Lake Superior
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Of all the U.P.'s remarkable features, nothing rivals in importance and worldwide recognition the body of water that forms the peninsula's entire northern border.
• It is the world's largest freshwater lake in surface area. Its 31,700 square miles makes it roughly the size of South Carolina and larger than the Czech Republic.
•It is a deep lake, far deeper than the other Great Lakes. Its deepest point, over 1,300 feet, is 40 miles north of Munising.
• It is a cold lake, much colder at its surface that the other Great Lakes. Even in the middle of summer, its offshore temperature typically stays in the 50s F., a good 20 degrees F. lower than the other lakes.
• It is an exceptionally clear lake. Its average underwater visibility is 27 feet. In places one can see 100 feet down.
• Among the earth's most prominent features, Superior is probably the youngest. Its current appearance emerged only about 10,000 years ago after the glaciers which helped form it melted. Its present elevation, 600 feet above sea level, was established only 2,000 years ago when Lake Michigan and Lake Huron levels suddenly dropped, creating the rapids at Sault Ste. Marie and the need for locks to lift and lower boats 27 feet to get to and from the other lakes.
• Superior contains an enormous amount of water, 10% of all the surface freshwater on earth. The combined volume of all the other Great Lakes together isn't close to Superior's 2,900 cubic miles.
• Lake Superior creates the world's greatest snow effect. This surprisingly rare phenomenon has a huge effect on winter life in the U.P. The Keweenaw Peninsula, reaching far out into the lake, gets the biggest effect. Sometimes in the Keweenaw it will snow steadily for days on end. Average snowfall there is over 200 inches a year.
• Before Europeans arrived in the 17th century, huge fish swam in Superior. Explorers reported sturgeon up to 9 feet long and pike over 7 feet long. Today both the lake's sturgeon and muskellunge can grow as large as 5 feet and 80 lbs.
• Lake Superior is the Great Lakes' most pristine not just because it is the uppermost, but because 90% of the 2,980-mile shoreline is forested. This means run-off from agricultural and urban areas is far less than for the other lakes.
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• Within Lake Superior's watershed there grows the world's second largest number of native orchids (58).
• Were there to be a major environmental catastrophe for Lake Superior, the effects would be especially devastating because it would take 191 years for all its water today to be replaced with new water.
Return to Munising
POINTS OF INTEREST
Munising Front Range Light. Imposing 1908 58-foot white light tower is part of a system of range lights that guide ships into Munising's harbor of refuge. Behind & up the hill is the shorter but higher white round rear range tower. Boat captains lined up the two lights to steer safely into this harbor of refuge. ... more
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. A major Midwest destination with wonderful waterfalls, vistas, and hikes, the sandstone bluffs here rise up to 300 feet high, shaped by wind, waves, and ice into dramatic columns and caves, and stained red, blue and green by seeping minerals to form colored "pictures" ... more
Sand Point Beach. With lovely sand & striking views, some thing it's the best beach in Michigan ... more
Scenic drive Munising to Marquette. Miles of public beaches, vistas, and elegant river mouths delight travelers who take M-28 along this stretch. ... more
Spray Falls. Enjoyable 3-mile hike takes you to one of the U.P.'s premier falls ... more
Tannery Falls. One of the U.P.'s most delightful waterfalls is reached by a splendid path along Tannery Creek ... more
Pictured Rocks Visitor Center. Recommended first stop for every new visitor—for maps, handouts, scheduled talks and walks on nature and history, and customized, impartial advice from a knowledgeable staff of adults who live here and know the area well. Also a nature bookstore ... more
Pictured Rocks Cruises. Great way to see the Pictured Rocks, preferably in the late-afternoon light, unless you have your own boat or take a kayak tour, ... more
Glass Bottom Boat Shipwreck Tour. Peer down through a large boat's viewing wells at three shipwrecks south of Grand Island ... more
Ice Climbing in Pictured Rocks. A top Midwest spot for ice climbing just east of Munising, where tall sandstone bluffs create dramatic blue columns of ice ... more
Lake Superior. Of all the U.P.'s features, none rival the largest freshwater lake in the world. ... more
Central Munising. A wonderful picnic spot, with grills, bandshell, and farmers' market on Munising Bay; a popular coffeehouse-bookstore, some specialty stores; and a kids' castle playground ... more
Alger County Heritage Center. Munising's rich history revealed in many displays, including 1830s fur trader's cabin from Grand Island, vintage Munising Woodenware products, historic kitchen, old post office ... more
Northern Waters Sea Kayaking. An adventurous way to see the cliffs, caves, and shipwrecks by Grand Island and the fabled Pictured Rocks ... more
Grand Island Scenic Overlook. A breathtaking vista out beyond Munising Bay of Grand Island ... more
Munising-area Waterfalls. Avoid crowds and visit four delightful, secluded falls in and near Munising: Horseshoe Falls, a quaint private attraction; the Twin Waterfall Plant Preserve; and Wagner Falls off M-94 ... more
Munising Wi-fi Hotspots. • Chamber of Commerce has wi-fi 24/7 (can use in parking lot). 129 Munising Ave. (M-28) across from Subway. • Falling Rock Café & Bookstore has wi-fi. 104 East Munising/M-28 downtown, just east of Elm. ... more
Valley Spur Cross-Country Ski and Mountain Bike Trails. Artfully laid out, meticulously groomed, this 38-mile trail system is a favorite destination of dedicated cross-country skiers from far and wide ... more
McQuisten Recreation Area. Views from boardwalks on this beautiful pond are hidden gems for birders & naturalists. There's an elaborate playground, too ... more
Hunt's Map Guide to the Upper Peninsula
• 13 detailed U.P. maps
• Full color, on sturdy, water-resistant paper
• Folds out to 12”x38”
• Only $6.95
To learn more & buy online, click here
