‘Singing sand,’ beautiful views await on trail

Campground off off Quarry Bay Trail on
Presque Isle Point.

A popular summer destination, Stockton Island in Apostle Island National Lakeshore boasts 14 miles of maintained day hiking trails that head along beautiful bays, through majestic pines, and across a “singing” beach.

To reach the island, you’ll have to charter a boat or sail your own. There’s a dock at Presque Isle Point near the Stockton Island Visitor Center.

From there, you can take three different trails around Presque Isle Point:
g Anderson Point Trail – Going south of the dock is a 1.4-mile forested trail that parallels the point’s rocky shoreline. It ends at Julian Bay beach, where you’ll want to take off your shoes as the sand “sings” when walked upon. In the distance to the southwest is Madeline Island and to the southeast is Michigan Island. To make it a loop, take the Julian Bay Trail back to the docks for a 1.8-mile walk.
g Julian Bay Trail – Going northeast from the dock, the 0.4 mile-trail heads to Julian Bay beach. Pick up a trail booklet at the Presque Isle to learn about the variety of plant communities you’ll pass. At the beach, take the Anderson Point Trail back to the dock for a 1.8-mile hike or head back on the Julian Bay Trail for a 0.8-mile round trip.
g Quarry Bay Trail – Going north of the dock, the 3.6-mile trail passes a campground overlooking Presque Isle Bay. It ends at another campground on Quarry Bay. At 7.2-miles round trip, children taking the trail should be older teenagers or if young will need to be carried.

The Quarry Bay Trail can be extended by hiking a couple of trails that branch off it. Those trails include:
g Tombolo Trail – About 0.6 miles from the dock, turn onto the Tombolo, which offers towering pines, expansive bogs, and an impressive beach, where it joins the Julian Bay Trail. Combining the Quay Bay Trail segment, the Tombolo, and the Julian Bay trails makes for a 3.8-mile round trip. Warning: At the beach, a lagoon outlet sometimes will require you to cross water.
g Trout Point Trail – About 1.6 miles from the dock, this trail heads northeast for 4.7 miles. It passes through a thick forest, ending at an old logging camp clearing and campground on Trout Point. In the distance, looking directly east from the point, is Manitou Island and going clockwise Ironwood Island, Cat Island and Outer Island. At 12.6-miles round trip from the dock, this trail usually is only done by those camping at Trout Point.
g Quarry Trail – Where the Quarry Bay Trail ends at the bay, this 1.5-mile path continues along the shore to an abandoned quarry. The Ashland Brownstone Company ran the quarry during the 1890s. Combined with the Quarry Bay Trail, a walk to the quarry is 10.6-miles round trip from the dock, so it’s usually only done by those camping on Quarry Bay.

Be aware that bears inhabit Stockton Island, so you’ll want to take precautions with your food. Also, bring insect repellent, especially if taking trails that head near bogs.

Read more about day hiking Northwest Wisconsin in my Headin’ to the Cabin guidebooks.

See historical lighthouse in Apostle Islands

Old Michigan Island Lighthouse,
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

19th-century lighthouse
ranks as Wisconsin's tallest

The pretty Apostle Island National Lakeshore in northern Wisconsin includes 20 of the 21 Apostle Islands and a stretch of shore on the Bayfield Peninsula. Other than the peninsula stretch, you won’t be able to reach any of the islands in the national lakeshore by vehicle – but you can sail there yourself or take any one of a number of charters from the nearby towns of Bayfield and Ashland.

Isolation from vehicular traffic makes each island a quiet and secluded paradise of Northwoods splendor. Almost all of the islands contain hiking trails to enjoy.

Among them is Michigan Island. The 1.6-mile (round trip) Michigan Island Trail runs across it.

Thank a mix-up
The dock for the island sits at the base of the bluff for the Michigan Island lighthouse on the island’s southeast corner. Ascend the 142 steps to the lighthouse; gear and supplies can be pulled up on a cable car using a winch.

A lighthouse has been on the island since 1856 – but only because of a mix-up. The structure was to have been built on nearby Long Island, but a last minute change by a field rep caused its location to be moved to Michigan Island.

One of six historic lighthouses in the Apostle Islands, the Michigan Island site underwent some moderate repairs in late 2012. The public now can access the lighthouse and see exhibits related to it; park volunteers usually offer tours in late morning and early afternoon.

Next to the historical lighthouse is a cylindrical steel tower that replaced its predecessor. Originally located on the Delaware River, the tower was brought to Wisconsin. It’s now the state’s tallest lighthouse.

From the bluff tops looking southwest, you’ll see Madeline Island in the distance. The trailhead begins on an unmarked path behind the lighthouse keeper’s home, winding into a second growth woods away from Lake Superior’s open waters. The trail runs northwest down glacial till through some low-lying and even marshy areas.

Beach of driftwood, shells
In a quarter mile, you’ll reach a beach on the island’s western shore. In the distance is Presque Isle Point, which is part of neighboring Stockton Island.

Turn left/southwest for a walk along the beach, where driftwood and shells are ubiquitous. A marsh sits inland, separated from the beach by brush. Blue herons frequent the marsh.

After 0.55 miles, the beach reaches a primitive campsite on a sandspit sitting at the island’s southwest end. Fires are allowed at the site, and boats can be moored there.

If feeling adventurous, extend the hike by taking the beach as it curves along the island’s southern shore. The remains of an old fishing camp with a large boat are in 0.4 miles. Heavy brush and storm-tossed tree trunks makes the beach a difficult walk back to the lighthouses, however, so rather than making a loop consider returning on the route that you came.

Definitely bring insect repellent if hiking in summer. Also be aware that Lake Superior’s storms can leave you stranded on the island for two or three days at a time, so if camping carry enough supplies.

Read more about day hiking Northwest Wisconsin in my Headin’ to the Cabin guidebooks.