. Most dunes are created when the wind takes sand from Lake Michigan beaches and piles it up. But the sand at the Dune Climb has never been in Lake Michigan or on a Lake Michigan beach, and the wind has actually piled it DOWN. The sand at the Dune Climb came from dunes higher up on the Sleeping Bear Plateau. The dunes on this plateau, which is a moraine deposited when the last glacier melted, are called perched dunes because they are not down at lake level but perched on top of a hill. The hill, which happens to be a very sandy hill, provides the sand. Simply, strong winds from Lake Michigan hit the exposed bluff and drive some of the finer grains of sand up hill where they pile up as perched dunes. As the wind continues day after day and year after year, some perched dunes migrate inland until they fall off the backside of the hill. These are called falling dunes, which is what the Dune Climb is. Perched dunes are uncommon and falling dunes are rare. I know of no falling dunes anywhere that compare in size to the Dune Climb and those dunes adjacent to it.
It is 130 feet to the top of the first hill at the Dune climb and about another 130 feet to the top of the second hill. Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the largest dune on the Atlantic coast, is just a little over 100 feet. Compare that to the 260 feet of the Dune Climb. That height would not be so difficult to climb if it were solid ground, but it is soft sand that gives way under each step. As you step up 12 inches you lift your body weight to this spot but the sand gives way under your foot and it slides down 8 inches. You have done enough work to go up 12 inches but have only moved up 4. So in reality you will climb the 130 feet three times to get to the top of the first hill. While the angle of the slope may seem like 45 degrees, its actually less than 20. The Dune Climb is a little easier to climb in the spring when the sand just below the surface is still damp but it gets harder as hundreds of happy feet churn up the sand to dry in the summer sun. Of course the easiest time to climb is just after a good rain. In fact a cool day after some rain is the perfect time to head to the Climb but come down if there is lightning in the air. Sleeping Bear Dunes seem to have a special affinity for lightning so don’t take a chance.
If you get to the top of the first dune you will have a good view of Little Glen Lake and if you get to the top of the second hill you will get an even better view but you will not see Lake Michigan on the other side. From the top of the second hill it is still 1 ½ miles up and down across five big dunes to the lake. This is easily the most strenuous hike in the Lakeshore and will take most folks three hours. It is a great hike if you are prepared with water, sun protection, foot ware and time, but it is a not so fun of a hike if you are to head out unprepared, which unfortunately many people do.
The Dune Climb is an active dune that moves. A measuring stick was placed at the base of the dune at the north end of the Dune Climb several years ago. You can find the exhibit there and with a little arithmetic calculate that the Dune Climb moves toward the parking area about three feet a year. This is not just a little sand blowing across the ground but the full 130 foot wall of sand moving ahead 3 feet a year. The parking lot has been moved back twice during the 35 years I was a Park Ranger. It will need to be moved back again in a few years, Hopefully the engineers that designed the new paved parking lot took that into account. The trees you see part way up the hill used to be in front of the hill, and are actually just the tops of much larger trees that are being buried as the dune advances. Folks often ask if the dune will eventually reach Little Glen Lake and begin to fill it in, but since the dominant wind is from the southwest, the dunes are headed more toward Glen Haven. I often joked that the reason Little Glen Lake is so shallow is because for 100 years folks have been playing at the Dune Climb and then going for a swim in Little Glen to wash off the sand. 
By the way, the sand you get in your hair, nose and ears, the National Park Service will let you take home as a souvenir but don’t try to fill up your pick-up truck as a fellow did one day.
Another frequently asked question is if there are houses buried under the sand. The answer is no. The area at the bottom of the Dune Climb was once a corn field so there may be buried fence post but the foundation of the farm house can still be seen inside a large clump of Lilac bushes. The all persons, handicapped accessible Duneside Trail at the north end of the Dune Climb goes near the site and one of the sign points out the spot. While there is not a house buried under the Dune Climb, there definitely is a county road under it. In the early years of the 20th century the road ran along a section line. Where the steep dune face came almost to the edge of the road. It was a convenient place for local folks to park their car or buggy and climb to the top. The dune at that time was so steep that sometimes it was called the “dune jump”. After scrambling to the top on all fours, folks jumped off the top (the ladies in their long skirts) and landed a long ways down the slope where they jumped again. Today that section line is well past the top of the first hill and the road is covered by at least 150 feet of sand.
How has the Dune Climb changed while folks have been climbing on it for the last 100 years?
For one, it is not as steep as it would have been as you can see by comparing it to the dune face on either side of it. Second, nearly all of the vegetation is gone although old photos show that there was very little vegetation there because it was such a steep moving dune. Returning visitors, especially those who have not been here for several years, are struck not by the change in slope or the lack of vegetation at the Dune Climb but by how much more vegetation is on the dunes. Despite all the folks hiking and climbing, the Sleeping Bear Dunes are getting greener. Another change is the steady spread of gravel on the surface of the second hill just below the bench in the Cottonwood grove. His is not the result of climbers but other human activity. In the mid 1960s Pierce Stocking constructed his seven mile scenic drive. One section looped across the open dunes just above the Dune Climb following the route of what is now the Cottonwood trail. The road on the open dune was too difficult to maintain and was only open to vehicles for a few years before being abandoned. By the time the park service acquired the scenic drive many areas of the road had been buried under moving sand. They removed as much of the clay and gravel as they could get to without digging out the road but most of the road material remains. As the sand under the road erodes away, the gravel slowly moves downhill leaving a veneer of gravel on top of the fine dune sand. The gravel is now spread over an area almost 100 yards down the slope changing the physical condition of the landmark dune. A sand dune is supposed to be made of fine clean sand, not mixed with rocks.
Folks climbing the dunes have had positive impacts that I believe far outweigh the limited negative impacts. Dune climbers have developed affections for the dunes that resulted in the Sleeping Bear Dunes being protected first as a state park and later as a National Lakeshore that included protection for dunes along Platte and Good Harbor Bays and the Manitou Islands. Moreover, Michigan families’ love of sand dunes has made the state a national leader in the protection of shoreline dunes. What began as a buggy stopped behind a corn field to climb the “Dune Jump” has grown into a statewide desire to protect the largest collection of freshwater dune in the world.
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