The Sleeping Bear

Many of us are familiar with the Chippewa Legend of Sleeping Bear, but perhaps fewer have had the opportunity to visit the ghost forest that sits where a once lush and bushy forested knob formed the landscape that resembled the mother awaiting her cubs. The Sleeping Bear Dune, perched over Lake Michigan in Leelanau County, is thought to be about two thousand years old and has significantly transformed through the years. Past periods of stability allowed the trees pictured below to grow. Later, the wind deposited more sand on the dune, burying the trees. Through most of the twentieth century, erosion has been the predominant force on the dune, re-exposing this now ghost forest (believed to be one of two layers of such growth).

The sand-blown, sun-bleached skeletons of the dead trees turn an already-awesome view extraordinary. A storm over South Manitou on the night these photos were taken also made for some spectacular clouds in the distance.

Check out the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive for a view of the Sleeping Bear and more amazing views.