| Safety tips Les Cheneaux Ecology Camping Lighthouses Bird Watching |
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This trail spans over 75 miles of the northernmost shores of Lake Huron from
the Carp River near St. Ignace through the
Les Cheneaux Islands and on to DeTour Village, located at the mouth of the St.
Mary's River. The Les Cheneaux Islands area is composed of as 36-island archipelago
which was historically used by Native Americans and French explorers
to reach the Straits of Mackinac. The Les Cheneaux area, which includes Cedarville
and Hessel, has been designated by The Nature Conservancy as one of the last
grteat places in the Western Hemisphere because of its pristyine environment.
The trail
is designated for paddle craft; the waters are also used by deep-water craft.
Camping sitesd and small resorts are located along the trail.
| Safety Tips | |
| Always study the shoreline on the chart and review exit points. Plan your trip before you leave shore. Inform someone of your plans. | |
| Practice your paddling skills and know what you are doing! Wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal floatation device | |
| Travel with a companion and make yourself conspicuous. Kayaks and canoes are not easily seen by larger boats. | |
| Dress apprpriately for the weather and for the water temperature. Hypothermia is a killer! | |
| Be prepared for emergencies. Extra items to carry with you might include a paddle, rain gear, lights and a compass. | |
| Respect private homes and property. Please take breaks only on publicly owned land or designated access sites. | |
| Antricipate changes in the weather. Early morning fog is common. Use your common sense and use caution. | |
| Les Cheneaux Ecology | |
| The 80 mile stretch of Lake Huron shoreline from St. Ignace
to Drummond Island is one of the most scenic and ecologically diverse shorelines
in Michigan. Here are marshes, sand dunes, gravel beaches, and limestone
and dolomite ledges -- all where the cedar and fir forests of Michigan's
Upper Peninsula meet the clear blue waters of Lake Huron. Nestled in eaxh of these places are collections of plants and animals, some of which like the Pitcher's thistle and Dwarf lake iris, occur on on the Great Lakes shores and nowhere else in the world. More common and well-known species share these places, such as the killdeer, black bear, and yellow perch. These shoeline natural "communities" not only define the beauty, but the shoreline life itself, of the Les Cheneaux Islands and the shoreline east to Drummond Island. |
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| Camping | |
| Primitive campsites are available on State Forest Land for water access and low impact camping only. Be prepared to hang your food out of the reach of black bears. | |
| Government Island is a Federally-owned island with primitive campsites available. | |
| DeTour State Park has numerous campsites available. | |
| Hiawatha Fedaral Forest areas border the shoreline in some areas. | |
| Lighthouses | |
| Two historical lighthouses are visible from the water trail. South of Dudley Bay and Beavertail Point is Martin Reef Light. DeTour Reef Light is located at the mouth of the St. Mary's River. | |
| Bird Watching Sites | |
| Some of the best places to watch migrating birds in the Great Lakes are Search Bay in the Lake Superior State Forest, and the M-134 Rest Stop operated by the Michigan Department of Transportation. | |