Trail crosses ancient Lake Michigan beaches

Point Beach with Rawley Point Lighthouse. Wisconsin DNR photo.

Point Beach Ridges Trail map.
Click for larger version.

Day hikers can walk along the ridges and swales of a secluded Lake Michigan beach on Wisconsin’s Rawley Point Ridges Trail.

The 5-mile round trip trail runs through beautiful Point Beach State Forest. Part of the route is a segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Nearly 1200 miles long, the Ice Age Trail traces the edge of where glaciers stood at the end of the last ice age in Wisconsin.

To reach the trailhead, from Two Rivers take County Road O north. In about five miles, you’ll reach the state forest entrance; turn right/east into the forest. Park at the entrance station. From the parking lot, walk the entrance road west for about 140 yards then go left/south onto the Ice Age Trail.

The narrow, almost primitive footpath heads atop a forested sand ridge through a cedar grove. On the trail’s right is a swale.

Swales are marshy depressions between ridges that parallel the shoreline. There are several of them at Point Beach. They formed at the end of the last ice age when lake levels were higher. As creeks deposited sediment into the lake, wave action created a series of beaches matching the current shoreline. As the lake level gradually fell, the beaches were left behind as ridges with low-lying marshes in between. Grasses, shrubs and trees then stabilized the ridges while water pooled in the swales.

Headin’ to the beach
At 0.7 miles, the trail reaches the start of the Red Loop. Go left/southeast onto it. The Red Loop – as well as the next two, the Blue and the Yellow – are three ski trails rambling through the hardwood and cedar forest here.

When the trail curves south at 0.8 miles, a spur leads to the beach and a camping site for kayakers. If you wish to only walk the beach, take the spur. Within a few feet, about six miles of undeveloped beach stretch before you. The secluded beach makes for a beautiful moonlight walk as Lake Michigan’s waves crash against the shore.

Alternately, you can keep sand out of your shoes and stay on the recreation trail. If you do, the trail next junctions with the Blue Loop. Go left/southeast onto the Blue Loop’s eastern or beach side.

At 1.9 miles, the trail crosses the road to the Group Camp. This places you on the Yellow Loop’s eastern leg.

Molash Creek
As the Yellow Loop curves west at 2.5 miles from the trailhead, you’ll be able to spot Molash Creek between the trees. This marks a good spot to pause, as there’s a bench to take in the small waterway. Continuing on, the loop briefly parallels the broad and marshy creek.

When the Ice Age Trail and Yellow Loop split at 2.8 miles, go right/northeast on the loop. Once you cross the road leading to the Group Camp; you’re on the Blue Loop’s western leg.

Upon reaching the Red Loop, continue left-straight/northeast on the loop. The way back is on a slightly higher ridge than the one you walked in on.

In addition to cedars, red pines and spruce can be found in the forested area. Cattails and marsh reeds often line the swales. Raspberry bushes and ferns can be found along the route as well.

Rawley Point Lighthouse
When the Red Loop meets the Ice Age Trail at 4.6 miles, go left/northwest into it. Once a bike trail joins the path from the left, the hiking surface turns to crushed limestone.

Upon reaching the entrance road, take the road right/east. In about 100 feet, you’ll pass the trailhead. Continue on the road back to your vehicle.

Once back at the parking lot, drive east on the park road and check out the Rawley Point Lighthouse. The 113-foot steel tower still operates and can be seen up to 19 miles away. Constructed in 1894, it replaced the 1853 brick lighthouse that was refurbished as the lightkeeper’s house. The lighthouse generally is no open to the public but still makes for a pretty sight. A dog trail runs from the lighthouse to the beach.

Definitely bring insect repellent for the trip, as the swales supports a vibrant mosquito and mayfly population. Dogs are allowed on the trail and beach if leashed, except during ski season. Always stay on the trail or the beach to avoid harming rare plants and the fragile dunes.

Hike to one-of-a-kind Great Lakes lighthouse

Rawley Point Light and the keeper's residence on Lake Michigan.

Map of walk to Rawley Point Light. Click for larger version.

Day hikers can explore the grounds of the only skeletal lighthouse of its kind on the Great Lakes just north of Two Rivers, Wisconsin.

The walk to the Rawley Point Light is a brief 0.15-miles round trip. Access to a Lake Michigan beachfront also is available.

To reach Rawley Point, from the intersection of Wis. Hwy. 42 and County Road O (22nd Street) in Two Rivers, take County O east/north. After passing Point Beach State Forest, turn right/east onto Park Road. Leave your vehicle in the lot on the road’s right/south side just before it curves north. Go to the lot’s east side and walk the trail heading right/south.

After passing through a small grove, the trail opens up to the lighthouse grounds with the beach and Lake Michigan beyond.

Long history of lighthouses
Standing 113-feet high, the lighthouse isn’t your standard brick or sandstone structure that make up so many of Wisconsin’s charming light stations. This light instead is the octagonal skeletal structure of the 1859 Chicago Harbor Light, which was dismantled and then reconstructed on the point in 1894.

The lighthouse and point is named for Peter Rowley, who set up a trading post nearby in 1835. A 1888 government records misspelling of his name led to the current use of “Rawley” rather than “Rowley.”

Records are not entirely clear, but a 75-foot tall light consisting of four poles and a lantern is thought to have been erected on the site in 1853. A wooden tower and house was built soon after. Because the wooden tower was in a poor location, though, a brick structure was constructed in 1874. This tower proved to be structurally unsound, however, so it was replaced with the current lighthouse. Trusswork was added to the steel tower’s base to increase the height, a new service room below the lantern was built, and a better lens installed.

The current lighthouse effectively ended shipping accidents on the dangerous shoals around Rawley Point. Prior to it, 26 ships foundered or were left stranded on the point. In 1887, the steamship Vernon sunk nearby, drowning 36 crew members and passengers.

Name change
The lighthouse was known as Two River Point Light until 1956, when it was given its current name. In 1962, a fire destroyed part of the residence. Then in 1979, the lighthouse was automated.

It continues in service today with Coast Guard personnel using the residence. The light can be seen up to 19 miles away and operates a half-hour before sunset until a half-hour after sunrise.

Tours of the lighthouse are not available, but on occasion self-guided tours of the residence are.

After taking in the lighthouse grounds, feel free to walk to the beach and dip your feet into Lake Michigan’s cold waters. The beach stretches about 300 feet from the lighthouse to the lake, so this can at least double the distance of the hike to a minimum of 0.3-miles round trip.