I took a photography field trip this week-end for some Miners Castle Nature Photography in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.  I really wanted to go back to this amazing spot in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.  In the winter the road to Miners Falls and Miners Castle is not plowed so getting there takes a long walk, with or without snow shoes or cross country skis, or a snowmobile.  For me the choice was an easy one since it’s quite a long walk and we had other places we wanted to see on our too-short visit to Munising.  By the way, every visit to the UP is too short in my book!

We booked a tour with Lake Superior Ice Cave Tours for their Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore Tour to Miners Castle Overlook and Miners Falls Trail Head.  One of these years when the ice is right I’d love to go on one of their tours to Grand Island to see more fabulous ice formations.  They pull sleds with seats behind their snowmobiles so you can bring along a camera bag, snow cleats, snacks, etc.  The first stop on our tour was the trail head for Miners Falls.  The walk is .6 miles through a snow laden forest.  We were lucky to a have a sunny day, about 25° in February, just perfect!  The trail is easy and the last half is slightly rolling and winding.  The upper lookout is easily accessible.  For the stops down to a better view you will really want ice cleats.  It makes walking on the snow packed steps easy instead of treacherous.  This was not the first time that day that ice cleats saved the adventure.  With ice cleats you can also walk down to where these climbers were.  There is an impressive rock overhang to the right.  I love seeing where water seeps out of the rocks and freezes.  At the top of the darker area of the falls you could see the water flowing underneath a layer of ice. It was so cool to see the rush of water!

 

Miners Falls Winter Photography

Miners Castle Nature Photography

We headed back up the steps then hiked back to the trailhead to hop back in the sleds for a ride to Miners Castle.  There are few viewing spots to view the iconic Miner’s Castle.  You’ve probably seen this view often in the past but to see it in the winter is another treat!  Here she is in all her glory!

Don’t miss the lower overlook as well, just follow the fence line back towards the woods.  The trail winds back and forth and is marked by a wooden railing.  We did not need our ice cleats here.  From here you are treated to a view of the Pictured Rocks and you get a close up view of Miners Castle.

Thanks for checking out my Miners Castle Nature Photography.  It was a fabulous trip and with a ride from Lake Superior Ice Cave Tours you can fit more great adventures into your day.  That morning I did some Munising Ice Curtains Nature Photography along Sand Point Road.  Here are my summer Pictured Rocks photographs.

Here are some more nature photography posts from my latest Pure Michigan Upper Peninsula winter trip to the Mackinac Bridge, Tahquamenon Falls and Munising.  It was amazing!

Mackinac Bridge Blue Ice

Munising Ice Curtains Nature Photography

My nature photography is available in prints, metals and canvas, as well as custom creations.  I’ve added most of the images from this trip so I’d love for you to check back or feel free to send me a message for updates.  I’d love to hear your comments or questions below.  Thank you!