Cathead Bay

TLC Needed!

This box is in need of a new logbook as the current book has been severely damaged by water; if you are headed this way and would be able to replace the logbook for me, I would be most appreciative. Please contact me for more info. Thanks!

 
If a quiet, sandy, Lake Michigan shoreline, secluded walks over wooded terrain and inland lakes with views of migrating waterfowl pique your interest, Leelanau State Park is the place to visit. Its two separate sections include the popular day-use, camping, and lighthouse-museum area and the undeveloped southern tract, woven with lightly used trails through woods and over dunes, marshes and interdunal wetlands.

Leelanau State Park was established in 1932 when the U.S. Government gave 30 acres of this land to the State. Thereafter, more land was acquired until the park reached its current 1,300-plus acres. The northern section is located at the tip of the “little finger” of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, at the cusp where Lake Michigan meets Grand Traverse Bay. Here, Lake Michigan yields a rocky shoreline for hikers who can take advantage of one of the rustic campsites, enjoy the picnic areas or enlighten themselves at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse, an interpretive maritime museum. Many people enjoy sifting through the rocks along the shoreline for Michigan’s state stone, the Petoskey stone.

Four miles south of the developed section is the larger, southern section of the park, where about 1.5 miles of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline await you. More than 6 miles of trails loop through this tranquil part of the park. If you’re up to it, climb the stairway to the dune-top observation deck overlooking Lake Michigan. Or head inland to Mud Lake and view waterfowl during their spring and fall migrations.

Getting There…

The southern section of Leelanau State Park is located on the Leelanau Peninsula about 3 miles from Northport. Take County Road 629 north out of Northport to Densmore Road (Airport Road), then head left to the parking lot.

Clues…

From the trailhead parking area, follow the Lake Michigan trail to the Cathead Spur. After breaking out of the trees, follow the sandy trail straight ahead to the water’s edge. When you reach the water, turn back and walk at 120 degrees to a small group of white pines in a sandy hollow (you can just see the tree tops from the beach). Once you reach this grouping, stand between the two largest trees closest to the lake and take a bearing of 130 degrees. Follow this to a sandy trail which leads up toward the trees (next to a sprawling, gnarled cedar). When you reach the top of the path and are about to enter the trees, see the fallen log at 60 degrees.