Half a day in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Loop Map

If you are talking about the loop that takes you via Mosquito beach & falls you'll hit the more scenic (think 200ft cliffs) part of the Pictured Rocks Trail. I've never done any of inland loop trail, only the 42 mile shoreline trail. So I'm not familiar the trails that go inland. Maybe someone else can speak to that. Here is a pic hiking west out of Chapel Beach towards Mosquito. You won't be disappointed.



If you're in the area you also might be interested in stopping by the "Log Slide" at the eastern end of the trail closer to Grand Marias.

Sorry, I didn't see that part. Chapel Beach and Chapel Rock are worth the hike. Also once you make it to Chapel Beach there are vault toilets there. So shouldn't need to pack tp. However, I don't believe there is potable water. Out of curiosity what month will you be going?

Oh.. if your party gets there and thinks they have enough energy and wants to see something else don't make the mistake and try to go see Spray Falls. You won't see much but a little creek as the falls dump out into the lake. The best view is from a boat. Which reminds the boat tour is worth the $36 and 3 hours.

The last two times I've hiked the trail we've had gale force winds. Watch the weather.

Here is a partial view of the beach and Chapel Rock way off in the background.

If you're coming from the Soo Canadian side, my suggestion is that unless you're in a hurry that day to take H-58 through the Park and take the 15 minutes to see the "Log Slide" If it's been a few years since you've been you'll be pleasantly surprised that H-58 is now a nice paved road rather than the pot holed gravel road it use to be. If you happen to stop by Miner's Castle one of the "horns" on the rock fell off a while back now.

You may still have black flies even in late June. I always wait till at least the 3rd week in August to avoid the black flies and mosquitoes. Maybe a couple of cheap headnets from wally world are in order (just-in-case). In that case you'll want a windy day as that usually pushes them back into the woods.

However, if you have family in the area you might know most of this already. I'm just happy to try and help.

The Chapel Falls - Chapel Beach - Mosquito Beach loop has to be one of the best loop hikes between the Appalachians and the Rockies.

Thanks for sharing the pics. As it stands right now I have plans to do the chapel rock/Mosquito beach loop in a couple of weekends. This just makes me look forward to it even more.

Ho were the bugs?

Such a great hike. It packs as much scenery in 9 miles as any hike in the Midwest.