Starting in 1904, the Crisp Point Light was one of several
navigational lights along Lake Superior’s notorious “shipwreck
coast”. Eventually, the lighthouse fell victim to neglect and
erosion. Deactivated in 1992, it was placed on the lighthouse
“Doomsday List”. Thanks to Luce County and the Crisp Point
Lighthouse Historical Society, the lighthouse has been saved. Since
2012, a new light in the tower serves as an a private aid to
navigation taking Crisp Point Light from doomed to resumed status.
During a July 4th weekend trip to Michigan’s Upper
Peninsula, we take the trek to Crisp Point. This will be our third
visit. I’m not sure if I should count our second visit because the
black flies along the lakeshore were so bad we couldn’t get out of
the car. So, w waved good-bye to Crisp Point without seeing the light tower or walking the beach.
Tower Shadows
In 2018, we were in the Tahquamenon Falls area. The road to Crisp
Point begins in this vicinity. So, we decide to take a side trip and
make another attempt to see it.
The unpaved seasonal roads (CR 500 and CR 412) are just as bumpy and
dusty as I remembered it. Fortunately, there are signs along the
road directing us to the lighthouse. It takes us about an hour to
drive 19 miles to the parking lot to see this light tower on Lake
Superior.
CR 412
The first time we came here, the white tower and set of steps to a
non-existent entrance building were the only things to see.
1990's
Today, the white tower has been restored and stabilized and the small
entrance building has been rebuilt.
2018
The first thing we do is check out the new Visitor Center which
includes a small gift shop/museum. The Visitor Center and
Lighthouse are open during the summer months. However, weather or
volunteer availability may affect the scheduled days and times. I
recommend making a phone call before driving here. A link for
contact information is available at the end of this post.
Visitor Center
Museum
The restrooms are located near the Visitor Center.
After we browse around the gift shop, we go to the nearby light
tower. Stretches of boardwalk help to make getting around the sandy
beach easier.
There are a number of Michigan lighthouses where visitors can climb
the tower stairs. (some charge fees). Here at Crisp Point, it’s
free to climb the stairs up the 58-foot high conical-shaped tower.
We enter the small brick building that provides access to the tower’s
63 metal steps.
Spiral Stairs
Window View of Lake Superior
Top of the Stairs
The spiral staircase leads to the lantern room where a fourth order
Fresnel lens once guided mariners. Currently, a 300mm LED marine
light serves as a seasonal private aid to navigation.
Current Lens
We crawl through the low doorway leading to the widow’s walk
outside the lantern room.
Door to Widow's Walk
The widow’s walk offers an 180 degree view of Lake Superior. From
this higher elevation, the gentle breezes off Lake Superior are cool
and refreshing on this warm July day.
Tower View of Lake Superior
An added bonus (and a pleasant surprise) for us – very few black
flies or other insects are bugging us today! We take advantage of
this situation and walk along the beach. A number of people are
looking for the coveted agate stones that lucky rock hounds sometimes
find along the sandy shore.
Crisp Point is located on Lake Superior about 37 miles north of the
town of Newberry (75 minute drive) or 37.5 miles from Paradise (75
minute drive).
The small town of Paradise does offer a few options for food and
lodging. On this trip, we used the town of Newberry as our
base-camp. Newberry has a few national-chain hotels, a Bed &
Breakfast in an historic house, as well as local restaurants and a
few fast-food places. Since opinions, preferences, and budgets vary,
I recommend checking a trusted travel source for current reviews.
Due to
Crisp Point’s lack of services, I recommend bringing a picnic lunch
and enjoying the scenery and quiet beauty of this remote location.
If you
are interested in other nearby lighthouses, I invite you to view a
few of my other blog posts by clicking on the following links:
Family
vacations created some of my favorite memories. To start planning
your trip to Michigan’s Crisp Point Light, please click on the
following
link:
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for taking the time to comment on my travel blog. I review comments on a regular basis and appreciate any feedback offered.