The Upper Peninsula

When it comes to locations outside northern Illinois and central Indiana, I’ve spent more time photographing in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP) in the fall than anywhere else.  I’ve spent the equivalent of about four weeks photographing autumn in the UP, dating back to my first trip in 2002.  I was back again in 2003, 2006 and 2008.

Red Jack Lake, Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan

While I’ve shot in the western part of the UP, I’ve spent the largest share of my time around Munsing, which is in the north-central part of the peninsula, on the southern shore of Lake Superior.  The area is surrounded by the Hiawatha National Forest, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and filled with lakes, rivers, waterfalls and other wetlands (including the relatively nearby Seney National Wildlife Refuge).

Elliott Creek, Miner’s Beach, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

One of the most inviting things about the UP for a landscape photographer is how empty it is.  With an area of nearly 17,000 square miles and a population scarcely above 300,000 (Marquette, the largest town, has about 20,000 people), there’s plenty of opportunity for solitude.  There are few things I enjoy as much as wandering around the sprawling Hiawatha National Forest with my camera, capturing the seemingly endless photo opportunities presented in and around the dozens of lakes and the dazzling fall colors of the mixed deciduous/coniferous North Woods.  The Lake Superior shoreline, accessible in multiple points in Pictured Rocks, is every bit as compelling and just about as empty.  In my opinion, the UP in the fall has about 95% of the subject appeal of New England with none of the crowds.

Little Carp River, Lake of the Clouds Overlook, Porcupine Mountains State Park, Michigan

Of course the remoteness of the region comes at some “cost”:  it’s about 380 driving miles–only about half of it on Interstate highways–from my base in the Chicago area to Munising, and the trip takes between six and seven hours.  Since I’m starting on the west side of Lake Michigan, I drive north through Wisconsin, and the Interstate ends at Green Bay.  From there, it’s about 165 miles on a series of U.S. highways and a joint county road/forest service road through the Hiawatha to Munising.

Birch Tree Twins, Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan

On October 2 I’ll be making my fifth week-long pilgrimage to the UP–my first in five years.  I will be visiting plenty of familiar places, but will explore many new ones as well.  I am–I think–a better photographer now than I was when I last visited the UP and with a bit of luck–trying to time the peak of fall color is a notoriously frustrating exercise–this will be my best and most productive trip to the region yet.  I know the lay of the land up there pretty well.  All reports I’ve received suggest that this should be an excellent year for color in the area, given the comparatively cool, moist conditions through the spring and summer.  So, things are setting up favorably thus far.  [crossed fingers]

Otter Lake Dawn, Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan

To say that I’m looking forward to the trip would be a massive understatement.

Autumnal Impressions, Halfmoon Lake, Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan

All of the images accompanying this entry come from my previous trips to the Upper Peninsula, and I’m barely scratching the surface with the images I’ve chosen to present here.

White Birch Forest, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

This gives you a sense of the subject matter that is present with just about every step you take.  Perhaps it provides a window into my thought process:  this is why I look forward to this trip with such anticipation.

Lake of the Clouds Sunrise, Porcupine Mountains State Park, Michigan

Though it has little impact on my photographic eye, I was still using a cropped sensor camera the last time I was in the UP: I moved to a full frame system less than two months after I returned from Munising in 2008.  More importantly, I now have the footwear that should allow me much better access to numerous spots in the Hiawatha and Pictured Rocks.  And there’s better road access through Pictured Rocks than was the case on my previous trips, which should provide an outlet to numerous promising, photogenic areas I’ve either glossed over or ignored entirely in the past.

Road to Halfmoon Lake, Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan

When I return, I’ll certainly share some of my favorite images here, as has become my custom when returning from photo trips.  Hopefully what I’ve presented here will be just an appetizer; with some luck, I’ll come back with the main course and dessert.

Lake Superior Sunset, Miner’s Beach, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan