Revisiting the Lake Trek: Segment 7

This segment spanned the 161 miles between Mackinaw City and Escanaba, Michigan (I walked the bridge later, on the Labor Day Bridge Walk). This was the longest segment of the Lake Trek in both days (10) and miles (161).

I walked this segment alone, but was shadowed by my brother, Phil, who would drop me off at the beginning of the day, then pick me up 15-20 miles further along the lakeshore at the end of each day.

I walked the wide beaches near St. Ignace and Manistique and scaled the natural limestone walls that appeared in between. Much of the lakeshore was studded with limestone boulders or paved with a limestone shelf that seemed to lift from the water. It was rough going for much of the way, wilderness and rugged landscape. By the end of this segment, I had to retire my boots and break in a new pair on the next segment.

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You can find all videos from the Lake Trek on YouTube at: www.YouTube.com/lniewenhuis

Segment 8 Complete!

Segment 8 took me south from Escanaba along the edge of Green Bay to the city of Green Bay. From there I took two days cutting across land on the Door Peninsula to the city of Manitowoc. I took the Badger car ferry across Lake Michigan on the midnight crossing. It was foggy and the lake was calm, so it was like moving in a liquid dream through the night.

This segment was 155 miles total. The total for the trek now stands at 818 miles!

WKZO's morning host, Lori Moore, had me on her show today. It's always great to speak with the woman who puts the broad in broadcasting!

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Thanks for following my adventure.

Segment 8 Day 1 Escanaba->Fox Park camping 16 miles

High of 70 degrees.
July 14

After just two days off, I began hiking south from Escanaba along the edge of Green Bay. The water level in the bay (and in Lake Michigan) is still down from the high levels in the mid-1980s. This really shows on the bay shoreline. There is often a strip of sand marking the former high water mark and a wide swath of water plants growing in the muck out to the lower water level.

The summer monarchs were dying off and their offspring were munching on the milkweed plants along the way. The monarchs that will migrate to Mexico this fall are several generations removed from the ones that migrated up from Mexico this spring. Amazing.

Oh, and I found D.B. Cooper. South of Escanaba. That's all I'm saying...

Pictured Rocks

Since I had two days off, Phil and I drove up to Munising and caught the Pictured Rocks cruise on Lake Superior. This was the first national lakeshore designated in the nation.

The next segment begins on Tuesday, July 14. I will hike and camp my way down the shore of Green Bay into Wisconsin. Then, for the middle part of this segment, my friend Vickie will drive me to and from the city of Green Bay to the trek.

I'll finish this segment in Manitowoc and will take the Badger ferry across the lake back home to Michigan.

I can't wait to begin the next segment.

Segment 7 Day 10 Top of Little Bay de Noc->Escanaba 17 mile

High of 76 degrees. July 11

On this final day of Segment 7, I walked along the top of Little Bay de Noc, then south to Escanaba. I crossed over several rivers along the way, the Whitefish River being the largest one. The town of Gladstone had a nice waterfront and even a boardwalk through part of the wetlands there.

It felt fantastic to reach Escanaba, and the last few miles I was able to stay close to the water (though on the shoulder of the road). I even saw a swan with two signets.

I'm taking two days off before heading south along Green Bay for the beginning of Segment 8.

Segment 7 Day 9 Peninsula Point Lighthouse->Top of Peninsula 18 miles

High of 76. July 10

This day was a hot one. I walked from the Peninsula Point Lighthouse to the top of the peninsula across Little Bay de Noc from Escanaba. The terrain here was similar to the Garden Peninsula with wetlands and limestone.

It was encouraging to see the city of Escanaba across the bay from where I was hiking, and to know that I have one more day's hike to arrive at the end of this segment.

Where's the Beach?

When I decided to walk around Lake Michigan, I envisioned miles of sandy beach stretching before me. There have been beaches, but I have been surprised at the diversity of the terrain along the way. The shoreline has varied from rocky to wetlands and bogs to lush forests. Sometimes, a road ran right up against the lakeshore.

























I head north to Michigan's Upper Peninsula this week. Segments 7&8 cover the distance from St. Ignace, Michigan, across the southern edge of the UP, around the west side of Green Bay, then across Wisconsin's Door Peninsula. These segments will total over 350 miles, and I'll hike all of it in July (taking breaks in Escanaba and Green Bay).




I have a feeling that the 502 miles that I've walked so far are merely a warm-up for these next two segments. July will find me passing through the most remote parts of the trek, camping part of the way, and enjoying the wildlife and wild terrain that stretches out before me.