Laughing Whitefish Lake Preserve/The Nature Conservancy

Peter White (1830-1908), one of Marquette's most prominent civic leaders from its infancy into its boom times, arrived at the new settlement as a teenager and prospered as Marquette boomed. One-mile-long Laughing Whitefish Lake is the site of his wilderness camp. Most of its land has been donated to The Nature Conservancy. Five miles south of M-28, the preserve consists of over 1,700 acres in all, including wetlands, cedar and alder swamp, and upland beech-maple and hemlock forest. The cottage and outbuildings are still privately owned and in use, off limits to the public.

Spring wildflowers are profuse. This is a wonderful place to observe migrating birds in season, occasional loons and eagles, and other wildlife. This is where White's son-in-law, George Shiras III, took the photographs that made him a famous pioneering nature photographer. The self-guided "George Shiras Discovery Trail" here is along the river's east bank.

From the parking area, cross the river to reach the trails. A wooden box has interpretive brochures. The Discovery Trail starts just to the right of The Nature Conservancy sign.

From May through August, be prepared for bugs, with insect repellent and even a head net. Neighbors who enjoy the preserve advise wearing good walking shoes, bringing water, and paying attention to the directional signs on the trail's second half.

From M-28 at Deerton, turn south on Deerton Rd. Take it to its end, turn right at the schoolhouse, then left at the township hall. You will be on Peter White Rd. Past Whitefish Lodge, the road narrows. Take the left fork. In ľ mile, look for the orange gatepost on the right. In another Ľ mile, look for a small pullout on the left by a large metal gate. (There is no sign.) Park, walk through the gate, and cross the river to the trails. Not handicapped-accessible.
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DEERTON
POINTS OF INTEREST

Tyoga Historical Pathway. A backroads adventure takes you along a loop to ghost town and the mouth of the Whitefish River ... more

Laughing Whitefish Lake Preserve/The Nature Conservancy. The 1,700-acre camp of Marquette's grand old man Peter White, never logged, includes forests, wetlands, lots of wildflowers, and a mile-long lake ... more

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