Ice Climbing in Pictured Rocks

This western-most part of The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has sandstone bluffs that have attracted ice climbers for decades. These bluffs seep water to create blue curtains and columns of ice and pillars up to 200 feet high, although the ones off Sand Point Road are 20-50 feet high.

The single most popular Michigan destination for ice climbers is the waterfall-rich region just east of Munising, out Sand Point Road. After parking at the end of the road, climbers walk back to several spots:
• Sweet Mother Moses, the first major climb, just before the wooden bridge.
• Giddyup, 10-12 minutes beyond Sweet Mother Moses.
• Hi Ho Silver, a thin column next to Giddyup.
• Miner's Castle area: reached from the shore from Miner's Castle or from Sweet Mother Moses column
• Dairyland, 40 minutes beyond Sweet Mother Moses.
• Strawberry Daze, 100 yds southwest of Dairyland.
• BridaVeil Falls, 1/2 miles past Miner's Beach.

Farther down the road are:
• Curtains is 1 mile beyond the intersection of Hwy 28 along Sand Point Road,.
• Life's a Pitch ("The Dryer Hose") is a pillar from a creek 500 feet down the road from Curtains.
• The Amphitheater, next to Life's a Pitch.

Another popular destination is Miners Falls with its 40 foot column. This requires a 3-mile ski or snowshoe trek from the end of the plowed road at the junction of Carmody & Miners Castle Roads.

The closest place to get ice climbing gears is
Snow and ice are generally present by the second or third week in December and remain until late March. While ice frequently forms along the Pictured Rocks cliffs above Lake Superior, these areas are not recommended for climbing due to hazardous exposure to the lake. The most accessible ice columns are found along the Pictured Rocks escarpment between Munising Falls and Sand Point along Sand Point Road. Additional columns are located at Miners Falls and on the east side of the Miners Basin.
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MUNISING
POINTS OF INTEREST

Munising Falls. One of the peninsula's premier waterfalls is just minutes from downtown Munisng ... more

Munising Front Range Light. Imposing 1908 58-foot white light tower is part of a system of range lights that guide ships into Munising's harbor of refuge. Behind & up the hill is the shorter but higher white round rear range tower. Boat captains lined up the two lights to steer safely into this harbor of refuge. ... more

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. A major Midwest destination with wonderful waterfalls, vistas, and hikes, the sandstone bluffs here rise up to 300 feet high, shaped by wind, waves, and ice into dramatic columns and caves, and stained red, blue and green by seeping minerals to form colored "pictures" ... more

Sand Point Beach. With lovely sand & striking views, some thing it's the best beach in Michigan ... more

Scenic drive Munising to Marquette. Miles of public beaches, vistas, and elegant river mouths delight travelers who take M-28 along this stretch. ... more

Spray Falls. Enjoyable 3-mile hike takes you to one of the U.P.'s premier falls ... more

Tannery Falls. One of the U.P.'s most delightful waterfalls is reached by a splendid path along Tannery Creek ... more

Pictured Rocks Visitor Center. Recommended first stop for every new visitor—for maps, handouts, scheduled talks and walks on nature and history, and customized, impartial advice from a knowledgeable staff of adults who live here and know the area well. Also a nature bookstore ... more

Pictured Rocks Cruises. Great way to see the Pictured Rocks, preferably in the late-afternoon light, unless you have your own boat or take a kayak tour, ... more

Glass Bottom Boat Shipwreck Tour. Peer down through a large boat's viewing wells at three shipwrecks south of Grand Island ... more

Ice Climbing in Pictured Rocks. A top Midwest spot for ice climbing just east of Munising, where tall sandstone bluffs create dramatic blue columns of ice ... more

Lake Superior. Of all the U.P.'s features, none rival the largest freshwater lake in the world. ... more

Central Munising. A wonderful picnic spot, with grills, bandshell, and farmers' market on Munising Bay; a popular coffeehouse-bookstore, some specialty stores; and a kids' castle playground ... more

Alger County Heritage Center. Munising's rich history revealed in many displays, including 1830s fur trader's cabin from Grand Island, vintage Munising Woodenware products, historic kitchen, old post office ... more

Northern Waters Sea Kayaking. An adventurous way to see the cliffs, caves, and shipwrecks by Grand Island and the fabled Pictured Rocks ... more

Grand Island Scenic Overlook. A breathtaking vista out beyond Munising Bay of Grand Island ... more

Munising-area Waterfalls. Avoid crowds and visit four delightful, secluded falls in and near Munising: Horseshoe Falls, a quaint private attraction; the Twin Waterfall Plant Preserve; and Wagner Falls off M-94 ... more

Munising Wi-fi Hotspots. • Chamber of Commerce has wi-fi 24/7 (can use in parking lot). 129 Munising Ave. (M-28) across from Subway. • Falling Rock Café & Bookstore has wi-fi. 104 East Munising/M-28 downtown, just east of Elm. ... more

Valley Spur Cross-Country Ski and Mountain Bike Trails. Artfully laid out, meticulously groomed, this 38-mile trail system is a favorite destination of dedicated cross-country skiers from far and wide ... more

McQuisten Recreation Area. Views from boardwalks on this beautiful pond are hidden gems for birders & naturalists. There's an elaborate playground, too ... more

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