Visiting a Local Gem Called the Bete Grise Preserve

We have known about the Bete Grise Preserve for some time now, and even located the parking area. It wasn’t until this weekend until we decided to check it out. Boy, were sure were missing out!

The parking area can be a little hard to find if you aren’t looking for it. Brown signs often mark attractions in the Keweenaw, but not this one. If you are heading towards Lac La Belle coming from Gay, just keep an eye out for the Pt. Isabelle sign. A few miles from that, there is a primitive parking area on the right. There is also a metal gate in front of the trail.

We thought it would be a long trail to get to the beach, but it was very short. You do need to cross a stream so look for the planks (they can be a little hard to see when they are wet). When you emerge from the trail, all you see is the Lake and the fantastic view of “mountains.” Simply beautiful.

The Lake looked so inviting, and it looks like it was shallow for quite a ways. It could be a nice swimming hole come August. I wasn’t adventurous enough to wade in the water but a little girl there was content with going in up to her knees.

Here’s a picture of the sign you come across when you are in Bete Grise, near Mendota Lighthouse (click on picture for larger view). It gives more details about the preserve itself.

There used to be a sign in the parking area for the preserve, but it was missing when we went this past weekend. Perhaps it hasn’t been put back up yet after winter.

While we didn’t encounter any black flies during our visit, we were greeted by plenty of mosquitoes. I think we’ll visit the preserve more at the end of summer and definitely visit in October for the fall colors. I have a feeling the color display will be absolutely beautiful.

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