Tourist Park – Marquette, MI

N 46°34.360′  W087°24.845′

12-29-07

Tourist Park in Marquette, MI was not our original snowshoe destination on Saturday but definitely a pleasant surprise.  This is not a typical stop for us.  Tourist Park is best known for summer activities housing 110 campsites on the north end of Marquette.  The park is also home to the Hiawatha Music Festival (July 18-20, 2008).  Tourist Park and the hiking trails follow a section of the Dead River that runs approximately 3 miles from northern Marquette to Forestville.

After traveling the second leg of the trip to Marquette this morning and stopping first to meet the newest member of the family, our niece Morgen, we hit the snowshoe trails.  The U.P. has received 2-3 inches of snow each night for the past couple nights laying down a nice base.  We parked at the trailhead on Cty Rd 550 and started out on marked and matted trails running parallel to the Dead River.  We paused briefly by the river to take in the beauty we had never before witnessed.  Meghan, Steve and I then turned into the woods to find “the road less traveled” and ventured to areas of the park not explored since the last snowfall.  As the trail met the road on the southern end of the park, we headed back to the trailhead.

Tourist Park is a dog friendly park with signage reading “dog leashes not required, but encouraged”.  If Steven could talk he would verbalize his appreciation for this loose regulation.

We packed up the snowshoes and headed to The Vierling Brew Pub and Eatery to reflect on the day’s happenings.  Meeting our new niece, taking in the beauty of the Dead River and Tourist Park, and enjoying a pint made for a great day.  I recommend Captain Ripley’s Red Ale and Meghan recommends the Honey Wheat. Enjoy!

Click here to view pictures of today.

AP