Today's Miles: 8.9
Cumulative Miles: 42.4
We were up at 5:30 this morning. We immediately started packing our gear, even though it was still dark out. We were ready to get going and get off the trail. We had hiked in enough water the day before that we were able to top off and wouldn't have to stop to fill up. Maybe those grueling 3 miles yesterday were worth it.. After a quick breakfast, we were on the trail by 7, just as the sky was starting to brighter up. The trail descended quickly from where we were camped. I didn't realize it until the trail curved around, but our camp was on top of a huge 100 foot cliff.
We were at Miner's Beach before we knew it. Had I known it was that close, I would have just gotten my water there yesterday. I made Jamie stop, so I could photograph a small waterfall.
We hiked across Miner's Beach and then started the climb up toward Miner's Castle. At Miner's Castle, we stopped for a bathroom break and a picture or two.
After that, our goal was the end. There wasn't much of a view that last day after Miner's Castle. Although we were still on the cliff tops, the view was blocked by trees. We just kept our heads down and trudged along. It is funny how your body knows you are close to the end. As you get closer, it seems like every ache and pain gets worse. Jamie's heel was really bothering her, though she did a good job of not showing it. My feet were also getting pretty sore. We stopped for a snack/early lunch at Sand Point Junction. Our energy levels were running low, but a little food helped fuel the fire to get us to the finish. After that it was non-stop to Munising Falls. That last 3 miles seemed to last forever, but eventually we emerged from the woods into the parking lot at the visitor center.
And just like that, our trip was over. Ending a backpacking trip is always bittersweet. On one hand, your tired and sore muscles long for it to be done, On the other, you really don't want to trade the simplicity of trail life for the hustle and bustle of the every day grind.
We checked in at home to let our family know we were off the trail, spent a little bit at the falls, and left to get our blizzard from Dairy Queen. To our dismay, Dairy Queen was closed. So we decided to head to Newberry to get a flurry from McDonalds.
As we were driving, the radio suddenly started screeching out the tones of the emergency broadcasting system, informing us of a chance of severe thunderstorms, with wind gusts up to 60mph and quarter sized hail. At that moment, camping at Tahquamenon Falls sounded a whole lot less appealing. We decided to get a hotel room instead. We were soon all showered up and lounging in a king size bed. We even got to soak away some of our aches and pains in a hot tub. We went and got dinner at Timber charlie's, one of my favorite U.P. stops. It was a nice night, in which we indulged ourselves with lots of food and lounging around.
At about 3 in the morning, I woke up to the sound of hail pelting off our hotel window. We definitely made the right decision in getting a hotel room.
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