View Shipwrecks From Lake Superior's Shore
Andrew Norton
A lot of Michiganians long to see one of the Great Lakes infamous shipwrecks. For those of you who want to get a good view of shipwrecks without the use of scuba gear, I know just the place. Up across the Mighty Mac in Yooper territory on the Lake Superior side you can see a string of wrecks from the shore. Hurricane River Campground is located about 12 miles west of Grand Marais (at the eastern edge of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore). This is where you will find your shipwrecks. You don't have to pay to get in to the campground and see the ruins.
The east end of the campground has a sign at the trailhead of the Lakeshore Trail that reads "Shipwreck" and points you towards the beach. Wooden ribs of a ship stand about 20 yards out from shore. Another mile down the trail finds more ruins on the beach. Jutting up from the sand are the scattered remains of a couple of hulls.
If you wish to see Au Sable Light Station, just travel another half-mile long trail and you will see the restored light. The National Park Service has restored the light and outbuildings. A fairly short hike and plenty to see make this a great stop when traveling in the Upper Peninsula.
History of Au Sable Light and pictures. You can also sign up to be a live-in volunteer to staff the lighthouse museum and station. Volunteer.gov has an application you can download and mail in. Sounds like a great summer vacation if you can afford the time off of work.
You also might wish to visit the Picture Rocks National Lakeshore website.