Earth Whispers | Healing Destinations | A Fall Color Tour of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Fall feels deeper this year. The colors seem more vibrant. The air is cooler and crisper. The leaves rustle louder, the wind feels stronger, and even the sweet smell of fall seems more intense this year.
There are so many beautiful places to enjoy this season of change and renewal, but this new moon, we chose Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It was a short weekend trip, but missing this fall color tour wasn't an option this year.
The drive did not disappoint. As we headed north, the colors seemed to explode around us, transforming from green, orange, and yellow into vibrant golds and reds. Every turn offered another reason to stop and take it all in.
A Stop for Gemstones in Minocqua
We made a stop in Minocqua at one of my new favorite gemstone shops, Maggie's Geological Gems, where I found two beautiful spheres to add to my collection: lapis lazuli and moss agate.
Both stones align with my current creative journey, making them especially meaningful finds.
Maggie is a jewelry maker by trade, but her passion for gemstones has created a haven for jewelry makers and gemstone enthusiasts alike. After recharging my energy at her lovely shop, we were back on the road.
As we traveled farther north, we began to see places where the wind had already left the trees bare. Yet even in their nakedness, their beauty stayed with me.
It was a reminder of how deep this season of change can truly take us. There is beauty in the colors of fall, but there is also beauty in being vulnerable.
Lake of the Clouds: A View Worth Returning To
We arrived around 8 p.m., but there was still plenty of light in the sky, so we headed up the mountain to see whether Lake of the Clouds would prove as breathtaking as the images we had seen online.
Even at dusk, she was showing all her colors
We made five trips up the mountain to Lake of the Clouds during our thirty-six-hour visit, and not one disappointed. Each time, the view was a little different. From one day to the next, we could see the changes as more and more trees revealed their bare branches.
There is something special about returning to the same place and seeing it differently each time. From the changing landscape to the new lighting, it was a reminder that the slightest change in perspective can change the way you see the world.
A Sunrise, a Shared Intention, and an Eagle
On our final day, we caught the sunrise at Lake of the Clouds.
The moment felt surreal, reminding me of the scene from City of Angels, as we all sat patiently facing east. There was something beautiful about watching a group of strangers gather quietly, each of us welcoming the new day in our own way.
You could feel our shared humanity as we set an intention of gratitude for the day.
As if the moment wasn't magical enough, an eagle soared in, literally floating in front of us as we basked in the moment and the collective energy of the sunrise.
It was a spectacular moment and a wonderful prelude to our hike along the Escarpment Trail.
Hiking the Escarpment Trail
The trail was painted in leaves of every color. As the sun broke through the trees, the landscape became a kaleidoscope of gold, red, orange, and green.
We didn't have time to complete the entire hike, but a little over halfway through, the trees opened to an amazing overlook. From there, we could see the entire lake and the creek that feeds into it.
Sometimes you don't need to complete the entire journey to experience something extraordinary. Sometimes the view along the way is more than enough.
Eagle River Lower Falls and the Cedar Tree
Our full-day excursion was truly a fall color tour as we headed farther north toward Eagle River and the Keweenaw Peninsula.
We had camped at Copper Harbor before, but this was our first trip up Brockway Mountain. Along the way, we made a short stop at Eagle River to see the falls and the nostalgic bridges.
I found a cedar tree to sit beneath and enjoy the rushing water. There is something so healing in the cedar. Looking at the way the cedar grows from the rocks, it's no wonder it symbolizes strength and resilience. Indigenous cultures have used cedar for healing and cleansing for centuries.
Finding time for reflection is something I try to incorporate when exploring new places. I like to take a few minutes to simply be present, listen, and let the energy of the surroundings settle in. I often imagine what the land was like before humans claimed it, or envision what the first inhabitants of an area saw and felt.
Brockway Mountain: A 360-Degree View of Fall in the Upper Peninsula
There were a few panoramic views of fall colors as we drove up Brockway Mountain, but none compared to the view from the top.
It was literally a 360-degree view. On one side, Lake Superior stretched toward the horizon. On the other, the mountains were layered in colorful trees, with a smaller lake adding even more depth and contrast.
And then there was the wind.
The wind at the top of the mountain was indescribable. You literally had to use every muscle to hold yourself in place, or you risked being blown over. I don't think I'd ever experienced that kind of wind before!
The View from the Top
The views, though, were so worth it.
I felt like I was on top of the world, and as far as my eyes could see, there was only nature. Trees, water, and sky.
This has been added to my list of favorite places on Earth. I've explored only a fraction of this beautiful planet, but of the places I've seen, Brockway Mountain is a new favorite. We will definitely be adding it to our yearly trips.
If you aren't able to visit in person, I've included some of my favorite images here and created a YouTube video with more photographs and video footage. I hope they offer a little glimpse of the beauty we experienced.
Bonanza Falls: A Glimpse into Ancient Rock
For those of you who are as captivated by the ancient rocks lining Lake Superior near the Porcupine Mountains as I am, Bonanza Falls is worth a stop.
The falls reveal exposed layers of rock, and the way the rock slopes makes it easy to see the different sections and how they were laid down over time.
I love places like this because there is so much more to see when we slow down and look closely. The landscape isn't just a beautiful view; it holds a history far beyond our own.
For those of you who may not like the longer hikes, you will appreciate how little walking it takes to see the falls. You can enjoy them just a few steps from the parking lot. Visitors can also explore and walk out onto the rocks, where conditions allow. Bonanza Falls is more of a series of little falls, created from the many layers of rock.
It's a lovely stop for those who want to experience the beauty of waterfalls and their surrounding rock formations. without a long hike.
Bond Falls: A Favorite Worth the Detour
Bond Falls is one of my husband's favorite stops, and it was definitely worth the short detour on our way home.
The magnitude of the falls rivals Willow River in Wisconsin, with water cascading over the rocks in multiple streams. By this point in our trip, the fall colors had already faded, but the falls still felt magical to us.
This was our fourth trip to Bond Falls, and each time we discover a new favorite viewing spot.
I love that about returning to places in nature. We might think we know a place well, but there is always another angle, another detail, or another moment waiting to be noticed.
Sometimes it's not about finding somewhere new. It's about seeing somewhere familiar with fresh eyes.
Searching for the Northern Lights and the Milky Way
We had heard rumors of the northern lights, so we ventured to the boat landing at the Porcupine Mountains campground to find a relatively dark spot.
The stars were beautiful, and sitting beside Lake Superior, listening to her rhythm, had to be enough for that night.
There were no northern lights on our first try, but the Milky Way always seems more vibrant in the Upper Peninsula than where we live.
On the second night, we sat on the beach again until after 10 p.m., listening to the lake, watching yooperlite hunters with their blue lights, and hoping for a glimpse of the aurora borealis.
We managed to capture a few hints of green and red in our photographs, but there was little to no visibility with the naked eye.
Even without a spectacular display, the experience was fulfilling. Being beside the lake, beneath the stars, and among fellow rock hounds who shared our curiosity was enough.
Sometimes the beauty of an experience isn't measured by whether we see what we came for. Sometimes it's found in the experience itself.
Finding My Way Back to Myself
No trip to the Porcupine Mountains would feel complete without a visit to the cedar tree.
Throughout this trip, I had many opportunities to sit with different trees, including several cedars. Yet none compare to my visits here.
There is something about this tree that calms me, calls me back to myself, and reminds me that we are all one.
I took a few minutes to meditate and thank Mother Earth for this beautiful trip.
While I am grateful for every day, days like this bring a little more intention to that gratitude. They remind me to pause long enough to appreciate not just the places I visit, but the opportunity to experience them.
We spend so much of our lives moving from one thing to the next. There is always somewhere to go, something to accomplish, or something waiting for our attention.
But sitting beneath a tree, listening to the water, watching the sunrise, or simply feeling the wind reminds me that we are part of something much larger than our daily routines.
Nature doesn't ask us to be anything other than present.
And sometimes, that's exactly what we need.
The Beauty of Change and Renewal
This fall color tour was short, but it was filled with beautiful places, unexpected moments, and reminders of why I continue to seek out nature.
From the vibrant colors of Lake of the Clouds to the incredible views from Brockway Mountain, the ancient rock formations at Bonanza Falls, and the familiar magic of Bond Falls, each stop offered something different.
And yet, the lesson felt much the same.
There is beauty in every season. There is wisdom in slowing down. There is connection in sharing a sunrise with strangers, and there is something deeply grounding about remembering that we are part of this Earth, not separate from it.
Fall reminds us that change is inevitable. Some trees still hold their colors while others stand bare. Some seasons ask us to shine, while others ask us to release, rest, and prepare for what comes next.
Perhaps we can learn to welcome our own seasons with the same grace.
As I return home with hundreds of photographs, new favorite places, and a heart full of gratitude, I am reminded that the beauty of a journey isn't found only in the places we visit. It's also found in the moments that bring us back to ourselves.
May we continue to seek out those moments, wherever we are.
May you find yourself in nature… and nature within yourself.
With gratitude,
Lori | Earth Whispering Healing
