Au Sable Point Light

Background Information…

For many years sailors dreaded the eighty miles of dark shoreline that stretched east from the Grand Island Lighthouse to the light at Whitefish Point. Unmarked by any navigational light, these dangerous shores claimed dozens of ships. To fill the gap, a lighthouse was placed on Au Sable Point in 1874. An eighty-seven-foot brick tower was built on a rise, placing the light about 150 feet above Lake Superior’s surface. The Third-Order Fresnel Lens displayed a fixed white light. The attached, two-story brick keeper’s dwelling was large, but those who lived in it knew their’s was one of the most remote mainland light stations in America. The nearest town, Grand Marais, was more than 12 miles away, and there was no road. Keepers either hiked in or came by boat.

The Coast Guard automated the light in 1958. Although the light remains active, the old Third Order Fresnel Lens has been removed from service and is in the lens room in the light tower. The lighthouse tower, the attached red brick keeper’s house and the red brick fog building, as well as several other structures, are still standing at the site.

Au Sable Point Lighthouse is one of the least accessible mainland light stations in the United States. Just as its keepers once did, visitors today must walk to it. The 1.5 mile trail to the lighthouse follows the Lake Superior shoreline and passes the remains of several shipwrecks. These shipwrecks are a sobering reminder of the incredible power of Lake Superior.

During the summer months interpretive tours of both the keeper’s house and the light tower are offered.

Getting There…

To reach the lighthouse, take Alger County Road (H-58) west from the town of Grand Marais about 12 miles to the Hurricane River Campground, where a day-use parking area is available (once you pass Grand Sable Lake, the road turns to dirt, and can be a bit rough in places). In the NW corner of the campground, the two-track trail to the lighthouse is marked.

Note… Where the road turns to dirt, the snow removal ends, so unless you are coming by snowmobile, do not plan to visit during the winter.

Clues…

Lakeshore trail east of lighthouse to the place where a triple barrier prevents you from walking off the edge of the cliff. Look over your shoulder to see a fallen birch log. Herein lies the box. Please cover well when you leave!