Slate River and Snow

Woke up this morning to find about 3 inches of fresh snow had fallen over night. The snow is mostly gone now with the sun shining and temps up in the upper 30s.
Once it got bright enough this morning I grabbed Eli and we headed off to the Slate River in hopes of more snow to go along with the waterfalls. Well, there wasn’t any more snow out at the river than there was at home, but it was still nice. We weren’t out there few long because the sun started to break through the clouds and that’s no good for photos of waterfalls and snow, so we headed back home, though we were still out there a couple hours.
Once we were home I heated up some left-over pizza for my birthday dinner, yes it was early but I was hungry.

Oh, and today I join the 60 years old club. Fucking hooray.

Slate River

Slate River

Return To The River

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

West Branch Huron River

The Hunt Was On

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

Out Color and Waterfall Trippin’

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

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

Keweenaw Drive

Headed out early this morning for a drive around the Keweenaw. As I got closer to Houghton it became quite foggy, and the fog didn’t let up fully until I reached Lac La Belle. Along the way I saw a two-track that looked interesting, it went along side Thayer Lake, but right after a bridge crossing a river there was a sign that read “Road Closed”. Bummer! So I carried on toward Gay and up the coast. I stopped at one of the roadside places to get some photos of the fog along the shore and to let Eli out for a bit. Eli really enjoyed walking and exploring the shore on his own. I also went out toward Smith Fisheries Road to get some Lupine seeds. Then up to Copper Harbor and did a quick loop through town and then up to Brockway Mountain. I can back down the same way as up because I wanted to drive along the west shore of the Keweenaw, I just love it through there. I stopped at a spot close to the shore and we got out for a walk about on the rocks. At this same spot there was a bench, I sat there for about 45 minutes just enjoying the bug free cool breeze on the shore of Lake Superior. After that, drove on home.

I’m posting this privately to keep record for myself. I guess all my posts will be this way from here on. I feel really sad.

Brunette Park – Eastern Keweenaw with a bit of fog.

View From Brockway Mountain

Spot Where The Bench Was

Thayer Lake

Old US-41 and More

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!

Old US-41

Old US-41

Old US-41

Old US-41

Abandoned Soo Line Railroad

Birds-foot Trefoil

Wild Geranium

Malva moschata / Musk Mallow

Drive About

Went out for a drive yesterday, just couldn’t be around the house. I headed out Arvon Rd to start, and as things go, I made a few turns here and there, a dead end, and I was a little lost. Along the way as I was going only about 5 MPH looking for wildflowers, I heard water, rushing water. I pulled over for a look and could tell a river was only about 50 feet into the woods, so I grabbed my camera and went in. What a beautiful spot, with lots of large boulders and a good sized river (later on I looked and think it was the Slate River, only way up stream from where I’ve been before).
After driving a ways heading back home, but not really knowing where I was, I came to a garden nursery that I’ve seen many times, but oddly enough, only in the winter. This place is out in the middle of nowhere, but they were quite busy and looked like they had some nice plants and flowers. Too bad I didn’t have the money for anything otherwise I would have stopped. Knowing where I was now, I headed home.

River I found, Slate River I think

River I found, Slate River I think

One of the roads I was on. Saved by beaver

Star-flowered Solomon’s Seal

Common Blue Violet

Star-flowered Solomon’s Seal

Star-flowered Solomon’s Seal