Having visited the area along the Lake Michigan side of the Elberta Dunes a few times I often wondered what the view would look like from the top of those towering dunes.
You get a peak of the view from the viewing area set aside along the bluff that you drive over to reach the public beach. It's a nice view, but you can see the dunes go much higher as they stretch south as far as the eye can see.
Now, thanks to the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and the Village of Elberta, you are able to hike up into those dunes from the inland side for one of the most magnificent views that I've found along the Lower Peninsula's Lake Michigan shoreline.
Tabbed Elberta Dunes South, the Conservancy has an option on a 58-acre parcel that they consider one of the highest quality privately owned dune parcels along Lake Michigan.
"It's got it all," said Kate Pearson, Conservancy charitable giving specialist who has been leading hikes into the property this summer. "Majestic glacial moraines, towering dunes, and untouched forests offer sweeping views of Lake Michigan and the Betsie Valley. I get a thrill each time I hike up to the viewpoint. I can't think of a better overlook in our region."
I would agree. We have lots of great views scattered around northern Lower Michigan along the Lake Michigan shoreline, but, arguably, this overlook may be the most magnificent, certainly one of the most panoramic. The view is almost 360-dgrees, and you stand, according to Pearson, 810 feet above the lake level. That's certainly one of the tallest overlooks in the region. I don't think there is anything over 500 feet above the lake level along Sleeping Bear's National Lakeshore.
There is a temporary parking area that has been mowed along M-22 south of the village. It's across from a yellow house that sits just north of the Happy Valley Inn. A mowed trail leads across an open field to a dirt trail that snakes up into the dunes underneath the canopy of a thick forest.
The area is temporarily open to the public while the Conservancy is in the process of securing funds through grants and donations to close the option they have on the property. The total cost to protect the property is a little over $2 million, according to Pearson. A little over half the funding will come from the DNR's Natural Resources Trust Fund, but over a half-million dollars of private fundraising is needed.
"We have secured some of the private funds that we need to raise, but we still need more donations," said Pearson. "And we need to complete the fund raising before the end of the year.
"It's such a unique piece of property. Globally-rare species such as Pitcher's thistle and Lake Huron locust call it home. There's a quarter-mile of sandy Lake Michigan beach frontage that also goes with the property, and piping plovers have nested along this portion of shoreline."
The property is located within Village of Elberta limits and plans call for the village to manage the potential public recreation and natural area, which makes sense considering its location and local knowledge of the area.
"We are quite excited about the possibility of this new natural area, and it fits well into our master plan for the village," said village council president Doug Holmes. "Our economy is tourist based, and natural beauty and outdoor recreation are what we have to offer. It also makes sense, because we can offer a local presence for daily management. We will know what's going on."
Plans call for the Conservancy to build a trailhead and sustainable trails on the property. Current trails being used to lead you up to that great overlook will probably change once the property is secured. The current pathway is kind of a sandy goat path that would be hard to maintain. The Conservancy has built beautiful trails on similar properties like the new Arcadia Dunes Preserve.
The nice thing about the Elberta Dunes project is that you have to hike only about half the 810-foot vertical height above lake level to get to the overlook. It's about 400 feet above M-22 where you start the hike, according to Pearson who looked it up on her map with contour lines.
It's still a good hike. When you get up on top of the dune looking out over Lake Michigan far below, you will be glad you didn't have to climb from the beach level. The view stretching south, as far as the eye can see, is of more rugged dunes rising above the lake. It reminds me of a wild coast. Looking inland to the north you see more dunes below you and Betsie Bay in the distance. The Village of Elberta lies along its southern shoreline. The Betsie River valley stretches away to the south.
Twice since conducting the hikes Pearson has seen eagles soaring along the lakeshore.
"They were at about eye level, and it was a thrill for our group to see them so close. They were just gliding and hovering," she said.
One of the days I did the hike a small plane circled around the tall dunes flying up the river valley. It wasn't much higher than where we stood.
If you would like a guided tour there is one more hike scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 28, at 10 a.m. They would like you to call ahead and register for the hike; (231) 929-7911. You can also reach Pearson at that number if you were interested in donating to or supporting the fund raising drive to preserve the property. There may be more hikes added for the fall season, which is beautiful with the surrounding hardwood forests. You can also check hike schedules at gtrlc.com.
Currently the trail is not marked. You just keep heading up, but side trails do take off the main trail. Following a tour is the easiest and way to make sure you get to the overlook, although, with a spirit of adventure you can probably find it without much problem.
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