NMEAC: Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council

NMEAC

The Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council (NMEAC) is the Grand Traverse region's oldest and best-known grassroots environmental advocacy organization. Meetings are the 2nd. Tuesday each month—the public is invited.

Beautiful Leelanau County
Our Hike with John Nelson - June 15, 2008
Photos ©2008 M'Lynn Hartwell (do not reproduce or print without permission please)

If it had not been for NMEAC, this site would have been a camp ground for four hundred RV vehicles.

Click any photo to view an enlarge image.

Our first dune climb found us crawling up the hill on all fours by the time we reached the top. John took us on this route as it was his mother's favorite hike when he was young. Today is father's day. It somehow feels appropriate that we are enjoying one of his favorite places on his day.

John scrambled to the top and is now waiting for the rest of us to manage the climb. Note Lake Michigan in the background.

Brad giving a hand at the top of the first dune climb. Thanks Brad!

John orienting us to the view from the first summit and telling us a bit about the history of the area and how it is now protected from any further development.

A view of the dunes from our first summit.

Our next climb...

...and yes, the climb continues to the top of the tree line.

It was well worth it to climb above the canopy of forest below, viewing our great lake in the far distance.

After descending from the highest summit, we enjoyed another view of our Great Lake Michigan facing toward the Manitou Islands.

Regrouping after our descent.

Ann and Tom appear in the distance offering some great perspective as to the grand scale of the dunes we are traveling through.

At the bottom of the dunes, we all enjoy a walk on the beach on this spectacular day.

The same beach in the other direction.

Lake Michigan waves visiting the shoreline sand.

As we head to the trail head, we pass through another dune area.

Dune grass and dunes.

Dune grass is able to survive with very little moisture. It helps to stabilize the dunes. Hikers should take care not to trample it.

John talks to the group about threats to the Great Lakes from invasive species.

Our last view of the dunes before we head back through the forest

Leaving the dune area, and picking up our trail through the forest. We noted that the plywood sign, marking the trail, had been partially consumed by a porcupine.

Oak and Maple trees

	The bio-diversity we have enjoyed on this hike has been amazing. It was very enjoyable to share the day with such a wonderful group of people.
	Our route

NMEAC