Chapel Rock by Craig Sterken Photography
Michigan has some truly incredible sights, but I have to think that Chapel Rock in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore belongs at or near the top of any list of the 7 Wonders of Michigan. Apparently I started to compile a list back in 2015 & added Mackinac Island’s Arch Rock to it. Let’s add Chapel Rock as well. If you have suggestions for the list, share in the comments and then we can vote on them all!
The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore says:
The Chapel area was named by early European explorers and is found on early maps as La Chappelle. Chapel Rock is a remnant of Cambrian age sandstone that was carved by Lake Nipissing high water some 3800 years ago. Continual erosion has carved the rock into the beautiful sculpture it is today. There once was an archway connecting the rock to the mainland (see pic below!). The arch collapsed in the 1940s. The lone white pine on Chapel Rock is estimated to be about 250 years old.
Atlas Obscura adds that a member of the Douglass Houghton expedition exploring Lake Superior’s southern shore described a single pine tree that grew like a “spire” out of the sparse dirt covering the top of the outcropping. Till this day, the same resilient pine stands sentinel over Chapel Rock, connected to the mainland by its extensive root system.
Craig shares that the cool weather has him thinking about autumn colors, and that he was honored to have this photo purchased by National Geographic for a book on national parks! I will for sure share the book when it’s out. You don’t have to wait to see more from Craig though! Follow Craig Serken Photography on Facebook and view or purchase his work on his website!
Chapel Arch by Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Michigan in Pictures 
This very resilient Pine Tree at Chapel Rock is Michigan’s version of the Lone Cypress in California – very cool. Congrats to Craig for having his photo purchased by “National Geographic” – that is great news! I don’t think I’ve been to Pictured Rocks or Chapel Rock. I’ve not traveled around Michigan that much, so sadly I can’t contribute any “gems” to your list. I’ll travel vicariously through all the shots you share here instead Andrew. :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you ever get a chance, go!! They have boat tours so you don’t even have to hike.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really – wow, I didn’t know that! Thanks for that info Andrew!
LikeLike
According to the spiel of the really funny tour guide for Pictured Rocks Boat Cruises (I swear he was Billy Bob Thornton in disguise) this is where the ancient chiefs would tie their captives and let Lake Superior batter them to death. It was a huge hit with my kids. We must have said “Caves of the Bloody Chiefs” a hundred times such as “You better behave or I’ll put you in the Caves of the Bloody Chiefs.”
LikeLike