Bluff Your Way to the Top at Empire Bluffs Trail, Michigan

We drive to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore (Empire, Michigan) and hike the Empire Bluff Trail.  This is a popular hike especially at sunset.  The thunderstorm we had earlier today may not be conducive for one of Lake Michigan’s awesome sunsets but we enjoy the trail anytime of the day.  There are two other cars at the trail head when we arrive a little after 8 p.m.  The trail is 3/4 of a mile in length passing by patches of wildflowers, a piece of antique farm equipment, through a pine/spruce forest to the high bluff that overlooks Lake Michigan, Empire Beach, and Glen Lake.  We sit at a wooden bench 400' above the shoreline watching the sunlight dance on the water and the warm golden light coloring the sand.  The sun slips behind a bank of clouds hovering over the horizon ending any possibility for a sunset.   So, the sunset ends not in a fiery blaze of glory but with a gentle golden glow.  

Empire Bluff Trail

Empire Bluff Overlook

Lake Michigan Sunset

Shadow Fun