Benzie Information on: Sleeping Bear Dunes
The best of times are free and easy in Northern Michigan
By Danielle Horvath
For around 20 bucks or less, you can fill a cooler, grab your sunscreen and spend the day at the beach that gives you the best of both worlds – warm North Bar Lake and a few feet away, Lake Michigan to cool off. Just north of the village of Empire, the beach goes on forever and offers panoramic views of the dunes and the coast. There is a considerable hike around North Bar Lake, so it tends to attract a younger crowd.
EVENT LISTING
By Colin Merry
Frankfort
Take a Kid Fishing
When: June 26th and 27th. Nightcrawler hunt starts at dusk, fishing starts around 8a.m.
Where: Mineral Springs and Open Space parks.
What: The 6th annual Take a Kid Fishing event gives children the opportunity to learn fishing doesn’t have to be hard or about competition. Kids don’t even need their own equipment! Volunteers teach aspiring anglers the basics of fishing and set them up with a rod, reel and some bait. The kids do the rest. Coffee and doughnuts will be available in the morning and a picnic lunch with hot dogs, chips and pop will be provided in the afternoon. Everything is free of charge. Event organizer Bob McNabb said no child will be turned away, though it is preferred they come accompanied by an adult. Call Bob McNabb at 231-352-4440 or 231-352-7251 for more information.
Frankfort Farmers Market
When: June 27th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Open Space Park
What: Local growers and food producers offer a variety of organically grown produce, baked goods, fresh eggs and free range meats in a traditional farmers market setting. This week is the Lavender Festival. Learn about the properties of lavender and experience crafts, beverages, baked goods, soaps and skin care products created using lavender. Actual lavender plants will also be available for purchase.
Honor
Strawberry Social
When: June 27th, from 1-3 p.m
Where: Benzie County Road Commission in Honor
What: Strawberry shortcake, ice cream, lemonade, and ice tea are served for a $5 donation to support the programs of the Benzie Area Historical Society. Social butterflies can also take a look at the equipment used to maintain Benzie County roads. Visit the Benzie Historical Societies Website or the Benzie County Chamber of Commerce for more information.
Benzonia/Beulah
Big Band Concert Fundraiser for the Benzie Area Zonta Club
When: June 27th at 7 pm
Where: Benzie Central High School Auditoruim
What: The Couriers from Ann Arbor will perform music in the “Big Band” style, with guest performers from the high school. True North will open the concert. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Call Kath at 231-383-2434 for more information.
Beulah Boosters’ Family Bike and Picnic Day
When: June 28th, from 9:30 am to 11am Lunch and activities from 11am to noon.
Where: Beulah Downtown Park
What: Bike the trail with family, then enjoy children’s activities and the “Taste of Beulah” lunch afterwards. Musical entertainment will be on hand. This event is sponsored by the Village of Beulah Boosters Club. Call 231-882-4457 for more information.
Wheels 4 Wellness Bike Ride
When: June 27th, starting at 9:30 am.
Where: The Beulah Village Park
What: A scenic and leisurely bike ride around Crystal Lake with the intention of helping programs and organizations such as the Benzie Human Services Collaborative provide food, clothing and emergency services like heating and transportation. Registration is $40 per pair of riders, $25 for a single rider and $50 for a family. Visit www.endomanpromotions.com/events/wheels4wellness.php for more information.
Onekema
Michigan Energy Fair
When: June 26th, 27th, and 28th. Events start at 12 pm Friday and 8-9 Saturday & Sunday
Where: Manistee County Fairgrounds
What: Created by the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, the Michigan Energy Fair brings together exhibitors and keynote speakers to educate people about renewable energy technologies. Keynote speakers this year include Lt. Governor John D. Cherry, State Representative Dan Scripps and Scott T. Harrison, CEO of Azure Dynamics. The 3-day fair also includes live music, barbecues, banquets, workshops, children’s games and much more. Visit the Michigan Energy Fair website for more information and a full schedule.
Empire
Free programs offered by the Park Service
 When: Saturday, June 27th, at 1 p.m.
Where: Heart Visitor Center in Empire
What: Each Saturday afternoon in June, the National Park Service offers free programs to help park visitors explore the area. This Saturday, the NPS has scheduled a walking tour of the lakeshore. Learn about the workings of a beach ecosystem as you explore the Lake Michigan’s sand and surf. Visit Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore's official website for more information.
By betsiebay.net
|
Also posted in Arts and Culture, Betsie Almanac, Beulah, Empire, Events and Entertainment, Frankfort, Honor, Manistee, Outdoor Recreation, Stories, Things To Do
|
 The National Park Service proposes a tunnel through the dunes to a new Lake Michigan overlook on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. They also propose a new trail to the second platform that overlooks the Sleeping Bear, which would have less impact on the dunes and be less difficult to maintain. It is essential that the local public carefully evaluate this dramatic proposal and comment to assist park official in this complex management decision.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) that provides an array of alternatives for addressing issues at Lake Michigan Overlooks 9 and 10 on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is a 7.4 mile self-guided auto tour that provides visitors insight into the history of the area, a sample of vegetative communities, and overlooks of Glen Lake, the Sleeping Bear Dunes, North and South Manitou Islands, and Lake Michigan. This highly-visited site attracts over 200,000 people each year to overlooks that afford spectacular views. It is the only location in the National Lakeshore where visitors can access these views by a short walk from their vehicles.
The perched dune at this location is roughly 450 feet above Lake Michigan. The path from the parking area to the overlooks takes visitors directly across the top of the perched dune, and despite signs discouraging visitors from descending on the bluff face toward Lake Michigan, many do so. Some of these visitors are injured during the descent, due to missteps or falls, or during the ascent, from heat injuries or exhaustion. The intense foot traffic in this location has caused considerable erosion of the dune and perhaps the bluff face. Finally, maintaining the current configuration of the path and overlooks is difficult and expensive because of the blowing and shifting sand.
The Lake Michigan Overlooks Environmental Assessment describes the “no action” (current management) alternative and provides three action alternatives to address the issues described above in a way that still allows people to access the outstanding views. The National Lakeshore Preferred Alternative (Alternative D) proposes a tunnel and raised boardwalk to access a newly-constructed Overlook 9 and a new path from the existing parking area to existing Overlook 10 that consist of trails, steps, and boardwalks. Trails on the dune areas may use cable/post and sand ladders, as needed, to delineate the trail.
The park service would like your opinion on the best way to offer the spectacular views while reducing hazards, erosion, and maintenance costs. The Lakeshore encourages you to comment on the EA until the public comment period closes on July 6, 2009. the proposal can be seen on the Lakeshore’s website (link). Paper copies are available for review at the National Lakeshore Visitor Center in Empire, the offices of Empire and Glen Arbor Townships, the Village of Empire Office, the Glen Lake Community Library, Benzie Shores District Library, Darcy Library of Beulah, Leelanau Township Library, Leland Township Library, Suttons Bay Bingham District Library, and Traverse City District Library. A very limited number of paper copies and CDs are available upon request.
You are strongly encouraged to submit comments electronically. Alternatively, you may mail comments to: Superintendent, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, 9922 Front Street, Empire, MI 49630.
A public open house on the project is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center auditorium in Empire. A 30-minute presentation on the EA will be held at 5:00 p.m.
We look forward to receiving your thoughts and opinions concerning the Lake Michigan Overlooks Environmental Assessment. For more information, please contact the National Lakeshore at (231) 326-5134.
Photo credit: The overlook by c.f.mason
by Bill Herd
Appears curtsey of Leelanau.com to view this article on their website and to read other articles in the series, please go to America's Lakeshore: Behind The Dune Climb
 The Dune Climb at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is perhaps the best known natural feature in Michigan. A surprising number of people haven’t just seen a picture of it or viewed it from an overlook – they know it from having had direct personal experience with it. They have struggled to the top, felt the sand between their toes, and – when a run down the dunes ends abruptly -tasted it in their mouth. They have vivid memories of their family and friends having fun together there. Usually when they say “Sleeping Bear Dunes” they mean the Dune Climb. While they know the Dune Climb from personal experience, it is just the tip of the “sandberg” it is much more then a big wonderful pile of sand to climb. Here are some of the most interesting things about this favorite Michigan landmark.
The Dune Climb is different than almost all other dunes along the Lake Michigan shore. Most dunes are created when the wind takes sand from Lake Michigan beaches and piles it up. But the sand at the Dune Climb has never been in Lake Michigan or on a Lake Michigan beach, and the wind has actually piled it DOWN. The sand at the Dune Climb came from dunes higher up on the Sleeping Bear Plateau. The dunes on this plateau, which is a moraine deposited when the last glacier melted, are called perched dunes because they are not down at lake level but perched on top of a hill. The hill, which happens to be a very sandy hill, provides the sand. Simply, strong winds from Lake Michigan hit the exposed bluff and drive some of the finer grains of sand up hill where they pile up as perched dunes. As the wind continues day after day and year after year, some perched dunes migrate inland until they fall off the backside of the hill. These are called falling dunes, which is what the Dune Climb is. Perched dunes are uncommon and falling dunes are rare. I know of no falling dunes anywhere that compare in size to the Dune Climb and those dunes adjacent to it.
It is 130 feet to the top of the first hill at the Dune climb and about another 130 feet to the top of the second hill. Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the largest dune on the Atlantic coast, is just a little over 100 feet. Compare that to the 260 feet of the Dune Climb. That height would not be so difficult to climb if it were solid ground, but it is soft sand that gives way under each step. As you step up 12 inches you lift your body weight to this spot but the sand gives way under your foot and it slides down 8 inches. You have done enough work to go up 12 inches but have only moved up 4. So in reality you will climb the 130 feet three times to get to the top of the first hill. While the angle of the slope may seem like 45 degrees, its actually less than 20. The Dune Climb is a little easier to climb in the spring when the sand just below the surface is still damp but it gets harder as hundreds of happy feet churn up the sand to dry in the summer sun. Of course the easiest time to climb is just after a good rain. In fact a cool day after some rain is the perfect time to head to the Climb but come down if there is lightning in the air. Sleeping Bear Dunes seem to have a special affinity for lightning so don’t take a chance.
 If you get to the top of the first dune you will have a good view of Little Glen Lake and if you get to the top of the second hill you will get an even better view but you will not see Lake Michigan on the other side. From the top of the second hill it is still 1 ½ miles up and down across five big dunes to the lake. This is easily the most strenuous hike in the Lakeshore and will take most folks three hours. It is a great hike if you are prepared with water, sun protection, foot ware and time, but it is a not so fun of a hike if you are to head out unprepared, which unfortunately many people do.
The Dune Climb is an active dune that moves. A measuring stick was placed at the base of the dune at the north end of the Dune Climb several years ago. You can find the exhibit there and with a little arithmetic calculate that the Dune Climb moves toward the parking area about three feet a year. This is not just a little sand blowing across the ground but the full 130 foot wall of sand moving ahead 3 feet a year. The parking lot has been moved back twice during the 35 years I was a Park Ranger. It will need to be moved back again in a few years, Hopefully the engineers that designed the new paved parking lot took that into account. The trees you see part way up the hill used to be in front of the hill, and are actually just the tops of much larger trees that are being buried as the dune advances. Folks often ask if the dune will eventually reach Little Glen Lake and begin to fill it in, but since the dominant wind is from the southwest, the dunes are headed more toward Glen Haven. I often joked that the reason Little Glen Lake is so shallow is because for 100 years folks have been playing at the Dune Climb and then going for a swim in Little Glen to wash off the sand.  By the way, the sand you get in your hair, nose and ears, the National Park Service will let you take home as a souvenir but don’t try to fill up your pick-up truck as a fellow did one day.
Another frequently asked question is if there are houses buried under the sand. The answer is no. The area at the bottom of the Dune Climb was once a corn field so there may be buried fence post but the foundation of the farm house can still be seen inside a large clump of Lilac bushes. The all persons, handicapped accessible Duneside Trail at the north end of the Dune Climb goes near the site and one of the sign points out the spot. While there is not a house buried under the Dune Climb, there definitely is a county road under it. In the early years of the 20th century the road ran along a section line. Where the steep dune face came almost to the edge of the road. It was a convenient place for local folks to park their car or buggy and climb to the top. The dune at that time was so steep that sometimes it was called the “dune jump”. After scrambling to the top on all fours, folks jumped off the top (the ladies in their long skirts) and landed a long ways down the slope where they jumped again. Today that section line is well past the top of the first hill and the road is covered by at least 150 feet of sand.
How has the Dune Climb changed while folks have been climbing on it for the last 100 years?
 For one, it is not as steep as it would have been as you can see by comparing it to the dune face on either side of it. Second, nearly all of the vegetation is gone although old photos show that there was very little vegetation there because it was such a steep moving dune. Returning visitors, especially those who have not been here for several years, are struck not by the change in slope or the lack of vegetation at the Dune Climb but by how much more vegetation is on the dunes. Despite all the folks hiking and climbing, the Sleeping Bear Dunes are getting greener. Another change is the steady spread of gravel on the surface of the second hill just below the bench in the Cottonwood grove. His is not the result of climbers but other human activity. In the mid 1960s Pierce Stocking constructed his seven mile scenic drive. One section looped across the open dunes just above the Dune Climb following the route of what is now the Cottonwood trail. The road on the open dune was too difficult to maintain and was only open to vehicles for a few years before being abandoned. By the time the park service acquired the scenic drive many areas of the road had been buried under moving sand. They removed as much of the clay and gravel as they could get to without digging out the road but most of the road material remains. As the sand under the road erodes away, the gravel slowly moves downhill leaving a veneer of gravel on top of the fine dune sand. The gravel is now spread over an area almost 100 yards down the slope changing the physical condition of the landmark dune. A sand dune is supposed to be made of fine clean sand, not mixed with rocks.
Folks climbing the dunes have had positive impacts that I believe far outweigh the limited negative impacts. Dune climbers have developed affections for the dunes that resulted in the Sleeping Bear Dunes being protected first as a state park and later as a National Lakeshore that included protection for dunes along Platte and Good Harbor Bays and the Manitou Islands. Moreover, Michigan families’ love of sand dunes has made the state a national leader in the protection of shoreline dunes. What began as a buggy stopped behind a corn field to climb the “Dune Jump” has grown into a statewide desire to protect the largest collection of freshwater dune in the world.
Photo Credits
More Benzie County Information:
|
|
350 is simply the number of parts per million that scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere. For all of human history until about 200 years ago, our atmosphere contained 275 parts per million of carbon dioxide. Right now, we're pushing 400 and all that CO2 is trapping heat, melting glaciers, contributing to the spread of disease and in general, screwing things up to a point where we could very well create our own demise. But 350 is more than a number–it's a symbol of where we need to head as a planet. You can get much more information at 350.org (including this nifty animation that makes it simple).