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Marsh Lake Pathway & Big Knob beach
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Part of the Lake Superior State Forest, the 1 1/2-mile Marsh Lake Pathway leads west from the parking area by the Big Knob campground and Lake Michigan beach into an area of lakeside sand dunes. Then it crosses interdunal ponds on a small bridge and winds back through marshes before connecting up with Big Knob Road. There's a roadside walk of about 1/6 of a mile back to the parking area.
This area is one of 36 Upper Peninsula natural areas featured in the Michigan Wildlife Viewing Guide. It says, "The site features some beautiful dune and swale habitat. . . . Wind and water from the lake and its changing water levels are constantly sculpting and altering this sandy habitat and its vegetation." The sand dunes are home to many of the protected plants along northern Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, including dwarf lake iris, pitcher's thistle, Houghton's goldenrod, and Lake Huron tansy. Needless to say, they are not to be picked or removed! They have a hard time getting established in this harsh, constantly changing dune environment.
Ducks, geese, gulls, and terns are often seen along the beach and in the small ponds and wetlands behind the first dunes, the Viewing Guide points out. Loons and bald eagles might be seen from spring into fall. Visit www.michigandnr.com/publications/pdfs/wildlife/viewingguide/ for photos of the Big Knob Forest Campground natural areas, plus tips on viewing wildlife, and info on ordering the print book to benefit the DNR wildlife fund.
Now that the state has purchased 11,000 acres south of Gould City going all the way to Scott Point (see below), Big Knob connects up with a stretch of sand beach that goes west for miles and miles. Low dunes behind it make it like the beach along U.S. 2 by Brevort, but without the cars. "What a beautiful beach!" exclaims a longtime forester who's just about seen everything in the eastern U.P. The Nature Conservancy bought this land first, until the state found funds to acquire it.
See directions for Big Knob Pathway but continue south 6 miles from U.S. 2 to the parking area. (906) 293-5131. Handicap accessible: possibly the flat areas. No admission fee. Dogs: on 6-foot leash.
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