• Monday-What'sUP August 25 - 05:16 am

I've seen plenty of photos of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore near Munising throughout the years, but I don't think you really understand the size of these rocky cliffs until you see something to compare it too. Laurie Bashaw was lucky enough to be on the boat tour at the same time as a number of kayakers were also touring, so you can see how small they look, compared to the walls they're paddling by. Puts it all into perspective for the viewers who've never had the opportunity to take the tour themselves.

Laurie's first photo is the "famous" Miners Castle view…just look at the colors in this photo! Lake Superior takes on a number of different hues and displays several of them in this shot. If you visited this spot before April 13, 2006, you would have seen the double turrets as they were before one collapsed into Lake Superior that day. You can read more about that right here: Miners Castle Turret Collapses.

The other notable landmark that I recognized in Laurie's photos is Indian Chief Rock #photo #6#. If you look at just the right angle, you see what folks say is the profile of an Indian Chief.

Myself, I'd like to be one of those kayakers there weaving in and out of the arches and caves. I wonder how long a paddle it is from where you can put your kayak in the water to those massive cliffs and caves?

I've been meaning to go there for such a long time. Maybe next
summer. Nice pictures, Laurie. Was that your first visit to Pictured
Rocks?

Great pictures Laurie, thanks for sharing them. One of the many different faces of the rugged and beautiful shoreline of Mother Superior.

Beautiful photos of Pictured Rocks!!

If anyone gets the chance, take the Sunset Cruise out of Munising. Nat and I did that a couple years ago and had a perfect night; clear skies, no waves, and a half-filled boat. I managed to get some great shots of the Painted Wall with the sun shining directly against it, although our peaceful cruise didn't last long as someone recognised us as geologists and before we knew it, we were giving a geologic tour of Pictured Rocks. We didn't mind though, as the other passengers (and tour company) enjoyed the impromptu lesson.....

WOW, those cliffs are way up there, huh!
Thanks, Laurie.

I took that cruise a few years ago and still
enjoy looking at the pictures we took. I had one
of them made into a canvas and is hanging on my
U.P. wall. Beautiful. I got sick on the boat,
though, as we had to ride inside. We are
planning a trip there next summer before we head
to Lake Linden and I will be sure to get there
early enough to be topside.

These photos are awesome!! Thanks for taking me
back, Laurie!! I loved the picture you had of
the lighthouse out there, too. We also have
pictures of that. It's one of my favorites!

Beautiful pictures! Some of the best boating and jet skiing we've ever done, was right out there. It doesn't get any better!

My wife and I want to take the boat ride to see them sometime.

One day we shall know their awesomeness up close.

the trip is well worth it

When I was a kid, our family took that cruise many a time...very relaxing. I also remember walking right out to the turrets and looking down at the lake, there were no barriers back then.
The whole area is a Michigan gem, for sure.

Amazing pics of an amazing place. I have only been to
Pictured Rocks once and I think I may have to go again
after seeing these photos.

Superior and all her beauty!

I have taken it many times and enjoy it every time. If the waves are not too bad, they pull the boat right into one of the arches. You get to see it up close. And wow! It is high up to the top!

One word - BEAUTIFUL!

PHENOMENAL!!