Miners Castle 1961 – 2013

Posted on by farlane
Miners Castle 1961 - 2013 by Ed Evans

Miners Castle 1961 – 2013 by Ed Evans

On Thursday morning twenty years ago today the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore reported that the northeast turret of the iconic Miners Castle rock formation had collapsed:

One turret remains on Miners Castle, the best-known feature of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The collapse was reported via cell phone by fisherman in the area, according to chief ranger Larry Hach. Most of the rock fell north and into Lake Superior, and there were no injuries.

While the rockfall at Miners Castle on April 13 was startling, such events are not rare along the Pictured Rocks escarpment. At least five major falls have occurred over the past dozen years … Rockfalls along the cliffs typically occur in the spring and fall due to freezing and thawing action of Mother Nature.

Ed shared these photos on a Michigan in Pictures post – click to tell him thanks!!

Much more Miner’s Castle on Michigan in Pictures including this awesome look at the underwater part of the rock formation! While the collapse of Miners Castle wasn’t recorded, here’s a video from 2021 showing the collapse of a section of cliff face near Mosquito Beach.

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Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is ground zero for bomb cyclone

Posted on by farlane
Road Closed by Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Road Closed by Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

The blizzard that just rocked Michigan was predicted to be big, and mLive just shared that the National Weather Service Marquette has confirmed new records set by this storm:

Marquette’s two-day snowfall total of 36.3 inches breaks the all-time two-day snowfall record of 31.9 inches, which was set on March 13-14 in 1997. Weather records for the NWS Marquette area go back to 1959. Also, a one-day snowfall record was set in Marquette on Monday, with 21.7 inches of snow falling. This breaks Marquette’s old record of 7.7 inches that was set in 2013. Intense snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour helped set the record.

As the snow numbers are being totaled, the Upper Peninsula and parts of the northern Lower Peninsula continue to dig out from the storm. Many roads remain closed and local law enforcement and public works officials are asking people to stay home as they try to plow the main routes. In some areas, the back roads likely won’t be plowed for days.

For sure stay safe & check on your neighbors if you can! As always, Michigan Storm Chasers are a great resource, and let me also suggest Lake Superior Photo as a great Marquette resource!

The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore shared this photo with news that Sand Point Rd and all park facilities including the Munising Falls Visitor Center will remain closed through today due to blizzard conditions. Here are a couple more photos they shared recently to prophetically remind folks that winter isn’t over yet!

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Michigan Ice Fest is taming frozen falls in the Upper Peninsula

Posted on by farlane
Ice Climber by James Marvin Phelps

Ice Climber by James Marvin Phelps

Frozen Flow by James Marvin Phelps

Frozen Flow by James Marvin Phelps

Michigan Ice Fest is an annual ice climbing event that kicks off today and runs February 11-15, 2026 in Munising in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The event is an annual celebration of the sport of ice climbing with competitions, clinics, and plenty of social fun! National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation has an interview with Michigan Ice Fest organizer Bill Thompson below that you should check out.

James took these photos last January in the Pictured Rocks. See more in his Michigan Waterfalls gallery and visit James Marvin Phelps Art to view & purchase his work!

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Looking around at Chapel Beach

Posted on by farlane
Chapel Beach Storm by Gary McCormick

Chapel Beach Storm by Gary McCormick

Although we were just in the neighborhood on Monday for the Seven Wonders of Michigan, I couldn’t resist encouraging you to take a look around at one of my favorite Michigan hikes when Gary shared this photo of a storm rolling into Chapel Beach yesterday! The river you see in the foreground is the Chapel River that flows from Chapel Falls (pictured below).

You can see lots more in Gary’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore gallery on Flickr and view & purchase his photos of Pictured Rocks & elsewhere at Footsore Fotography!

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7 Wonders of Michigan: Chapel Rock edition

Posted on by farlane
Chapel Rock by Craig Sterken Photography

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

Chapel Arch by Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

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Sunset at the Coves

Posted on by farlane
The Coves Sunset by Footsore Fotography

The Coves Sunset by Footsore Fotography

I shared this photo 13 years ago, but it really felt like I needed to return here this morning, if only for a virtual moment.

Gary has been a part of Michigan in Pictures for years now, bringing photos from across Michigan, but especially Grand Marais & the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. View & purchase his work at Footsore Photography & for sure follow Gary on Facebook! The first two below are from The Coves along with a collection including Lower Mosquito Falls in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore & the last is from the upcoming Grand Marais Fly-in!

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Underneath Miner’s Castle

Posted on by farlane
Underneath Miners Castle by Chris Roxburgh

Pillars of Ancient Sandstone by Chris Roxburgh

Michigan in Pictures regular Chris Roxburgh is one of my absolute favorite follows on Facebook. It seems like every week all year round he’s under the water showing me something I’ve never seen or a new look at an old friend. Miner’s Castle in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is for sure one of those old friends. What I didn’t realize until today is that the millions of years old sandstone underneath the surface of Lake Superior may be even cooler than what’s above the water!!

Follow Chris on Facebook, YouTube and on his website for much more!

Underneath Miners Castle II by Chris Roxburgh

Here’s the photo “Pictured Blue” by Kiiraaan so you can see what it looks like above the water! More about the pic on this post.

Pictured Blue by Kiiraaan
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This could be your front porch!!

Posted on by farlane
Mouth of the Hurricane River

“Lonely Goose” Mouth of the Hurricane river by Michigan Nut Photography

The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore asks if you’ve ever thought about being a campground host?

If the answer is “Yes!” they are seeking a volunteer campground host for the month of June at Hurricane River Lower Campground. Volunteer campground hosts work 5 days a week and stay in a designated campsite, assisting fellow campers with information and registration, but they do not handle any money, and do not clean restrooms. Campground hosts are welcome to bring their own RVs and campers, though there are no electric or sewer hookups (vault toilets are available) and cell reception is limited.

Hurricane River Campground is on the eastern side of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, about 12 miles outside of Grand Marais. The campground sits above a sand and pebble beach on Lake Superior, which is dotted with shipwrecks as it stretches east towards the Au Sable Light Station.

It’s an awesome spot – learn more & apply on the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore website!

John took this photo of a lonely goose at the mouth of the Hurricane River way back in 2012! For sure view & purchase prints from Pictured Rocks & elsewhere on his website!!

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Before & after the fall at Miner’s Castle

Posted on by farlane

Miner’s Castle before it fell by Sue Spaulding & Miner’s Castle (post-collapse) by Arie Koelewyn

17 years ago today, one of Michigan’s most notable rock formations became less notable when the northeast tower of this distinctive formation collapsed. The day after, the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore reported:

On Thursday morning, April 13, 2006, the northeast turret of Miners Castle collapsed. One turret remains on Miners Castle, the best-known feature of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The collapse was reported via cell phone by fisherman in the area, according to chief ranger Larry Hach.

Most of the rock fell north and into Lake Superior, and there were no injuries. The lower overlook platform near Miners Castle appears to be unaffected.

While the rockfall at Miners Castle on April 13 was startling, such events are not rare along the Pictured Rocks escarpment. At least five major falls have occurred over the past dozen years … Rockfalls along the cliffs typically occur in the spring and fall due to freezing and thawing action of Mother Nature.

You can read more & see more photos in this Absolute Michigan article on the collapse of a turret at Miner’s Castle. While the collapse of Miners Castle wasn’t recorded, here’s a video from 2021 showing the collapse of a section of cliff face near Mosquito Beach.

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Frozen Falls in FiveK

Posted on by farlane

Frozen Munising Falls, Michigan by Tom Clark

Frozen Munising Falls, Michigan by Tom Clark

Tom took this shot last weekend at the 50-foot Munising Falls in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. See more shots in Tom’s UP Trip for Ice 2-4-2022 album on Flickr & for sure zoom in for the crazy detail in this 5k photo!

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