Lake Superior's Wild Shore and Michipicoten Island

Roaring waterfalls, dark pine forests, moose, bear and hiking trails abound on Lake Superior's wild shore.  Bird watchers will enjoy these wild places.

Kayaking, boating and fishing here are popular in the summer.  By fall, the weather may become too cold and the waters too rough for most.

Native Americans living on Lake Superior's shores avoided landing on Michipicoten Island they believe was inhabited by the Manitou of waters and fishes: Michibichi.  They asked this spirit to keep them safe and to grant them an abundant catch.  They also believed the gods who lived below the water gave them copper.

There are islands to explore although some are difficult to reach such as  Michipicoten Island.  http://www.paddlingontario.com/package.cfm?catID=4&subCatID=24&packageID=82

Nipigon Bay on Lake Superior, Ontario Canada

Nipigon Bay on Lake Superior is fed by many small gurgling tributary streams from the north that flow into Lake Nipigon and then for 90 miles through the Nipigon River. This is the northernmost point of Lake Superior.

This is the high north; the habitat lake trout and brook trout.  Sometimes a caribou is seen.

The scenery is beautiful but sadly, both Thunder Bay and Nipigon Bay have been designated  as Areas of Concern due to pollution. The government of Canada is working to remedy the degradation.

For more information about this: http://www.ec.gc.ca/raps-pas/default.asp?lang=En&n=1FEF0867-1

Lake Superior's Witch Tree Ontario, Canada

On the east side of Hat Point on the Sibley Peninsula stands a single white cedar called the Witch tree.  It clings to the rocks ten feet above the water.  Its trunk is twisted like a corkscrew and its green scale like leaves are scanty.  It is called by some arbor vitae or the tree of life.  This is the oldest type of tree on the Great Lakes shores.  It may live more than 800 years.  People have wondered how it stays alive since it appears as though there is no soil under it; its roots wrap around rock. 

Both the Cree and the Ojibway indians have used this tree for offerings by placing tobacco around its roots.  They call it a Manitou or spirit tree and tell legends about it.  One legend is of the manitou Nanboujou who wears the cedar tree on his head with the roots bound around his body.

Another legend tell of an evil spirit in the form of a large bird who would plunge from the top of the tree and swamp canoes.

Map of area
http://www.trails.com/trail-mount-johnson-ontario-canada-5037189.html

Lighthouses of Lake Superior

Lake Superior's rocky shore.  Some of the oldest rocks in the world are found on the shores of Lake Superior. Ships find the lake wild at times and need the help of light houses.  See the link below to Lake Superior lighthouses and their pictures.

http://www.lighthousesrus.org/Superior2.htm

From the top of Mount McKay formerly called Thunder Mountain one can have a bird’s eye view of Thunder Bay, an important shipping port in Ontario, Canada.

According to Ojibwe legend, this sacred mountain is the nesting place of the Thunder Bird, a creature huge enough to carry away men or horses. The mountain is used by the Ojibwe for sacred ceremonies.

There is another Thunder Bay on Lake Huron, but I will write about that one later.

Here is a link to Thunder Bay Ontario: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Thunder+Bay+Ontario

Lake Superior's North Shore

Grand Portage Minnesota

Twenty miles from Isle Royale the sound of waves washing and polishing stones may be heard.

Lake Superior's powerful waves have smoothed and shaped rocks of many sizes on the beach and ice moved inland by waves has stacked the rocks in piles on the beach. Small stones clink and roll back and forth in the foaming surf. It's a good place to find agates.

The sound of rushing water--the Pigeon River runs over twenty miles of rapids to empty into Lake Superior. This river marks the boundary between Minnesota and Ontario, Canada. It is also the boundary between the United States and Canada.

The high rock cliffs along the coast line of the North Shore face south at an angle and collect the warmth of the sun so it is often warmer on the coast than inland.

Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior

Hiking Isle Royale made me feel I was living in Edenic times.  Thimbleberry bushes  grow taller than people and bear delicious fruit.  We saw a moose and heard its cry like a rusty bugle but we never saw  the elusive wolves.   The quavering calls of loons rang through the air.  The reason it felt like Eden was the absence of cars and roads and the beautiful flora and fauna.  We hiked paths and found greenstones, a semi precious stone formed in the volcanic rock of the island.

We also saw ancient copper mines where the First Nations dug the very pure copper found on Isle Royale and traded it as far away as Texas thousands of years ago.

We had to buy tickets for the boat trip to Isle Royale far in advance.  A small plane also takes passengers to the island but tickets for the flight must also be purchased long in advance.

Even thought it is not easy to reach, the trip is well worth it.    Here is a link with particulars:
http://www.nps.gov/isro/index.htm