A loop in the Yoop
A few weeks ago, once we finally got some snow UP here, I decided to take a little day adventure… and do a “loop in the Yoop”! There were a couple of places nearby I wanted to hit… but it didn’t make sense to do a full day trip there, and once I’m out adventuring, I like to stay out adventuring… so yeah, I looked at what was sort of nearby and made a little itinerary out of it. So if you’re in Marquette or Munising, this is a fun little loop where you’ll hit a couple waterfalls, a scenic overlook, a lighthouse, and there’s a million things to do in between all of that as well… more lighthouses, more waterfalls, cafes, good restaurants, etc. But this is at least a good starting point!
A&M CAFE
So this cafe was recommended to me by a few people… and I knew I had to check it out! It’s in Skandia right along US 41 South. They have everything from breakfast, lunch to dinner… and it’s all home-cooked foods with incredibly generous portions. I ended up ordering this “Jake’s Garbage Plate” because I love breakfast skillets, and it was honestly four meals in one. I had breakfast for the week. 😂 But it was eggs (I always order poached with skillets) with onions and green peppers layered on top of home fries topped with roast beef hash and melted cheese. AND this bread was legit some of the best bread I’ve ever eaten. I’m not sure if they make it themselves in-house or not, but yummmm.
LAUGHING WHITEFISH FALLS
I had never heard of this waterfall before, but someone behind Short’s Brewing Instagram account recommended it to me… so I added it to my list and I’m SO GLAD I went! It’s just an incredibly unique waterfall and easily accessible. You drive down a road, which turns into a bumpy dirt road, but it’s just a short drive beyond that (maybe 3/4 of a mile). You can park, and then walk the mile-long trail to the waterfall. It’s an easy, well-groomed trail, and the staircase and observation deck are beautiful. The waterfall is pretty much a long slide. And it’s one of the tallest waterfalls in Michigan. Very unique, very pretty, definitely recommend. And if you’re not doing this entire loop, it’s just a quick 30-minute drive from Marquette.
WAGNER FALLS SCENIC SITE
After Laughing Whitefish Falls, I continued on my loop which took me on 94 straight to Wagner Falls Scenic Site! I almost drove right past this. It’s right on the main road, with just a small parking lot, before you’re going to hit 28 to head up into Munising. So this is a great waterfall to add to your list if you’re focusing on Munising/Pictured Rocks since it’s right there. But this waterfall was also easy and accessible. Parking lot right off the main road, an easy half-mile trail with an observation deck overlooking the falls! It’s a small waterfall, but very pretty!
MINERS CASTLE UPPER OVERLOOK
So Pictured Rocks in itself… is a long weekend (or even a week-long trip). There are so many waterfalls and scenic overlooks and beaches to explore, along with several lighthouses in the Munising and Grand Marais surrounding areas. But, I decided to hit just one place in Munising while I was making my way up 28 to round out “the loop” and headed to Miners Castle Upper Overlook, which is one of my favorite overlooks in Michigan. Probably one of the most iconic photographed overlooks, because it’s just so incredibly accessible/easy to get to. As you head up into the Pictured Rocks Area, you’ll drive about 5 miles east of Munising and then taking a left to go 6 miles on Miners Castle Road. It’s the only cliff area in the park accessible by vehicle. There is a large parking lot, and paved trails that lead to the upper and lower overlooks, so it’s easy to capture/see this view without having to hike or take a strenuous road. If you’re looking for more to do in the Pictured Rocks area, here’s a recent blog post of some additional things I hit up!
GRAND ISLAND HARBOR REAR RANGE LIGHTHOUSE
This is one of my favorite secret lighthouses… even though it’s on a main road as you’re heading from Munising to Marquette along 28, but it’s just so easily missed. You can drive right past it and not even see it. It sits at the end of a short dirt drive sort of hidden among the trees. I love that I know to look for it each time I pass. But it was built in 1867, and also known as the “Bay Furnace Lights”, which is made up of 2 lights. The front light is located along the water’s edge (which honestly, I still have yet to walk out there…!) This is a great picture where you can see both lighthouses. Looks like I need to bring my drone out there! You can easily visit/access by parking in a small area off the road and walking up to the lighthouses.
LAKE SUPERIOR SCENIC TURNOUT
After that, it was starting to get dark out, so I only had time for one more stop and it was an easy one… but one I hadn’t visited before, which is the Lake Superior Scenic Turnout located right on 28 as you’re heading from Christmas to Marquette. One of my favorite things about road-tripping in the UP is the many scenic turnouts you can take, park, get out and explore for a little bit, stretch your legs, hop back in your car, and head on your way! I wanted to walk along the beach, so I ended up hopping down this sandy cliff hahaha, which was interesting, and just enjoyed Lake Superior for a bit. I was here during golden hour/sunset but it was pretty overcast… but you can see a little pink/purple in the clouds, which was a welcome sight. But yeah, it’s just a beautiful beach, especially for rock hunting, swimming or just watching the sunrise/sunset. Hope you enjoyed my “loop in the Yoop”! I’m excited to take more adventures like this in 2021!
Outfit details:
Stormy Kromer The Swallowtail Jacket
Piper & Scoot Sweater (similar)
Levi’s Wedgie Fit Jeans
Madewell Wool Cuffed Beanie
Blundstone 1671 Chelsea Boot