Highpoint: Michigan. Mt. Arvon (1979 ft). July 31, 2010

[TrishandAlex]

Copied from http://www.trishalexsage.com
Accompanying pictures can be found there.
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The last leg of our highpointing trip begins...

Michigan's highpoint, Mt. Arvon, lies in the Upper Peninsula near L'Anse. Rumor has it that this peak used to be difficult to locate, due to the myriad of logging roads that encircle and cross the mountain. When we arrived, however, we found the way well marked by signs such as the one below. The signs, combined with the excellent directions posted on SummitPost.org, made this highpoint easy to find.

http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/151786/mount-arvon.html

I carefully drove my car up the bumpy, gravel road to the parking area, then the girls and I walked the easy half mile to the summit.

Not much to say about this one. There aren't any views to enjoy, other than the surrounding trees. After a few minutes of chomping our lunch, we ambled back down to the car.

Next stop: Illinois.

 

[TrailwrightBratt]

Summit

Yep not much to say about the summit but we enjoyed the peace and quiet as did you.A good place for lunch as did we.
We did not have any trouble finding it, except when we arrived near the pond we were not sure if the right at that spot was the one.We assumed it was correct and started up to find in about 50 feet, a sign that had fallen over pointing to the summit.
Had some nice tasting Ice Cream as a reward in L'Anse.

 

[forestgnome]

You go, girls! It's pretty cool to follow your adventure. Keep 'em coming

 

[Mark Schaefer]

What a great summer you are giving the girls. They seem to be the ever eager and energetic hikers. I am looking forward to more of your current flat state highpoint hikes. Many often seem more like scavenger hunts than mountain climbing hikes, but they are all fun.

I grew up in the LP of Michigan, but we spent several summer vacations in the UP. My parents were more waterfall hikers than mountain climbers. We used do many seemingly endless waterfall hikes in the UP. Even though we climbed a few state highpoints on other vacations, we never climbed the highpoint in my native Michigan. Although at the time I remember learning in school that the nearby and equally viewless Mt Curwood was the highest point in Michigan. So it would have all been for naught had we climbed it. Curwood is now thought to be just 11 inches shorter than Arvon.

There are some good view mountains further west in Michigan in the Porcupine Mountains. I do remember climbing a few of those peaks around the Lake of the Clouds. Although the best and most fun hill climbing in Michigan may be the mega sand dunes like the Sleeping Bear and the Grand Sable.

Keep up the good work ladies. The girls should have the best "How I spent my summer vacation" reports when they head back to school.

 

[TrishandAlex]

TrailwrightBratt and forestgnome, thanks!

Mark, thanks, we did have quite the adventurous summer. I am lucky to have two great kids and I'm even more lucky that the three of us are so close. Nothing's more important to me than my girls. I also like watching them become better and better friends as the days go by.

Regarding the UP -- we spent a few days there, but we didn't get to the Porcupine Mountains (or Mt. Curwood). We did see Painted Rocks, though (they were gorgeous).