Park service closes overlook at Sleeping Bear Dunes. Shifting sand, wind to blame

• The Lake Michigan view on platform at Sleeping Bear Dunes Nationwide Lakeshore has been eliminated by erosion.
• The shifting of dunes undermines the helps of the platform, creating a security threat.
• Overseen, a part of the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, supplied a view of Lake Michigan and surrounding areas.

Guests to Sleeping Bears Dunes Nationwide Lakeshore will be unable to take the view from a preferred platform alongside Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive this summer time after winter winds, the location will undermine the location.

The Nationwide Park Service on Could 22 mentioned the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive Lake Michigan overlooked has been eliminated as a result of it shifts dune Had undermined the helps and left them within the air.

“Within the winter, the dune broke the tires with the wood lookout platform,” mentioned the park service in a Fb message. “Robust wind undermines the sand on the foundation of the platform and the Western posts now not touched strong floor. This lack of structural integrity was an imminent security downside. The platform has been eliminated.”

The Park Service mentioned that when constructed the “construction was at a substantial distance from the sting of the dune face. However these dunes are a drecht dynamic system that goes to the east. The dune has now moved additional east than the platform location.”

Whereas the platform has disappeared, the park service mentioned: “The superior view stays the identical”, and famous that the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is now open for the summer time.

What’s Sleeping Bear Dunes Nationwide Lakeshore?

Sleeping Beer Dunes National Lakeshore is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot and one of many two Nationwide Lakeshores in Michigan, the opposite is depicted Rocks Nationwide Lakeshore within the UP.

The place is Sleeping Bear Dunes Nationwide Lakeshore?

The Lakeshore is positioned alongside 35 miles from the japanese shoreline of Lake Michigan in West Michigan northwest of Traverse Metropolis. Within the neighborhood are the villages of Glen Arbor And Empire. The Lakeshore is about 39 miles Traverse City. M-22 runs north and south alongside the Lakeshore.

What’s Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive?

Pierce Stocking was a lumberjack. He ran the bluff above Lake Michigan, impressed by the view of the dunes, Lake Michigan and the islands, the park service mentioned. He got here up with the concept of ​​a highway to the highest of the dunes.

The planning for the highway began within the early sixties and in 1967 the highway, then referred to as The Sleeping Bear Dunes Park, was opened to the general public for the primary time.

Stocking continued to use the picturesque drive till his demise in 1976. In 1977 the highway grew to become a part of Sleeping Bear Dunes Nationwide Lakeshore. A number of years later, primarily based on public opinion, the drive was named the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive.

What’s Michigan’s extra overlooking?

The overlook450 ft above Lake Michigan, presents a “lovely view” of the shoreline, mentioned the park service.

“If visibility is nice, you will notice Empire Bluffs at 4 miles away and flat bay at 9 miles away, each throughout the 106 sq. miles space of ​​sleeping Bear Dunes Nationwide Lakeshore,” the NPS mentioned on its web site. “Even additional south is Level Betsie, the furthest level of the nation, 15 miles away whereas the crow flies. Within the west it’s 54 miles over the lake to Wisconsin.”

What can I see on Pierce Inventory Scenic Drive?

The 7.4-Mile Drive comprises 12 stops and takes about two hours.

It inclusive A lined bridge, the Glen Lake view, Picnic Mountain and Dune over the top, the Cottonwood Trailhead, stops on Dune Ecology, Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear and North Bar Lake and a pine plantation.

How a lot do Lakeshore price prices?

Access passes On the Lakeshore embrace a normal $ 25 move, with completely different costs for bigger automobiles; $ 45 Yr Go and America the gorgeous move at completely different prizes. There are additionally seven days Digital fits.

The America the beautiful Nationwide Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Go is $ 80 for an annual move, $ 80 for a senior lifetime move, $ 20 for a senior annual move and free for army yr move, army lifetime move, entry move, fourth grade and volunteer move.