Posted by Scott Mitchell on September 17, 2006 at 8:37 PM
....is coming up quickly. If anyone is coming up here to the Munising area for fall color, I may be available to guide you to some of the sweet spots. Feel free to contact me if interested. We have had good times getting together with MWNP photogs over the last few years. Right Dan?
Posted by Dan Borzynski on September 18, 2006 at 9:08 AM
Yeah, the UP is a great spot to go to shoot and I have met a lot of great people up there as well, including Scott. He really knows the area well.
Unfortunately, I will not be able to make it up there this year, even though I had planned to go. I'll be shooting Ohio this time around - probably not a bad idea since my files of the UP are broader and deeper that Ohio and I live here!
Posted by Paul Wrobel on September 18, 2006 at 11:42 AM
I'll be in Munising Oct. 7-9th for some shooting. It will be my first time in the area and I have a lot mapped out to do over the three days. I'm sure I won't get it all in but that just gives me an excuse to come back.
What are some good places to dine in munising?
Thanks, Paul
Posted by Ronald Frazier on September 19, 2006 at 10:28 AM
I'm just now planning a trip to the UP for Oct 7-15 (or some subset of that week). I'll probably spend a day at taqhuamenon, a few days around munising/pictured rocks, and several around the porkies. As I just made the decision to do this yesterday, I haven't yet gotten much of an itinerary down yet. I'd appreciate any suggestions you have for the Munising area.
Posted by Dan Borzynski on September 19, 2006 at 1:08 PM
Paul, Dogpatch and Sidney's are pretty decent places to eat. If I remember correctly, Dogpatch is across the street from the visitor's center and Sidney's is a bit further west of there. Scott will know.
Ronald, my Michigan gallery on my website is largely from the Munising area, Bond Falls and Lake of the Clouds aside:
http://www.danborzynskiimages.com/michigan.htm
There is also a post somewhere below where someone else was asking about the area. I have given a few places with some time of day suggestions. I'll see if I can find it. ... Here we go:
Depending on time constraints and how much driving you want to do:
Miners Castle evening. There is only one land based shot and and 4-5 feet to work in. You need to be there early to claim your spot. People are usually friendly about shooting and then moving out of the way, but not always.
Miners beach evening
Munising Falls most of the day, except high noon bright sun
Elliot Creek, Bridal Falls evening
Wagner Falls most of the day
Council Lake morning
Red Jack Lake morning
Pete's Lake morning, but scout it the day before!!!!
Half Moon lake ONLY if your vehicle has ground clearance. If it is foggy, it is stunning
Sand Point evening, down the road from Munising Falls. There is also a somewhat interesting Coast Guard station at the end of the road
Laughing Whitefish Falls about an hour away. The road there is also quite interesting in good light, with interesting beaches to stop at
Many of the Hiawatha forest roads south of Munising
5 mile point(??) When you leave Munising, head west to Christmas, take the first right past the Christmas tourist trap (trust me, you'll recognize it), and turn left on another even worse dirt road. Last time I was there, the right from Christmas was unpaved, but maintained and the left part-way down was a disaster. The road can be good or a death trap for a Corolla.
Taquamanan Falls probably under 2 hours east, but a tough shoot, with tannin stained water
Bond Falls, nearly 3-4 hours, shoot before 9 am, the z halfway down from 9 to 11, if the maple across the stream is lit up
Lake of the Clouds 3 hours, state park camping, morning, be there before sunrise
Overlooked Falls, variable
There is also a book called 199 Michigan Waterfalls
Stop at the ranger station/information center in the center of Munising. They are really helpful there. If I remember correctly, it is across the road from Dogpatch, which is a great place for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Check also the following websites for more locations:
mine http://www.danborzynskiimages.com
Danny Burk http://www.dannyburk.com (I think Danny is also running a workshop up there this year, which would be worth attending)
Posted by Steve Sage on September 25, 2006 at 5:42 PM
I'm going up. I'll probably be in the area from Oct 5-8th. I hope to run into some of you.
Posted by Ronald Frazier on September 26, 2006 at 11:12 AM
Hey, thanks for all the info. That's a great list. Somehow, I didn't stumble upon that when I scanned through the forum archives.
Where exactly is Red Jack Lake? I have the DeLorme Michigan Atlas & Gazetteer from a couple years ago, and I can see there is a Red Jack road that passed through the area with all the tiny lakes, but I don't see any of them labeled Red Jack Lake.
Also, I'm starting to wonder if I'm going to be too late for colors in the 2nd week of october. I'm seeing a lot of photos with color already. I wish I could switch it up and go next week, but I don't think thats possible.
A question about rain...I know lots of rain in the summer helps give better colors, but I thought I also heard that rain in the fall is actually bad. Is this correct, or am I mis-remembering? Just wondering, since the munising forcast for the entire next 10 days is rain, rain, rain, and more rain.
Posted by Dan Borzynski on September 26, 2006 at 3:14 PM
If you can find Council Lake on the map, it is a right turn about 80% of the way down to Council, on one of the forest roads, just south of the Munising Airport. The forest road you are looking for is a right turn as well, coming from Munising. It might be the second (or maybe 17'th) one south of the airport, but that is coming from memory rather than a map.
Unfortunately, I can't be more specific than that as my maps of the area are packed in a box for moving. The staff at the visitor's center in Munising will be able to help, plus they have maps for the area. If the name doesn't work for them, find out how to get to Council and you'll pass it on the way down. If you can get to Council, go there first. Once you get down there and finish shooting, start driving back out. The first turn you come to, which will now be a left backwards "Y", is the road to Red Jack. It is maybe a couple of hundred yard drive back out. Also, try e-mailing Scott Mitchell, who started this thread. He lives up there and knows the area really well.
Rain might be problematic, as it will take down a lot of the leaves. You might need to be a bit creative, or do a lot more forest floor or water shots. Just try to be open to what is in front of you, rather than what you came to shoot.
Posted by Ronald Frazier on September 26, 2006 at 5:36 PM
I've figured out where it is. I found a nice website that has GPS coordinates for tons of lakes. Go to:
http://www.goingoutside.com/
choose lakes, then Michigan, then Alger county, then the lake you want. Scroll near the bottom of the page, copy the coordinates, plug them into google maps, and TADA!!!!
Posted by Scott Mitchell on September 26, 2006 at 8:44 PM
Sorry for the delayed reply in this thread. I had been away for the weekend then swamped with catch-up projects and didn't have much puter time. Besides that, a tree fell in my yard and just missed my house. Left a mess to clean up.
Anyways, the color here is really getting exciting. Tuesday early morning was just beautiful in the hills here around Munising. No images taken, I could only look out the door from work. The color is probably 50% by my estimation here near the lake. A bit more inland. There are pockets that are brilliant and pockets that area all green.
For you folks that are planning on shooting here, you need to look at getting to some of the places early such as Pete's Lake, Council Lake, Red Jack Lake and Elliot Falls on Miners Beach. These locations are visited frequently by a couple of workshops that are here. You will likely meet them somewhere. Usually about 20 people to a workshop.
Dan makes a good point. There is usually lots of good shooting even after most of the leaves are down. I enjoy looking for colorful mushrooms at that time.
Posted by Dan Borzynski on September 27, 2006 at 9:39 AM
Red Jack (Wahoo!!! I actually labelled boxes for my move!!!) Take H13 south from Munising, The airport is about 1/3 of the way there. Go past Buckhorn Road (H09 on the right, 445 on the left). The forest road you want is the second right.
And for all of you going up, HAVE A GREAT TRIP!
Posted by Scott Mitchell on September 27, 2006 at 8:46 PM
The road to Red Jack and Council Lakes is about 1/4 mile north of the Petes Lake Recreation Area access road and is between Thornton and Moccasin Lakes on H-13. This road also services summer homes on Moccasin Lake. You will go past the entrance to those homes and continue due west for about 2 miles. The turn to Red Jack drops off to the right, just before a curve to the left. Continue on about another 1/4 mile and you will be at Council Lake.
Discussion
11 repliesUnfortunately, I will not be able to make it up there this year, even though I had planned to go. I'll be shooting Ohio this time around - probably not a bad idea since my files of the UP are broader and deeper that Ohio and I live here!
What are some good places to dine in munising?
Thanks, Paul
Ronald, my Michigan gallery on my website is largely from the Munising area, Bond Falls and Lake of the Clouds aside:
http://www.danborzynskiimages.com/michigan.htm
There is also a post somewhere below where someone else was asking about the area. I have given a few places with some time of day suggestions. I'll see if I can find it. ... Here we go:
Depending on time constraints and how much driving you want to do:
Miners Castle evening. There is only one land based shot and and 4-5 feet to work in. You need to be there early to claim your spot. People are usually friendly about shooting and then moving out of the way, but not always.
Miners beach evening
Munising Falls most of the day, except high noon bright sun
Elliot Creek, Bridal Falls evening
Wagner Falls most of the day
Council Lake morning
Red Jack Lake morning
Pete's Lake morning, but scout it the day before!!!!
Half Moon lake ONLY if your vehicle has ground clearance. If it is foggy, it is stunning
Sand Point evening, down the road from Munising Falls. There is also a somewhat interesting Coast Guard station at the end of the road
Laughing Whitefish Falls about an hour away. The road there is also quite interesting in good light, with interesting beaches to stop at
Many of the Hiawatha forest roads south of Munising
5 mile point(??) When you leave Munising, head west to Christmas, take the first right past the Christmas tourist trap (trust me, you'll recognize it), and turn left on another even worse dirt road. Last time I was there, the right from Christmas was unpaved, but maintained and the left part-way down was a disaster. The road can be good or a death trap for a Corolla.
Taquamanan Falls probably under 2 hours east, but a tough shoot, with tannin stained water
Bond Falls, nearly 3-4 hours, shoot before 9 am, the z halfway down from 9 to 11, if the maple across the stream is lit up
Lake of the Clouds 3 hours, state park camping, morning, be there before sunrise
Overlooked Falls, variable
There is also a book called 199 Michigan Waterfalls
Stop at the ranger station/information center in the center of Munising. They are really helpful there. If I remember correctly, it is across the road from Dogpatch, which is a great place for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Check also the following websites for more locations:
mine http://www.danborzynskiimages.com
Danny Burk http://www.dannyburk.com (I think Danny is also running a workshop up there this year, which would be worth attending)
Where exactly is Red Jack Lake? I have the DeLorme Michigan Atlas & Gazetteer from a couple years ago, and I can see there is a Red Jack road that passed through the area with all the tiny lakes, but I don't see any of them labeled Red Jack Lake.
Also, I'm starting to wonder if I'm going to be too late for colors in the 2nd week of october. I'm seeing a lot of photos with color already. I wish I could switch it up and go next week, but I don't think thats possible.
A question about rain...I know lots of rain in the summer helps give better colors, but I thought I also heard that rain in the fall is actually bad. Is this correct, or am I mis-remembering? Just wondering, since the munising forcast for the entire next 10 days is rain, rain, rain, and more rain.
Unfortunately, I can't be more specific than that as my maps of the area are packed in a box for moving. The staff at the visitor's center in Munising will be able to help, plus they have maps for the area. If the name doesn't work for them, find out how to get to Council and you'll pass it on the way down. If you can get to Council, go there first. Once you get down there and finish shooting, start driving back out. The first turn you come to, which will now be a left backwards "Y", is the road to Red Jack. It is maybe a couple of hundred yard drive back out. Also, try e-mailing Scott Mitchell, who started this thread. He lives up there and knows the area really well.
Rain might be problematic, as it will take down a lot of the leaves. You might need to be a bit creative, or do a lot more forest floor or water shots. Just try to be open to what is in front of you, rather than what you came to shoot.
http://www.goingoutside.com/
choose lakes, then Michigan, then Alger county, then the lake you want. Scroll near the bottom of the page, copy the coordinates, plug them into google maps, and TADA!!!!
Anyways, the color here is really getting exciting. Tuesday early morning was just beautiful in the hills here around Munising. No images taken, I could only look out the door from work. The color is probably 50% by my estimation here near the lake. A bit more inland. There are pockets that are brilliant and pockets that area all green.
For you folks that are planning on shooting here, you need to look at getting to some of the places early such as Pete's Lake, Council Lake, Red Jack Lake and Elliot Falls on Miners Beach. These locations are visited frequently by a couple of workshops that are here. You will likely meet them somewhere. Usually about 20 people to a workshop.
Dan makes a good point. There is usually lots of good shooting even after most of the leaves are down. I enjoy looking for colorful mushrooms at that time.
And for all of you going up, HAVE A GREAT TRIP!