Weeeeeeeeeeeee!
You start going by going straight up a 100' wall of loose clean sand, which flattens out slightly so you can enjoy a stunning view of Glen Lake from above before rising again with towers of more sand. Once you've cleared the prologue, where every step forward is like 1/2 step back in the grainy stuff, it's clear that this will be no mere afternoon power walk.
The trail is nothing but rising and falling dunes, with precious grasses and some cottonwoods holding the peaks in place. It reminded us a bit of Torrey Pines in San Diego, though the sand was much deeper and more expansive. Few of the groups near us made it past the 3rd climb, where the hot buzzing bugs were singing out to us.
That's bitty Alaina down there.
When we reached the end of the trail at Lake Michigan, we had the whole place to ourselves, so we got ready to soak our cores in what turned out to be a huge ice bath! None of the other beaches we'd been to had been cold, but this one had to be sub-60s. Yow, it felt great on my legs, but I wasn't going under there.
Our swim didn't last long in that cold.
Coming down the first climb is waaaaay more fun than ascending.
After making the slog back to the trailhead, we met up with the rest of the group, who ALL took on the initial dune climb, playing in the giant sandbox like a bunch of kids.
Dad Case says, "C'mon Sue, you can make it!"
The price of the dune climb. First climb is in the background.
After all the excitement, we played it a little cooler, relaxing at a beach in Glen Harbor and taking in the majesty of Stocking scenic drive, where we had snowshoed back in January. This was a much more pleasant way of taking in the sights.
Happy happy happy.
Dunes National Park and Lake Michigan in the background.
Last stop on the scenic drive and still having a blast.
But not as much fun as Cody. I love this picture.
The cliff of sand. Hold on tight!
Surreal.
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