Beth Jukuri and friends picked the perfect time of year to hike the Estivant Pines. It's not too hot yet and there aren't any bugs yet. It doesn't get much better than that in my books.

The ladies started out on their adventure, posing at the sign for a record of where the hike was taking place. They were treated to some gigantic pines towering over them, along with several where they couldn't put their arms around the base of the tree, as it was already a larger circumference than their reach.

The last photo is a favorite photo op stop for many folks visiting the Pines... it's an old hollowed out tree still standing near the trail. That's Beth's friend sitting just inside the opening there. It's neat when you're inside it, you can look up and see the sky out of the top.

Beth and friends are doing plenty of hiking lately, as they are training for a 100 mile hike in early October, along the Superior Hiking Trail north of Duluth. They're putting in some miles now, to build up muscles and to break in their boots. Good luck on your adventure, ladies!

Nice pix! I tried to find this place about 7-8 years ago, but it appeared that there was logging going on in the area and I got turned around in all the unmarked logging roads...sure do wish I'd made it.

Nothing short of FANTASTIC!

One of our favourate spots to visit when we're in the Keweenaw because it is so quiet and peaceful!

Alex: you won't get the 'Wing to Estivant Pines, but these days the road is well marked and well traveled so finding it is not too difficult.

Alex: GPS. Works great.

Great shots!!!!

Thanks for the advice, guys. My hiking days are definetly over, but I would still like to drive there just to say; "I made it!"

I think everyone who has ever been there has those pictures looking uuuuuuuuuuup the tree trunks! Looks like they had a great time! We've been looking into a 'track chair' to get to some of these places. Don't think we'd try swampland, but maybe some of these trails would be ok!

Never realized the Keweenaw had such huge pines.

I so enjoyed each of the photos today.
Congratulations to this awesome group on working
for "the big hike"!

A trip to the Estivant Pines is a fairly easy stroll in the woods as far as hiking goes. There are plenty of board walks to keep your feet dry and the elevation changes are minimal (at least for the Cathedral Grove Loop; I've never done the entire Memorial Grove Loop). Last time I was there I met up with a family with small children AND a stroller. They did remark that they wished they'd left the stroller at the car but it demonstrates somewhat the overall lack of difficulty.

The sights are to behold, but the fragrance must
be pretty awesome also!

I haven't been there in ages. Will have to make a point of it this
summer.