Forest – Page 3 – Through My Eyes And Lens

Archive by category "Forest" (Page 3)

Return To The River

October 28, 2019 - 06:50 AM October 28, 2019Baraga County, Forest, Hiking, Life, Michigan, Photos, Rivers, Waterfalls 0

Yesterday I went out not really knowing where to go, so I headed back out to where I was last week on the West Branch Huron River to explore a little more. Instead of stopping where I did last week, I took a right on a two-track that ran along the river. Driving real slow with my windows down, I was listening for the rush of water, either falls or rapids. I stopped not too far up the two-track and walked down to the river after hearing the roar of the river. It was a short walk down to a very beautiful location with a few short falls. I wandered up and down the river for a few taking many stops for either photos or to rest my leg.
Afterward I just carried on the trail, took another right where I had to ford the river, but had to turn back after a bit due to logging blocking the trail, although there was a Y that I had turned left on so I took that route that lead back to almost where I began. From it was homeward.

West Branch Huron River

The Hunt Was On

October 20, 2019 - 09:14 AM October 20, 2019Autumn, Baraga County, Forest, Hiking, Michigan, Photos, Rivers, UP, Waterfalls 0

Friday I took the day off with the sole purpose to find a location on a river that I always thought was beautiful. After looking at a map, I figured the location had to be on the West Branch Huron River, so I headed out on Black Creek Rd as it runs the closest to the river. I made the turn down where you cross the river to go to Big Falls, but realized this wasn’t right, so I continued on. After a little while there was a turn to the left heading to cross the river again, so I took it and stopped where the river was. Sure enough, this was the spot! I had forgotten about one of the sides of the road you can walk for a long ways along the river and there is also a waterfall near the bridge, Erick’s Falls. Something else on that side, there’s a doorway (to something, for something, I don’t know) between two trees, I knew it right away as I could feel it. I hiked a little ways down the river, but my leg was really starting to hurt so I headed back to go up the other side. On this side there are large Hemlock trees that keep the forest floor open and clear, it’s really pretty. The area of the river I was looking for was just up stream a tad, so I went there and sat a while.
I just wish….
I would like to explore more up stream from this location some day.
After leaving I just drove on a ways making my way in a large loop and headed home.

West Branch Huron River Horseshoe Bend

Erick’s Falls – West Branch Huron River

West Branch Huron River

Robarge Creek

Bridge Over Robarge Creek

Nice Drive

October 13, 2019 - 10:43 AM October 13, 2019Autumn, Baraga County, Forest, Michigan, Photos, UP 0

Went for a nice drive to see what Autumn colors were still around. Looks like most areas are at peak, if not past peak. It sure is pretty out though with all the leaves bright yellow, orange and red. Nature’s last hurrah of color before the dark gray colorless season of Winter arrives. Speaking of Winter, we’ve had a little snow, nothing sticking to the ground yet, just falling.

Bear Den Overlook – Sturgeon River Gorge

Forest Service Road 2200

Out Color and Waterfall Trippin’

October 5, 2019 - 06:58 PM October 5, 2019Autumn, Baraga County, Forest, Hiking, Michigan, Photos, Rivers, UP, Waterfalls 0

Yesterday I went out for what turned out to be a long drive, over 8 hours of mostly two-tracks. I headed out Arvon road again, but this time I took a couple left turns to an area I saw on Google Earth that looked like some nice rapids along the Slate River. Along the way I noticed a waterfall on my GPS that I had never been to, so at the location I stuck my head out the window while driving very slow, and sure enough there was the sound of rushing water. I didn’t see anyplace where others had parked to see the falls, so I just pulled off as best I could. Knowing the river was only abut 200 feet from the road, I figured I’d be able to walk in to see the falls without much problem with my legs. Victory Falls, they are a nice falls, not a large drop to them, but on a wide part of Slate River. After spending a little time at the falls, I (we, Eli and I) drove onward. After driving a ways, a marker on my GPS that said “rapids and falls” came into view, I must have mark this a long time ago. So, I went to that spot, and sure enough I remembered being there a few years ago and marked it to come back again. At this place to, I was able to park pretty close so the walk in wasn’t far. I didn’t end up exploring the river (still the Slate River) quite a bit, and it put my legs through some pain, but it was worth it, it’s a beautiful area. Onward we went. I followed the road we were on, but little did I know it lead to Peshekee Grade Road. I figured what the hell, let’s continue on down. Peshekee Grade Road is a pretty drive even if the road gets really rough near the end where there is pavement, really old frost heaved pavement. Ha, to my surprise, about half of the old pavement had been redone with new blacktop. Well, after arriving in Michigamme it was time to head back home. All in all, it was a good day.

Victory Falls – Slate River

Slate River – The spot marked “rapids and falls”

Peshekee River

Peshekee Grade Road View

Quickish Outing

September 27, 2019 - 09:48 AM September 27, 2019Autumn, Baraga County, Forest, Hiking, Michigan, Photos, Rivers, UP, Waterfalls 0

Yesterday was quite cloudy for most the day, so I thought it would be a good day to get a few things done around the house, then around 2:00 PM the clouds broke. After being at the house for too many days, Eli and I took off for a quick drive. I drove out Arvon Rd. to see if any color was coming out that way, not much yet due to many Oak trees. I stopped at the Slate River to let Eli out and to see how one of my favorite falls was flowing, and also to see if I was able to walk/hike to them because of my issues with my legs. The hike back to the falls went okay, though my legs started to hurt on the way back. Funny thing though, I can stand for ever and not feel any pain, it’s the walking. After spending some time enjoying the peacefulness of the river and falls, we headed onward. I followed another trail that I haven’t been on, which happens to be an old railroad grade. Was a nice drive that came out near Dynamite Hill Rd., so from there we headed on home.

I had my camera, but didn’t bring anything else, such as filters and such and the sun was shining strong at the river, that’s something that is not good for taking waterfall pics., but I think this one turned out pretty good.
This is a 6 image (oriented in portrait) panorama.

Grand Staircase Falls – Slate River

Hunt For Autumn Colors

September 20, 2019 - 09:09 PM September 23, 2019Autumn, Baraga County, Forest, Houghton County, Lakes and Ponds, Life, Michigan, Photos, Rivers, UP 2

Went out yesterday looking to Autumn colors, starting on Covered Road. Covered Road runs from a little outside of Houghton on to Redridge, it’s a pretty drive, but I don’t see how the colors would show due to it being too covered with very tall trees. I then drove into Freda, turned around and took Freda Crosscut Road which heads south east toward Toivola. I took quite a few two-tracks off of the Crosscut Rd., got lost a little, then made it back to M-26. From there I went a little more south and turned on Emily Lake Rd which turns into Pike Lake Rd. Along Pike Lake Rd. I took quite a few stops at the numerous lakes to get some photos. Then on home the back way via Baraga Plains Rd to Menge Creek Rd.
During the day’s drive, I came upon an interesting farm building. A local I know on Facebook to me this about the build…
“This is in the Toivola area near the former Heikkinen School. Barn is typical of southeastern Finland near the Russian border and Karelia which I believe now is a part of Russia but once was a part of Finland.”
At the end of this post is a video of the drive from Baraga Plains Rd down Mange Creek Rd to home.

Farm Building

Farm Building and Barn

Clear Lake Autumn Colors

Headwaters of Pike Lake

Northwestern Road Round Trip

September 7, 2019 - 12:30 PM September 7, 2019Baraga County, Forest, Lakes and Ponds, Life, Marquette County, Michigan, Photos, Rivers, Subaru Forester, UP, Waterfalls 0

Not knowing where I wanted to go yesterday, I decided to head out onto Northwestern Road again. I enjoy taking this road, it’s very remote with some challenging rocky hills and deep forests. The only wildlife I saw was a couple deer, though I was hoping for moose because someone was just on this road and got a photo of one. Oh well. At one of the rustic bridges, over Cedar Creek I believe, the water was flowing over the bridge due to either a beaver damming it up or just debris blocking the flow under the bridge.
Other than the nice drive out in the woods, not much else going. Today I’m just taking it easy, but plan to head out again tomorrow somewhere.

Pea Can Falls

Water Over The Bridge

Yard Sale

Old US-41 and More

June 30, 2019 - 06:36 PM June 30, 2019Baraga County, Forest, Hiking, Lakes, Michigan, Rivers, Subaru Forester, Wildflowers 0

Headed out to start the day on Old US-41 today with Eli, it’s been a few years since I’ve driven it.
The old bridge over Sturgeon River is always a bit strange with it being a narrow two-track at both ends. Beyond the bridge there is a long up hill, then back down in to some pretty deep and muddy holes. The Subie is like a tank going the the mud holes, with mud and water about a quarter way up the doors.
No photos of the mud holes, I was too busy driving. 😬

Once we came back out to the current US-41, I crossed onto King Lake Rd. That turned out to be a dead end at a small camp ground on the lake. During that little drive I crossed the old Soo Line Railroad tracks.

After that, headed back out to the main road then turned on Old Michigan 28. Found a turn that said Vermilac Lake Public Access. This turned out to be a very pretty spot. It’s also the only area we got out and did some walking around. Every other spot I stopped at the deer flies where thick as mud and biting as if they haven’t eaten this year.

Next jaunt I took was back up to the current US-28, turned west on Section 16 Rd and followed that until East Plains Rd, which is part of Baraga Plains Rd. Interesting area. There looks like there use to be a couple old towns along Section 16 Rd, but I not sure. There was and old cemetery. As I was cruising along, I saw a sign that read Tibbets Falls, so I turned down the two-track. Went all the way until a small parking area. As I sat there thinking about going to the falls, the deer flies started to attack, so no way this time. I’ll go back there this fall now that I know where it is.

From there, headed down Plains Rd which did turn into Baraga Plains Rd, then down Menge Creek to home. About a 4 miles down Menge Creek Rd, which is about 8 miles from home, there were signs of a forest fire, a pretty recent fire. I haven’t heard anything about it, but I’m going to ask around. I then carried on home.

Once home, I sat down to unload the photos I took, then felt something crawling on my leg. Damnit! A fucking tick! I grabbed it and down the toilet it went. Then quickly sprayed Eli down real good with tick stuff, threw my clothes in a hot wash and took a shower to look for any more. None. That’s the first tick of the season. I hate the little fuckers!